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Lighter One-Bowl Banana Bread with Browned Butter

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This lighter banana bread uses browned butter and Greek yogurt for a moist, tender loaf with deep, nutty flavor. It comes together in one bowl and is perfect for using up ripe bananas.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (½ stick)
  • 3 medium ripe bananas (about 1 cup mashed)
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or 2%)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1½ cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
  • ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
  • ⅓ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the long sides. Lightly grease exposed parts.
  2. Brown the butter: In a small skillet or saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Swirl occasionally until it foams, then forms brown specks and smells nutty (about 3-4 minutes). Immediately pour into a heatproof bowl and let cool for 5 minutes.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until mostly smooth with a few lumps (about 1 cup).
  4. Add the Greek yogurt, egg, vanilla extract, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cooled browned butter. Whisk until smooth and glossy.
  5. Sprinkle the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using) over the wet mixture. Fold with a rubber spatula until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips or nuts if using.
  6. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Tap the pan lightly on the counter to release air bubbles.
  7. Bake for 45-55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If top browns too quickly, tent with foil after 30 minutes.
  8. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then lift out using parchment overhang and transfer to a cooling rack. Cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Don’t rush the browned butter—watch closely and remove from heat as soon as it smells nutty. Use very ripe (almost black) bananas for best sweetness. Room temperature ingredients prevent the butter from seizing. For muffins, bake at 350°F for 15-18 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: banana bread, browned butter, lighter, one bowl, whole wheat, Greek yogurt, easy, healthy-ish

Find it online: https://zestynora.com/lighter-one-bowl-banana-bread-with-browned-butter/