Whole Wheat Banana Bread With Greek Yogurt
Banana bread is a classic comfort food that almost everyone loves. It's delicious, easy to make and perfect for any time of day. And with the addition of whole wheat flour and Greek yogurt, it's even healthier than the traditional recipe. In this article, we'll explore the benefits of using whole wheat flour and Greek yogurt in banana bread, and provide a recipe that you can easily make at home.
The Benefits of Whole Wheat Flour
Whole wheat flour is made by grinding whole wheat kernels, which contain the bran, germ and endosperm. This means it has more fiber, vitamins and minerals than regular all-purpose flour, which only contains the endosperm. Some of the benefits of using whole wheat flour are:
- Higher fiber content: Whole wheat flour has a higher fiber content than all-purpose flour, which can help keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer periods of time.
- More nutrients: Whole wheat flour contains more nutrients than all-purpose flour, including B vitamins, magnesium and zinc.
- Lower glycemic index: Whole wheat flour has a lower glycemic index than all-purpose flour, which means it won't cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels.
The Benefits of Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is a thick and creamy yogurt that's higher in protein and lower in sugar than regular yogurt. Some of the benefits of using Greek yogurt in banana bread are:
- Higher protein content: Greek yogurt is higher in protein than regular yogurt, which can help keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer periods of time.
- Lower sugar content: Greek yogurt has a lower sugar content than regular yogurt, which can help reduce the overall sugar content in your banana bread.
- Moisture: Greek yogurt adds moisture to baked goods, which can help keep them from drying out.
Whole Wheat Banana Bread With Greek Yogurt Recipe
Now that you know the benefits of using whole wheat flour and Greek yogurt in banana bread, here's a recipe that combines them both:
Ingredients:
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, mix together the mashed bananas, Greek yogurt, honey, vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, baking soda and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it from the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy your delicious and healthy whole wheat banana bread with Greek yogurt!
Conclusion
Whole wheat flour and Greek yogurt are two healthy ingredients that can be used to make banana bread even more nutritious. By incorporating these ingredients into your banana bread recipe, you can increase the fiber, protein and nutrient content of your baked goods. Try the recipe above and taste the difference for yourself!