Healthier Banana Banana Bread is a naturally sweet, ultra-moist loaf that keeps all the comfort of classic banana bread while trimming fat by swapping some butter for nonfat plain yogurt. This lighter banana bread recipe gives you tender crumb, deep banana flavor, and a quick, fuss-free bake—perfect for breakfast, snack boxes, or warming up with a cup of coffee.
Prep Time: 15 mins • Cook Time: 1 hr 5 mins • Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins • Servings: 12 • Yield: 1 (9×5-inch) loaf
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ⅛ cup nonfat plain yogurt
- 2 eggs, room temperature and beaten
- 2 ⅓ cups mashed overripe bananas
Directions
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Step 2
Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl; set aside.
Step 3
In a separate large bowl, beat the brown sugar, butter, and nonfat plain yogurt with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy and noticeably paler in color. Add the beaten eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the mashed bananas until fully combined.
Step 4
Fold the banana mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until moistened—don’t overmix. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
Step 5
Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 60–65 minutes. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Cook’s Note
- Use very ripe bananas (lots of brown spots) for the best banana flavor and natural sweetness—they also keep the loaf moist.
- If you want more texture, fold in ½ cup chopped walnuts or dark chocolate chips.
- To reduce sugar further, try ½ cup brown sugar + ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce; baking times may vary slightly.
How to Store
Keep cooled banana bread tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze individual slices wrapped in parchment and foil for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature or warm in a low oven.
Nutrition Facts (per slice — 1 of 12 approx.)
- Calories: 196
- Total Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 41mg
- Sodium: 197mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 35g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Total Sugars: 14g
- Protein: 4g
- Vitamin C: 4mg
- Calcium: 22mg
- Iron: 1mg
- Potassium: 203mg