What is Protein Banana Bread?
Protein banana bread is a delicious twist on traditional banana bread — packed with protein powder and nutrient-dense ingredients to give your body a satisfying energy boost. It’s the perfect combination of comfort food and fitness fuel. Soft, moist, and naturally sweetened with ripe bananas, this loaf makes a great grab-and-go breakfast or a post-workout snack to support muscle recovery.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a healthy mix of ingredients that keep your loaf flavorful and nutritious:
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3 ripe bananas, mashed
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2 large eggs (or 2 flax eggs for vegan)
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¼ cup Greek yogurt (adds moisture and protein)
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¼ cup almond milk (or any milk of choice)
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2 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1 ½ cups oat flour (or whole wheat flour)
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1 scoop (30g) vanilla or unflavored protein powder
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1 teaspoon baking powder
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½ teaspoon baking soda
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½ teaspoon cinnamon
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¼ teaspoon salt
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2 tablespoons melted coconut oil or light olive oil
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Optional mix-ins: ¼ cup chopped nuts, dark chocolate chips, or chia seeds
How to Make Protein Banana Bread
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix wet ingredients
In a large bowl, mash the bananas. Add eggs, Greek yogurt, milk, honey, vanilla extract, and melted coconut oil. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Mix dry ingredients
In another bowl, combine oat flour, protein powder, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir together.
Step 4: Combine both mixtures
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined. Don’t overmix — this helps keep the bread soft. If you want, fold in chocolate chips or nuts at this stage.
Step 5: Bake
Pour the batter into the loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 6: Cool before slicing
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Slice once completely cool for best texture.
Why You’ll Love This Protein Banana Bread
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High in protein – Each slice contains 8–12g of protein depending on your protein powder.
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Perfect post-workout snack – Helps with muscle repair and recovery.
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Naturally sweet – Ripe bananas and honey provide natural sweetness without refined sugar.
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Moist and tender – Greek yogurt keeps it soft without needing much oil.
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Freezer-friendly – Slice, store, and reheat for busy mornings.
Tips for the Best Protein Banana Bread
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Use ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture.
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Choose high-quality protein powder – vanilla or unflavored whey or plant-based works best.
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Avoid overmixing – mix until ingredients are just combined.
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Add moisture if needed – if the batter feels thick, add 1–2 tbsp extra milk.
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Cool completely before cutting — it sets the crumb perfectly.
Variations to Try
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Chocolate Protein Banana Bread: Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder and chocolate chips.
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Peanut Butter Version: Stir in 2 tbsp natural peanut butter or swirl on top before baking.
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Vegan Option: Use flax eggs, plant protein, and dairy-free yogurt.
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Gluten-Free Version: Substitute oat flour with almond flour or a gluten-free blend.
Storage and Serving
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Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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Refrigerator: Lasts up to 1 week.
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Freezer: Slice and freeze for up to 2–3 months. Reheat in toaster or microwave before eating.
Nutrition Info (per slice, approx.)
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Calories: 180
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Protein: 10 g
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Carbs: 20 g
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Fat: 6 g
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Fiber: 3 g
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Sugar: 6 g (natural from bananas & honey)
