Greek Yogurt Banana Bread | running with spoons (2024)

This healthier Greek Yogurt Banana Bread is made without butter or oil, but so soft and tender that you’d never be able to tell! Naturally sweetened and loaded with banana flavour, it makes a great healthier alternative to a traditional favourite!

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I realized an embarrassing thing the other day. Well,two embarrassing things.

The first was that Isomehow managed to miss a few patches whenI was shaving my right leg. Which wouldn’t have beenhorrible had I not had someone else point it out to me two days after the fact.Awkward.

The secondwas that, for how much I adore it, I don’t really have any banana bread recipes here on Spoons. I mean, I do, but I basicallyposted them as recipes in passingwithout really giving them the kind of attention they deserved. So it’s time to rectify that mistake…

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Banana bread is one of two three sweet treats that hold a special place in my heart — the other two being chocolate chip oatmeal cookies and Black Forest cake. And if you’re wondering what those three things could possibly have in common, the answer is: almost nothing other than the fact that they’re delicious and basically epitomize my childhood. Well, the homemade baked goodie portion of my childhood, anyways.

I’ve been baking for pretty much as long as I can remember, and almost allof those early baking memories involve hanging out in the kitchen and “helping” Mom make one of the aforementioned treats, with cookies being the most common, Black Forest happening for every.single special occasion, and the elusive banana bread making an appearance on the off-chance that we had some ripe bananas lying around… which wasn’t really that often.

Greek Yogurt Banana Bread | running with spoons (3)

I actually remember not believing my mom when she said that we couldn’t make banana bread becausethe bananas weren’t ripe enough.My little 7 year-old self saw yellow bananas on the counter and couldn’t understand what more my mom wanted from them. Bananas were bananas… weren’t they? It wasn’t until many years later when I realized that there actuallywas a huge difference in not only the sweetness, but the texture that properly ripe bananas add to whatever you throw them in. Not to mention the increased health benefits.

Anywho, maybe it’s because it was such a rare occurrence, or maybe it’s because it’s just plain delicious, but banana bread securedone of the coveted top 3 spots in my heart, and it continues to hold that spotto this day. Which makes the fact that I couldn’teven remember the last time I had a slice of it that much more embarrassing…

But like I said… it’s been rectified.

I originally posted a slightly modified version ofthisrecipe a couple yearsago, butit pretty muchgot lost in the archives since I wasn’tserious about food blogging at that point, and had no idea about photography, SEO, social media promotion, etc… which is a shame because it’s really kind of amazing. And by “really kind of amazing” I mean it’s easily my favourite recipe for healthy banana bread.

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Soft, tender, subtly sweet, and loaded with banana flavour, you’d never be able to tell that this banana bread is made without butter or oil. Instead, it’s got Greek yogurt to keep it moist,with an extra egg and some coconut sugar to help out.

The recipe calls for 1/2 cup, but you’d be fine cutting that down to 1/3 cup if you like your breads a little less sweet. And this is especially true if you were planning on tossingin some chocolate chips. I like my banana bread without any add-ins, so I passed on the chocolate (I know, I know) andplayed around with the sweetness instead. Both versions were delicious — it really depends on how sweet you like it!

Happy eating!

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I’d love to know if you make this recipe! Leave a comment and rating down below to let me know what you think, andsubscribetoour mailing list to receive new recipes in your inbox!

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Greek Yogurt Banana Bread | running with spoons (7)

★★★★★4.1 from 80 reviews
  • Author: Amanda @ Running with Spoons
  • Total Time: 50 mins
  • Yield: 12 slices 1x
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 1/2 cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 medium-sized ripe bananas (200 g or 1 cup mashed)
  • 1/2 cup (115 g) plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) brown sugar
  • Optional add-ins: 1/2 cup chocolate chips/raisins/nuts

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350ºF (176ºC), and lightly grease a 9 x 5 (23cm x 13cm) loaf pan.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a smaller mixing bowl, lightly beat the eggs until the yolks break apart. Whisk in the mashed bananas, yogurt, maple syrup, and sugar (if using), mixing until smooth.
  4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Do not overmix. If you’re adding any mix-ins, fold them in now.
  5. Pour the batter into the loaf pan, spreading it out evenly, and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
  6. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Notes

* You can also use coconut sugar.

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 40 mins

Keywords: baking with Greek yogurt, banana bread, Greek yogurt banana bread, healthy banana bread, recipe

Recipe was edited in March 2020 but reverted to original by popular demand.

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Looking for more healthy banana recipes?Try one of these!

Banana Oat Greek Yogurt Muffins
Flourless Banana Bread Muffins
Strawberry Banana Oat Bars
Flourless Vegan Banana Muffins
Flourless Chocolate Banana Bread

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Greek Yogurt Banana Bread | running with spoons (2024)

FAQs

Does banana taste good with Greek yogurt? ›

High protein means faster workout recovery! Scoop Greek Yogurt into a bowl and top with banana slices and almond butter. You can stir them all together or, do like I do and push the bananas and almond butter to the side so you can choose how much you get with each bite of yogurt. Enjoy the wonderful crunch!

Why bake with Greek yogurt? ›

It's used similarly to sour cream in cakes and other baked goods, but can also be used in glazes or folded into whipped cream. Many bakers love the way it helps keep baked goods moist while adding a tang, not unlike baking with buttermilk. Its acidity also helps activate the baking soda in batters for a nice rise.

What happens if you use too much baking soda in banana bread? ›

Using too much baking soda or baking powder can really mess up a recipe, causing it to rise uncontrollably and taste terrible.

Why is banana bread gummy? ›

You Over-Mix the Batter

For soft and tender banana bread, gently stir the wet ingredients into the dry — don't overmix! The more you stir, the more gluten will develop. The result will be a tough, rubbery banana bread. Simply stir until moist, and then do no more.

What not to mix with Greek yogurt? ›

Vasant Lad notes that yogurt shouldn't be paired with milk. In addition to this, he also lists down a couple of everyday foods, that you may have been combining all your life with yogurt but shouldn't be! These include sour fruits, melons, fish, mango, starches, cheese and bananas.

What can I add to Greek yogurt to make it taste better? ›

How to Make Plain Greek Yogurt Taste Good: 10 easy tips
  1. Add fresh fruit.
  2. Add frozen fruit.
  3. Mix with canned pumpkin and spices.
  4. Drizzle with honey or maple syrup.
  5. Mix with nuts or seeds.
  6. Blend into a smoothie.
  7. Add cereal.
  8. As a marinade.
Feb 17, 2023

What does Greek yogurt replace in baking? ›

Substitute Greek Yogurt for Higher-Fat Ingredients

From traditional comfort foods to fresh baked goods, Greek yogurt can substitute oil and mayonnaise. Oil: Replace oil with Greek yogurt when baking muffins, cakes and even waffles.

Is sour cream or Greek yogurt better for baking? ›

While sour cream sets the stage for a denser, more traditional cake, the inclusion of Greek yogurt can often lead to a lighter, health-conscious choice with a subtler finish, perfect for those who enjoy a less heavy dessert.

What does yogurt do in baking? ›

Baked Goods

Yogurt lends itself beautifully to breads, biscuits, muffins, and cakes, providing a slight tanginess and a light, fluffy texture. You can substitute yogurt for several dairy products like sour cream and kefir in many recipes, or bake up a recipe that specifically uses yogurt.

Why is there no baking powder in banana bread? ›

They simple create the bubbles for steam to expand and grow in the baked good. Therefore, adding more rising agents like baking powder and baking soda will NOT enable greater rise. You need the steam for your baked good to rise.

Is baking soda or powder better for banana bread? ›

Baking soda works best in conjunction with an acidic ingredient. In the case of banana bread, this may be buttermilk, brown sugar, molasses or the bananas themselves. Recipes generally include just enough baking soda to balance the acidity in the batter.

What happens when you put too much banana in banana bread? ›

Banana bread recipes typically ask you to use overripe bananas so that they're easier to mush. This means it's tempting to toss all your bananas into the mix when you're ready to bake, to avoid food waste. But if you add too much of the fruit into your batter, your bread could turn out mushy, heavy, and wet.

Why does my banana bread taste weird? ›

Mistaking baking powder for baking soda changes the taste of banana bread. This is a colossal mistake that can drastically change the flavor of your loaf.

What are the black strings in banana bread? ›

Originally Answered: Why does banana bread have long black strands inside of it? The alkaline environment of a batter with baking soda results in discoloration of the pulp fibers.

Can you mix banana with Greek yogurt? ›

Banana is also a sweet and sour fruit and yogurt is also having same taste. Hence both can be combined.

Does banana taste good with yogurt? ›

Bananas and yogurt are a natural combination. We've dipped the bananas in chia seeds to make crunchy, soft medallions. They look so cute, but they're also packed with nutrients.

Can I mix bananas and yogurt? ›

Place bananas, yoghurt, milk and honey in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and well mixed. Add cinnamon and blend to mix well. Pour the smoothie into glasses and serve immediately.

What taste good with Greek yogurt? ›

Fresh or frozen fruits can add vibrant flavors to your Greek yogurt. Berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are classic choices. But you can also experiment with tropical fruits like mangoes or pineapples.

References

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