Protein Banana Bread Oil Free (Printable Format)
Moist, protein-packed banana bread with oats and naturally sweet bananas—no oil needed for this wholesome treat.
# What You Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups rolled oats blended into flour
02 - 1/4 cup vanilla or unflavored plant-based protein powder
03 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
07 - 3 large ripe bananas, mashed (about 12 ounces)
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
10 - 1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
11 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Optional Add-ins
12 - 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
13 - 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper, ensuring the paper overhangs the sides for easy removal.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth. Whisk in the eggs, applesauce, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until the mixture is uniform and creamy.
03 - In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the oat flour, protein powder, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until evenly distributed.
04 - Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula. Mix until just combined—do not overmix as this can result in a dense bread.
05 - If using, fold in chopped nuts or dark chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
06 - Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula for even baking.
07 - Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be golden brown and firm to the touch.
08 - Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Using the parchment paper overhang, carefully lift the loaf from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The texture is incredibly moist without a single drop of oil, thanks to the magic combination of ripe bananas and applesauce
- Each slice packs 7 grams of protein, making it legitimate breakfast fuel that doesn't feel like a compromise
- You can throw it together in 15 minutes with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry
02 -
- I learned the hard way that this bread continues baking while it cools, so pulling it out when the toothpick still has a few moist crumbs is actually perfect
- The protein powder you choose matters immensely, some brands can make the bread dry or gritty, so stick with one you already enjoy drinking in smoothies
03 -
- If your bananas aren't quite ripe enough, you can speed up the process by baking them at 150°C for 15 minutes until they're soft and blackened
- Letting the batter sit for 10 minutes before baking helps the oats absorb some moisture and improves the final texture