Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 3 bananas (extra ripe)
- 2 eggs (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (room temperature)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
For Topping
- Additional chia seeds for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mash Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas using a fork or potato masher until no large chunks remain but some texture is still present.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: To the mashed bananas, add in the eggs, maple syrup, vegetable oil, vanilla bean paste, and Greek yogurt. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed.
- Fold Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Using a rubber spatula, fold gently until the batter is about 90% combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
- Add Chia Seeds: Gently fold in the chia seeds ensuring no dry flour streaks remain.
- Prepare Batter for Baking: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle additional chia seeds on top for texture and appearance.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving. This helps the bread set properly and prevents crumbling.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of cinnamon to the dry ingredients.
- If you prefer a nutty crunch, walnuts or pecans can be folded into the batter along with chia seeds.
- Ensure bananas are very ripe as they provide natural sweetness and moisture to the bread.
- Room temperature eggs and yogurt help the batter combine smoothly and result in better texture.
- Store banana bread tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- To keep the bread moist, you can reheat slices lightly before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian