The Best Banana Bread Recipe (With Blackstrap Molasses!)
If you’re looking for the best banana bread recipe that’s healthy, easy, and actually tastes amazing, you just found it.
This is not one of those “here’s a bunch of filler paragraphs before the recipe” posts.
This is the real deal.
I make this banana bread at least twice a month.
Why? Because it’s ridiculously simple, super forgiving, and packed with flavor.
Plus, I add blackstrap molasses for that deep, rich sweetness that also happens to sneak in extra nutrients.
It’s made with olive oil, ripe bananas, a touch of molasses, eggs, flour, and a few pantry basics.
I butter the mold (yes, I use butter for this part instead of oil because it gives the crust a soft golden edge) and every time, it comes out perfect.
Let’s get into the details.
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Best Banana Bread Recipe and More Ideas
I’m going to share my recipe and different banana bread recipe ideas so you can mix things up, but I’ll start with the base recipe that works every single time.
From there, you can tweak it for chocolate chip banana bread, vegan banana bread, banana bread muffins, and more.
Base Healthy Banana Bread Recipe (With Blackstrap Molasses)
Here’s the exact recipe I use.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ripe bananas | 2 medium | The spottier, the better |
| Olive oil | 1/3 cup | Light or extra light olive oil works best |
| Eggs | 2 large | Room temperature |
| Blackstrap molasses | 2 tablespoons | Adds richness and nutrients |
| Sugar (brown or coconut) | 1/2 cup | Adjust to taste |
| Whole wheat flour | 1 1/2 cups | We use whole wheat for more fiber |
| Baking soda | 1 teaspoon | Fresh is important |
| Salt | 1/4 teaspoon | Brings out flavor |
| Cinnamon | 1 teaspoon | Optional, but recommended |
| Butter | For greasing the mold | Gives the crust that perfect edge |
| Optional: Pecan Nuts | A handful | Gives it an extra crunch |
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter your loaf pan generously.
2. Mash the bananas in a large bowl.
3. Add olive oil, eggs, molasses, and sugar. Whisk until smooth.
4. In another bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Stir gently until just mixed.
6. Pour into the pan. Bake for 10 minutes and add the pecan nuts.
7. Bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing.
9. Enjoy it!
Why I Add Blackstrap Molasses to My Banana Bread
The first time I tried molasses in banana bread, it was by accident.
I ran out of brown sugar and thought, “What if I just add a spoonful of molasses to white sugar?”
Game changer.
Blackstrap molasses gives a subtle caramel-like depth and also adds iron, calcium, and magnesium.
It makes banana bread healthy without tasting like “health food.”
If you’ve only ever used molasses for gingerbread cookies, try it here once. You’ll never skip it again.
Healthy Banana Bread Tips That Actually Work
- Use really ripe bananas. I mean almost black. They mash easier and taste sweeter.
- Don’t overmix. Your banana bread should be tender, not rubbery. Stir just until combined.
- Olive oil > butter in the batter. It makes the loaf moist without feeling heavy.
- Butter the mold. That crispy, buttery edge is worth it.
- Let it cool. Banana bread slices clean and tastes better after resting.
Other Ideas
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Once you’ve nailed the base easy banana bread recipe, adding chocolate chips is the easiest upgrade.
I like to fold in 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips for a rich flavor.
Tip: Toss the chips in a spoonful of flour before adding them so they don’t sink to the bottom.
Banana Bread Muffins
Sometimes I make this batter as banana bread muffins instead of a loaf.
Same recipe, but I divide it into a muffin tin and bake for 20–22 minutes.
This is my go-to for road trips or quick breakfasts.
Sourdough Banana Bread
If you’ve got sourdough starter discard, try sourdough banana bread.
It adds a tangy twist and makes the texture extra soft.
Replace 1/2 cup of flour with 1/2 cup starter discard and slightly reduce the liquid.
Chocolate Banana Bread
This one is for serious chocolate lovers.
Add 1/3 cup cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and increase sugar by a couple tablespoons.
It’s basically cake disguised as banana bread healthy enough to have for breakfast.
Vegan Banana Bread
For a vegan banana bread, swap the eggs for flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground flax + 5 tablespoons water) and use non-dairy chocolate if you’re adding chips.
The olive oil already makes it dairy-free.
Banana Bread Cookies
I know, cookies sound weird here, but banana bread cookies are like chewy little bites of the loaf.
Just use half the flour in the base recipe and scoop onto a baking sheet.
Bake at 350°F for about 12–14 minutes.
Banana Bread Muffin Recipe with Almond Flour
If you want a gluten-free option, try almond flour banana bread muffins.
Replace the flour with almond flour and reduce the oil slightly.
They’re moist, nutty, and protein-rich.
Banana Bread Healthy vs Banana Bread Cake
If you add frosting or too much sugar, you’re basically making cake.
I keep my banana bread recipe healthy by using olive oil, blackstrap molasses, and less sugar than most recipes.
It still feels like a treat, but it’s one you can eat any time of day without guilt.
Comparisons: Banana Bread Recipe Healthy Versions
| Version | Sugar Level | Moisture | Flavor Depth | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base with Molasses | Medium | High | Rich | Everyday snacking |
| Chocolate Chip | Higher | High | Sweet + Rich | Dessert or brunch |
| Almond Flour Muffins | Low | Medium | Nutty | Gluten-free diets |
| Sourdough | Medium | High | Tangy + Sweet | Baking with discard |
| Vegan | Medium | High | Banana-forward | Dairy-free diets |
Personal Experience: Why I’ll Never Quit Making Banana Bread
Honestly, this recipe has gotten me through some weird times.
During the first lockdown, I made it almost weekly.
Friends would come by for socially-distanced porch drop-offs, and I’d hand them still-warm slices wrapped in parchment.
It became my little way of sending love without words.
Even now, every time the smell fills my kitchen, I feel that same comfort.
FAQ About Banana Bread
Q: Can I freeze banana bread?
Yes. Wrap slices individually and freeze. They thaw in about 20 minutes.
Q: Can I reduce the sugar even more?
Definitely. If your bananas are very ripe, you can cut sugar to 1/3 cup.
Q: Can I make it without eggs?
Yes. Use flax eggs or unsweetened applesauce as a binder.
Q: What’s the best flour for banana bread?
All-purpose gives a classic texture, but I love half whole wheat for extra fiber.
Final Thoughts on the Best Banana Bread Recipe Ideas
The best banana bread recipe ideas are the ones you’ll actually make.
And this one, with olive oil and blackstrap molasses, is simple enough for everyday baking yet special enough for guests.
It works as banana bread muffins, chocolate banana bread, vegan banana bread, or even banana bread cookies.
This post showed you how to make the best banana bread recipe and different banana bread recipe ideas for you to enjoy.
