For this high protein banana bread recipe, I started with a regular banana bread recipe and made some healthier swaps. The result is a moist, delicious protein banana nut bread that you won't believe is healthy. Seriously. It's that good!
Ingredients
For this banana bread protein powder recipe, you'll need:
(Exact amounts and product links are in the recipe card below.)
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Flours - Oat flour can be made from processing rolled oats in a blender. (I use a nutribullet - works great!)
I would not try using other flours to replace the oat flour. Flours with gluten (including all purpose flour) will make the banana bread too tough. I suppose this would also be true for gluten free flour blends that have gums in them to mimic gluten.
Flours like almond flour or coconut flour bake differently than oat flour, and are not recommended in this protein banana bread recipe.
Protein powder - This protein powder banana bread was specifically designed for whey protein powder. I recommend using whey concentrate rather than isolate because it bakes better.
I like unflavored whey protein concentrate here because it lets the other ingredients shine. You can certainly use vanilla whey protein powder (or other flavors), but you will likely taste it in the baked banana bread.
Since different types of protein powder bake very differently, I would not recommend other types of protein powder in this protein banana nut bread recipe.
In particular, casein or a whey/casein blend in this whey protein banana bread recipe would make the banana bread tough and dry. Plant-based protein powder would likely make this recipe wet and dense.
Oil - I used refined coconut oil in this recipe, but light-tasting olive oil would also be a great choice. Any light-tasting oil that works for baking would be fine here.
Sweetener - Using coconut sugar in this healthy banana protein bread is what makes it taste comparable to classic banana bread. I tried using erythritol in its place, and it tasted noticeably different.
Since coconut sugar is low glycemic, it does not have the same effect on blood sugar as refined sugar. If coconut sugar is something you can incorporate into your diet, definitely use it here!
Nuts - I love pecans, so I've used them here. Walnuts and macadamia nuts would also be great choices for this banana protein bread recipe!
To make chocolate chip protein banana bread, replace the chopped nuts with sugar free chocolate chips. Or if you'd like to include both chocolate chips and nuts (YUM!), I'd recommend ¼ cup of each.
To make chocolate protein banana bread, use chocolate protein powder (whey) and swap ¼ cup cocoa powder in for ¼ cup of the oat flour (reducing the amount of oat flour to ¾ cup).
How to make protein banana bread
Step 1: Preheat oven to 325F (163C).
Step 2: Line a loaf pan with parchment paper or spray it with non-stick cooking spray.
Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, mix bananas, yogurt, coconut sugar, and vanilla until combined.
Step 4: Add coconut oil and egg. Mix well.
Step 5: Add the oat flour, whey protein, baking soda, and cinnamon to the wet ingredients. Mix well.
Step 6: Fold in chopped nuts.
Step 7: Pour the banana bread batter into the loaf pan, using the rubber spatula to get all the batter out of the bowl.
Step 8: Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick or fork inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean.
Step 9: Let it cool in the loaf pan for 10 minutes, then remove the banana bread from the pan and let it cool completely to room temperature on a wire rack.
Step 10: Slice and enjoy!
Top Tips
For best results, don't sub other types of protein powder or flour, and don't use sugar substitutes.
And use bananas with brown spots (ripe or over-ripe bananas) for the sweetest flavor.
If you enjoy this recipe, try our protein zucchini bread and protein pumpkin bread!
FAQ
Adding protein powder to banana bread isn't as simple as adding a scoop or two and keeping the rest of the recipe the same. But generally speaking, you could probably safely replace ⅓ of the flour called for in a traditional recipe with whey protein powder or a whey/casein blend. For best results, however, if you want to make banana bread with protein powder, use a recipe (like this one!) that is designed to have protein powder included in the batter. Read more info on baking with protein powder.
This easy protein banana bread recipe has 11 grams of protein per ⅛ loaf. Traditional banana bread would have ~3g protein per serving.
Yes! This is a gluten free protein banana bread recipe.
Give this simple recipe a try, and enjoy the BEST protein banana bread!
Recipe
BEST Protein Banana Bread (Easy, Healthy Recipe)
Equipment
- whisk or fork, to mix the batter
- rubber spatula to get all the batter out of the bowl
- loaf pan mine is 8 ½ in x 4.5 in x 2.5 in pyrex loaf pan
- parchment paper to keep the banana bread from sticking to the pan
Ingredients
- 3 (354 g) medium ripe bananas, mashed
- ¼ cup (57 g) non-fat Greek yogurt
- ½ cup (96 g) coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (56 g) coconut oil, melted
- 1 whole (50 g) large egg
- 1 cup (120 g) oat flour
- ¾ cup (60 g) unflavored whey protein powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅓ cup (36 g) chopped nuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F (163C) and spray a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Mix bananas, yogurt, coconut sugar, and vanilla until combined.3 (354 g) medium ripe bananas, mashed, ¼ cup (57 g) non-fat Greek yogurt, ½ cup (96 g) coconut sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add coconut oil and egg. Mix well.¼ cup (56 g) coconut oil, melted, 1 whole (50 g) large egg
- Add oat flour, whey protein, baking soda, and cinnamon. Mix well.1 cup (120 g) oat flour, ¾ cup (60 g) unflavored whey protein powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Fold in chopped nuts and pour into pan.⅓ cup (36 g) chopped nuts
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and let cool completely.
- Slice and enjoy! Store refrigerated or frozen.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
More protein powder recipes you may enjoy
If you enjoy this protein banana bread recipe, you may also enjoy this 🌱 high protein zucchini bread recipe, this 🧋 banana bread protein shake recipe, this 🍌 banana smoothie recipe and this 🥜 banana peanut butter protein smoothie recipe.
We also have these DELICIOUS 🍪 protein cookie recipes: banana peanut butter protein cookies and chewy chocolate chip protein cookies. Give them a try!
Andréa Marchese says
So happy you're enjoying it, Christy!
Christy says
I don’t even call this banana bread “protein” or “gluten-free.” I just say try some of the best banana bread I’ve ever made!
Andréa Marchese says
Hi, I haven't tried it without the egg and Greek yogurt. Let us know how it turns out!
Anonymous says
Hi Andrea, can I omit the egg and Greek yogurt from the recipe? Will it change the texture or anything else? I’m going to try it. Thanks
Andréa says
Hi Tim,
I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe! I have an "easy" tag here on lots of recipes. Click the link and you can find lots more to make!
Thanks for writing in. :)
Andréa
Tim Yarrow says
Had a day of training and ended up doing this banana loaf. Really easy to do (I haven't baked since school and now 43!!), sat down with a coffee and promptly devoured half of it. Well I am on a re-feed day :)
Andréa says
Absolutely, Alexis! I've done that, too! You might want to add a little sweetener, though, since pumpkin isn't as sweet as banana.
Glad you are enjoying the recipes!
:)
Andréa
Alexis says
Hi Andrea!
I have a bunch of leftover pumpkin (I actually just made the Pumpkin Protein Cookies and they're amazing!) so could I use this recipe but sub the banana with pumpkin to make a pumpkin bread? Thanks for all the incredible recipes!!
Andréa says
Hi Rose,
I just tried it with chia egg-replacer (chia seeds + water) and it was delicious, but it didn't set up properly as bread. The outside was formed, but the inside was more like a banana bread custard. The uncooked batter was also delicious, so I'm now inspired to make something of it! A proper vegan treat!
Thanks for writing in,
Andréa
Rose says
Can I use Chia Seeds instead of eggs to make it vegan?
Andréa says
So happy to hear that, Carly. :) Thanks for writing in!
Carly says
Love how easy this recipe was. I wish my bananas were a little more ripe but I couldn't wait! I followed the recipe exactly, baked for 45 minutes and it was perfect. Really delicious! So grateful to find a grain free banana bread. Thank you!
Andréa says
:) Lots more on the way! And I love this recipe, too. Just made myself a double batch to have some to freeze for busy days!
chris irizarry says
this is so easy and tastes like a banana nut bread!!!! I used the same recipe and made muffins too....thanks for sharing and keep up the good work..no seriously keep it up, I want more lol.