Did you know that banana bread was the most googled food back in 2014? Granted, it’s not longer 2014, but bananas are still ever popular, and one of my favorite fruits to bake with because of how versatile they are.
Before we get into all theses fabulous healthy banana recipes, I want to share a little bit more about bananas, their nutritional profile & what they can do in recipes:
Bananas are an excellent source of potassium, an essential mineral our bodies need to maintain a healthy blood pressure.
Bananas help promote healthy bacteria in our guts. They contain fructooligosaccharides, which are a unique carb that aren’t often broken down by the enzymes in our digestive tract. Instead, they are metabolized by bacteria in our gut, which helps maintain the balance of good bacteria. (Source: WHfoods.com.)
Bananas may taste sweet, but actually have a low GI impact (depending on how ripe they are). They recieve a low rating in the GI scale, which measures the impact of food on our blood sugar.
When’s the best time to eat bananas?
The answer really depends on the situation. If you’re looking to increase your blood sugars quickly and replenish, a very ripe banana is the way to go. If you don’t want the fast hike, you could eat the banana with some nut butter, as the fat will help to slow down digestion. You can also eat the banana when it’s yellow or still slightly green to avoid any blood sugar spikes.
Green(er) bananas contain a high resistant starch, however they can also cause bloating and gas.
Yellow bananas tend to be the best to eat (before they are too ripe). They are digested fairly quickly and easier on the stomach.
If you want to bake with bananas, the best time to eat them is when they are extra ripe with cheetah like brown spots.
Now, who’s ready to dive into some healthy banana recipes? Let’s do it!
Paleo Zucchini Banana Muffins from Ambitious Kitchen
Healthy Banana Zucchini Oatmeal Cookies from Ambitious Kitchen
Raspberry, Almond Butter & Banana Oatmeal Muffins from Ambitious Kitchen
Chocolate, Almond & Sea Salt Banana Baked Oatmeal from Ambitious Kitchen
Double Chocolate Paleo Banana Bread from Ambitious Kitchen
Chickpea Flour Banana Bread from Ambitious Kitchen
Flax Almond Meal Paleo Banana Muffins from Ambitious Kitchen
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Quinoa Banana Bread from Ambitious Kitchen
Chia Quinoa Banana Granola Bars from Ambitious Kitchen
Chocolate Chip Coconut Flour Banana Bread from Ambitious Kitchen
30 Minute Skinny Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins from Ambitious Kitchen
Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Oat Bars from Ambitious Kitchen
Healthy Pumpkin Banana Muffins from Ambitious Kitchen
Skinny Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins from Ambitious Kitchen
Banana Oat Protein Muffins from Ambitious Kitchen
Strawberry Coconut Chia Seed Banana Bread from Ambitious Kitchen
Oatmeal Cottage Cheese Banana Pancakes from Ambitious Kitchen
Carrot Cake Banana Bread from Ambitious Kitchen
Banana Ice Cream with Toasted Coconuts, Almonds, and Dark Chocolate from Ambitious Kitchen
Peanut Butter & Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches from She Likes Food
Banana Nut Overnight Oats from The Healthy Maven
Banana Bread Overnight Oatmeal from The Roasted Root
Banana Zucchini Oatmeal Cups from Hummusapien
Chocolate Chip Banana Oat Waffles from Food Pleasure and Health
Baked Banana Oatmeal Cups from Eating Bird Food
Nice Cream Blizzard Recipe from Eat Healthy Eat Happy
Chunky Monkey Quinoa Breakfast Cookies from Simply Quinoa
Banana Bread Gluten-free Doughnuts with Maple Hemp Heart Glaze from Tasty Yummies
Healthy Blueberry Banana Blender Muffins from Buns in My Oven
Zucchini Banana Brownies from Kitchen Confidante
Chocolate Banana Quinoa Muffins from Kitchen Confidante
Sweet Potato Banana Bites from The Lean Green Bean
Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Granola Bars from Sweet Phi
Two Ingredient Banana Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Bites from The Baker Mama
Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread from The Baker Mama Â
Healthy Flourless Morning Glory Muffins from Making Thyme for Health
Chocolate Chip Coconut Flour Banana Blondies from Heartbeet Kitchen
Banana Breakfast Cake from Fit Foodie Finds
Green Tea Banana Smoothie from Namely Marly
Peanut Butter Banana and Honey Granola from Two Peas and Their Pod
Banana Blueberry Smoothies from What’s Gaby Cooking
12 comments
This couldn’t have come at a better time! I had two overripe bananas on my counter, begging to be baked. I have your Raspberry, Almond Butter, and Banana Oatmeal muffins on the cooling rack right now. If the batter is any indication, it’s going to be hard to wait for breakfast tomorrow to dig into these muffins. Thanks so much!
Exactly one year later, and all I see are desserts and oatmeal. Bananas really have no other use?
I encourage you to come up with one if you do’t like the ones you see.
These looks so good! So many recipes to choose from. Am definitely trying out those banana and peanut butter ice cream!
OH MY GOODNESS. I WANT TO TRY THEM ALL!!!!!
also- which ones are your very favorite?!?! where should I start first!?
ALL MY RECIPES haha 😉
Great round up- thanks! That carrot cake bread looks amazing.
Wow. I want to try all of these right now!! Thanks for the tips!
Bananas are my jam! LOVE this post!
Since I don’t care at all for chocolate and do not see it as “healthy” I am saddened by your “healthy” things to make with overripe bananas. But everyone loves that icky American sugar flavored chocolate, so it’s overtaken the lovely raisin – which is healthy.
You can use Lily’s Stevia Sweetened Chocolate Chips if they sell them where you are. If not, you may have an equivalent.