Protein Banana Bread
This Protein Banana Bread recipe combines the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with a protein boost, creating a nutritious, filling, and delicious snack perfect for breakfast, snacks, or a healthy dessert. Easy to make and customizable, it offers balanced flavor and energy in every bite.
- Author: Sophie
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free flour)
Main Ingredients
- 3–4 ripe bananas (the riper, the better)
- 1/2 cup protein powder (whey, plant-based, or collagen)
- 1 cup whole wheat flour (or gluten-free flour for gluten-free option)
- 2 large eggs (or flax eggs for vegan option)
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (or plant-based yogurt for vegan option)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Mix-ins
- Chopped walnuts, almonds, or pecans (for nutty upgrade)
- Dark chocolate chips or cocoa powder (for chocolate lover’s version)
- Chia seeds, hemp hearts, or flaxseeds (for superfood infusion)
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal after baking.
- Mash the Bananas: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until mostly smooth. Leave a few small lumps for texture but avoid large chunks.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Add eggs, Greek yogurt, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Stir well until combined into a smooth batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together whole wheat flour (or gluten-free flour), protein powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt to evenly distribute leavening and spices.
- Mix Wet and Dry: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix gently until just combined to avoid dense bread. Fold in any optional nuts, chocolate chips, or seeds here.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Slice: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This helps the bread hold together better.
Notes
- Use super ripe bananas for better sweetness and moisture.
- Stir just until ingredients combine to keep bread light and fluffy; don’t overmix.
- Choose a protein powder with a neutral or vanilla flavor for best results; experiment with chocolate if desired.
- Check baking time starting at 50 minutes to avoid overbaking, as ovens vary.
- Store the bread wrapped tightly to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of loaf)
- Calories: 180-220 kcal
- Sugar: 8-12 g (depending on sweetener used and banana ripeness)
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 4-6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1-2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2-4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25-28 g
- Fiber: 3-4 g
- Protein: 8-12 g
- Cholesterol: 40-50 mg
Keywords: protein banana bread, healthy banana bread, high protein snack, gluten free banana bread, nutritious snack, easy banana bread, vegan banana bread option