Healthy Oatmeal Banana Bread

This oatmeal banana bread is a healthy twist on the classic quick bread! No flour and no refined sugar needed, it’s made with just 5 ingredients and uses just a blender! 

Healthy Oatmeal Banana Bread

When it comes to healthy recipes using oats, my favorites to make are pancakes, muffins, and this oatmeal banana bread. 

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been making significantly healthier choices. I’ve noticed over the past couple of months that my energy levels have been fluctuating considerably each day. When analyzing my food intake, I’ve noticed that my intake of refined sugars and flour had been higher than normal. 

I tend to have a very clean and balanced diet. My breakfasts are often a smoothie or overnight oats, and both my lunches and dinners always contain some form of vegetables (unless I’m enjoying some lasagna). As a snacker, I always have either some homemade protein bars on hand or some energy balls. However, with all the baking I’ve been doing recently, I’ve found myself switching my usual breakfasts for something of the sweeter variety.

My usual breakfasts had been replaced with either some banana bread or zucchini bread. Both wholesome and healthy in my books but upon closer inspection, considerably more wheat and sugar than I’d typically have. No wonder I’d been suffering from mid-morning crashes. As a way to rectify this, I’ve made some smart swaps, and recently, been loving this super healthy banana bread.

I’ve been meaning to share this healthy oatmeal banana bread recipe for quite some time. It uses wholesome and healthy ingredients and uses just 5 ingredients. No refined sugar and no flour needed, but you’d never tell. The texture is dense, slightly moist, and with a tender crumb. It’s naturally sweet but not too sweet, making it perfect for a healthy dessert or even for breakfast.

While this bread isn’t like your traditional moist and fluffy banana bread, it’s hearty and sweet enough to satisfy your baked good cravings, minus the sugar crash!

How do you make oatmeal banana bread? 

The Ingredients

• Rolled oats– Either original rolled oats or gluten free oats. 
• Banana– Overripe bananas are best, as they blend much easier and have a sweeter flavor. 
• Maple syrup– Adds sweetness to the bread, and also gives it some moisture. You can also use honey or agave nectar. 
• Eggs– Room temperature eggs. 
• Baking soda- Gives the bread some rise and fluffiness. 
• Chocolate chips– optional, but highly recommended. 

The Instructions

In a high speed blender or food processor, add all your ingredients and blend until a smooth and pourable batter remains. If your batter is too thick, you can add some almond or oat milk to loosen it. Next, fold through your chocolate chips, if using them.

Now, transfer into a greased loaf pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a skewer comes out mostly clean. Let the bread cool in the pan completely, before slicing it up.

Tips to make the best 5 ingredient banana bread

• Do not overbake the bread. As this recipe uses oatmeal instead of flour, it is prone to drying out very easily.
• While milk isn’t included in the ingredient list, you may need to add some of it if your batter is too thick (this is due to not using enough banana). Alternatively, you can add an extra banana or two.
• This bread is not overly sweet, relying on the banana and maple syrup for sweetness. If you’d like a sweeter bread, add 1/4 cup of your favorite granulated sweetener or sugar.

Storing and freezing healthy banana oat bread

• To store: Oatmeal banana bread should always be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 1 week. 
• To freeze: Place slices of the bread in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. 

More healthy recipes to try

• Brownies
• Oatmeal cookie bars
• Flourless pancakes
• Chocolate cake
• Chocolate chip cookies