4 Ways to Make Your Banana Bread Anything But Boring

Why not have the option to eat a piece of banana bread any time of the day to satisfy those cravings for the sweet and the savoury, without the guilt of eating chocolate for breakfast.

Since I'm the type to eat one piece of banana bread and then go back for five more, when I make banana bread–which is more often then I'd like to admit–I like to have a couple recipes with a variety of ingredients to choose from based on my mood that day.

Here are four recipes that I've fallen in love with, and I guarantee if you try them you will too: whether you're craving something sweet, a total health nut, looking for something to warm you up, or just looking for something to pair with your coffee in the morning. We've got you covered.

If you're craving something sweet

Classic Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

• Prep Time:20 mins
• Cook Time:1 hr
• Total Time:1 hr 20 mins
• Servings:8
• Medium

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1 cup white sugar 
• 1 egg  
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
• 3 medium bananas
• 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 350ºF. In medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

  

• Step 2

  In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter.

  

• Step 3

  Beat the egg slightly, and mix into the creamed mixture with the bananas. Continue mixing until ingredients are combined. TIME FOR CHOCOLATE!

  

• Step 4

  Mix in the chocolate chips!

  

• Step 5

  Spread batter into a greased 9x5" inch loaf pan.

  

• Step 6

  Bake 350ºF for 1 hour or until toothpick comes out clean with no batter.

  

If you're a total health nut

Zucchini and Walnut Banana Bread

• Prep Time:20 mins
• Cook Time:1 hr
• Total Time:1 hr 20 mins
• Servings:8
• Medium

Ingredients

• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
• 1/3 cup liquid-state coconut oil canola or vegetable may be substituted
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour plus additional if necessary see step 3 in directions
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 cup grated zucchini laid loosely in cup
• 2 medium bananas
• 1/2 cup walnuts

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 350ºF. In a large bowl, combine egg, brown sugar, coconut oil, sugar, Greek yogurt, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.

  

• Step 2

  Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and fold gently with a spoon until just combined; careful not to overmix.

  

• Step 3

  Add the zucchini (if zucchini has lots of moisture, wring out in a paper towel), bananas, walnuts, and fold gently to combine. At this point, the batter should be relatively thick—if it's not because of the moisture in the bananas and zucchini, feel free to add up to 1/4 cup of additional flour.

  

• Step 4

  Grease one 9x5" loaf pan with cooking spray, or grease and flour the pan. Pour batter into pan. Feel free to sprinkle more walnuts on top for extra crunch!

  

• Step 5

  Bake for about 52 to 60 minutes (I baked 57 minutes) or until the top is golden, the center is set, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Baking time will vary based on moisture content of zucchini, bananas, and other factors. Adjust baking time based on your own bread.

  

If you want to warm up on a cold or rainy day

Blueberry and Cinnamon Sugar Banana Bread

• Prep Time:20 mins
• Cook Time:1 hr
• Total Time:1 hr 20 mins
• Servings:8
• Medium

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 medium bananas
• 2 large eggs
• 4 tablespoons half/half cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups fresh blueberries
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 375ºF. In a large bowl, cream butter and 3/4 cup sugar with a hand mixer.

  

• Step 2

  Add bananas, eggs, milk, vanilla, salt, and baking soda in separate medium bowl and blend until smooth. Then gradually pour the banana mixture into the butter mixture with the flour. Fold with spatula or wooden spoon until combined.

  

• Step 3

  IT'S BLUEBERRY TIME! If you're using frozen blueberries, make sure you pat them dry and remove any ice or your batter may be too wet.

  

• Step 4

  Grease a 9x5" loaf pan with butter and coat it with sugar. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Combine 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the top of the batter.

  

• Step 5

  Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs. The edges will be a dark brown and there will be a nice crack on top!

  

And last, but not least, if you want something to go with your coffee at breakfast

Lemon Poppy Seed Banana Bread

• Prep Time:20 mins
• Cook Time:1 hr
• Total Time:1 hr 20 mins
• Servings:8
• Medium

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup butter softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3 medium bananas
• 6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• Lemon zest from one whole lemon

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 375ºF. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the banana and mix well. 

  

• Step 2

  Add the eggs one at a time, mixing in between each addition. And then mix in the lemon juice, flour, baking soda, vanilla, salt, poppy seeds, and lemon zest all together.

  

• Step 3

  Line a 9x5" loaf pan with parchment, and grease or spray with cooking spray (I like to use parchment paper and grease for this one as it can be pretty dense). Pour batter into the prepared pan.

  

• Step 4

  Bake for 1 hour or until toothpick inserted comes out clean!

  

#SpoonTip: Slice the banana bread and place individually in sandwich-size Ziploc bags for easy breakfasts or snacks that last.