High Protein Banana Bread Recipe — Moist Healthy Protein Bread

Posted on October 19, 2025

Close-up of a moist slice of banana bread studded with chopped walnuts on a wooden board, a second loaf visible in the background.

High Protein Banana Bread Recipe is the answer when you want something sweet and sensible. This loaf gives you that classic banana-bread comfort but loads it with protein so it fuels your day instead of flattening it. Ready to bake something moist, portable, and actually useful for your fitness goals?

Introduction to the High Protein Banana Bread Recipe

Who said treats can’t be practical? This loaf proves you can have cake-adjacent vibes at breakfast and still get a legit protein boost. We swap in yogurt, protein powder, and smart fats so every slice delivers texture, flavor, and staying power. Perfect for a Banana Healthy Breakfast or a grab-and-go snack between gym sets.

What makes this recipe so irresistible

Why will this become your new go-to?

  • Protein-packed: You’ll find serious oomph in each slice — this isn’t a sad, chalky “protein bake.” It’s the real deal.
  • Ridiculously moist: The combination of mashed bananas, yogurt (or cottage cheese), and applesauce keeps crumb tender and soft.
  • Simple ingredients: No exotic flours or weird additives — everything keeps pantry-friendly.
  • Flexible: Swap flavors, add mix-ins, and tailor to diets. Want low-calorie? Want nut-butter swirl? Done.
  • Satisfying as a snack or meal: Eat it solo, with a smear of nut butter, or alongside a yogurt bowl.

Ingredients (with short descriptions)

Here’s what you’ll need — nothing scary, all tasty:

  • 3 very ripe bananas, mashed — sweet, aromatic, and the moisture base.
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce — cuts fat and keeps cake tender.
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup (or a sugar substitute) — natural sweetness; adjust to taste.
  • 1/4 cup melted coconut oil (or vegetable oil) — adds richness and keeps loaf soft.
  • 2 large eggs (or egg substitute) — structure and lift.
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or cottage cheese — the secret to moistness and extra protein.
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract — flavor booster.
  • 2 scoops (about 1/2 cup) protein powder (vanilla or chocolate) — the protein hero.
  • 1 3/4 cups oat flour (or whole wheat flour) — whole-grain body and gentle texture.
  • 1 tsp baking soda — rise agent.
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon — warming spice.
  • 1/4 tsp salt — balances sweetness.
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) — crunch and healthy fats.
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter (optional) — for a peanut-butter swirl version.

This loaf checks the box for Healthy Protein Bread and gives you a great Protein Breakfast Bread option that’s both practical and delicious.

Simple step-by-step method

I keep this method straightforward so you can bake and run.

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
  2. Mash the bananas in a large bowl until smooth-ish. Add applesauce, maple syrup, melted oil, eggs, Greek yogurt (or cottage cheese), and vanilla. Stir until mixed.
  3. Mix in protein powder until the wet mixture looks even and smooth.
  4. Whisk dry ingredients (oat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt) in a separate bowl.
  5. Fold dry into wet slowly, stirring just until combined — don’t overmix, or the loaf gets dense.
  6. Stir in mix-ins: fold in nuts or ripple in peanut butter if using.
  7. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake 45–55 minutes, or until a skewer comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).
  8. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Pro tip: If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil for the last 10–15 minutes.

The story behind this loaf

I developed this recipe because I got tired of protein bars that tasted like spit. I wanted a slice of banana bread that would actually make me feel full, keep my protein intake up, and still feel like a treat. After a few experiments with yogurt, applesauce, and different protein powders, I found this balance: cakey, moist, and reliably delicious. People call it the best Protein Banana Loaf they’ve tried — and honestly, I agree.

Pro tips for the best outcome

These small moves make a big difference.

  • Use very ripe bananas for the most flavor and natural sweetness. If they’re too green, the loaf tastes bland.
  • Don’t overmix the batter. Fold until combined — overworking gluten = tougher crumb.
  • Check with a skewer around 45 minutes; protein powder can change bake time slightly.
  • Cool before slicing. The loaf firms up as it cools, so let it rest for a cleaner slice.
  • Swap protein powders carefully. Whey, casein, and plant-based powders behave differently — adjust liquid slightly if the batter feels dry.
  • For lower calories, swap more applesauce for oil. For keto-ish tweaks, use almond flour and a low-carb sweetener (experimentation required).

Bold tip: If you want the most tender crumb, use Greek yogurt — it adds moisture without thinning the batter too much.

Variations to try

Get creative — this loaf adapts well.

  • Chocolate Protein Banana Bread: Use chocolate protein powder and fold in dark chocolate chips.
  • Peanut Butter Protein Banana Bread: Swirl in 1/4 cup peanut butter before baking (hello, PB & banana dreams).
  • Berry Burst: Fold in a cup of blueberries or raspberries for a fruity spin.
  • Nut-Free: Omit nuts and use sunflower seed butter for nut-free households.
  • Low-Calorie Version: Replace some oil with applesauce and use a sugar substitute instead of maple syrup.
  • Bariatric-Friendly: Adjust portion sizes and ingredients to meet your clinic’s recommendations — focus on protein density.

These twists let you keep things interesting while still hitting the Protein Recipes With Banana brief.

Best ways to serve

How to eat this loaf? So many options.

  • Slice it warm, smear a little nut butter, and enjoy.
  • Top with Greek yogurt and berries for a balanced breakfast bowl — excellent for a true Banana Healthy Breakfast.
  • Serve with a protein coffee (mix coffee with a scoop of protein powder) for a complete, fueling combo.
  • Pack slices for work or workouts. It travels well and reheats nicely in a toaster oven.

If you want to present it at brunch, cut thick slices, toast lightly, and serve with ricotta and lemon zest for a grown-up finish.

Close-up of a moist slice of banana bread studded with chopped walnuts on a wooden board, a second loaf visible in the background, High Protein Banana Bread Recipe.Pin

Quick tips for storage and leftovers

Keep your loaf tasting fresh and usable for days.

  • Room temp: Store cooled slices in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Refrigerator: Keeps 1 week and stays firmer.
  • Freezer: Slice and individually wrap for up to 3 months — thaw in the fridge or microwave for 15–30 seconds.
  • Make-ahead: Bake the loaf, slice, and freeze portions for easy breakfasts.

FYI: Freezing preserves moisture and texture better than long fridge stints.

FAQs (short and helpful)

Can I use different protein powders?

Yes — whey, casein, and plant-based work. Each changes texture slightly; oat flour plus yogurt absorbs differences well.

Is this gluten-free?

Make it gluten-free by using certified gluten-free oat flour or a gluten-free all-purpose mix.

Can I omit oil?

Yes — replace oil with additional applesauce for a lower-fat loaf.

How many servings?

One standard loaf yields about 10–12 slices depending on thickness.

Does it freeze well?

Absolutely — slice first, wrap pieces, and stash for up to 3 months.

Can I make muffins instead?

Totally. Bake in muffin tins for 18–22 minutes at the same temperature.

Why this counts as a great Good Protein Recipes pick

This loaf fits multiple needs: breakfast, snack, post-workout recovery, or dessert. It ranks high among Good Protein Recipes because it’s flexible, crowd-pleasing, and simple to scale. You get a loaf that tastes like banana bread but performs like a meal.

Final thoughts

If you want a loaf that respects your goals without sacrificing flavor, this is your blueprint. It ranks as a top Healthy Bread Options choice and a solid entry in High Protein Low Calorie Banana Bread territory when you tweak oils and sweeteners. Bake it Sunday night for weekday breakfasts, pack it for the gym, or enjoy a slice with your afternoon coffee.

So — will you try it plain, chocolatey, or nut-butter swirled? IMO, you can’t go wrong. This is the Protein Banana Loaf that turns banana bread into a genuinely useful snack and keeps you fueled. Happy baking — and don’t forget to save a slice for me.

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Close-up of a moist slice of banana bread studded with chopped walnuts on a wooden board, a second loaf visible in the background.

High Protein Banana Bread Recipe — Moist Healthy Protein Bread

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  • Author: Jennifer
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1½ cups)
  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • ¼ cup maple syrup (or your preferred sugar-free sweetener)
  • ¼ cup melted coconut oil (or any neutral vegetable oil)
  • 2 large eggs (or an egg replacement)
  • ½ cup Greek yogurt or cottage cheese (for extra moisture and protein)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 scoops (≈½ cup) vanilla or chocolate protein powder
  • 1¾ cups oat flour (or whole wheat flour)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
  • ¼ cup peanut butter (optional, for extra protein and flavor)


Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan by greasing it and dusting lightly with flour.
  2. In a large bowl, mash the bananas until mostly smooth. Stir in the applesauce, maple syrup, melted oil, eggs (or substitute), Greek yogurt or cottage cheese, and vanilla until the mixture looks even.
  3. Add the protein powder and mix until it’s fully incorporated and lump-free.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the oat (or whole wheat) flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
  5. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and fold gently until just combined — stop as soon as you can’t see streaks of flour to avoid a dense loaf.
  6. If you like, fold in the chopped nuts and/or the peanut butter now.
  7. Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
  8. Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  9. Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then remove it and finish cooling on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

Pro tip: If the top browns too fast, tent loosely with foil during the last 10–15 minutes. Enjoy warm or store cooled slices in an airtight container — they freeze well for quick breakfasts.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 95g
  • Calories: 260
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 220mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Carbohydrates: 27g
  • Protein: 13.5g
  • Cholesterol: 40mg

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