I’m back and I’ve got a winner of a walnut banana bread recipe for you. It’s the perfect breakfast treat, super snack, or lunchbox packer. In addition, it’s a one-bowl wonder, which means it’s easy to put together and quick into the oven. You’ve got a lot of choices when it comes to internet banana bread recipes, but I assure you this one’s got fantastic written all over it.
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See??
For sure, it’s been awhile since I posted something new. And you know what that means — nothing at all exciting going on in my kitchen! But there’s been a decent meal here and there. I even got a high-five from my oldest for this delish supper featuring turkey sausage, peppers, and onions.
So, we’re certainly not starving, but we’ve been relying on easy standby meals, as well as a lot of raw veggies, like bell peppers. I’m kind of obsessed with the orange and yellow varieties at the moment — so sweet and crunchy! We’re eating six or seven a week.
However, neither man nor child can not live on bell peppers alone. It’s time to fire it up in the kitchen to power us through baseball, karate, school concerts and field trips, not to mention looming work deadlines for both me and the hubster. Cooking in these conditions is stressful, but baking has the opposite effect!
Baking is my jam, even when I don’t feel like cooking
I definitely gravitate towards baking when I’m feeling impotent in the kitchen. Baking just comes more easily to me than planning entire meals. Besides, the results are rarely anything but fabulous thanks to solid recipes and a little thing I like to call sugar 🙂 So, when the going gets tough, I ease my way back into the kitchen with a no-fail recipe like this yummy, easy walnut banana bread with a twist.
A twist on classic banana bread
I made a few swaps for a bit more nutrition and superior texture and flavor. This banana bread includes…
whole wheat and all-purpose flour
sugar
baking soda and salt
allspice
very ripe bananas
eggs
melted butter
low fat yogurt
walnuts
Simple, packed with banana flavor, and beyond tender thanks to the addition of yogurt in the batter. I even tested it out on a group of dietitian colleagues at a meeting. Never was there a tougher bunch of food critics — but it’s so yummy, it was a total hit. Dietitians are suckers for food that tastes good AND packs some nutrition. Check and check!
Walnut Banana Bread with Yogurt
Walnut banana bread is a one-bowl wonder with superior taste and texture. A twist on classic banana bread, this version incorporates whole wheat flour, yogurt, and walnuts.
Ingredients
- 2 med ripe bananas ~1 1/2 cups mashed
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- 1/3 cup lowfat yogurt vanilla or plain
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup all-purpose
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a standard loaf pan (9 x 5 inches) with a light coating of spray oil.
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In a medium bowl, add the peeled bananas and mash with the back of a fork or potato masher until they're a chunky pile of smush 🙂
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Add the 2 eggs, and mix in thoroughly. Add the sugar, butter, and yogurt and stir well.
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Add the all-purpose and whole wheat flours to the bowl. Sprinkle both the baking soda and salt over the top, distributing it evenly throughout the bowl. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until they're entirely incoporated. Do not overstir.
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Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan. Tap the pan lightly on the counter to help spread the batter out evenly. Sprinkle the chopped walnuts across the top, then transfer the pan to the preheated oven.
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Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out nearly clean. Some ovens run hotter, so be sure to check the bread around the 35 minute mark and adjust the time as needed.
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Allow to rest in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer from pan to cooling rack. Store at room temperature in a sealed container for up to 5 days (for best quality). Bread can be frozen in airtight container for up to 6 months.
Hi Julia! This looks awesome!! Can’t wait to try it!! Hope the New Year is treating you and your family well. 🙂
Thank you, Tammi! Nice to see you here 🙂 Have checked out your blog now and again. You have been BUSY!!!
Hi Julia, this is Sory (Eric’s wife).
I love your blog!
Now that you mention raw veggies, how do u make your kids eat them. I want my boys to have more veggies in their diet but is not really happening. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Hi Sory! Thanks so much for the feedback. The short answer to your question is three-fold. First, of course you and Eric should role model good veggie eating behavior daily. Second, keep exposing them to veggies in different ways. It’ll often takes several exposures before young kids accept a new food. Expect them to like some and not others. But try them raw, cooked, dipped in their favorite sauces/dressings, or as part of a dish they already like (like tacos, etc). Third, get them involved in the decision-making (to an minor extent) – to get them feeling empowered and excited about trying them. Let them pick our one new fruit/veggie at grocery story, decide how it will be served. Even get them involved in prep — peeling, mixing, chopping, etc. Good luck!
Thanks! I’ll do that.
It’s going to be one of our summer things to try. 🙂
I am so excited to try this. I am always looking for healthy versions of bake goods for Steve. He will love this. Thanks Jules!
This ought to pass Steve’s high nutrition standards. I am happy to contribute to the success of our triathlete! **Yes, OURS! You have to share him, since I don’t have one of my own 🙂