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. It is also made using a super quick and simple preparation method.

See also banana pear bread and banana quinoa bread!

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

• 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.

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

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

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

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).

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.

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

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

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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