Healthier Banana Bread

I know, I know, another banana bread recipe?! There’s millions out there! But I have to share because they check the boxes for my high standards as a chef and as a mom. What makes these healthier? Well, for one, it uses coconut sugar which has been a buzz item for awhile now that I’m just now getting acquainted with. I’ve also replaced half the AP flour for whole oats and oat flour which bumps up the nutrition but still offers the same texture that we’re all accustomed to. Of course, if your goal is to make this gluten free you can use all oat flour instead of AP. There’s also less fat than my other go-to recipes which contain more oil and butter, which I have no issue with, but like that this is trimmed down. Ultimately, it’s delicious. Aside from the coconut sugar I have all the ingredients on hand at any given moment, so it works out! If you don’t have coconut sugar or choose not to use it, you can use brown sugar, white sugar, maple syrup, etc. The texture is moist (I wish there were an alternative descriptor!) and with the addition of the oats, it gives a little something more to the mouthfeel that I surprisingly really enjoy! The boys (my big and my littles) all loved this and it was devoured in about 2 days. Oh and don’t skip the chocolate chips. If you do, just don’t tell me about it!

*Did you know oat flour is just pulsed oats?! If you don’t want to buy it special for this recipe just grab your food processor or blender and blitz away until the oats are a fine powder.

Ingredients:

• 2 bananas, ripe
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup coconut sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or extract)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup oat flour
• 1 cup AP flour
• 1/2 cup oats, plus about a tablespoon for garnishing the top
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips, plus about a tablespoon for garnishing the top

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium bowl mash the bananas with a fork or whisk.
Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Add eggs, oil, sugar, and vanilla.
Whisk until combined.
Add baking powder, baking soda, oat flour, AP flour, and oats, and stir to combine.
Fold in chocolate chips and pour it into the prepared loaf pan
Bake for 38-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool in the pan and slice to devour!