Healthy Oatmeal Banana Bread

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5 from 2144 votes
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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

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.

oatmeal banana bread

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. 
banana oat bread

More healthy recipes to try

healthy oatmeal banana bread

Healthy Oatmeal Banana Bread

5 from 2144 votes
This healthy oatmeal banana bread is made with just 5 ingredients and needs just a blender to whip up! No flour and no refined sugar, it's perfect for breakfast or a wholesome dessert!
Servings: 12 Slices
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes
Total: 40 minutes

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Grease a loaf pan and set aside.
  • In a high speed blender or food processor, add all your ingredients and blend until a smooth batter remains. Fold through the chocolate chips, if using them.
  • Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan. Bake the bread for 35-40 minutes, or until a skewer comes out mostly clean.
  • Remove the bread from the oven and let cool completely, before slicing.

Notes

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. 
Recipe loosely adapted from here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 130kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 3gFat: 2gSodium: 119mgPotassium: 245mgFiber: 3gVitamin A: 74IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 23g
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Absolutely delicious. I don’t usually comment on stuff , but this cake has a 10/10 . Just sweet enough to satisfy the craving for something sweet .. you can treat yourself to a slice or 2 or 3 knowing that it is really healthy. Thank you so much for this recipe, I will bake it again very soon.

  2. Good Evening – What size pan do you recommend for this bread recipe: 9 x 5 or 4 x 4? Thank you for the recipe as it sounds wondeful!

  3. 5 stars
    Hello Arman,
    Every single recipe I’ve ever baked or cooked of yours always turned out delicious! I just wanted you to know, I think you’re a brilliant chef. you make masterpieces. Thank you. My family also thanks you.Blessings😉♥️
    Shirley F

  4. 5 stars
    Good Morning – What size loaf pan do you recommend for this recipe? I checked several of your quick bread recipes to find only one directing pan size (9 x 4 – which does not exist.) I would like some guidance for pan size. Thank you so much. I am looking forward to making this recipe.

  5. 5 stars
    I did it from Tanzania and it’s just so so amazingly tasty and so healthy!! Thank you for your generous sharing!! 🙏🏾🙏🏾
    Thank you again

  6. 5 stars
    I did it from Tanzania and it’s just so so amazingly tasty and so healthy!! Thank you for your generous sharing!! 🙏🏾🙏🏾

  7. 5 stars
    Very good, my family loved it! Based on recommendations only added 3 bananas and it was great. Made again with cinnamon honey instead of maple syrup…yum!

  8. 5 stars
    This is a nice and simple recipe. Its a tad too sweet for me, but easy to fix. I did use honey, so if that happens to be sweeter than maple syrup that could be my issue. A little salt would balance out the sweetness too, and carry it further. But I will be making this again with a few tweaks. I added just a bit of melted butter and I think I will keep that tweak (coconot oil would do the same).

  9. 5 stars
    thankyou for your recipe – really enjoyed it – did to less choc chips and 3 good size bananas and it worked well. i am wondering how it would work with blueberries instead of choc chips? any ideas thanks