Description
Mom’s Best Fluffy “Skinny” Banana Bread is a delicious and lower-calorie twist on the classic banana bread. Made with ripe bananas, a blend of brown and white sugars, and a touch of cinnamon, this recipe yields a moist and fluffy loaf perfect for any time of day. Optional nuts add a delightful crunch without overwhelming the light texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 3 large ripe bananas mashed (about 1 1/4 cup)
- 1/2 cup melted butter slightly cooled
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Optional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, white granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Whisk together until evenly blended.
- Mash Bananas and Combine Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth. Add the melted butter, beaten eggs, and vanilla extract, then whisk until all wet ingredients are fully combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet banana mixture into the dry ingredients bowl. Gently whisk until the batter is smooth and just combined, being careful not to overmix to maintain fluffiness.
- Add Nuts (Optional): Fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans if you choose to use them, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour Batter and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the banana bread from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature. Warm slices can also be reheated briefly in a toaster or microwave.
Notes
- Calorie Disclaimer: Nutritional information is based on one slice without nuts. Adding the 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans increases the calorie count to approximately 206 calories per slice.
- Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife to avoid packing too much flour, which results in dry bread.
- The Bananas: Use heavily spotted or brown bananas for the best sweetness and moisture. Yellow or green bananas will yield less flavorful bread.
- Don’t Over-Mix: Mix until the flour disappears to avoid a rubbery texture and keep the bread fluffy.
- Storage: Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Avoid refrigeration to prevent drying out.
- Freezing: Slice the cooled loaf, wrap slices individually in plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw by microwaving for 20 seconds.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 179 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
