What to do with overripe bananas? You know the answer: Bake some banana bread—the best banana bread. But there are so many more banana recipes to be made, from hummingbird cake to strawberry-banana smoothies to yummy milkshakes to chocolate chip cookies with some mashed banana snuck into the mix.
Before we move on, let’s have a little lesson. Bananas are the fruit of the banana tree, a plant originating in New Guinea and cultivated in tropical regions such as the West Indies, Africa, and South America. The fruit was introduced to France by the Portuguese and became common in parts of Europe from the 18th century onward. Who knew? (Historians. Historians knew.)
Now back to the delicious recipes. Below you’ll find our very best banana recipes—ones we’re sure the whole family will love (not that you’re required to share with anyone).
The Best Banana Muffins
Here are a few reasons to love this banana muffin recipe (which happens to be more nutritionally redeeming than most):
- These muffins are easy to make with basic ingredients. Only one bowl required!
- They’re made with 100% whole grains, yet they’re fluffy and delicious. No one will know the difference.
- They’re also naturally sweetened with maple syrup or honey, rather than loaded with refined sugar. The maple syrup (or honey) offers a touch of extra flavor, which I love.
- A touch of cinnamon offers some warming spice flavor. These muffins will make your house smell amazing!
- These muffins freeze well, too. Just defrost individual muffins in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds, or until gently warmed through. You don’t want to overdo it.
What makes this banana bread healthy?
- This banana bread recipe is made with 100 percent whole wheat flour, unlike traditional banana bread recipes that call for refined flour and lots of processed sugar.
- This banana bread is naturally sweetened with honey or maple syrup, which offer some trace nutrients that white sugar does not.
- Lastly, this recipe calls for a reasonable amount of unrefined oil rather than whole sticks of butter (choose from virgin coconut oil, extra-virgin olive oil or vegetable oil).
As you can see, my homemade banana bread has plenty of redeeming qualities, chief being that it won’t send your blood sugar levels for a loop. You can keep them all to yourself, though. No one will be able to tell that this is healthy banana bread!
WHY IS THIS BANANA CAKE HEALTHY?
The reason it’s so healthy is because there isn’t any refined sugar in this recipe. That means no brown sugar, no granulated sugar and no powdered sugar. It’s sweetened mostly with the ripe bananas and a little bit of maple syrup. Both of them together add just the right sweetness!
The other reason this is healthy is because there is no unhealthy oil or better! Just one tablespoon of melted coconut oil. Seriously guys, one tablespoon. Plus it’s the healthy kind of oil you need in your life daily. So just go ahead and get your serving in this yummy healthy banana cake recipe.