Oat Bran Banana Bread

This Oat Bran Banana Bread is the new and improved version of everyone’s favorite way to use ripe bananas.

You’ll make a slightly sweet and satisfying loaf of whole-grain and high-fiber banana bread with ripe bananas, yogurt, whole wheat flour, oat bran, and baking staples.

I’m always looking for ways to reinvent classic recipes into their healthier yet just as delicious counterparts.

This wholesome banana bread captures the essence of traditional banana bread but is made with more nourishing whole-grain ingredients.

Everyone needs a foolproof banana bread recipe in their recipe box. With these easy-to-follow instructions, you’ll bake a perfect loaf of whole wheat banana bread enriched with healthy fats, natural sugar, and oat bran.

Rest assured, this oat bran banana bread truly is foolproof. I was in the middle of baking it once when my power went out. Despite 7-minutes in a non-functioning oven, it still turned out perfect. Enjoy!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here are four reasons why this recipe is a keeper:

• This healthy banana bread is made with whole wheat flour and oat bran which means the bread contains plenty of fiber.
• This banana bread recipe is perfect for beginners. It’s quick and nearly impossible to mess up.
• It’s also easy to customize. There’s plenty of room for yummy mix-ins.
• This banana bread is perfect for healthy breakfast, snacks, and dessert.

Ingredient Notes

Here is a brief overview of the ingredients you’ll need to make this banana bread:

• RIPE Bananas: This wouldn’t be banana bread without them. The bananas should be soft and overripened but not rotted. I freeze over-ripened bananas, so I always have them on hand for banana bread cravings.
• Egg: You’ll need one room temperature egg for moisture and to help strengthen the batter.
• Yogurt: The key to making tender-rich banana bran bread is yogurt. You can use plain yogurt or Greek yogurt here.
• Oil: I like using extra virgin olive oil in this recipe. Coconut oil or avocado oil would also work.
• Vanilla: For the best flavor, use quality natural vanilla extract. You can also use almond extract.
• Whole Wheat Flour: This whole grain flour helps create a sturdy quick bread with a slightly nutty flavor.
• Oat Bran: Using a mixture of whole wheat flour and oat bran packs in the fiber.
• Sweetener: To sweeten and create a subtle caramelized flavor without any refined sugar, you can use coconut sugar or maple syrup.
• Baking Staples: You’ll need baking powder, baking soda, and salt for the bread to rise into a plump loaf of banana bread.

How To Make Banana Bread with Oat Bran

Here are the step-by-step instructions:

1. Prepare for baking: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a bread loaf pan.
2. Combine the wet ingredients: Place the bananas in a high-speed blender or food processor and pulse until the banana is pureed. Then, add the egg, yogurt, oil, and vanilla extract, and continue pulsing until smooth and combined. Alternatively, you can mash the bananas with a fork and then combine everything using a whisk or an electric mixer.
3. Mix the dry ingredients: Mix the oat bran, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl until blended.
4. Stir into the batter: Pour the banana mixture into the bowl with the flour mixture and stir until everything is just combined and moistened. Do not overmix.
5. Bake the banana bread: Pour the batter into the loaf pan and place it in the preheated oven. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean (about 50 minutes).
6. Cool the bread: Let the bread cool for 10 minutes in the pan before turning it out onto a cooling wire rack. Let cool for at least 10 more minutes before slicing. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

Here are a few tips to help you make the best banana bread:

• The riper the banana, the sweeter the banana bread. If your bananas aren’t quite ripe enough, try baking them at 350 degrees until the peels begin to blemish (5 to 7 minutes ).
• Once the dry and wet mixtures are mixed well, leave the batter be. Overmixed banana bread batter can be tough and chewy.
• To ensure the bread doesn’t stick, you can line the loaf pan with parchment paper and then spray it with non-stick spray.

Variations

Here are few ways to customize this recipe:

Spices – Add some warmth to your banana bran loaf with cinnamon, nutmeg, or a dash of pumpkin pie spice.

Rolled oats instead of oat bran – Don’t have oat bran on hand? No problem. You can use old-fashioned rolled oats instead. A reader mentioned using 3/4 cup oats instead of a cup of oat bran and had great results.

Mix-ins – Feel free to customize your banana bran bread with healthy mix-ins. Check out the list below for ideas:

• Dark chocolate chips
• Chopped walnuts
• Golden raisins
• Chopped dried mango
• Chopped dried pineapple
• Fresh or frozen blueberries
• Unsweetened shredded coconut
• Chopped dates
• Dried blueberries or cranberries

Storing & Freezing

Storing: This banana bread will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

Freezing: You can freeze it by the slice or freeze the entire loaf. Either way, let the bread cool completely, and then wrap a piece (or the loaf ) in a few layers of plastic wrap and freeze for 2 to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does bran do in bread?

Oat bran adds fiber. When used with flour, it makes a tender and fluffy loaf of bread.

Can I make banana bran bread batter into muffins?

Yup! To make banana bran muffins, pour the batter into a greased 12-muffin baking tin and bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

Can I make this banana bread vegan?

It’s only been tested with non-vegan ingredients. However, you could try swapping the egg for a flax egg and using full-fat plant-based yogurt instead of regular.

More Bread and Muffins Recipes

If you like baking, check out these healthy recipes:

• Spelt Banana Bread
• Savory Carrot Muffins
• Healthy Mango Bread
• Healthy Raspberry Muffins
• Whole Wheat Waffles

Oat Bran Banana Bread

Yield: 12 slices

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

This easy recipe is made with simple, budget-friendly ingredients. This healthy whole-wheat banana bread is perfect for breakfast or as a snack.

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Ingredients

• 4 ripe bananas
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup yogurt
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup oat bran
• 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
• ¼ cup coconut sugar
• 2 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a loaf pan.
2. Place the banana into a blender or food processor. Pulse a few times until you get a banana puree. Add the egg, yogurt, oil, and vanilla extract. Pulse a few times to combine. Alternatively, you can mash the banana with a fork and then combine everything with a whisk or an electric mixer.
3. In a large bowl, combine the oat bran, flour, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.
4. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, stirring only until everything is moistened. Do not overmix.
5. Pour the batter into the loaf pan. Bake for 50 minutes to one hour or until the cake tester comes out clean.
6. Take the loaf pan out of the oven. Let the banana bread cool in the loaf pan for about 10 minutes and then carefully transfer it onto a cooling rack. Let it cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowl Set
• 
  Silicone Loaf Pan
• 
  Bob's Red Mill Baking Powder
• 
  Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
• 
  Bobs Red Mill Oat Bran
• 
  Flavorganics Pure Vanilla Extract

Nutrition Information

Yield 12 Serving Size 1 slice
Amount Per Serving Calories 150Total Fat 3.8gSaturated Fat 0.7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2.8gCholesterol 14mgSodium 235.5mgCarbohydrates 29.3gFiber 3.8gSugar 9.2gProtein 4.4g

Nutrition facts provided on this website are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a qualified health care provider for personalized diet advice and make sure that each of the ingredients is allowed in your diet.

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