Whole Wheat Banana Bread
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This whole wheat banana bread is the kind of feel-good treat you’ll actually crave—it’s the perfect balance of sweet and nourishing.
Adapted from the Ovenly coobook, this whole wheat banana bread is made with wholesome ingredients like flax meal, whole wheat flour, and maple syrup. It has a subtle, earthy flavor, just the right amount of sweetness, and a nice boost of fiber. It’s great warm from the oven, but it also keeps well on the counter for a few days. If you’re after a healthier banana bread that still tastes like a treat, this one strikes the perfect balance.
In the mood to switch things up? Try one of my other banana bread favorites: classic banana bread, marbled banana bread, chai-spiced banana bread, and chocolate banana bread. All tried-and-true favorites!
“My absolute favorite recipe for banana bread!”
What You’ll Need To Make Whole Wheat Banana Bread
- All-purpose flour, whole wheat flour & flaxseed meal: This trio gives the bread the perfect balance of structure, fiber, and flavor. The all-purpose flour keeps it from getting too dense, the whole wheat adds a wholesome, nutty taste, and the flax boosts nutrition with a mild, earthy flavor.
- Baking powder + baking soda: Help the bread rise so it bakes up light and tender.
- Mashed bananas: Gives the bread a sweet, moist, and classic banana flavor. Be sure to use soft, spotty bananas for the best taste and texture.
- Maple syrup + light brown sugar: Provide just the right amount of sweetness. The maple adds depth and flavor, while the brown sugar brings a touch of molasses and extra moisture.
- Eggs + vegetable oil: Bind the ingredients and keep the bread soft and rich.
- Eggs, vegetable oil & sour cream: This trio binds the batter and keeps the bread rich, moist, and tender.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors and adds warm, bakery-style aroma.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Mix the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, flaxseed meal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 2. Combine the wet ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the maple syrup, eggs, oil, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk in the sour cream and mashed banana until smooth.
Step 4. Combine wet and dry. Add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture and stir until just combined.
Step 5. Pour and prep for baking. Pour the batter into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan and smooth the top.
Pro Tip: Give the pan a few firm taps on the counter after filling to release any big air pockets and help the top bake evenly.
Step 6. Bake and cool. Bake at 350°F for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. The bread keeps well for several days at room temp or can be frozen for longer storage.
Pro Tips for Better Banana Bread
- Freeze bananas for later: Got overripe bananas but no time to bake? Just mash them and freeze in a zip-top bag (flattened for quicker thawing). They’ll be ready to go when baking fits into your schedule. Just make sure to strain off the excess liquid they give off while thawing.
- Want a little texture? Add a handful of chopped dates or raisins. Chopped walnuts or pecans also work great.
- Smart freezer storage: Freeze slices individually wrapped in parchment or wax paper, then store in a freezer bag. That way, you can grab one at a time—no need to defrost the whole loaf.
- Easy sour cream swap: Plain Greek yogurt works just as well. You’d never know the difference.
- Bananas not ripe enough? If they’re a bit underripe, roast them (in the peel) at 300°F for 15 to 20 minutes to soften and concentrate the flavor. Let them cool slightly before using.
More Quick Breads to Bake
Whole Wheat Banana Bread
This tender, better-for-you banana bread gets its nutty flavor from whole wheat flour and flax, with just enough sweetness to make it feel like a treat.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
- ¾ cup whole wheat flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
- ¼ cup flaxseed meal
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup maple syrup (see note)
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup canola or vegetable oil
- ¼ cup (packed) light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup sour cream (preferably full-fat)
- 1 cup mashed bananas, from 2 to 3 brown, spotty bananas
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack to the middle position. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, flaxseed meal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, eggs, oil, brown sugar and vanilla extract. Add the sour cream and mashed banana, and whisk until smooth.
- Using a rubber spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for about ten minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.
- This is best served slightly warm from the oven, when the crust is crisp and the bread is tender, but it keeps wrapped in foil on the countertop for a few days. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The bread can be frozen for up to 3 months. After it is completely cooled, wrap it securely in aluminum foil, freezer wrap or place in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- Note: The original recipe calls for ½ cup maple syrup. My family prefers it a bit sweeter, but for a less-sweet banana bread, use the original amount.
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (12 servings)
- Serving size: 1 slice
- Calories: 216
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated fat: 2 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Sugar: 16 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Sodium: 266 mg
- Cholesterol: 34 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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This is the BEST banana bread EVER! I have probably left a comment before but I cannot remember ! It is too good to not leave a comment 🙂