Healthy Yogurt Banana Bread

This healthy banana bread is made with whole-wheat flour, olive oil, yogurt and honey. It’s moist, and packed with healthy fats, whole grains, and protein!

When you think of whole-wheat quick bread, light, tender and moist doesn’t often come to mind. But this recipe for healthy banana bread will surprise you! It’s 100% whole-wheat, naturally sweetened, and low-fat. And yet—it’s as moist as ever. This healthy banana nut bread will give every other banana bread recipe a run for its money.

What you’ll need:

• White whole-wheat flour
• Baking soda
• Kosher salt
• Baking soda
• Cinnamon
• Ground ginger
• Large, very ripe bananas (so ripe they are nearly all brown or completely brown)
• AE Unsweetened Whole Milk Yogurt
• Eggs
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Pure vanilla extract
• Walnuts
• Demerara sugar, optional 

How to make banana bread with yogurt

1. Combine the dry ingredients.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients until smooth.
3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingred and mix until nearly combined, but a few large pockets of dry flour remain.
4. Add the chopped nuts, if using, and mix until combined. 
5. Transfer the batter to the parchment-lined loaf pan and smooth top. Evenly sprinkle sugar over top.
6. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moits crumbs. 
7. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Using the parchment overhang, lift the bread out of the pan and let it cool completely on a wire rack.

How to make Yogurt Banana Bread (photo step-by-step)

Why add yogurt to banana bread?

Any kind of quick-bread recipe (banana bread, zucchini bread, carrot bread) benefits from a creamy dairy-based product. Why? For one, the acid in the dairy activates with the baking soda. And two, dairy helps to create a baked good that’s tender and airy. 

Common dairy products used in quick breads include yogurt, Greek yogurt, sour cream and buttermilk. This healthy banana bread recipe calls for unsweetened whole milk yogurt, which makes the bread tender and moist, and adds protein and calcium. Yogurt also reduces the amount of oil needed.

Use high-quality whole milk yogurt

For this easy banana nut bread, it’s important to use unsweetened whole milk yogurt. Choose a high-quality yogurt and be sure to use regular yogurt, not Greek. 

Here in Iowa, the best yogurt comes from AE Dairy. AE Dairy, an Iowa-based dairy company, is known around Iowa for its dedication to creating high quality dairy products through innovation. 

Plus, AE serves Iowa, Kansas City, and the bordering states, which means the yogurt doesn’t travel far. So if it’s on the shelf, you know it’s incredibly fresh! 

I love AE Dairy’s Unsweetened Whole Milk Yogurt for a variety of reasons. It contains no added sugars (which I love!), it’s incredibly creamy and mild in flavor (a blank canvas!), it’s high in protein, and it contains billions of probiotics which is great for gut health. 

Not only is AE Dairy’s whole milk yogurt great for healthy baking, but it’s also great for quick, on-the-go snacks or breakfasts. I like to stir in a splash of honey or apricot jam and top with almonds, flax seeds, and a handful of berries. 

How ripe should the bananas be?

The more brown your bananas are, the better. Ideally bananas should be almost completely or completely brown. The reason you want super brown bananas comes down to sweetness. The more ripe the banana, the more sweet it is.

A great way to ensure having super ripe bananas on hand at all times is to keep a stock of them in the freezer. Peel and store very ripe bananas in resealable zipper-lock bags in the freezer.

When you’re ready to use them, thaw the frozen bananas overnight in the refrigerator, or zap them in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl until soft. Drain any excess liquid released from thawing, then mash the bananas and use as directed in the recipe.

What kind of nuts to use for healthy banana nut bread

I prefer toasted walnuts, but pecans would also be delicious here. To toast walnuts or pecans, arrange nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast in a 350ºF (176ºC) oven until lightly browned and fragrant, 8–12 minutes. 

Let the nuts cool slightly, then chop into ⅛–¼-inch pieces.   

Variations on this easy healthy banana bread:

• Add dark chocolate chips or chunks.
• Use pecans instead of walnuts.
• Add a halved banana or banana slices to the top for a stunning presentation.
• Instead of demerara sugar, finish the loaf with a sweet and salty seed topping, or buttery oat topping. 
• Use melted coconut oil instead of olive oil.

How to store banana bread

Store bread wrapped in parchment paper (I just use the paper from baking) and foil, or in a zipper-lock bag at room temperature for up to 3 days, though it’s best within 2 days. If you need to store it longer, pop it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

How to serve banana bread

Aside from enjoying a big fat slice, I like to also serve banana bread with some high-quality butter and flaky sea salt. A slathering of almond butter or tahini is also divine.

And lastly, one of my favorite ways to enjoy banana bread is to briefly pan-fry a slice in a skillet with some butter. Crispy, buttery exterior and warm, moist interior. The best!

You may also like…

• Healthy Lemon Zucchini Bread
• Browned Butter Carrot Bread
• Date & Nut Bread
• Healthy Lemon Blueberry Bread
• Healthy Sweet Potato Bread

If you give this Healthy Yogurt Banana Bread recipe a try, be sure to let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @zestfulkitchen on Instagram. I love hearing about and seeing your ZK creations!

Print