Best Cottage Cheese Banana Bread
Make the Best Cottage Cheese Banana Bread with this easy, protein-packed recipe. Moist, naturally sweet, and perfect for breakfast or a healthy snack!
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- ✔ 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour – A fiber-rich alternative that gives the bread a hearty texture. You can substitute with all-purpose flour for a lighter crumb.
- ✔ 1 teaspoon baking soda – Helps the banana bread rise beautifully and stay fluffy.
- ✔ ½ teaspoon cinnamon – Adds a warm cozy flavor that complements the bananas perfectly.
- ✔ ¼ teaspoon salt – Enhances the overall taste by balancing the sweetness.
Wet Ingredients:
- ✔ 2 large ripe bananas mashed – The riper, the better! Overripe bananas provide natural sweetness and moisture.
- ✔ ¾ cup cottage cheese – The secret ingredient! It makes this banana bread extra moist and protein-packed without adding extra fat.
- ✔ 2 large eggs – Help bind everything together and give structure to the loaf.
- ✔ ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup – A natural sweetener that keeps things light and refined sugar-free.
- ✔ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Enhances the sweetness and adds depth to the flavor.
- ✔ ¼ cup melted coconut oil or butter – Keeps the bread soft and tender while adding richness.
Optional Mix-Ins (For Extra Texture & Flavor):
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans – Adds a satisfying crunch.
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chips – For a touch of indulgence.
- ½ cup blueberries – A fruity twist that pairs beautifully with bananas.
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Pan
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) for even baking.
- Lightly grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Mash and Mix the Wet Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth. A few small lumps are fine—they add texture.
- Add the cottage cheese, eggs, honey (or maple syrup), vanilla extract, and melted coconut oil (or butter).
- Whisk everything together until the mixture is well combined and creamy.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together whole wheat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- This step ensures even distribution, preventing any pockets of baking soda from ruining your batter.
Step 4: Mix It All Together
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula or wooden spoon.
- Avoid overmixing! Stir just until no streaks of flour remain—overmixing can make the banana bread dense instead of light and fluffy.
- If using mix-ins like chopped walnuts, dark chocolate chips, or blueberries, fold them in gently at this stage.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Set
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- If the top starts to brown too quickly, tent the loaf with foil during the last 10 minutes.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
- Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack.
- Allow it to cool completely before slicing—this locks in moisture and enhances texture.
Notes
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Protein: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fat: 5g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 10g