Protein Banana Bread

This protein banana bread is a healthy snack that is so easy to make. With protein from greek yogurt, eggs and protein powder, this simple gluten free banana bread is perfect to meal prep for the week!

I’ve been so in love with my protein banana muffins lately so I had to make a bread version!

This protein banana bread is so soft and tender, gluten free and has over 10 grams of protein per serving, compared to 2-3 in traditional banana bread.

All you need is one bowl, about 10 minutes of prep time and a few simple, pantry staple ingredients to make this recipe.

It’s perfect for a quick on the go breakfast, post-workout snack or even a healthy dessert. It requires no fancy equipment, just one bowl and a whisk! If you love this recipe, try my chocolate protein cake or chickpea cookie dough next!

Key ingredients & substitutions

Banana. Very ripe and spotty brown bananas are what you need for this recipe. The riper the better, which means your bananas will be very sweet.

Greek Yogurt. The greek yogurt will add a lot of moisture to the bread as well as add a lot of protein. You can use dairy free or regular. I do not recommend non-greek yogurt as it is much more watery.

Eggs. You need three large eggs for this recipe, which will add a lot of protein and help this healthy banana bread rise. They also add a really fluffy texture and prevent the bread from getting dense.

Protein powder. Any protein powder you like will work, but I recommend one that is vanilla flavored and ideally stevia sweetened. I used pea protein but you can also use whey protein.

Sugar. I used light brown sugar, but any kind of granulated sugar will do. You can use white sugar to keep it simple, or coconut sugar for a refined sugar free version. If you use coconut sugar this protein banana bread will be much darker than pictured.

Flour. You need a mix of blanched almond flour and gluten free all purpose flour. If you are not gluten free, you can use regular all purpose flour, but still use the almond flour.

Butter or oil. I recommend butter (either dairy free or regular) or coconut oil. To avoid any coconut flavor, be sure to use refined coconut oil.

How to make protein banana bread

Step 1: Whisk together all wet ingredients until smooth. Be sure to puree your banana first, then measure out 1 1/2 cups worth.

Step 2: Whisk in the dry ingredients, making sure to spoon and level the flours and protein powder, don’t scoop right from the bag.

Step 3: Add in any optional mix ins. I used chocolate chips for this recipe, but you can used chopped walnuts or just leave it plain!

Step 4: Bake until a toothpick comes out clean. If you notice the top browning too much, tent it with some foil.

Step 5: Remove from the oven and let cool completely before slicing to prevent any crumbling. Enjoy!

Can I make it vegan?

Unfortunately, since this recipe calls for 3 whole eggs, I do not recommend subbing for flax eggs or any other egg substitute.

The eggs are really important for the overall texture and structure of the bread, so for best results, please follow the recipe as written!

For a vegan option, try my chocolate chip banana bread instead!

How to store banana bread

I always find that any recipe made with a lot of banana or apple sauce can get quite mushy if left out at room temperature for too long.

Banana bread can definitely be left at room temperature, but I prefer to store it in the fridge.

Be sure to let it cool completely, then slice and add to a container and keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can eat it cold, or warm it up in the microwave for a few seconds so it’s good as new!

Frequently asked questions

Can you use protein powder instead of flour?

You can do this in some recipes, but gluten free baking is so tricky that I recommend sticking with a recipe that already calls for protein powder.

Oftentimes you can sub 1/3 cup for every 1 cup of flour for protein powder, but it’s so much easier following a recipe that already calls for it.

Protein powder acts similarly to flour in baked goods and helps absorb excess moisture. I don’t find that it gives a grainy texture at all, this banana bread is very soft and fluffy!

Can I make it nut free?

This recipe calls for 1 cup of almond flour, but you can likely sub with equal parts oat flour. I have not tested this protein banana bread without almond flour, but oat flour is generally a safe bet!

How do I keep it moist?

I promise you will have no issues keeping this bread moist! Be sure you don’t over-bake it as that can easily dry it out. Also make sure you measure the flour properly to prevent a dry loaf.

More recipes you’ll love!

• Banana Protein Pancakes
• Vegan Banana Bread
• Banana Waffles
• Protein Overnight Oats
• Chocolate Banana Bread

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