Best Ever High Protein Banana Bread Recipe

Are you looking to satisfy your sweet tooth while keeping your nutrition on track? If you are, then you will love this protein-packed banana bread recipe! This delicious and healthy twist on the classic banana bread will not only keep you full and satisfied, but also provides a healthy dose of protein to support your active lifestyle. 

Incorporating ripe bananas and protein-rich ingredients like Greek yogurt and almond flour, this healthy banana bread recipe serves as a great breakfast option or post-workout snack. Plus, the natural sweetness of the overripe bananas means you can cut back on added refined sugar without sacrificing taste. 

You can check out my shortcut protein banana bread recipe made with Kodiak Cakes here.

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Jump to:

• Protein Banana Bread Recipe Overview
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits
• Variations
• 🍱How to Store and Freeze Banana Bread
• Top tips
• 📖 Recipe
• Related
• Food safety

Protein Banana Bread Recipe Overview

Protein banana bread is a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional banana bread (no white sugar!), and is packed with high protein ingredients, making it an excellent choice for those looking to incorporate more protein into their diet. In this section, we will discuss the benefits of protein powder banana bread and provide you with a general overview of this delicious banana bread recipe. 

Benefits of High Protein Banana Bread

There are several benefits to incorporating high protein banana bread into your diet:

1. Increased Protein Intake: Protein is essential for building and maintaining muscle mass, as well as supporting a variety of other functions within the body. By using high protein ingredients such as protein powder and almond flour, you can significantly increase your protein intake in a tasty and enjoyable way.
2. Supports Weight Management: Protein is known to promote satiety and help maintain a healthy weight. Incorporating high protein banana bread into your meal plan can help to curb your appetite, making it easier to stick to your nutritional goals.
3. Healthy Ingredients: In addition to its high protein content, protein banana bread also has a number of other health benefits. Bananas are a natural source of vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, vitamin C, and B6. Furthermore, the use of almond flour makes this a more suitable choice for those following a low-carb or gluten-free diet.

Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

• ripe mashed bananas
• eggs
• coconut sugar or brown sugar
• milk
• Greek yogurt
• vanilla extract
• cinnamon
• almond flour
• protein powder
• baking soda
• baking powder
• salt
• walnuts *optional
• dark chocolate chips *optional

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Slice and serve at room temperature. 

Adding Mix-Ins and Toppings

To enhance the flavor and texture of your protein banana bread, consider adding mix-ins like chocolate chips, walnuts, or your favorite dried fruit. Fold these add-ins into the batter just before pouring it into the loaf pan. You can also sprinkle some mix-ins or toppings, such as oats or chopped nuts, over the top of the batter for a decorative finish.

Making Vegan, Gluten-Free, and Dairy-Free Versions

To make a vegan version of this protein banana bread, replace the eggs with a plant-based egg substitute or flax egg. You can also use plant-based protein powder instead of whey protein.

For a gluten-free option, simply use your preferred gluten-free flour blend, ensuring it contains xanthan gum for the best texture possible.

To create a dairy-free protein banana bread, replace any dairy ingredients with dairy-free alternatives, such as using almond milk or another plant-based milk instead of cow's milk.

Remember that adjusting the recipe for specific dietary requirements may slightly alter the texture and taste of the finished product.

With these recipe steps and variations, you can easily customize this easy protein banana bread recipe to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs while still enjoying a satisfying high-protein snack or breakfast option.

Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits

Protein banana bread is not only a delicious treat, but it also offers a range of nutritional benefits. As the name suggests, this bread is typically higher in protein, thanks to the addition of protein powders such as whey or casein.

When enjoying a slice of protein banana bread, you'll also consume a good amount of carbohydrates, mainly from the bananas and flours used in the recipe. These carbs provide the energy you need to fuel your day. Moreover, bananas are an excellent source of potassium, vitamin C, and fiber, which all contribute to maintaining your overall health.

Fiber in protein banana bread not only helps make you feel full but also aids in digestion and regulating blood sugar levels. Additionally, ingredients like almond flour or nuts in the recipe might provide essential nutrients like vitamin E, calcium, and iron, contributing to your overall health and well-being.

Sodium content in protein banana bread is typically low; however, be sure to check the labels of the ingredients you use - especially baking powder - to control your sodium intake further. When selecting a protein powder, also consider its added sugars, artificial sweeteners, or flavors to ensure it meets your dietary requirements.

To wrap it all up, protein banana bread can be a delicious and healthy snack option when made mindfully. With its higher protein content and essential nutrients, this treat can indeed be a valuable addition to your balanced diet.

Variations

Protein Powder Alternatives

To boost the protein content in your banana bread, a variety of protein powders can be used, such as whey protein powder (which I used in this recipe), vegan protein powder, or casein protein. You can also experiment with plant-based options, like pea or rice protein. When selecting a protein powder, using a vanilla protein powder flavor or neutral flavor to complement the taste of ripe bananas may yield the best results regarding taste, but, it should be noted that I used chocolate protein powder as a personal preference. Basically, whatever kind of protein powder you prefer can easily be substituted. 

Sweeteners

Consider natural sugars like maple syrup or honey as a brown sugar substitute. In addition to providing a delicious taste, these alternatives are lower in added sugars. Alternatively, you can use sugar substitutes or sweeteners specifically designed for baking.

Fats and Wet Ingredients

Your choice of fats and wet ingredients will significantly impact the moisture and richness of your protein banana bread. Some popular options include:

• Eggs: Add structure and act as a binding agent for baked goods.
• Butter or oil: Both contribute to the bread's moistness. Butter adds flavor, while oils like coconut oil are a dairy-free option.
• Peanut butter: Acts as both a fat source and adds protein.
• Greek yogurt: This ingredient contributes to the result being a moist banana bread. 

In addition to these ingredients, don't forget the essentials for any banana bread recipe, such as ripe bananas, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to balance flavors.  Feel free to customize your protein banana bread with add-ins like nuts, for an extra layer of texture and flavor.

🍱How to Store and Freeze Banana Bread

Banana bread can be kept on the counter for up to 3 days if tightly sealed. I like to slice mine and place it in either a glass container with a lid or a storage bag. You could also use plastic wrap or aluminum foil, whichever works best for you.

To FREEZE: Once your loaf has cooled off you can slice it and freeze it. You can also freeze it whole by placing it in a freezer bag or by wrapping it in plastic wrap then aluminum foil.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

If you love this recipe please give it a 5 star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Finally, protein banana bread can be a great meal prep solution. Bake a large loaf, slice, and store individually wrapped pieces in the refrigerator or freezer for a quick, healthy snack throughout the week. This way, you'll have a satisfying, protein-rich alternative to traditional banana bread, ready whenever you need it.

Food safety

• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.