Who doesn’t like a good banana loaf recipe? This is one I found at least fifteen years ago when I was still single and fancy free, but have tweaked over the years to make lighter and healthier for the family, making sure it’s still full of that rich delicious flavour without the added fat or processed flour.
In this particular version, I use a 3 to 1 ratio of flour to wheat bran, but I have gone as high as 2 to 1, resulting in the pet name “Colon Blow 2000” for this loaf. So beware, it’s good, but the bran definitely lives up to it’s reputation!
Preheat the oven to 350
In one bowl combine the wet ingredients (plus sugar):
3 large bananas, mashed
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
In another, combine the dry:
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup wheat bran
1 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt (optional)
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, being careful not to overstir. If I’m feeling decadant, I’ll add 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips at this point. Some people like to add nuts, but because of allergy restrictions we don’t do that. Feel free to add 1/2 cup of whatever nut floats your boat, if you so desire.
Fold into a pre-sprayed non-stick square pan (8 x 8″) or a pre-sprayed loaf pan. The advantage of using the square pan is that it takes a lot less time to bake (about 40 minutes, but be sure to check pretty frequently after about 35), whereas the loaf pan will take up to or even an hour to bake thorougly. I am also really in love with the silicone pans you can find these days. You don’t need to spray them and you can turn out the loaf as soon as it’s done.
Beware, this loaf usually lasts less than 24 hours in our home. Hope you enjoy it as well!
Written by my friend Teresa. We met when our boys were babies, and now they go to school together. I made this loaf for my family and Teresa was right about it lasting less than 24 hours. It was gone in about 6 hours at my home. Even picky Cole devoured several pieces, and I think Tony ate about half of the loaf by himself! It’s so moist and tender you won’t believe it’s low in fat and high in fibre.
-Megan
My kids like to whine, especially when it comes to the food they eat, but that doesn’t stop me from trying to make tasty and healthy meals for them. Follow along as I share family-friendly recipes and reviews from my picky family members, who I lovingly call “The Whine Critics.” 
