Low Calorie Banana Bread

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.

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

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

• 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

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.

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

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

Other Banana Recipes You’ll Enjoy

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