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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
Made this twice now. Quick easy and delicious. Great recipe!
Best banana bread ive ever had! Cant even taste the protein and its so moist and soft.
I tweaked the recipe a bit, I did fully almond flour ( 2 and a half cups ),cinnamon, baking powder, a little salt & a tablespoon of olive oil, since almond flour and protein powder can be very drying.
Upon eating it, I realized the milk made it spongy, It almost felt like a milk cake but the next day it dried up a bit but its still so delicious!!
Came out just like a bakery banana bread. love love love it.
Today I made this. I added banana flavour whey
Protein. I cannot believe the taste. It was amazing!
Would it be possible to have the measurements in Metric?
I’d really love to try this recipe.
Yes, will update shortly with it 🙂
Can I substitute pumpkin puree for the banana?
Yes, I did try it with that recipe testing. I do suggest adding some sweetener/sugar to compensate
This recipe is amazing. I will definitely be saving it for the future.
Wow I just bought banana protein powder. So I really need to try this recipe. Banana explosion.
What if I put coconut flour instead of almond? Would it be the same?
I will do this. I just bought whey protein banana flavour so it will fit perfectly.
Does this recipe need baking powder or baking soda? Just curious!
It does to help it rise 🙂 I have tried it once without it and its still tasty and moist, just no rise
If i dont have protein powder can i add more flour?
Yes, leave it out and add a tablespoon more flour 🙂
This has become one of my favorite protein recipes. It bakes like real banana bread.
Can this be made with whey protein?
Hi Holly- Several readers have successfully made it with Optimum whey protein powder. I don’t typically use it for baking because it dries out compated to a casein, brown rice, or pea protein blend.
Can I go without the almond flour? Is it just for taste?
It helps with structure like any other flour would.