No one will ever guess that this recipe is nutritious! You can make large loaves to feed a crowd or bake the bread in mini loaf pans to give as gifts. There’s nothing better than giving someone the gift of health.
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Benefits of Bananas
Bananas are always on repeat at the Z house. They’re inexpensive, and the kids love them! Here are just a few health benefits bananas bring to your life.
May Benefit Heart Health
Bananas are full of potassium, an excellent nutrient for your heart. Consuming an adequate amount of potassium can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. (1)
You can also improve your heart health by getting enough exercise. Small steps add up! Park away from the grocery store, take a daily walk with your kids or hike with your spouse for date night. The possibilities are endless!
Fights Inflammation
Bananas contain multiple types of antioxidants that fight free radicals. When your body has an imbalance of free radicals, oxidative stress occurs. When this happens, you experience a myriad of issues due to inflammation.
Inflammation can cause stress on your cells, causing you to experience aches and pains. If oxidative stress goes unchecked, it can even evolve into chronic diseases. It’s vital to use the foods God gave us to fight back!
May Support Your Weight Loss Goals
Eating more fruit is always a good option. Bananas are full of soluble fiber, which can slow digestion. (2) This means you feel fuller for more extended periods.
Bananas are also extremely sweet, so they satisfy your sugar cravings. I love pairing bananas with a protein source, like oatmeal or coconut milk yogurt!
Healthy Bread Ingredients 101
The secret to excellent gluten-free baked goods is the right combination of ingredients! Here’s what you need to add to your shopping list.
Healthy Fats: This recipe uses healthy fats to create moist, decadent bread. In years past, diet culture eschewed butter in favor of margarine. Studies show that butter (in moderation) does not harm your health, but you should avoid margarine at all costs. (3)
When purchasing these ingredients, look for organic, grass-fed butter and raw coconut oil. You can use all butter, half of each, or if you’re following a dairy-free diet, all coconut oil.
Sweetener: Natural sweeteners are the best part of baking! After experimenting, I found that syrupy sweeteners work best for this recipe. You can use Grade A Dark Amber maple syrup or raw local honey, which is minimally processed. As consumers learn more about their health, these products are readily available at most stores. If you have trouble finding a suitable ingredient, you can always find it online.
Pasture-Raised Organic Eggs: Eggs are a great source of protein and a fantastic leavening agent for baked goods. When purchasing eggs, look for cage-free, organic varieties. These chickens have a better diet, and many find their eggs taste better. If you live in a rural area, you can usually find a farmer willing to sell you fresh eggs!
Gluten-Free Flour: High-quality gluten-free flour creates fluffy baked goods. Many flour brands will require you to add an ingredient you may not be comfortable with, so be sure to check the label!
To keep it simple, I prefer using a cup-for-cup blend. I’ve always had great success with these products!
Sea Salt: Traditional table salt undergoes a rigorous harvesting process that strips it of trace minerals. Your body needs a certain amount of sodium to thrive, so we recommend using Colima sea salt.
It’s hand-harvested, which leaves the good stuff intact! Plus, it tastes great and adds gourmet flair to any recipe. You can also use pink Himalayan salt and get similar health benefits.
Bananas: Have you ever bought too many bananas? This has happened to me many times. If you have some bananas that are starting to brown, don’t throw them out! The worst-looking bananas make the best-tasting banana bread.
If you don’t have time to bake that day, you can flash freeze them for later. Simply peel the bananas and place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Freeze until solid, then store in freezer bags until ready to use.
Nuts: I love adding nuts to my banana bread. They give every bite a fantastic texture! I use 1 cup of organic walnuts and 1 cup of organic pecans. These nuts are a winning combination full of healthy omega-3 fatty acids!
You can chop the nuts, use nut meal, or throw them in the mixer and let them do their thing. Chopped nuts or nut meal makes it easier to cut the bread, but some people prefer bread with more texture.
Gluten-Free Banana Bread Recipe
This recipe comes together quickly, and it feeds a crowd. If you prefer unsweetened banana bread, you can omit the honey and add 2 extra mashed bananas.
Before making the recipe, choose which loaf pans you’ll use. You can choose from: 2 extra-large loaf pans (1.5 quart), or 2 large loaf pans (8.5″ x 4.5″) AND 2 small loaf pans (5.75″ x 3″).
- [url:1Unrefined (no propellant) coconut-oil or olive-oil cooking spray[/url], for greasing the pans
- 1 cup grass-fed butter or ½ cup butter and ½ cup raw organic coconut oil
- 1 cup Grade A Dark Amber maple syrup or raw local organic honey
- 4 pasture-raised organic eggs
- 4 cups gluten-free flour
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground pink Himalayan salt or sea salt
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 4 large organic bananas, mashed
- 1 cup raw organic walnuts, whole or crushed
- 1 cup raw organic pecans, whole or crushed
- 2 extra-large loaf pans (1.5 quart) or 2 large loaf pans (8,5" x 4.5") AND 2 small loaf pans (5.75" x 3").
- Mixing bowls
- Toothpick
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray the loaf pans with coconut or olive-oil cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and honey until fluffy. Add the eggs and mix well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, sea salt, and baking soda. Fold into the wet mixture alternating with the mashed bananas. Add the nuts and stir in. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into your loaf pans and bake. Large loaf pans will take about an hour, while smaller pans will be done in 30-40 minutes. Loaves are finished when golden brown or a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step One: Mix the Wet Ingredients
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray your loaf pans of choice with coconut or olive-oil cooking spray. In a large bowl, cream the butter and honey until fluffy. Add the eggs and mix well.
Step Two: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, sea salt, and baking soda until well combined. Fold into the wet mixture, alternating with the mashed bananas. Add the nuts and stir until barely combined. Do not overmix.
Step Three: Bake the Gluten-Free Banana Bread
Pour the batter into the greasing baking pans and bake. Large loaf pans take one hour to cook, while small ones are usually done within 30-40 minutes.
The loaves are finished when golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool on a wire baking rack. Slice and enjoy!
The reviews are in..this gluten-free banana bread recipe tastes just as good (if not better!) than unhealthy versions. Check out Mama Z’s Recipe Makeover if you want to learn how to convert recipes yourself.
This free ingredient substitution guide will empower you to stock your pantry with everything you need to create healthy, delicious meals.
