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Healthy Carrot Banana Bread

This healthy carrot banana bread is naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and maple syrup, creating a moist, tender breakfast loaf that is as fluffy as it is delicious! Additional wholesome ingredients include shredded carrots, olive oil, and Greek yogurt to make this a truly all natural carrot banana bread recipe.

WHY I MADE THIS HEALTHY BANANA CARROT BREAD

The idea for this recipe actually came from a comment I received on TikTok! Someone asked if I could do a hybrid recipe of banana bread and carrot cake, and my wheels immediately started spinning. Of course, I love My Mom’s Famous Banana Bread recipe, and I also love my No Bake Carrot Cake, so I took the flavors of both to make this healthy carrot banana bread recipe!

The natural sweetness of the ripe bananas and the tender, shredded carrot combine to create a super moist and fluffy loaf that’s flavored with cinnamon, vanilla, and allspice. So, when it comes to flavor and texture, this healthy bread really has both. The addition of Greek yogurt also makes this bread super tender and fluffy, so you don’t have to worry about a sad, dense loaf over here!

If you’re a fan of banana bread and/or carrot cake, then this is the recipe for you. Maple syrup is used as a natural sweetener and olive oil is swapped in place of butter, so you can feel good about these ingredients, too.

Note that this bread is not super sweet, so add more maple syrup if you prefer a sweeter breakfast loaf.

MY FLUFFY CARROT BANANA BREAD RECIPE

The full instructions on how to make this healthy carrot banana bread is in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post, but here’s a quick overview of how to make it.

Be sure to scroll down to the bottom to view the full recipe and get all of the measurements and instructions!

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Mix together the mashed banana, olive oil, and maple syrup.
  • Add the eggs, and mix until fully incorporated.
  • Then, mix in the shredded carrot and vanilla.
  • Gently fold in the Greek yogurt.
  • Sift in the flour, cinnamon, allspice, baking soda, baking flour, and salt. The batter will be thick.
  • Bake for 45-50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

FLUFFY BANANA CARROT BREAD KEY INGREDIENTS

The full ingredients list is in the recipe card below, so make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to see what you need to make this recipe!

Here is a quick overview of what you need to make this healthy banana carrot bread at home:

  • Ripe bananas: Adds natural sweetness and moisture to the bread, reducing the need for too much additional sugar. Make sure your bananas are super ripe (with dark peels) for the best tasting bread! Bananas also help bind the ingredients together while giving the loaf its classic banana flavor.
  • Olive oil: In place of butter, we use olive oil to keep our carrot banana bread moist and tender.
  • Maple syrup, or honey: Maple syrup, or honey, acts as a natural sweetener while adding a great depth of flavor. Maple syrup or honey are less processed than white sugar, so if you’re someone who’s looking for less processed baking ingredients these re alternatives to use.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and gives the bread structure.
  • Shredded carrot: Add natural sweetness, moisture, and flavor, much like bananas!
  • Greek yogurt: The key to making our banana carrot bread super light and fluffy, while also boosting the protein content.
  • All purpose flour: Provides structure to the bread. All purpose flour creates a classic loaf-like texture, but if you’re gluten free or want a flour-less substitute, try using oat flour instead. Just be sure to use certified gluten free oats.
  • Baking soda: Acts as the leavening agent, helping the bread rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Baking flour: Provides additional lift and ensures the bread bakes evenly, giving it an even softer texture!

HOW LONG DOES THIS FLUFFY BANANA CARROT BREAD TAKE TO MAKE?

This easy, fluffy banana carrot bread comes together pretty quickly! The only real preparation you need to do is grate a couple of carrots, which should take no time at all. The rest of this recipe calls for mixing ingredients together, and then baking up this beautiful bread.

In terms of time and difficulty, this recipe is rated as Easy because I’m confident that even beginner bakers can get this right on the first time.

Be sure to scroll down to view the full recipe, but here’s an overview of how long it takes to make this fluffy banana bread recipe:

  • Preparing the carrot banana bread batter: 20 mins
  • Baking the carrot banana bread: 50 minutes

In total, this recipe takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes to make, and the majority of that time is spent just baking the bread! Not bad, if you ask me.

HOW TO STORE THIS EASY CARROT BANANA LOAF?

Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If storing in the fridge, be sure to wrap the bread and place it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.

For even longer storage, slice and freeze the loaf for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying, or toast straight from frozen for a great piece of toast!

HEALTHY CARROT CAKE BANANA BREAD FAQ

1. Is this carrot banana bread actually healthy?

In my opinion, yes! This carrot banana bread is made with wholesome ingredients like ripe bananas, shredded carrots, olive oil, Greek yogurt, and natural sweeteners like maple syrup. It contains no refined sugar or butter, making it a more nourishing option than traditional banana bread.

If you want to make this loaf even more wholesome (and gluten free), you can swap the all purpose flour with oat flour instead!

2. Can I use oat flour instead of regular flour?

You sure can. The texture may be slightly more dense compared to all-purpose flour, but the flavor will still be delicious. Just make sure to use certified gluten-free oats if you have a gluten sensitivity.

3. Can I substitute the maple syrup with another sweetener?

Yes. Honey works well as a 1:1 substitute. If using honey, the bread may turn slightly darker and have an even richer flavor, which I really like.

4. Do I need to peel the carrots before shredding them?

Yes, I recommend peeling the carrots first since carrot skin can sometimes be thick or bitter. Peeled carrots blend more smoothly into the batter and gives the bread a softer texture.

5. Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes. To make it dairy-free, replace the Greek yogurt with a dairy-free yogurt like coconut yogurt or almond yogurt with a similar thick consistency.

6. Why is my batter so thick?

Note that thick batter is normal! This batter is meant to be thick. Just be careful not to overmix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, which may make the bread more dense rather than soft and fluffy.

7. How should I store this carrot banana bread?

Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If storing in the fridge, be sure to wrap the bread and place it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.

For even longer storage, slice and freeze the loaf for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying, or toast straight from frozen for a great piece of toast!

8. Can I add mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips?

Yes, definitely! Feel free to add in chopped walnuts, pecans, or dark chocolate chips… yum. Fold in about ½ cup of the mix-in of your choice after adding in the dry ingredients, and continue the recipe as written.

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If you love this recipe be sure to leave a review! And feel free to reach out to me with any questions or comments via my Contact page. You’ll hear back from me soon!

Find even more of my homemade recipes on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and YouTube.

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Healthy Carrot Cake Banana Bread

This healthy carrot banana bread is naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and maple syrup, creating a moist, tender breakfast loaf that is as fluffy as it is delicious! Additional wholesome ingredients include shredded carrots, olive oil, and Greek yogurt to make this a truly all natural carrot banana bread recipe.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Bread, Breakfast, Snack
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 ripe bananas mashed
  • 1/4 c olive oil
  • 1/2 c maple syrup* or honey
  • 2 eggs room temperature
  • 1/2 c shredded carrot
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 c Greek yogurt
  • 2 c all purpose flour sub: gluten free oat flour, if gluten free
  • 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp allspice optional
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking flour
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper, and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, use a large fork or wooden spoon to mix together the mashed banana, olive oil, and maple syrup.
    When mashing the banana, I find that a potato masher works great for this step!
  • Add the eggs, and mix in until fully incorporated. Then, mix in the shredded carrot and vanilla.
  • Now, gently fold in the Greek yogurt until no streaks of yogurt remain.
  • Sift in the flour, cinnamon, allspice, baking soda, baking flour, and salt. Fold the dry ingredients until incorporated, but be careful not to overmix. The batter will be thick.
  • Pour the batter into the loaf pan, smoothing the top so it’s flat.
  • Bake for 45-50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing and enjoying!

Notes

As written, this carrot banana bread is not very sweet. If you prefer a sweeter bread, add an additional 1/4 c – 1/2 c of maple syrup, or honey.

HI, I’M SAM!

I’m so glad you found salt n sprinkles! I started this blog to show that good, healthy food is both easy and delicious to prepare at home. Whether you have a dietary restriction or just like to try new recipes in the kitchen, I hope you find just what you’re looking for here.

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