• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Simply Low Cal
  • Recipes
    • Air Fryer
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
    • Main Dish
    • Dips, Dressings & Sauces
    • Drinks
    • Instant Pot
    • Recipe Roundups & Downloads
    • Salads
    • Side Dish
    • Slow Cooker
    • Soup
    • Snack
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Snack

    Low Calorie Banana Bread

    Published: December 15, 2018 - Last updated: September 30, 2023 by Erika

    Thumbnail of low calorie banana bread.
    Jump to Recipe
    Low-calorie banana bread pin

    You’ll love this easy recipe for Low Calorie Banana Bread that’s made with simple ingredients that are easy to find and budget friendly. This skinny banana bread recipe is only 74 calories per slice and is also a great low fat alternative to traditional homemade banana bread.

    Sliced banana bread on a cutting board that is sitting on a kitchen towel.
    Jump to:
    • How Many Calories Are In Banana Bread?
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients You'll Need
    • Step-By-Step Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • Variations & Mix-Ins
    • Storing & Freezing
    • Recipe FAQ‘s
    • Other Banana Recipes You’ll Enjoy
    • Low Calorie Banana Bread

    Check out my Low Calorie Zucchini Bread, or my Low Calorie Corn Bread for more low calorie breads.

    Banana bread is a classic comfort food recipe that’s great for breakfast or as an afternoon snack. I developed this low calorie banana bread recipe to have lower calories and fat so you can enjoy a deliciously dense banana bread that’s lightened up without sacrificing on flavor!

    How Many Calories Are In Banana Bread?

    Regular banana bread is loaded with butter, flour and sugar. This banana bread recipe uses flour and sugar, but the amounts are reduced which lowers both the calorie count and fat content making it a great homemade banana bread. 

    • Average Calories In Banana Bread: 420 calories per slice
    • Average Calories In This Recipe: 74 calories per slice
    Sliced banana bread on a cutting board.

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • This is the best banana bread with detailed instructions in the recipe card!
    • It’s the perfect banana bread recipe when you're looking for an easy quick bread with big banana flavor.
    • Both kids and adults can enjoy this delicious snack.
    • It's low sugar, uses no oil and has just the right amount of sweetness.
    • This recipe requires just one bowl (and no mixer!), measuring cups and some basic ingredients.
    • You can customize it by adding fun ingredients to the batter such as chopped walnuts or chocolate chips.
    • This moist banana bread tastes amazing the next day.

    Ingredients You'll Need

    Labeled ingredients for the banana bread.
    • Ripe Bananas: You’ll need ripe bananas to naturally sweeten the banana bread batter. The bananas should have brown spots on the outside, soft and should smell sweet. This recipe will not work without overripe bananas!
    • Unsweetened Applesauce: Applesauce helps bind the batter together and offers a natural sweetness from the apples.
    • Vanilla Extract: A light vanilla flavor pairs well with the flavors of banana.
    • Sugar: You’ll need a bit of granulated or brown sugar to sweeten the bread but not as much sugar as you would find in a traditional banana bread recipe.
    • Salt: Salt will help balance all the flavors in the banana bread.
    • Baking Powder: This will help the bread rise and become fluffy. Do not replace with baking soda.
    • Egg: Helps bind the ingredients together while baking and gives the outside it’s crust. Make sure your eggs are at room temperature. To quickly bring your eggs to room temp, place them in a bowl of warm water for 3-5 minutes before you use them.
    • Skim Milk: Skim milk is one of the wet ingredients in the batter that makes it creamy but also helps reduce the fat content.
    • All-Purpose Flour: The dry ingredient in the banana bread that brings all of the ingredients together. You can also substitute the white flour with whole wheat pastry flour or white whole wheat flour for a whole wheat banana bread. I don't recommend almond flour, coconut flour, or oat flour– they will not work in this recipe.

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    Steps to make the banana bread.

    Step 1: Prep baking pans. Preheat the oven to 350 ℉. Spray two mini baking pans with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. You can also line the pans with parchment paper.

    Step 2: Mix ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, mash bananas with a fork until completely smooth. Then add all the ingredients except the flour. Gently mix by hand until everything is mixed and the batter is smooth.

    Step 3: Add flour. Add in the flour and stir until combined.

    Step 4: Add batter to baking pans. Divide and pour batter between the two baking pans. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

    Step 5: Serve. Let the bread cool on a wire rack, then cut each loaf into 6 individual slices.

    The bread batter in a bread pan.

    NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!

    A whole loaf of banana bread on a cutting board.

    Expert Tips

    • Bananas need to be overripe for best results. If you have under ripe bananas, you can ripen them quickly by wrapping them in foil and putting them in a 350 °F oven for 10-15 minutes!
    • Don't over bake! You'll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
    • It’s important to let the banana bread cool completely before removing from the pan. This will help keep it from crumbling.

    Variations & Mix-Ins

    Below are some fun ways to customize the flavor of your low cal banana bread!

    • Add in a scoop of protein powder to the dry ingredients. This is a great way to make the bread high protein, more balanced and filling.
    • Stir in some cinnamon and nutmeg into the batter.
    • For a fancier presentation, garnish the top of the batter with a thinly sliced extra banana.
    • Swirl in your favorite chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans for a banana nut bread.
    • Add ¼ cup cocoa powder to the batter to make a chocolate banana bread.
    • Make this bread gluten free by using Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Flour.
    • Replace the egg for one flaxseed egg and a non-dairy milk to make a vegan banana bread.
    • Replace the sugar with a zero calorie sweetener like monk fruit sweetener. You can also use pure maple syrup or coconut sugar.

    Storing & Freezing

    Storing: Wrap the cooled banana bread in plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or place in an airtight container. The banana bread will stay fresh for about 1 to 2 days at room temperature, and up to about a week by refrigerating it. If you want to enjoy it warm, heat it in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, or in a toaster oven.

    Freezing: Cool completely, then wrap banana bread tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. The banana bread will maintain best quality for about 2 to 3 months in the freezer. You can also cut your leftover bread into slices and individually wrap in plastic wrap before freezing. This way you can thaw and enjoy a slice whenever you want. Just thaw at room temperature when you're ready to enjoy it. 

    Recipe FAQ‘s

    How many calories are in a banana? 

    Depending on the size, the average medium sized banana has 105 calories.

    Is banana bread bad for you? 

    This depends on your personal definition of health. Since banana bread typically has a lot of fat and calories, it’s probably not a great idea to consume it all the time. This recipe offers a great alternative with less sugar.

    Can I turn this banana bread recipe into muffins?

    Absolutely! Just fill muffin tins with the batter and bake!

    How do I make the lowest calorie banana bread recipe?

    For the lowest calorie recipe, I recommend making this banana bread with unsweetened almond milk and a sugar substitute that is refined sugar free.

    What is the best way to mash bananas?

    I use a fork or a potato masher to mash up the bananas. You can also use a hand mixer or pop the bananas in a blender to get them mashed up quick and easy.

    Can I make this recipe in a standard sized loaf pan?

    Yes, you can! Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan and bake for about 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted from center of the loaf.

    Other Banana Recipes You’ll Enjoy

    • Thumbnail of low calorie breakfast cookies.
      Low Calorie Breakfast Cookies
    • Thumbnail of banana peanut butter chocolate bites.
      Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Bites
    • Thumbnail of healthier banana cream pie.
      Healthier Banana Cream Pie
    • Thumbnail of banana donuts.
      Banana Donuts

    If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating — or simply hit the five-star button in the recipe card. Don't forget to signup for my newsletter.

    Thumbnail of low calorie banana bread.

    Low Calorie Banana Bread

    Erika
    You’ll love this easy recipe for low calorie banana bread that’s made with simple ingredients that are easy to find and budget friendly. This skinny banana bread recipe is only 74 calories per slice and is also a great low fat alternative to traditional homemade banana bread.
    4.63 from 299 votes
    Print Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 Servings
    Calories 74 kcal

    Equipment

    • Mini Loaf Pans
    • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 ripe bananas mashed
    • 1 tablespoon unsweetened applesauce
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ cup sugar
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 large egg
    • 2 tablespoons skim milk
    • ¾ cup all-purpose flour

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350 ℉. Spray two mini baking pans with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. You can also line the pans with parchment paper.
    • In a large mixing bowl, mash bananas with a fork until completely smooth. Then add all the ingredients except the flour. Gently mix by hand until everything is mixed and the batter is smooth.
    • Add in the flour and stir until combined.
    • Divide and pour batter between the two baking pans. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
    • Let the bread cool on a wire rack, then cut each loaf into 6 individual slices.

    Notes

    • Bananas need to be overripe for best results. If you have under ripe bananas, you can ripen them quickly by wrapping them in foil and putting them in a 350 °F oven for 10-15 minutes!
    • Don't over bake! You'll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
    • It’s important to let the banana bread cool completely before removing from the pan. This will help keep it from crumbling.
    • Storing: Wrap the cooled banana bread in plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or place in an airtight container. The banana bread will stay fresh for about 1 to 2 days at room temperature, and up to about a week by refrigerating it. If you want to enjoy it warm, heat it in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, or in a toaster oven.
    • Freezing: Cool completely, then wrap banana bread tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. The banana bread will maintain best quality for about 2 to 3 months in the freezer. You can also cut your leftover bread into slices and individually wrap in plastic wrap before freezing. This way you can thaw and enjoy a slice whenever you want. Just thaw at room temperature when you're ready to enjoy it. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 74kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 2gFat: 1gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 37mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8g

    All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Keyword low-calorie banana bread, low-fat banana bread, Skinny Banana Bread
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Signature.

    More Snack

    • Thumbnail of low calorie pumpkin bread.
      Low Calorie Pumpkin Bread
    • Thumbnail of low calorie garlic bread.
      Low Calorie Garlic Bread
    • Thumbnail of low calorie chocolate mousse.
      Low Calorie Chocolate Mousse
    • Thumbnail of air fryer frozen Brussels sprouts.
      Air Fryer Frozen Brussels Sprouts

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Aimee Martinez

      April 06, 2023 at 1:45 am

      Hi how many grams per serving?

      Reply
    2. Avery

      July 18, 2022 at 4:07 am

      This always turns out really flat for some reason but I'm not complaining at all, its still so delicious with a great texture so always worth making! 🙂

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Low-calorie banana bread pin
    about me image

    Hi and welcome! My name is Erika! Simply Low Cal is the blog about DELICIOUS low calorie recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and snacks that anyone can make. You will find plenty of healthy recipes for anyone. About Me

    POPULAR RECIPES

    • Thumbnail of low calorie banana bread.
      Low Calorie Banana Bread
    • Thumbnail of low calorie chicken noodle soup.
      Low Calorie Chicken Noodle Soup
    • Thumbnail of healthy snow cone syrup.
      Healthy Snow Cone Syrup
    • Thumbnail of 100 calorie blueberry muffins.
      100 Calorie Blueberry Muffins
    • Thumbnail of low calorie protein shake.
      Low Calorie Protein Shake
    • Thumbnail of PBfit soft gluten free cookies.
      PBfit Soft Gluten Free Cookies

    THE BEST OF FALL

    • Thumbnail of low calorie pumpkin overnight oats.
      Low Calorie Pumpkin Overnight Oats
    • Thumbnail of low calorie apple cider donuts.
      Low Calorie Apple Cider Donuts
    • Thumbnail of low calorie cinnamon sugar donuts.
      Low Calorie Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
    • Thumbnail of low calorie pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
      Low Calorie Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

    FEATURED IN

    as seen in.

    Footer

    Low-calorie banana bread pin

    ↑ back to top

    Featured In

    as seen in banner.

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
    • Accessibility

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    © 2023 Simply Low Cal | Mama Needs Coffee LLC

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    76567 shares