Makeover Banana Nut Bread

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. Bake: 1 hour

Makes

1 loaf (16 pieces)

Updated: Mar. 01, 2023
This slimmed-down banana bread with applesauce is one of our favorite ways to make banana bread. On top of swapping out the butter, the amount of sugar is also decreased, too, by adding a little honey and using more banana. No one will ever guess this bread is low in fat! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Makeover Banana Nut Bread Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 large egg white, room temperature
  • 2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 medium)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla or rum extract
  • 1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar for 2 minutes or until crumbly. Beat in egg, then egg white, beating well after each addition. Beat on high speed until light and fluffy. Stir in the bananas, applesauce, honey and extract. Combine the flours, baking soda and salt; gradually add to banana mixture just until moistened.
  2. Pour into a 9x5-in. loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with nuts. Bake at 325° for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 165 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 173mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.