This Whole Wheat Banana Nut Bread recipe is the perfect way to use up ripe bananas, get healthy nuts into your diet, and not need your stretchy pants afterwards.
We pretty much always have a bunch of bananas hanging from a hook on our kitchen counter because everyone in Team Braddock likes them. Both my boys at one time or another have loved having a banana as soon as they woke up. {Jackson is currently in a state of delusion that he does not like bananas but I hope it will pass.} Coach will grab a banana on his way out of the door in the mornings. If we don't have time to make smoothies in the morning, I will enjoy one with breakfast, although I'm particular about how I like my bananas. {I like them yellow with a hint of green meaning they are not super sweet yet and still firm. Anyone else?}
Unfortunately, our bananas pass their prime on a regular basis. It is not uncommon to see a pile of brown bananas lying under my latest purchase of a new bunch. It's hard to throw them out because it feels wasteful. I don't compost, YET (I think I'll have to keep buttering-up Coach for another year or so to get that approval.) I do freeze them for various things, but they seem to easily overtake my small freezer. So what does any good Southern homemaker person do with overripe bananas?
Make Banana Bread!!!
I've made a lot of different types of banana bread through the years. Some of the best tasting involved a lot of cream cheese, butter and/or Bis-Quick but were hurting in the healthy department. If I was going to have the freedom to make banana bread regularly, I needed a better solution that would provide some quality as well as deliciousness.
Many years ago, when I was co-developing a weight management program, my c0-developer shared this recipe for Whole Wheat Banana Nut Bread. I have no idea where she got the recipe from, but it was unique, healthy and most importantly delicious! I've made some tweaks through the years and landed with my own spin that has become my go-to recipe.
This banana bread has not only solved the "what do I do with these brown bananas" dilemma; it has solved the "how do I get my kids to eat walnuts" dilemma too! The boys are pretty good with almonds, but walnuts are starting to get the shaft, unfortunately. This yummy bread is a way that I can keep introducing this super food in hopes that they will one day enjoy them on their own.
With whole grains, flax, natural sweeteners, and walnuts, this version of banana bread of is a good-for-you choice you can make any day of the week.
PrintRecipe
Whole Wheat Banana Nut Bread
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
This whole wheat banana nut bread tastes delicious and uses wholesome ingredients like flaxseed, whole wheat flour and honey.
Ingredients
- ½ cup Avocado Oil
- ⅔ cup Honey
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 Eggs
- 1 cup Mashed Bananas
- 1 ¾ cups Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
- ¼ cup Ground Flax Seed
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- ½ cup Chopped Walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325° F.
- Prepare a 9x5 inch loaf pan by spraying with non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat oil and honey together on medium speed until well combined, about 1 minute. Add eggs and continue to mix on medium speed. Add in bananas and vanilla and mix on medium low speed until bananas are well incorporate. Turn off mixer.
- To the bowl add in flour, flax seeds, baking soda and salt. Mix on low speed just until incorporated. Do not over mix. Using a spatula, fold in chopped nuts.
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a cake tester comes out almost clean when inserted in to the center of the bread. (I think it's better to pull the bread out right before it's fully cooked.)
- Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes. Then remove bread and cool on wire rack for ½ hour before slicing.
Notes
This recipe can be made as muffins. Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 16-18 minutes. Makes about a dozen muffins.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Cuisine: Breakfast
Keywords: banana bread, banana nut bread, whoel wheat banana bread
If you want some other fun ways to enjoy nuts, try my Hidden Honey Bars, Grilled Cantaloupe Salad, Avocado Rubbed Kale Salad or Homemade Dark Chocolate Chunky Bar.