Imagine waking up to a toasted slice of Oatmeal Banana Bread slathered in butter. Not a bad way to start the day! Especially when this delicious quick bread recipe is loaded with nutritious things like oats, bananas and whole grain flour!
To the person who figured out that too-ripe bananas would make delicious bread: thank you.
Of quick breads, banana is one of my favorites. It's so versatile. I've made it with a variety of flours and spices, and sometimes add chopped walnuts, shredded coconut or even dark chocolate chunks.
It was this recipe from Sarah at The Chef Next Door that got me to thinking about adding oats. And I'm so glad I did! The banana bread has an entirely different texture - dense and rich. Since I'm unable to leave a recipe alone, I swapped in honey and whole grain flour and was happy with the result.
When you make this, you may be like me, unable to wait until the next day to slice the loaf and try a piece. It is warm bread after all. What you'll get are warm, shaggy slices like those pictured above, delicious but messy. If you can bear to wait until the next day, at least for part of it, you'll be rewarded with a sliceable, toast-worthy loaf that honestly tastes even better than the day it was made (especially with a nice slab of butter melted over the top.)
And if you love this bread, be sure to check out this Zucchini Banana Bread, this Sweet Potato Bread, and these Banana Oatmeal Muffins, Banana Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins and Banana Oatmeal Cookies - that all make a perfect and nutritious portable breakfast or afternoon pick me up!
Oatmeal Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups white whole wheat flour 240 grams
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats 96 grams
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened (plus more for greasing loaf pan)
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 very ripe bananas mashed
- ½ cup whole milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Grease a loaf pan with butter.
- In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in oats.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat honey and butter on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla; mix just until combined. Add mashed bananas and milk; mix just until combined.
- Mixing on low speed, add dry ingredients in two additions, scraping down sides with a spatula as needed.
- Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake 60-70 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool bread in the pan on cooling rack for 15 minutes. Remove loaf from pan and place back on cooling rack to cool completely. Slice and serve or, for best results, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature overnight. Then slice, toast and serve warm with butter.
Notes
- You'll need a standard, 1 pound loaf pan for this recipe.
- To cut the loaf into 12 slices: cut the loaf into quarters crosswise, starting in the middle. Then cut each quarter into 3 equal slices.
Is this right? 192g can not be one cup. Maybe you switched the flour and oats, help!
Sarah - you're absolutely right! I goofed. The correct weight is 96 grams. Thank you so much for catching that. 🙂
Hi Marissa, I'm new to your blog and really like the recipes I am seeing, especially this moist and nutritious looking banana bread. I will be checking back often! Ana
Welcome, Ana! 🙂
I really like banana bread but I've never put oatmeal in mine before. This would make it so much better. 🙂
It's my first time trying oatmeal in it too, Maureen. But not the last! 😉
I'm always on the look out for alternative banana bread recipes as I just love it so much! Yum
Thanks, Giulia!
Oats definitely sound like an excellent addition to a classic banana bread! Now I'm wondering if this requires some experimentation with zucchini bread too... 🙂
oooo great idea, Eileen!
Banana bread is just SO GOOD. I love that you added wholesome oats into the mix!
Yes, love the texture and nutrition that the oats add...
I agree, whoever thought of banana in bread is a genius-and adding oats another genius too! 😀
Yes! 🙂
Now that is a gorgeous loaf of banana bread! I love the addition of oats here to up the nutrition!
Thank you, Faith. 🙂
Don't know if I'd be able to resist it right out of the oven!! Love the addition of oats!
It's nearly impossible. 🙂
Girl you are making me huuuungry! This banana bread looks fantastic! I love that you added oats, and the photos are gorgeous!
aww, thanks so much Allie!
I love banana bread, but I've never made it with oatmeal - sounds like a perfect pairing! Great pictures too, Marissa!
Thank you, Kathleen!
I have a neighbor who gives me warm banana bread- I haven't ever made it myself - this looks fabulous! So dense and moist! YUM!
It's really easy to throw together, Shashi! 🙂
Hey Marissa - If I want to add some walnuts and shredded coconut, do I have to adjust the other ingredients?
thanks for such a great easy recipe!!
Lorelle
You know Lorelle, I think it would be fine just to add them to the batter as is. If the batter seems too dry, you can add a little extra milk.
Need some of this banana bread right now Marissa! Looks awesome! And your pictures are beautiful!!!
Thank you, Mira!
What a scrummy looking loaf! I just love banana bread.
Thank you, Jessica!
I love Banana Bread Marissa - especially for breakfast. I think it is the perfect thing for morning coffee! Pinned!
Thanks, Kristi!
Hi, Marissa! My husband will NOT have any overripe bananas left in the kitchen for long, so I currently have 3 frozen ones hanging out in the freezer. Hmmm ... now what could I do with them? I know, I'll make this wonderful banana oat bread!
Sounds fabulous, especially toasted with the slab of butter on, as you suggest!
Thank you, Helen! I admit, the butter does make it even better...
Mmmmm, and with that pat of butter on top, yum. This looks dense, moist and oh so good. I like it toasted as well with cream cheese! Beautiful photos as well Marissa!
Thanks so much, Kevin!
Yum. Now all I can think about is warm banana bread and some coffee!
Let's go get some! 🙂
So I'm going to focus this message on the photo because (gasp, shock horror!!) my one weird thing is that I hate bananas. Like, really can't stand them. Don't get me started, it's a hang up from my childhood.
But as for the photo.....both of them are fantastic. FANTASTIC! Love the composition, styling, lighting, props, everything. They are so well balanced! Even the little things like putting a napkin and forks on the white plate (which would otherwise stand out too much and look too bare - I think).
Love the background of the first shot! 🙂
If I pretend these are banana-less bread, I wanna grab the whole loaf through my computer screen!! 🙂
No bananas!? 🙂 Honestly, I hated them as a kid and still, if I'm eating raw fruit, prefer apples or cherries or pears or... But I do like banana bread.
Thanks so much for your sweet comment about the photographs. Someone taught me that it's as easy as 1.2.3. 😉