Healthy Banana Bread with Raisins or Chocolate Chips Recipe
This classic Banana Bread recipe yields a moist, flavorful loaf perfect for breakfast or a snack. Made with ripe bananas, all-purpose flour, and a hint of vanilla, this easy-to-make bread incorporates optional raisins for added sweetness. The batter is gently mixed to ensure a tender crumb, then baked to golden perfection and decorated with banana slices on top.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 10-12 slices)
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1⅔ cups all-purpose flour (plain flour)
- ½ tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 large eggs (50 g each without shell, at room temperature)
- 1 Tbsp neutral oil
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Others
- 4 ripe bananas (divided; medium-sized about 7–8 inch, approximately 4 oz/113 g each with peel)
- ½ cup raisins (optional; can substitute with chocolate chips)
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Ensure all ingredients are measured accurately, preferably with a kitchen scale. Eggs should be at room temperature for optimal mixing.
- Prepare the Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line an 8 x 8 x 2 inch loaf pan with parchment paper using the folding and clipping technique to secure it firmly inside the pan.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: In a fine-mesh sieve or sifter, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt, sifting into a bowl to aerate and mix evenly.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer, beat softened butter until creamy. Add sugar and whisk until the mixture turns pale yellow and fluffy.
- Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula to ensure even mixing.
- Add Oil and Vanilla: Mix in the neutral oil and pure vanilla extract until well incorporated.
- Add Bananas: Stir in 3 ripe bananas, mashed but with some chunks remaining. The mixture may look slightly curdled at this point, which is normal.
- Combine Flour Mixture: Add the sifted flour mixture to the banana mixture and stir until about 80% combined.
- Add Raisins (Optional): Fold in raisins or chocolate chips gently for about 3 seconds to distribute evenly.
- Finish Mixing: Remove the bowl from the mixer and hand fold the remaining flour with a silicone spatula to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender crumb.
- Prepare Batter in Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading evenly with a spatula.
- Decorate: Thinly slice the remaining banana and arrange slices on top of the batter for decoration.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Remove the pan from the oven and let cool for 45–60 minutes before removing the banana bread from the pan.
- Slice and Serve: Cut the loaf in half lengthwise, then slice into 1-inch thick pieces and enjoy.
- Store: Wrap slices or the entire loaf in plastic wrap and keep in a cool place. Consume within 2–3 days for optimal freshness.
Notes
- Using room temperature eggs and softened butter helps create a smooth batter.
- For metric weighing, use a kitchen scale to measure ingredients for precision.
- The thin sliced banana on top adds a nice aesthetic and a little extra banana flavor.
- If you prefer a more moist bread, add a few tablespoons of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
- If using a convection oven, reduce the baking temperature by 25ºF (15ºC) to prevent overbrowning.
- Fluff and sprinkle the flour in measuring cups rather than scooping to avoid dense bread.
- Optional mix-ins like walnuts or chocolate chips can be added with the raisins.
