Banana Bread (Easy + Healthier)

8Apr/1021

Banana Bread (Easy + Healthier)

Traditionally I make banana bread with either ½ cup of oil or 1 stick of butter which lends to a very moist and rich bread. I've heard that you can replace the oil with apple sauce for a lighter version. I had never tried it before because I thought it would compromise the taste and flavor. I figured it's time to give apple sauce a chance...honestly, The Jamie Oliver Food Revolution has been a wake up call for me. It makes me more conscience about food and more aware about saving a few calories & cutting fat here and there. Little changes in your diet can make a difference in your overall health. Trust me -- you won't miss the oil or butter in this recipe. You'll find this banana bread slightly denser with a very pleasant chewy texture. It's moist and very flavorful. The hint of cinnamon in the apple sauce compliments the bananas quite well.

So here it is...Banana Bread with Cinnamon Apple Sauce.

Prep: 10 mins - Cooking time: 50 mins - Yields: 1 loaf

Ingredients:

3 ripe bananas
2 C flour
1 C sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
½ C cinnamon apple sauce (naturally sweeten)
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs, beaten
½ C nuts, optional

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°, spray loaf pan with cooking spray
Mash bananas with a potato masher or a fork, set aside (I like to keep it on the chunky side because I like little bits of banana floating in my bread)
Combine flour, sugar, baking soda in medium bowl
Add cinnamon apple sauce, eggs, vanilla and bananas (and nuts if using) to flour mixture and mix with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until well combined, do not overmix
Pour batter into greased loaf pan and bake on center oven rack for 50 mins - 60 mins (until inserted tooth pick comes out clean)
Let cool in pan for 5 mins and then cool bread on cooling rack

Simple, delicious & moist

Enjoy!!

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Tagged as: apple sauce, banana, bread, low fat Leave a comment

Comments (21) Trackbacks (1) ( subscribe to comments on this post )

Erin
April 9th, 2010 - 19:00

love the recipe and the ‘print’ option!!! your photos look great!
kitchenrunway
April 9th, 2010 - 22:08

Thank you Erin!
Lauren
April 13th, 2010 - 05:22

This looks like a deliciously moist banana bread loaf! The addition of cinnamon applesauce sounds like a lovely compliment to the ripe bananas.
LinC
April 13th, 2010 - 06:22

Looks yummy! What size loaf pan do you use? 8×4 and 9×5 are the most common sizes.
lindentea
April 13th, 2010 - 06:54

I use apple sauce instead of oil all the time and it works great, your recipe and pictures look great, I’ll try this very soon. Thank you!
kitchenrunway
April 13th, 2010 - 10:31

LinC: The loaf pan I used was a 10×5 =)
Sarah Jio
April 13th, 2010 - 13:25

Hi there! What great proof that applesauce produces a yummy looking loaf! I’m the health and fitness blogger for Glamour magazine, my blog is Vitamin G, and I’d like to link to this on my blog tomorrow. I’ll give you attribution for the top photo and send some traffic back your way. hope that’s cool! Thanks much, Sarah
kitchenrunway
April 13th, 2010 - 13:59

Lauren & lindentea: Thank you so much! Hope you try the recipe soon!

Sarah: Thank you for visiting and I’m excited about being linked on your blog! I know your readers will love the less fat alternative. =)
Lindsay
April 13th, 2010 - 16:39

mmm….I’m totally trying this! We love banana bread – but the recipe I have calls for so much butter!
Ali Reinsdorf
April 14th, 2010 - 13:09

I love this! I usually use applesauce in my breads to make them healthier. I also like to throw some non fat yogurt in to make it extra moist and delicious!
Adrienne
April 14th, 2010 - 16:50

Your photos are amazing. You are inspiring to me! PS I am so making this
kitchenrunway
April 14th, 2010 - 17:01

Lindsay: totally understand…the amount of butter is sometimes scary….Hope you enjoy the recipe!

Ali: Ohhhh….non fat yogurt – that sounds like a good alternative – thank you for the suggestion!

Adrienne: Thank you! Yay – I can’t wait to hear about (and see pictures!) Fun!
Steffany
April 15th, 2010 - 03:58

I have been looking for something healthy to moisten my breads/cakes for a long time. Someone suggested applesauce to me a while back but I never tried it. I had an ex boyfriend whose mother used mayonaisse in everything and her cakes turned out so moist and delicious, but I hate mayo and OBVS applesauce or non-fat yogurt is a better alternative, lol! (: Will definitely try to make this bread.
Leslie
April 15th, 2010 - 08:24

Thanks so much for sharing. I made this last nite and it was my FIRST bread from scratch attempt. My job loves it. I usually bake when I’m fasting and they are complaining that for every pound I lose they gain 10lbs. Oh well I may take up crocheting lol. Fantastic clear instructions and pictures. My bread was a bit dry so I may try the yogurt next time in additon to applesauce. YIPPPEEEEE I’m an official baker!
kitchenrunway
April 15th, 2010 - 12:18

Steffany: Yay – glad you’re going to try using apple sauce/non-fat yogurt as an alternative. Hope you enjoy it! Thank you for stopping by!

Leslie: Thank you!! Yes – you are an official baker! I’m so happy that you tried it and that your job loves it (even if they are gaining weight while you are losing it!) Sorry your’s came out a bit dry – I think the addition of the yogurt may be worth the try =) or maybe try adding a bit more apple sauce. Every oven is a bit different too – so maybe you’ll have to bake less then 50mins. Happy baking Leslie!
ravenouscouple
April 16th, 2010 - 11:38

congrats for the glamour love–in the rare instances that we do bake zucchini bread, we use apple sauce too.
kitchenrunway
April 16th, 2010 - 12:42

Ravenouscouple: Thank you!! Ohhh….I love zucchini bread – I will definitely try the substitute! Yum!
Corey
April 17th, 2010 - 20:42

The Banana Bread amazing!!!! I just made it for my family and they loved it. Oh, and it is sooo easy……I am really enjoying your web site. Great job girl…..
kitchenrunway
April 19th, 2010 - 10:54

Corey: Yay!!! I’m so happy that you made it and that your family loved it!! Thank you for the support!
web design
April 23rd, 2010 - 01:11

Your banana bread seems easier, healthier and more delicious than ours.
Julie
April 23rd, 2010 - 10:20

I’m making this today for Ry and I!!! So excited to try it! Ill let you know how it turns out Thanks Lady!!