Naturally sweetened banana bread

Banana bread is a great way to use up those bananas going soft on your counter. Bananas are also a great way alternative to refined sugar.

The ideal bananas for making banana bread are actually those that you may be less interested in eating. So the next time some of your bananas get overripe instead of tossing them, either consider making a loaf of banana bread or simply freeze them for when you are ready to bake.

By simply putting bananas in the freezer, you will stop the ripening process. The skins will turn black, but once you’re ready to use them simply defrost them with their peels on and once they’re thawed peel them and they’re ready to be cooked.

Getting our sugar from whole fruits

Bananas are a really healthy alternative to processed sugar. While fructose is a sugar, it’s nothing to be afraid of — in moderation — when found in whole fruits. Fruits are not only packed with vitamins and minerals, but they’re full of fiber.

Bananas — with about 2 to 4 grams of fiber per fruit — are one of the top five fruits rich in fiber (others are pears, apples, figs, and blackberries), which helps to cut the risk of diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

Sugar-free banana bread recipe

Many of these ingredients can be left out since bananas have such a distinctive flavor. So if you find yourself without baking powder, cinnamon, vanilla, nuts, or even salt, you can leave them all out and still bake up a tasty loaf of bread.

Ingredients

• 3 mashed bananas
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted butter (you can substitute the oil or butter with applesauce)
• 2 eggs
• 2 cup flour (can be white, whole wheat, spelt, you can experiment here)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup chopped nuts
• Pinch of salt

Directions

1. Mash bananas in a bowl.
2. Add oil (or butter) and eggs and mix until creamy.
3. Mix in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Stir in the nuts.
5. Oil a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
6. Pour mixture into pan.
7. Bake at 325°F for 45 minutes to an hour. To check if it’s done, insert a knife or toothpick in center and if it comes out clean, it’s cooked.
8. Cool on a rack.
9. Remove from pan and slice.