Description
This Healthy Sweet Potato Banana Bread is a nutritious and delicious twist on traditional banana bread, made with wholesome ingredients like mashed sweet potatoes, ripe bananas, whole wheat flour, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup or honey. Moist, flavorful, and lightly spiced with cinnamon, it’s perfect for a healthy breakfast, snack, or dessert option.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup cooked and mashed sweet potato (can substitute with canned sweet potato puree)
- 3/4 cup mashed ripe banana
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (can substitute with lemon juice)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 ℉ (175 ℃). Line a loaf pan with parchment paper or grease it with extra oil to ensure the bread does not stick during baking.
- Blend Wet Ingredients: In a blender, combine the mashed sweet potato, mashed banana, maple syrup or honey, eggs, vanilla extract, melted coconut or avocado oil, and apple cider vinegar. Blend everything together until the mixture is completely smooth. Set this wet mixture aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, sift together the whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the blended wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently but thoroughly until the batter is smooth and fully combined without lumps.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in 1/3 cup of chocolate chips, reserving some if you want to sprinkle on top of the batter before baking for a decorative touch.
- Transfer to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Use a spatula to spread and level the batter evenly. Optionally, sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips on top.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removing it and transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice into 8 pieces and enjoy.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to one month.
Notes
- You can substitute canned sweet potato puree if you don’t have fresh cooked sweet potato.
- Maple syrup and honey can be used interchangeably as a natural sweetener.
- Use either melted coconut oil or avocado oil based on preference; both add healthy fats.
- The apple cider vinegar helps to activate the baking soda and tenderize the bread.
- Folding in chocolate chips adds a touch of sweetness and texture but can be omitted for a simple version.
- Make sure to cool the bread fully before slicing to maintain its structure.
- Whole wheat flour adds fiber and nutrition but can be substituted with all-purpose flour, resulting in a lighter crumb.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
