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This protein banana bread is moist and fluffy, and it’s made in just one bowl. Each slice packs over 25 grams of protein!
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Adding protein powder to desserts and baked goods is one of my favorite things, and my high-protein banana bread recipe is a winner! I tested it thousands of times to make sure it looked and tasted like banana bread, but it had protein powder added (trust me on this… my family members are SO picky).
It’s moist, fluffy, and has a gorgeous, tender crumb. Thanks to the whey protein powder and almond flour, each slice packs 25 grams of protein. It makes a fabulous post-workout snack or wholesome dessert you can feel good about eating.
If you love high-protein baked goods, try my protein cookies, protein muffins, and protein donuts next.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“SO MOIST LOVE IT. Did the tip of adding more protein powder and less flour work perfectly. I love that I can change the protein powder flavor! I also added semi-sweet chocolate chips cause … yum! Love this recipe.” – Gina
Key Ingredients
- Ripe bananas. Overripe bananas are a must, as they make the bread extra moist and sweet.
- Milk of choice. I used unsweetened almond milk, but any milk will work.
- Vinegar. White or apple cider. This reacts with the self-rising flour to give the bread some rise and fluffiness.
- Vanilla extract. A must for any good banana bread.
- Self-rising flour. Skip the expensive pre-made blends and make your own (it’s just all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder). I tested this recipe with oat flour and found the loaf to be a little too dry for my liking.
- Almond flour. Blanched almond flour, not almond meal. The latter will yield a dense and doughy loaf instead of a fluffy one.
- Protein powder. I like using a vanilla-flavored protein powder, but unflavored works. Brown rice protein powder or casein protein powder is the best protein blend for baking.
- Sugar or alternative. White, brown, coconut sugar, or sugar-free options, like a brown sugar substitute. You can use a liquid sweetener like honey or maple syrup, but reduce the amount by half.
How to make protein banana bread
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step 1- In a large bowl, combine the wet ingredients. Next, add the dry ingredients and mix until a smooth batter remains.
Step 2- Transfer the batter to a greased loaf pan and bake for 45-50 minutes or until a skewer comes out mostly clean from the middle.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Do not overbake the banana bread, as it will continue to bake as it cools down. Once a toothpick comes out mostly clean, it’s ready to be removed from the oven.
- If your banana bread browns too quickly, cover the top with tin foil after 15-20 minutes. This might not happen to you; it all depends on the brand of protein powder and how your oven bakes things.
- Make banana protein muffins. Simply bake it in muffin liners and reduce the cooking time to 18 minutes.
- Feel free to fold through fun mix-ins to change up the texture. Try walnuts, pecans, dark chocolate chips, peanut butter, nut butter, white chocolate chips, or even dried fruit.
If you tried this Protein Banana Bread recipe or any other recipe on The Big Man’s World, please rate the recipe and let me know how it went in the comments below. It really helps others thinking of making the recipe.
Protein Banana Bread
Video
Ingredients
- 2 medium bananas mashed
- 1 cup milk I used unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon vinegar apple cider or white
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups self rising flour * See notes
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup protein powder ** See notes
- 1/2 cup brown sugar substitute or any sweetener of choice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the mashed bananas, milk, vinegar, and vanilla extract and mix until combined. Gently add the self rising flour, almond flour, protein powder, sugar of choice, and mix until smooth.
- Transfer the batter to the lined pan and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean from the center.
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool completely, before removing from the pan and slicing.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently asked questions
While a classic loaf of banana bread contains some protein, it is not enough to be classified as a high-protein food.
My protein banana bread has at least 18 grams of protein per slice. Adding walnuts or almonds on top will add even more protein.
This banana bread is gluten-free if you use gluten-free self-rising flour (as Dove Farms).
More protein powder recipes
- Protein brownies
- Protein mug cake
- Protein granola
- Protein granola bars
- Protein cupcakes
- Or any of my recipes with protein powder
Originally published February 2022, updated May 2025
Delicious banana bread. Everyone in my family loves it including my 4yo daughter. Thank you!
Love that, Carmen!
Can I use all purpose, self rising, whole wheat, or cake flour as a substitute for the almond flour?
I haven’t tried but you are welcome to experiment and see!
Fabulous protein banana bread.
Great to hear that, Keeley!
I’ve made this recipe so many times! I add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the protein banana bread mixture for moistness. I love this and the almond flour brownies recipe. These are amazing! Can’t wait to try more awesome recipes. Thank you
Best protein banana bread ever!
Excellent recipe! I used whey protein powder (Gold Standard Vanilla Ice Cream to be specific), and it came out perfect. Thanks so much!
Thanks for letting me know, Julie- that is super helpful that there is a whey protein brand that works 🙂
This is the best protein banana bread recipe I’ve ever made. So moist and tender.
The ultimate test is if the kids like it. All my kids love it. It was devoured in no time. It’s my go to Banana Bread now.
I don’t generally keep almond flour around. Could I do a cup of protein powder instead or would that not work?
I’m not sure- I haven’t tried it 🙂
Adding everything into MFP and I’m actually getting a higher protein count- love that! this is the best protein banana bread recipe I’ve ever made.
I have tried a lot of healthy banana bread recipes and this is the best by far. Added one extra banana when I made it and it was perfect.
How much is considered one serving?
one slice 🙂
This has a really good texture- I love it!
Thanks for these recipes!
Just made this for the tenth time- it’s so good!!
So I loved this recipe! Definitely making over and over again!
I used whey protein powder in the recipe and it still turned out great 🙂