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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast/Brunch

    Healthy Banana Date Bread

    February 6, 2021 By Monika Last Updated July 16, 2024 17 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    This banana date bread is deliciously moist, fruity and full of goodness.  It's naturally sweetened with bananas, dates and a little maple syrup and does not contain any refined sugar. It is also made using a super quick and simple preparation method.

    See also banana pear bread and banana quinoa bread!

    Side view of banana date bread with coffee cup and bananas in background.

    This banana date bread is a healthy, easy and delicious way of using up overripe bananas. This bread is light, fluffy and the combination of bananas and dates produces a delicious loaf with a hint of caramel. You will love my quick and simple preparation method!

    To make this date banana bread you do not need to mash the bananas or chop the dates by hand. Instead simply pulse these in a food processor along with the wet ingredients. Then combine with the dry mixture and bake your bread!

    Banana bread with dates

    is healthy because:

    • It does not contain granulated sugar.
    • Overripe bananas are still nutritious.
    • Dates are a source of fibre, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
    • It contains nutritious whole wheat/wholemeal flour.
    • It's low in fat.

    Banana date bread ingredients and substitutions

    Ingredients for making banana bread with dates in individual dishes.
    Banana date bread ingredients.
    • Bananas: use overripe bananas as they are sweeter and have more flavour than ripe bananas.
    • Dates: you can use Medjool dates if you like, but these are usually quite expensive. All dates varieties are fine to use in this recipe.
    • Maple syrup: you can use runny honey instead if preferred.
    • Yogurt: helps to produce a light texture.
    • Eggs.
    • Oil: use vegetable oil, such as rapeseed/canola. Using oil rather than butter produces a light, moist loaf.
    • Flour: I used a combination of plain/all-purpose and whole wheat/wholemeal flours which produce a healthy though still fluffy loaf.
    • Bicarbonate of soda and baking powder.
    • Cinnamon: you can use mixed spices/pumpkin spice instead if preferred.

    How to make date banana bread: step-by-step

    1.Preheat the oven to 350 F/ 180 C/ gas mark 4. Lightly grease a medium loaf pan and line with parchment paper. Set aside.

     Whisk together the flours, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, salt and cinnamon.

    Flour and spice mixture in large yellow bowl with green whisk.

    2. Place the eggs, banana, dates, oil, yogurt and maple syrup in a food processor.

    Bananas, eggs, yogurt and dates in food processor.

    3. Pulse until the dates are finely chopped and you can still clearly see small pieces (they should not be pureed completely).

    Side view of banana date bread wet mixture in food processor bowl.

    4. Combine the wet and dry mixtures and stir only until the dry ingredients are no longer visible.

    Combining banana and date bread wet and dry ingredients in white bowl with spoon.

    5. Pour the batter into the loaf pan, smooth out the top and bake in the centre of the oven for 1 hour 10 minutes. If the top starts to brown too much cover loosely with foil (after about 50-55 minutes).

    Banana dates bread batter in loaf pan lined with parchment.

    6. Remove from the oven and set aside for 10 minutes then lift out of the pan along with the paper and place on top of a rack. Cool your banana date bread completely before cutting.

    Top down view of banana dates bread in loaf pan lined with parchment.

    Serving suggestions

    This moist banana bread with dates makes a delicious lunchbox idea or breakfast/snack, perfect with tea, coffee or a glass of milk. You can serve it without any toppings or enjoy with peanut butter and honey or cream cheese and sliced strawberries.

    Dos and don'ts of using overripe bananas

    Do:

    • Use overripe bananas with varying degrees of brown on their skin: from small spots to larger patches of brown.
    • Use bananas with soft, dark spots in them: simply cut these out and use the rest of the banana.

    Don't:

    • Use bananas that have an unpleasant, musty smell and signs of rot on the stems.

    Can I use pureed dates

    I do not recommend it. Dates don't just replace the sugar in this recipe and shouldn't be hidden. They add flavour as well as a more interesting texture to this healthy banana bread. Pureed dates, together with the bananas, also tend to produce a slightly sticky loaf (I tried it and it wasn't as good as the loaf using small pieces of dates).

    Do I have to use a food processor

    No, you don't, but preparing the ingredients by hand will lengthen preparation time (chopping dates by hand can be tricky as they are very sticky). But if you prefer this method then start by whisking together the eggs, oil, yogurt and maple syrup until thoroughly combined. Finely chop the dates, mash the banana then combine with the wet mixture and stir.  Follow the rest of the recipe as per Instructions.

    Top tips

    • Bananas: Use very ripe/overripe bananas for maximum natural sweetness. You do not have to mash them.
    • Dates: Pulse the wet mixture until the dates are finely chopped but not pureed completely.
    • Batter: Do not overstir the batter. Stop stirring once the dry ingredients have been incorporated.
    • Cutting: Cool your banana date bread completely before slicing (it will cut better).
    • Storing: Keep wrapped/covered or store in a plastic container for up to 3 days.
    • Freeze individual slices in an airtight container for up to 3 months (separate the slices with parchment paper). Alternatively freeze the entire loaf in a freezer bag.

    More recipes using overripe bananas

    • Healthy Chocolate Banana Loaf Cake
    • Low Sugar Peanut Butter Banana Muffins
    • Overnight Quinoa with Banana
    • Double Chocolate Banana Pancakes
    Side view of sliced banana bread on top of parchment with coffee cup and bananas in background.

    More 'sweet' bread recipes to try next

    • Beetroot Bread with Walnuts
    • Persimmon Bread with Orange Icing

    See also these other breakfast/snack recipe ideas!

    Recipe

    Side view of banana date bread with coffee cup and bananas in background.

    Healthy Banana Date Bread

    This banana date bread is deliciously moist, fruity and full of goodness.  It's naturally sweetened with bananas, dates and a little maple syrup and does not contain any refined sugar.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Snack
    Cuisine: vegetarian
    Prep Time: 8 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 18 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 slices
    Calories: 293kcal
    Author: Monika Dabrowski

    Equipment

    • Food processor
    • 23 cm/ 9'' loaf pan

    Ingredients

    • 10.58 ounces (300 g) ripe bananas peeled weight, approx. 3¼ med. bananas
    • 5.64 ounces (160 g) dates pitted, halved
    • ¼ cup (80 g) maple syrup
    • 2 large eggs
    • 5 tablespoons Greek/natural yogurt
    • ⅓ cup+2tsp (90 ml) vegetable oil
    • 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose/plain flour
    • ¾ cup (95 g) whole wheat/wholemeal flour
    • 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
    • ⅔ teaspoon baking powder
    • ⅔ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ⅕ teaspoon fine sea salt

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 F/ 180 C/ gas mark 4. Grease a medium loaf pan and line with baking paper. Set aside.
    • Whisk together the flours, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon and salt.
    • Place the eggs, banana, dates, oil, yogurt and maple syrup in a food processor and pulse until the dates are finely chopped and you can still clearly see small pieces (they should not be pureed completely).
    • Combine the dry and wet mixtures and stir only until the dry ingredients are no longer visible.
    • Pour the mixture into the pan, smooth out the top and bake in the centre of the oven for 1 hour 10 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean). If the top starts to brown too much cover loosely with foil (after about 50-55 minutes).
    • Remove from the oven and leave to cool for 10 minutes. Lift out of the pan along with the paper and place on a cooling rack. Cool completely before slicing.

    Notes

    • Use very ripe bananas for maximum natural sweetness. You do not have to mash them.
    • Pulse the wet mixture until the dates are finely chopped but not pureed completely.
    • Do not overstir the batter. Stop stirring once the dry ingredients have been incorporated.
    • I used cinnamon but you can swap it for mixed spice/pumpkin spice or use ground ginger instead.
    • You can use natural yogurt or Skyr instead of the Greek yogurt.
    • Runny honey is a good substitute for maple syrup.
    • Cool this banana date bread completely before slicing (it will cut better).
    • Storing: Keep wrapped/covered or store in a plastic container for up to 3 days.
    • Freeze individual slices in an airtight container for up to 3 months (separate the slices with parchment paper). Alternatively freeze the entire loaf in a freezer bag.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 217mg | Potassium: 437mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 94IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 2mg

    *Nutritional information is automatically generated and should be considered as an estimate.

    **A note about baking: If using a fan-assisted oven refer to your appliance's instructions and adjust the temperature accordingly.

    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @Monika8021 or tag #EverydayHealthyRecipes!

    Keep in touch!

    If you make this healthy banana date bread I'd love to know how it turned out for you. Let me know in the comments below, thanks!

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    Comments

      5 from 3 votes

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    1. Sabrina says

      May 01, 2024 at 7:03 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! I didn’t have yogurt so I used unsweetened applesauce and added some chopped walnuts. No one knew it didn’t have added sugar and the whole thing was gone in one day. This is our new favorite banana bread. This recipe is definitely a keeper!

      Reply
      • Monika says

        May 02, 2024 at 9:22 am

        I am glad apple sauce was a successful alternative to yogurt! Thank you for your feedback:)

        Reply
    2. Niki says

      February 07, 2024 at 4:42 pm

      5 stars
      I love good old fashioned banana bread but for everyone’s sake wanted to find a healthier very good tasting banana bread. WELL I can confirm this is it, hands down! It’s not competing it is just delicious, light and well perfect. Make it!

      Reply
      • Monika says

        February 08, 2024 at 10:35 am

        I am so glad to hear this! Thank you for sharing your feedback:)

        Reply
    3. Sandra says

      April 12, 2023 at 4:47 am

      5 stars
      Best recipe ever

      Reply
      • Monika says

        April 12, 2023 at 9:39 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    4. Anca says

      October 08, 2018 at 12:03 pm

      Love the fact that you didn't add loads of sugar, just the recipe I'd like to try.

      Reply
      • Monika says

        October 09, 2018 at 8:55 am

        Thank you! Hope you like it if you do make it!

        Reply
    5. Midge @ Peachicks' Bakery says

      November 18, 2017 at 11:18 am

      Oooh I love the idea of adding dates into a banana bread! xxx

      Reply
      • Monika says

        November 18, 2017 at 6:09 pm

        Thanks! Glad you like it:)

        Reply
      • Monika says

        November 18, 2017 at 7:28 pm

        Absolutely!

        Reply
    6. Angela / Only Crumbs Remain says

      November 12, 2017 at 6:47 pm

      I love this recipe! Thankyou so much for joining in with #BakingCrumbs again this month 😀
      Angela x

      Reply
      • Monika says

        November 13, 2017 at 8:22 am

        Thanks Angela, really glad you like this idea:)

        Reply
    7. Jhuls says

      November 12, 2017 at 8:22 am

      Wow! I just realized that I haven't had banana bread in such a long time. This one sounds really delicious with the addition of dates. Thanks for sharing and happy FF, Monika!

      Reply
      • Monika says

        November 13, 2017 at 8:21 am

        Thanks Jhuls, glad you like it:)

        Reply
    8. Corina says

      November 08, 2017 at 11:24 am

      I think banana bread is a great way of using up overripe bananas and I love the sound of this one with the dates too. I'd love to try it.

      Reply
      • Monika says

        November 08, 2017 at 2:02 pm

        Thanks Corina, this is probably my favourite banana bread recipe:)

        Reply

    Hi, I am Monika, welcome to Everyday Healthy Recipes! This blog is all about simple recipes with a healthy twist, old classics with a modern take, and an occasional Polish dish thrown into the mix - all easy to make and delicious, perfect for everyday cooking.

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