Peanut Butter Banana Bread: Protein Recipe

Why make peanut butter banana bread?

Bananas primarily provide carbohydrates, while peanut butter contributes to lipid and protein intake. Eggs and an optional protein powder can complete this composition.

The result is more like a complete snack than a simple, very sweet cake, especially when the recipe limits added sugars.

Peanut butter banana bread recipe

Moist, delicious, and easy to prepare, this peanut butter banana bread combines the natural sweetness of banana with the rich flavor of peanut. The addition of oat flour, sweet potato flour, and protein powder makes this recipe particularly suitable for a sport-oriented diet.

Practical information

• Preparation time: 15 minutes
• Cooking time: 35 to 45 minutes
• Total time: approximately 1 hour
• Difficulty: easy
• Servings: 8 to 10 slices
• Mold: 20 to 22 cm loaf pan

Ingredients

For an 8 to 10 slice banana bread:

• 3 very ripe bananas,
• 2 eggs,
• 120 g oat flour,
• 60 g sweet potato flour,
• 80 g peanut butter,
• 30 g protein powder (vanilla flavor),
• 8 g baking powder,
• 50 to 80 ml milk or unsweetened plant-based drink,
• 1 pinch of salt,
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon, to taste,
• a few dark chocolate chips, optional.

Good to know: protein powder is optional. If you choose not to use it, replace the 30 g with approximately 30 g extra oat flour to maintain a balanced texture.

Step-by-step preparation

1. Preheat the oven

Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F), preferably using conventional heat. Line a 20 to 22 cm loaf pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

2. Prepare the bananas

Peel the bananas and mash them with a fork in a large bowl until you get a puree. A few small pieces can remain: they will add a pleasant texture to the banana bread.

Then add the eggs and mix. Incorporate the peanut butter until the mixture is homogeneous.

3. Mix the dry ingredients

In a second bowl, mix the oat flour, sweet potato flour, protein powder, baking powder, salt, and, if desired, cinnamon.

This step ensures that the baking powder and protein powder are evenly distributed in the flours before incorporating them into the wet mixture.

4. Form the batter

Gradually pour the dry ingredients into the banana mixture. Mix gently, without overworking the batter.

Then add the milk little by little. The necessary amount may vary: start with 50 ml and adjust until you obtain a thick and homogeneous batter, but flexible enough to be poured into the mold.

Optionally, add a few dark chocolate chips.

5. Bake

Pour the batter into the mold and smooth the surface slightly.

Bake for 35 to 45 minutes at 175°C (350°F). Cooking time may vary depending on the oven, mold, and the amount of moisture provided by the bananas.

To check for doneness, insert a knife blade or a wooden skewer into the center of the banana bread. It should come out without liquid batter, while still being slightly moist.

6. Let cool

Remove the banana bread from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes in its mold before unmolding.

Ideally, wait until it has cooled sufficiently before slicing. This step allows the crumb to stabilize and contributes to a more homogeneous and moist texture.

Our tips for a very moist banana bread

The secret to a successful banana bread starts with choosing the bananas. Opt for very ripe bananas, with skin showing some brown spots. They are easier to mash and naturally add more sweetness to the preparation.

The batter's texture also deserves special attention. A too-thick batter will generally result in a denser and drier cake. That's why it's better to add the milk gradually rather than pouring the entire amount from the start.

Finally, avoid overmixing the preparation after adding the flours. Just mix until the ingredients are incorporated. This small precaution helps preserve a more tender texture.

Note: protein powder can make some recipes more compact or drier. If you find that the batter becomes very thick after adding it, gradually adjust the amount of milk. The desired result is a dense but still flexible batter.

For an even more gourmet version, a few banana slices placed on top before baking or a thin layer of peanut butter after cooling can complete the recipe.

How to make this banana bread more protein-rich?

Adding protein powder is one possibility, but not the only one. Eggs and peanut butter already contribute to the recipe's protein intake.

Most importantly, this recipe should be viewed within the context of the entire day. For someone bodybuilding, the goal is not necessarily to make every food extremely rich in protein. It's the total protein intake and its distribution within a suitable diet that matters.

When to eat peanut butter banana bread?

Before training

A serving can be a pre-workout snack if it's well-tolerated digestively.

After training

After a session, banana bread can be combined with a protein source and other foods to form a more complete snack or meal.

However, there's no necessity to specifically eat banana bread after every workout.

As a snack

This is probably the simplest use. A slice can be eaten when you want a convenient and delicious homemade preparation.

The portion simply needs to be adapted to the day's energy goal.

How to store your banana bread?

Once cooled, store the banana bread in an airtight container. For longer storage, the refrigerator is preferable.

As a precaution, homemade preparations containing eggs, among other ingredients, should be cooled and refrigerated quickly if not intended for immediate consumption.

Banana bread can also be sliced and frozen individually. Simply let a portion thaw in the refrigerator or reheat it before enjoying.

FAQ on peanut butter banana bread

Can I use only oat flour?

Yes. However, the texture may be slightly different. The amount of liquid may need to be adjusted depending on the flour used.

Can I use sweet potato flour?

Yes. It can replace some of the oat flour in this recipe and provide a different texture and flavor.

How to increase protein content?

The simplest solution is to add a serving of protein powder or to combine the banana bread with a protein-rich food. It is better to adapt everything to daily needs rather than trying to maximize the protein content of each food.

Peanut butter banana bread: In summary

Peanut butter banana bread is a simple preparation that can be customized to your taste and goals.

With banana, oat flour, peanut butter, and, if necessary, an additional protein source, it can be an interesting snack before or after training, or simply enjoyed daily.