Classic banana bread elevated with the addition of protein powder, giving this protein banana bread the seal of approval. This protein banana bread would be the perfect pre or post workout snack and is perfect for anyone; it’s gluten free, vegan, dairy free and delicious!
Everyone likely has that classic banana bread recipe. Bananas blended with white and brown flour, butter, all purpose flour, vanilla. Classic, and well not super healthy. The bananas unfortunately do not make it health food 🙁 Great news though! There is still a way to enjoy that classic banana bread taste while sticking to the new clean or healthy eating routine you established at the beginning of the year! Maybe you are just looking for a new recipe or are making this for someone with a gluten sensitivity or a vegan.
Banana bread is a great gift to bring to a friend that has just had a baby or moved into a new home. It’s also the perfect thing to bake on Sunday afternoons so you can enjoy it post dinner and as a morning snack. Banana bread out of the oven; I have yet to find a candle that mimics that smell. It’s just heavenly! And this protein banana bread delivers. The heavy cinnamon smell grabs your attention first, only to be followed by that distinct banana smell that makes you want to just drool.
Adding hemp hearts on the outside and protein powder to the batter gives this banana bread gold stars in my book. Protein helps you stay full longer, it’s also important to pair things like banana with protein or fats, to ensure that your blood sugar does’t get too wacky. The banana, flax, coconut flour, and oat flour add substantial fiber to this dish, making this the perfect breakfast!
You will notice there are 4 bananas in the recipe, and this makes the bread a little denser than most banana bread recipes I’ve had in the past. There are also no eggs to help the protein banana bread rise, so you will get some height with the baking powder, it won’t grow quite as much as traditional banana bread. To tell if the banana bread is done, you will want to press down lightly on the top of the bread. If it feels firm, it’s likely done. Allow the bread to cool before slicing.
My favorite way to enjoy this protein banana bread is toasted (the toaster oven makes this so easy) and slathered with cinnamon raisin peanut butter. Oh I die! Almond butter would also be a great option as well! If you love banana bread as much as I do, you should check out the chocolate peanut butter banana bread recipe as well! It’s one of my favorites, and is requested often in my house!
Protein Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 4 medium bananas mashed
- 2 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder I used MRM Veggie Elite
- 2 tbs. coconut flour
- 3 flax eggs 3 tbs. flax, 9 tbs. hot water
- 1/2 cup oat flour gluten free
- 1/2 cups brown rice flour
- 4-5 packet stevia or sweetener of choice
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 3 tbs. hemp hearts for topping optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- In a small bowl, make 3 flax eggs by combining 3 tbs. ground flax seeds with 9 tbs. water. Allow to sit 5 minutes. While waiting, continue by mashing bananas.
- In a large bowl, mash bananas until smooth. Add protein powder, coconut flour, and stevia. Mix to combine.
- Add oat flour, brown rice flour and flax eggs.
- Mix thoroughly.
- Add vanilla. cinnamon,and pinch of salt. Stir to combine.
- Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit in teh bottom of your bread pan. Spray parchment and rest of the bread pan liberally with non-stick spray (coconut oil).
- Add baking powder and baking soda to batter. Stir to combine and immediately transfer to greased pan. Sprinkle top with hemp hearts.
- Place in the oven for 55-65 minutes on 350 (depending on your oven). You can turn off your oven after 60 minutes and let the bread sit an additional 10 minutes if you are unsure about the bread.
- Allow to cool on the counter before slicing. Store in an airtight container int he refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
What About You?
- Do you have a favorite candle scent?
- Plan on watching the Superbowl today? Who are you rooting for?
- Thoughts on a recipe we can try to add protein too?
Victoria
Can I use more oat flour in place of the brown rice flour? Or something else?
Sam
The brown rice flour gives it a ligher texture but yes you could just use more oat flour. It will be a little bit denser but still delish!
Theresa @DearCreatives
Thanks for sharing your recipe at the party! Hope to see you again this week. Pinned & shared.
Brittanie @Simplistically Living
This looks so delicious! Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty we hope to see you again.
Karren Haller
I like the use of protein, my husband and I are not big meat eaters so additional protein added into baking would be great.
Thanks for stopping by to linkup on Friday Features Linkup this week on Oh my Heartsie Girl!! You are welcome to stop by every week Wednesday and Friday to share your posts.
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I hope you enjoy your weekend!
Karren
Lisa @ Fun Money Mom
I love banana bread and really like that this is a healthier version than the standard recipe!
Thanks so much for linking up with #ShareTheWealthSunday!
xoxo
Lisa
Jess @hellotofit
You mean classic banana bread doesn’t count towards my fruit intake? 😛 hehe. This recipe looks GREAT, Sam! I’m going to try cooking with hemp seeds when I get back from my trip. Thanks for sharing!
Sam
Jess, I can’t wait to hear what you think! I just love this recipe, hope you do too!
Susie @ SuzLyfe
Suz-approved as well!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment
How did you know banana bread was one of my favorites? 🙂 Thanks so much for the recipe. Rooting for the Sea Hawks today, but I really only half watch. I am looking forward to Katy Perry at halftime. Enjoy your Sunday!
Sam
Oh another lover of the banana bread! I told Dave this was my favorite recipe, he said “no the chocolate peanut butter is the best”. LoL you know where his heart is! So sad the SeaHawks didn’t win 🙁 But hopefully you still were able to enjoy the evening!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner
This looks great I need to switch to using coconut flour-wonder if my kids would notice? Does it taste like coconut?
Sam
Deborah, it has a slightly sweet taste but not of coconut. You cannot taste it at all in the recipe. Dave thinks it smells like sugar cookies. Its great because it absorbs more liquid than regular flour, so you don’t have to use as much. Enjoy your Sunday and thanks for stopping by 🙂
Teri || a foodie stays fit
This looks awesome! I’ve been trying to have healthier treats on hand so I’m not as tempted by less-than-stellar prepackaged options at whole foods. This would be perfect to make, slice and keep in the freezer!
Sam
Terri that sounds like the perfect snack to me! Yes, I’ve been trying to do the same with less packaged snacks. This will save you some $$ as well if you are always getting your packaged snacks at WF! Enjoy!