Greek Yogurt Banana Bread is an easy, moist banana bread made with Greek yogurt and applesauce for extra tenderness and flavor.
With the new year underway, I’ve been focusing on healthier choices at home. After my husband’s sledding accident left him with a broken leg, we’ve spent a lot more time together and I’ve been cooking more from our own kitchen. When the bananas on the counter start to blacken, banana bread is always my go-to. I make it as soon as I see those spots. This Greek Yogurt Banana Bread is a new favorite: tender, moist and not overly sweet.
Using wholesome ingredients like nonfat Greek yogurt, applesauce and honey, this loaf stays wonderfully moist and provides a boost of protein from the yogurt. The flavor is slightly tangy from the yogurt, which balances the sweetness and gives the bread a lighter texture because the yogurt’s acidity helps activate the baking soda.
Why Greek yogurt works well in baking
Greek yogurt adds protein and probiotics while keeping baked goods moist and tender. Its tangy flavor enhances banana bread and it can replace sour cream or buttermilk in many recipes with fewer calories and added benefits. The acidity helps leavening agents work better, resulting in a fluffier loaf instead of a dense one.
My husband has appreciated surprise deliveries of freshly baked banana bread with his morning coffee while he recovers. He asked what made this loaf so tender and I told him it was the Greek yogurt—often left unused in the fridge but perfect for baking.
If you follow the Weight Watchers WW plan, check the recipe card below for WW Points. This version will likely be fewer points than many traditional banana breads, and the loaf serves eight generous slices.
More banana bread ideas
- Pineapple Banana Bread
- Whole Wheat Healthy Banana Bread
- Starbucks Walnut Banana Bread
- Nutella Swirled Banana Bread
- Paleo Banana Bread
- Marbled Chocolate Banana Bread
- Classic Banana Bread
Greek Yogurt Banana Bread
Cook: 55 mins
Total: 1 hr 15 mins
Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- ⅓ cup honey
- ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup (½ stick) butter, melted
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 small (or 3 large) ripe bananas, mashed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray an 8×4-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, honey, brown sugar, melted butter, applesauce, eggs and vanilla. Stir in the mashed bananas.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake about 55 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes, then turn the bread out onto a rack to cool completely before slicing.
Nutrition (per serving)
Serving: 1 slice • Calories: 282 kcal • Carbohydrates: 48 g • Protein: 6 g • Fat: 7 g • Saturated Fat: 4 g • Cholesterol: 69 mg • Sodium: 363 mg • Potassium: 246 mg • Fiber: 1 g • Sugar: 26 g • Vitamin A: 285 IU • Vitamin C: 3.3 mg • Calcium: 47 mg • Iron: 1.6 mg
Nutrition values are approximate and should be used as a guideline.