Quarantine = Bakingtime, so here we are again with a different baking recipe. And this is one of my favourites: banana bread. If you ever have some brown bananas and are shortly before throwing them away, do not ever consider that again – just make (healthy & vegan) banana bread!
I think the first time I had that was in the US and it was heavenly (but not healthy at all hahaha) and then again in Lisbon. Since then I am obsessed with it. It just is so incredibly good and moist and sweet, plus it is so easy to make it healthy.
Brown Bananas?
The great thing about banana bread is that it is a use-up dessert and treat. Whenever we have overripe bananas I ether freeze them for smoothie bowls, or I make banana bread out of them. That way you save food that would otherwise go to waste.
Why Vegan?
Because why not? It is not always easy to bake something vegan but in this case it is. You do not need any butter, because the banana is taking the place the butter would usually do, and instead of eggs we are using a mix of vinegar and baking powder as well as chia eggs. Of course, you can substitute them out for eggs if you prefer that or if you do not have these things on hand.
Is it difficult?
It is everything else than difficult. You can actually throw everything into a food processor and mix and bake. If you do not have or want to use one, mash the bananas by hand and mix the other ingredients in by hand. Without a mixer or blender. Transform to a baking dish and voilà – you have it.
Is it versatile?
It is! If you are vegan make it vegan. If you want some chocolate – add some chocolate chips to it. If you feel like something fresh, add blueberries. Want a crunch? Add in some nuts. Want to make it healthier? Use wholegrain flour? Not a fan of wholegrain? – no problem just use plain. If you cannot do baking without butter, use it instead of the coconut oil! So really in the end it is up to you how you make it. Depending on what you like you can add a personal twist to it.
Breakfast, Snack, Dessert – when and how?
This can honestly be enjoyed as any of those three meal. It can be a healthy breakfast (because of the protein, fibre and carbohydrate content), a delish and filling snack or a satisfying dessert.
Maybe you ask yourself how to eat it! I can tell you: the best way is to spread some almond butter on top, some freshly sliced banana and a drizzle of maple syrup or brown sugar. That is the best. But you can also crumble it into a yoghurt (heavenly) or on top of ice cream.
A winner for families!
Want to know why? I can tell you! Because 1) it is so easy to make, so literally everyone in the family can help. 2) it is sweet so it will taste good but it is not an unhealthy dessert because the sugar content is not as high and it is high in fiber. 3) everyone can enjoy it the way the want to. No matter if it is with whipped cream, almond butter, vanilla ice cream or in their breakfast bowl. It is good.
I hope that you will like this recipe and it will become a staple in your house just as much as it is in ours!
Have fun baking,
Enjoy,
Katie // Une Petite Cuisinière
(Healthy & vegan) Banana Bread
A healthy version of the all time favorite – banana bread. Moist, sweet, just good. Super easy and perfect for families.
What you will need
- 4 bananas the browner, the better (the sweeter)
- 75 g coconut oil
- 30 g Honey (use about 75g if your bananas are only a little bit brown)
- 1 tbsp vinegar white wine or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp natron (baking soda)
- 1 tbsp chia seeds (can be substituted for 1 egg)
- 4-5 tbsp water
- 250 g (whole)wheat flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- chocolate chips, berries, nuts or other optional add-ins
- 1 banana for garnish
How to
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Preheat the oven to 180°C.
In a small bowl combine the chia seeds with the water and let sit for about 5 minute to make the "chia egg". In another bowl combine the vinegar with natron.
Take a bowl or a food processor and mash or blend the bananas until very mushy. Add in the molten coconut oil, the chia egg, honey or agave, and apple cider vinegar mix. Blend/ mix again until all combined.
Mix the flour with the cinnamon and baking powder. Fold it under the banana mash mixture. If you have any add-ins (e.g. chocolate chips, nuts, berries) fold them in now.
Transfer the mixture to a loafpan lined with parchment paper. Cut the extra banana in half, lengthwise and add it on top. Sprinkle with some cinnamon and/ or brown sugar and bake in the oven for 45-50 minutes. After the baking time piek through with a toothpick. If nother sticks to it, the bread is done. If there still is some dough sticking to it, it needs more time in the oven.
Take it out, let it cool down and cut into 12 slices. Serve each slices with some almond butter, fresh banana, and a drizzle of maple syrup or a sprinkle of brown sugar
