Can I use frozen bananas?

Absolutely, Thaw them first and drain any excess liquid—they'll mash up perfectly. The riper they were before freezing, the better. I always keep a stash of frozen bananas in my freezer for last-minute baking cravings.

How do I make this vegan?

Easy peasy—just swap the honey for maple syrup. The applesauce already replaces eggs, so this simple change makes the whole recipe plant-based. My vegan friends swear they can't taste the difference.

Can I make muffins instead?

You bet, Divide the batter into a greased muffin tin and bake at 350°F for 18-22 minutes. Mini muffins take about 12-15 minutes. Perfect for lunchboxes.

Why is my bread dense?

Two likely culprits: overmixing the batter (stop as soon as flour disappears) or old baking soda (check that expiration date). Also—don't skip letting it cool completely before slicing.

Can I add chocolate chips?

Oh honey, YES. Fold in 1/3 cup of dark chocolate chips with the walnuts if you're feeling fancy. My kids call this the "weekend special" version. For another chocolate treat, see my recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars .

Healthy 3-Ingredient Lightened-Up Banana Bread Magic -

Name: Healthy 3-Ingredient Lightened-Up Banana Bread Magic
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium); 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce; 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour; 1 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp cinnamon; 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Healthy 3-Ingredient Lightened-Up Banana Bread Magic

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A healthier version of classic banana bread with less fat and sugar but all the flavor. Perfect for breakfast or a snack.

Author: RecipeZest
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 1 loaf
Category: Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale

1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a loaf pan.
In a large bowl, mix mashed bananas, applesauce, honey, and vanilla.
In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
Fold in walnuts if using.
Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Notes

Use very ripe bananas for the best sweetness.
Substitute honey with maple syrup for a vegan option.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Find it online: https://recipeszest.com/lightened-up-banana-bread-recipe/