Why You’ll Love This High Protein Banana Bread Recipe
If you’ve been looking for the BEST, most perfect banana bread that’s higher in protein and made with healthy ingredients, this is it! After lots of testing, I can honestly say it’s so good.
I like to add chocolate chips to the batter and top it off with a chocolate glaze, but you can always just keep it simple and add chopped nuts instead. Here’s what I’m loving about this protein banana bread:
- Protein-Packed: With 10 grams of protein, this makes for the perfect post-workout snack or hearty breakfast.
- Healthier Ingredients: I’m using coconut oil, honey, and Greek yogurt here, which means it’s full of nutrition and flavor!
- Gluten-Free Friendly: I used gluten-free flour and oat flour for a perfectly balanced loaf.
- Chocolate Chips & Glaze (Because Why Not?): Chocolate chips are mixed in and then the entire loaf is drizzled with chocolate glaze for that extra touch of chocolatey goodness. Because chocolate. Need I say more?
Whether you’re enjoying a slice after a workout, for breakfast with the kiddos, or as a healthy evening treat, I know you’re going to LOVE this easy-to-make Protein Banana Bread!
You’ll Also Love: Blueberry Banana Protein Muffins
Protein Banana Bread Recipe Ingredients
The ingredients for this recipe are simple and easy to find.
Protein Banana Bread
- Mashed Ripe Bananas – Mash them with a fork or place them in a food processor for a smoother texture.
- Coconut Oil – Lightly melted. Canola oil or lightly melted butter works great, too!
- Granulated Sugar – Maple sugar or coconut sugar are also delicious options.
- Honey – Or agave syrup.
- Eggs/Vanilla
- Greek Yogurt – Plain or vanilla for a little extra sweetness! You can also use Greek Almond Yogurt or full fat coconut yogurt, instead.
- Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour – Or regular flour.
- Oat Flour
- Vanilla Protein Powder – I used a plant-based protein powder, but whey protein powder works great in this recipe as well.
- Baking Powder/Salt
- Cinnamon
- Chocolate Chips – Optional, but soooo good.
Chocolate Glaze (optional)
- Chopped Baking Chocolate – Dark chocolate is my personal favorite for sweet loafs like this one.
- Coconut Oil – or melted butter.
How to Make the BEST Protein Banana Bread
It’s so easy to make banana bread with added protein! It only takes about 10 minutes of prep time, then 60 minutes to bake. Let it cool, drizzle the chocolate over the entire thing, and enjoy!
- Whisk the wet ingredients together, then add in the dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Pour into a loaf pan lined with parchment paper.
- Bake at 350 degrees F. for about 60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool, remove from the loaf pan, then place on a cooling rack.
- Drizzle with the chocolate glaze (optional), slice, and enjoy!
RELATED: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Date Bars
Protein Banana Bread Recipe Variations
There are so many delicious twists to make this yummy protein banana bread your own! Here are a few ideas:
Chocolate Chip Protein Banana Bread
Feel free to omit the chocolate glaze completely and just add extra chocolate chips to the batter or on top before baking!
Peanut Butter Protein Banana Bread
You can always add peanut butter (or any type of nut butter) on top of your protein banana bread for more nutrition. Or you can swap 2 Tablespoons of coconut oil for peanut butter instead!
Protein Banana Bread Muffins
This recipe could easily be turned into muffins! While I haven’t specifically tested this (yet), I think they would turn out delicious. The bake time would be cut down to about 25-35 minutes (instead of 60 minutes). Simply start checking them at the 25 minute mark and make sure a toothpick comes out clean before removing them from the oven!
How to Store Protein Banana Bread
After letting the bread cool completely, slice and place in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for 4-5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months! When ready, simply warm up a slice in the microwave for a few seconds and enjoy.
More Protein Treats You’ll Love
- Protein Cheesecake Recipe
- Snickers Protein Ice Cream
- Protein Cookie Dough
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls
- Mocha Protein Peanut Butter Pancakes
- Protein Brownie Bites
More Healthy Bread & Muffin Recipes
- Healthy Banana Bread Recipe
- Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
- Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
- Gluten-Free Healthy Rhubarb Muffins
- Healthy Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Protein Banana Bread Recipe FAQs
Easily make this protein banana bread dairy-free by using a plant-based yogurt, vegan protein powder, and dairy-free chocolate chips!
No protein powder? No problem! You can easily swap it out with more oat flour or almond flour. Just keep in mind that the protein content will change a bit. If you’re skipping protein powder but still want a boost, try mixing in a tablespoon of chia seeds or flaxseed meal for extra nutrients! Or another option is to make this Cottage Cheese Banana Bread, which is high in protein and doesn’t use protein powder.
Dry or crumbly banana bread is usually caused by too much flour or protein powder, or baking it just a little too long. Here are a few tips to make sure your loaf turns out perfectly moist every time:
Make sure your bananas are super ripe. Those extra brown, spotty ones truly work best!
Lightly spoon the flour into the measuring cup (instead of packing it in) to make sure that you’re measuring accurately.
Don’t overbake! Start checking at the 55-minute mark just to be safe.
Use a Greek yogurt with some fat (like 2% or whole milk) for added moisture.
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The BEST Protein Banana Bread Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Banana Bread
- 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana (3-5 bananas, depending on size)
- 1/3 cup coconut oil, lightly melted (or lightly melted butter)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup oat flour
- 2/3 cup vanilla protein powder
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
Chocolate Glaze (optional)
- 1 cup chopped baking chocolate
- 2 Tablespoons coconut oil or butter
Instructions
- Line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Add the wet ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk together.
- Whisk in the dry ingredients until smooth (except for the chocolate chips).
- Fold in the chocolate chips (optional).
- Transfer to a loaf pan.
- Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
- Combine the chocolate and coconut oil in a bowl.
- Microwave in 25 second intervals until melted, mixing between each.
- Once the bread has cooled, pour the glaze over top, slice and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Easily make this protein banana bread dairy-free by using a plant-based Greek yogurt, vegan protein powder, and dairy-free chocolate chips!
- This recipe could easily be turned into muffins! The bake time would be cut down to about 25-35 minutes (instead of 60 minutes). Start checking them at the 25 minute mark and make sure a toothpick comes out clean before removing them from the oven!
Elsie says:
Delicious, super protein rich, and surprisingly tender. I’ve had issues with tough protein banana bread before but this was great! Also not overwhelming sweet, which made it much more versatile and palatable!
Laura says:
I added vanilla paste and almond extract.
I subbed pumpkin for the yogurt.
It’s in the oven 🙂
Thank you
Danielle says:
Can I use coconut flour instead of oat flour?
Elizabeth says:
Banana bread is our favorite and this recipe is so delicious!
Jar Of Lemons replied:
Thanks, Elizabeth!
Tina says:
My whole family loved this banana bread! I love hat it was packed with protein. Will be making it again soon.
Katie says:
Such a delicious protein banana bread recipe! My whole family really enjoyed it!
Nicole says:
This bread is amazing! It tastes great, is gf and has protein! We love it!
CJ says:
Have you tried subbing the oat flour for additional gf flour… Id like to make this for my mom but she is allergic to oats!
Christine McMichael replied:
I haven’t tried that yet! I think that should work though. Maybe try using a tad less, as gf flour can be a bit dry. I would start with 1/2 cup additional gf flour to sub for the oat flour!