Someone once told me that they didn’t like banana bread.
What? Everyone likes banana bread.
I think I stared at them in shock for a good 10 minutes. Because if you don’t like bread, then how can we be friends? It’s the BEST bread on earth. The bread that makes you remember what it’s like to be a kid and eat massive amounts of sweets when your mom wasn’t looking. It’s moist. It’s heavenly. It’s awesome. It’s in your face.
You know what else has been in my face a lot lately? Reality TV. Everytime I turn on the TV there it is. And you know what I think I secretly like it. It’s addicting. Don’t judge.
In fact, I kinda want to be Giuliana Rancic’s best friend. Mainly because I want to raid her closet. But she seems nice and fun. And I bet she likes bananas. I’m going to tweet her and find out.
Ah the power of Twitter. You can find out if people like banana bread.
Speaking of social media…
Maybe I should have unfriended the person that didn’t like banana bread. Because that’s what you do these days. You go on Facebook and unfriend the people who don’t like banana bread.
Only kidding. That would be rude. But I am going to hug them next time I see them. They are missing out one of the best breakfasts in the world. That makes me sad.
Okay but really, you want to know why this banana bread is so great?
Because it has coconut in it.
And toasted coconut on top.
It also has greek yogurt in it.
And a splash of orange juice.
Plus it’s made with love.
And because it will be your favorite breakfast ever.
Oh, and did I mention it’s healthy? Yep that’s right. 115 calories per slice. Yes, I will repeat that for you. 115 calories per slice. I calculated it out just for you.
Why is it healthy you ask? Because I use egg whites, greek yogurt, and minimal oil. It’s a lower fat, healthy option for you. The coconut provides some good fats though.
It also provides a bomb of flavor goodness in your mouth. Moist, delicious tropical savory sweetness.
Flavor bomb. Bomb diggity flavor. …Sorry, I’ll stop now.
If you know of someone who doesn’t like banana bread, this will surely change their mind.
Healthy + coconut + banana = love.
Have a slice or two for breakfast. Pack it for that 3pm snack. Make it for people who don’t like banana bread.
Ps. Do you like when I post calories or healthy treats?
Leave a comment, would love to know what you are looking for!
Healthy Coconut Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 large ripe bananas, mashed
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons sweetened flaked coconut
- 2 tablespoons olive or coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup of brown sugar
- 3 egg whites (or 2 eggs)
- 2-3 tablespoons skim milk
- 1/4 cup fat free plain greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda together in mixing bowl. In separate large mixing bowl combine mashed bananas, brown sugar, and vanilla. Add egg whites or eggs and mix together until smooth. Next add oil. Then, slowly add in flour and combine until moist.
- Next add greek yogurt and orange juice. Depending on the consistency you can add 2-3 tablespoons of skim milk. If you like your bread more dense than omit the milk, but if you like it more airy or lighter you can add it.
- Lastly fold in ½ cup of coconut into batter. Pour into greased 9x5 inch loaf pan. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of coconut on top. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean and the bread is golden brown.
75 comments
This looks fantastic. The toasted coconut puts it over the top!!
Monique,
Your coconut quick bread looks really great. I was just talking with Kim Ode of the Star Tribune TASTE section, they are running a story on banana bread just prior to the State Fair, they asked for helpful hints.
The biggest thing I have noticed with bakers is they set their quickbread oven temp @ 350, I would encourage people to preheat at 400 degrees and bake the first 10 minutes at 400, and then turn the temp down to 350.
B-Soda & B-Powder need intense heat to draw an initial “POP”
by doing this the interior crumb will bake more uniformally as well.
On my blog I have some savory French & Dutch quick bread recipes under the heading “State Fair Handouts #2” oh yeah…my blog is “The Last American Baker”
Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Thanks! I’m going to have to try that next time! 🙂
I’ll be sure to check out your blog! I love the statefair.
WOW! Looks incredible. Can’t wait to make this bread.
Deb,
It’s really moist and delicious. Let me know how it turns out!
I love a good healthy option to an old favorite. And I’ve got sweetened coconut in the freezer that I never know what to do with, so this is a nice serendipitous turn. Can’t wait to make it.
I love toasted coconut! Did you know you can even toast it in the microwave? Hope you enjoy! 🙂
Your kitchen is so delicious, I want to live in it. And who the heck doesn’t like banana bread?! I don’t even like bananas and I LOVE banana bread.
Thanks Katie, I just saw your post for coconut flour pancakes. I’m eager to try them. I just found coconut flour yesterday at the store and am hoping to make some gluten free cupcakes out of it. Experimenting is fun.
WOW! This bread looks awesome! I love banana bread and this is a great twist. Going to have to make it! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by! I’m glad you like the bread. 🙂
I am already a long time lover of banana bread and coconut, and I imagine together they must create a magical combination- this looks wonderful!
Trying this right now in my oven–can’t wait–my family eats whole loaf practically at one time–kids love it with PB on it in their lunches! Thanks
How did it turn out?!
Now that is some wonderful literature.
115 calories a slice??
Yep!
Just made it and its wonderful! took the 1/2 cup wheat flour and the no skim milk options. GREAT!
you should try this! I just made it and it wonderful!
Wonderful Felisha! Be sure to like Ambitious Kitchen on Facebook!
Wondering how the recipe worked with coconut flour? Has anyone tried substituing olive oil with applesauce? Thank you!!
Hi Susi! I think if you use coconut flour you are going to have to add more liquid to the recipe. I would use 3 eggs to bind it, or perhaps more milk. If you are gluten intolerant, try using an all purpose gluten free flour. I like King Arthur’s. Let me know if you have any more questions.
Yes love it! and love calorie count! Thanks so much!
I made it this morning and it was deleicious! I so wished I would’ve thought to use coconut oil instead of the olive oil for that extra little aroma of coconut. Thanks for the recipe!
Apparently, I can’t spell my own name. 😀
It’s one of my favorites. I think I’ll add the coconut oil option to the recipe. Thanks for sharing!
I think I may try this recipe, but with coconut flour. Lots of good fiber and lower carb count.
Mmmmmmmm
Does anyone know how many grams sugar per serv? Re: diabetic in the house
Hi there! thanks for the recipe… do you know if I can freeze it?
You should be able to!
Hi would it be possible to have this recipe in grams or ounce?
Thanks xx
Anything I could substitute for the orange juice?
Try almond milk… worked for me. And I got to sprinkle slivered almonds on the top!
if I wanted to add some peanut butter to the recipe, what would I cut out?? would I cut out the oil and add the peanut butter instead? or cut down on the sugar? or both haha
Hi Heidi! I would try adding 1/3 cup of peanut butter. You could probably leave everything else the same. Maybe add a splash more of milk.
making this soon Sarah Martorella.
I made this using all whole wheat flour instead of regular flour. It turned out great! Thanks so much for posting this recipe.
Can you substitute the orange juice?
You can omit it if you’d like but it brings a sweetness so I recommend it.
can i substitute the greek yogurt with something else? we dont have that where i live 🙁
Yeshmmmm
Yesss!!!
When I bake I always use the whole eggs…. so if I wanted to do that with this recipe, how should I do that since you are using egg whites? I guess what I am asking is is their a ratio… like 1 whole egg equals two egg whites kind of thing. 🙂
Thanks.
Yes, you can use 1 egg.
I added a can of pure unsweetened pumpkin:) molasses and cut the sugar in half:)
I will try it 🙂 …almost caveman's bread if it was not for sugar and flour in it.
Crystal … if you start up an account at caloriecount.com, you can plug in any recipe and it will break down the nutritional profile for you.
Tried it and loved it! I’d love to try this with chopped walnuts next time.
I just made this and it turned out delicious, I did some minor changes, I added a teaspoon of nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger to the flour mixture. I also used whole wheat flour. I live in Korea and I can't find greek yogurt so I used apple sauce instead. Thanks for a great recipe.
I just found you online when I googled healthy muffins w/o sugar. I'm making the banana breakfast muffins today. I'm wondering – did I miss it somewhere?-what's the sugar content for this recipe?
could i use coconut sugar in place of the brown sugar or would that change the taste to much?
No you can definitely use coconut sugar!
People have been enjoying this recipe for a long time. I found it today! It’s a keeper. I used all whole wheat flour, and I didn’t have orange juice, so just used milk. I’m always looking for healthy recipes for my diabetic dad, and this one is perfect. Delicious and easy. Thank you!
I just made this – I used coconut Aussie yogurt instead of the fat free Greek, and I left 2 egg yolks in the batter because hey, everyone’s gotta be a little indulgent now and then, am I right? 😉 I also added some chia seeds for an extra fiber kick.
Fantastic recipe – it turned out amazingly! This will be a staple of mine from now on :). Thanks for all the wonderful recipes you post!
delicious bread! love the calorie count, but is there any way you could post the full nutritional breakdown??
Feel free to look it up on a nutrition calculator! 🙂 For some of my older recipes, I don’t have the nutrition available.
I just made this with my toddler and it was delicious! Didn’t change anything. We will definitely make this again, so thank you for the recipe.
Amazing
Loved it
And my husband too
And my in laws too
Used real shredded coconut and only milk (no orange juice). Also used only whole wheat flour.
It took like a bit longer to bake though.
Thanks for the great recipe!
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I’m from Australia and we don’t have all purpose flour, what would be a low calorie alternative, plain white flour, whole meal flour, coconut flour, almond meal etc?
Plain white flour is the same as all-purpose flour. Coconut flour does not behave in the same way as flour (because of the gluten), just beware of that.
I made this and follow all the steps.. I cannot say it was good 🙁 it turned out dried and tasteless 😭
Very strange! I’d be sure to add the skim milk.
I love making this banana bread! I follow the recipe exactly (using whole eggs) and it turns out perfectly every time. It’s so good and moist! It also freezes well if you slice it and store it in a container.
Amazing! So happy you love this one 🙂
Question – can you make this without the orange juice? Or if I don’t have it, any suggestions on alternatives?
I think the OJ helps to sweeten. Maybe try my healthy banana bread recipe and just add coconut? https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/my-favorite-healthy-banana-bread-recipe/
I just wanted to tell you how much I love this recipe! I always double it and make 2 loaves, we like it so much. It’s a fantastic banana bread, and I make it regularly! I love it toasted with a little butter! Thank you so much for sharing this!
Amazing! So happy to hear that, Agnes 🙂
If i don’t have orange juice, can you suggest a substitute?
I was excited about this recipe, but I was overall disappointed with the bread. It was very bland, and all of the flavors were lost-no coconut flavor, hardly banana flavor (never experienced that with banana bread!), no orange juice flavor, and not sweet enough. Also, the bread took a lot longer to bake than stated. Overall, q disappointment. Hoping to make a better version of this myself in the future, but I will not use this recipe again.
so sorry that you didn’t love it, try our coconut flour banana bread instead: https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/chocolate-chip-coconut-flour-banana-bread-gluten-free-paleo/
Made this with the 2 eggs (instead of 3 egg whites) and it is delicious! The orange juice added such a nice, unique flavour!
Can I substitute maple syrup instead of the sugar and if so do I need to omit any of the wet ingredients?