Low Calorie Banana Bread

If you are on a diet but have the sweet tooth, this Low Calorie Banana Bread recipe is for you. Moist and delicious, this skinny banana bread is a low fat, low calorie and healthy alternative to the original. Same taste, same texture!

Just 88 calories, no oil, no nuts, no refined flour. Say hi to the perfect dessert for weight loss!

Can you eat banana bread on a diet?

Although I’m not a registered dietitian, I am a certified nutritionist and studied the science behind weight loss. In addition, I also went through weight loss myself. What I can tell you is that anything can be part of your diet, there should be no forbidden food. At the end of the day, science says that to lose weight you just need a slight caloric deficit. Needless to say, some foods like vegetables or chicken can be eaten more in abundance than others, like fast food and desserts.

But what if your favorite desserts are also low in calories?

As dreamlike as it may sound, this is now possible with this low calorie banana bread recipe. Clocking at 88 calories per slice, this is the best dessert for weight loss. It is subtly sweet, soft and so moist that it will feel like eating the real thing. But with much fewer calories.

Why you will love this low calorie banana bread

• Healthy and low calorie. It is a low calorie, low fat and much healthier alternative to the classic banana bread – no oil, no butter, no nuts, no refined flours. You can eat dessert for breakfast, as a dessert or snack, without screwing your diet!
• Sweet and moist. This skinny banana bread is as soft, moist and delicious as the traditional.
• Cheap and easy. You only need a handful of simple ingredients that are budget friendly and easy to find at the grocery store.
• Customizable and versatile. Stir in chocolate chips or turn into banana muffins and you’ll end up with a completely new dessert.
• Meal-prep friendly. Make it ahead and have banana skinny bread for the week. It stores well for days and is freezer-friendly.

Ingredients

This loaf is made with simple ingredients: no oil, no nuts, no butter, but yet as moist and delicious as the original. Let the magic begin, here is all you need to make low calorie banana bread at home!

• Bananas: The riper the bananas, the better. Look for brown-ish bananas, with dark spots all over their skin. If your bananas are still yellow, let ripe before making this recipe.
• Egg: Use a large fresh eggs, or replace with a flaxseed egg for the vegan recipe.
• Egg whites: For convenience I like using egg whites in brick. But if you can’t find them, just divide the egg white from the yolk, keeping the latter aside for other recipes.
• Oat flour: Both store-bought and homemade oat flour works. For gluten-free banana bread use certified gluten-free flour.
• Maple syrup: Pure maple syrup is a healthier and more natural alternative to refined sugars.
• Milk of choice: For the lowest calorie banana bread recipe, use unsweetened almond milk or skimmed milk.
• Vanilla extract, ground cinnamon: These ingredients add more taste to your low calorie dessert.
• Salt: A pinch of salt balances sweetness and enhances the flavors.
• Baking powder: It will make your loaf rise.

Substitutions

• Egg: Replace with one flaxseed egg for a vegan recipe.
• Egg whites: You can also use one whole egg, or replace with a flaxseed egg for vegan banana bread.
• Oat flour: Substitute with white whole wheat flour, spelt flour, whole grain flour or all purpose flour. Unfortunately, I haven’t tested this recipe with almond flour yet.
• Maple syrup: replace with honey, date syrup, agave syrup, coconut syrup or sugar-free syrups. For this recipe I do not recommend granular sweeteners.
• Milk of choice: Use any dairy or dairy-free milk you like. Skimmed or semi-skimmed milk, almond milk, soy milk, oat milk or rice milk are all great.
• Baking powder: This is a non-negotiable ingredient because it makes the skinny banana bread rise. Do not replace with baking soda.

Recipe variations

As it is pretty basic and simple, this low calorie banana bread recipe offers plenty of room for customization. Be creative and add your favorite extras, or take inspiration from the ideas below.

• Make crunchy banana bread with chopped walnuts, pecans or hazelnuts.
• Stir in a handsome of fresh berries for a juicy flavor with few added calories. Blueberry and strawberry banana bread are my favorite.
• Turn your dessert into a chocolate chip banana bread with a handful of sugar-free chocolate chips.
• Replace 3 tablespoons of the flour with cocoa powder and bake a low calorie chocolate loaf.
• Make high protein banana bread. My tip is to replace at most 50 grams (1/2 cup) of the flour with protein powder, vanilla casein and vegan protein powder are the best options. 

Skinny banana bread with protein powder

Adding protein powder to baked goods is a clever way to make desserts more balanced and filling. For a high protein banana bread, replace 50 grams (1/2 cup) of the oat flour with protein powder. My recommendation is to use vegan protein powder or casein. Unlike whey, these are perfect for baking because they do not get dry.

Keep in mind that substituting oat flour with protein powder will change the batter consistency. In general, vegan protein powder and casein absorb more liquid while whey protein less. Adjust the batter with more milk or more flour until it gets smooth, if it is necessary.

How to make low calorie banana bread

Step 1 – Mix wet ingredients In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until completely smooth. After mashing, stir in egg, egg white, maple syrup, a teaspoon vanilla extract, half a teaspoon ground cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Whisk well, until you get a smooth batter.

Step 2 – Add dry ingredients. Incorporate into the mixture the oat flour and the baking powder. Stir the banana bread batter, while gradually pouring in the milk. Start with little milk (about 1 large spoon) and add up to 3 tablespoons (45 ml) only if the batter is still too dry.

Step 3 – Bake. Pour the batter into a prepared loaf pan. Bake in hot oven at 180 C° (350 F°) for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of your low calorie banana bread comes out clean.

Step 4 – Let cool. Remove the loaf from the oven and let it in the pan for about 15 minutes. Finally, take it out of the pan and let cool completely over a wire rack before slicing.

Which is the best time to eat banana bread for weight loss?

As this recipe is low in calorie and healthy, the right time to eat banana bread on a diet is whenever you crave it. And if you still need ideas, here are some.

• For breakfast, with a bowl of Greek yogurt or a cottage cheese pudding and some fruit for a more satisfying meal.
• As a dessert after lunch or dinner, without overdoing on calories. It tastes delicious slathered with peanut butter, low calorie Nutella and my homemade protein spread.
• As a snack in the morning or in the afternoon, as a healthy alternative to packaged diet snacks. It can be enjoyed on its own, or with yogurt for more protein.
• After a workout, ideally with a protein shake or a serving of low fat Greek yogurt. It’s a great alternative to my low calorie protein granola bars or homemade protein bars.

Storage information

• To store. Before storing, let cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, place leftovers in an airtight food container or wrap in aluminum foil and keep at room temperature for up to 3 days. For a longer storage, transfer the low calorie dessert to a food container and refrigerate for a maximum of 5 days.
• To freeze. Place it in a freezer-safe food container or in zipping bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Before eating, remove from the freezer and pop in the oven for a couple of minutes. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions

More low calorie desserts

• Low calorie protein brownies
• Cottage cheese chocolate ice cream
• Low calorie cake
• 71 calorie chocolate protein cake
• Cottage cheese brownies
• Protein cheesecake
• Cottage cheese pudding