Nourishing Banana Zucchini Fusion Bread
Indulge in the delightful flavors of our Nourishing Banana Zucchini Fusion Bread, a nutritious and moist quick bread perfect for breakfast or a healthy snack. This recipe creatively blends the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with the subtle earthiness of fresh zucchini, making it a fantastic way to take advantage of seasonal produce and avoid food waste. Made lower in fat by incorporating applesauce alongside a touch of oil, this bread achieves a perfectly tender crumb while still delivering rich flavors. Experience the joy of customizing this recipe by substituting bananas with pumpkin in the fall, or enhancing it with nutritious add-ins like walnuts and dates for added texture and taste. This recipe yields 2 loaves, each brimming with health benefits and delightful flavors that the whole family will love. Enjoy a slice guilt-free and savor the goodness!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
white flour
1 cup (unbleached, sifted)
wheat flour
1 cup (whole wheat)
rolled oats
1 cup (old-fashioned)
baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons (dry)
baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons (dry)
cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons (ground)
ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
freshly ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (freshly grated)
salt
1 teaspoon (table salt)
eggs
4 (large, beaten (or Egg Beaters for lower calories))
white sugar
1 1/4 cups (granulated)
oil
1/4 cup (vegetable or canola)
applesauce
1/2 cup (unsweetened)
medium overripe bananas
2 (mashed)
vanilla
1 teaspoon (pure extract)
shredded zucchini
2 cups (fresh, excess moisture squeezed out)
raisins
1 cup (or dates or walnuts)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9x5-inch loaf pans or line them with parchment paper for easy removal.
2
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the white flour, wheat flour, rolled oats, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
3
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, then add the white sugar, oil, applesauce, and mashed bananas. Mix thoroughly until smooth and creamy.
4
Stir in the vanilla extract to the wet mixture, mixing well.
5
Gradually combine the wet and dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix to ensure a tender loaf.
6
Fold in the shredded zucchini and your choice of raisins, dates, or walnuts, ensuring an even distribution throughout the batter.
7
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared loaf pans and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick or knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
9
Remove the loaves from the oven, allowing them to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How many loaves does the Nourishing Banana Zucchini Fusion Bread recipe yield?
This recipe yields 2 loaves.
What oven temperature is required for baking this bread?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long does the bread need to bake?
Bake the loaves for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Can I use whole wheat flour in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 1 cup of whole wheat flour.
How can I reduce the calories in this recipe?
You can use Egg Beaters instead of large eggs to lower the calorie count.
What can I substitute for the bananas?
In the fall, you can substitute the bananas with pumpkin.
What type of oats are used in this bread?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of old-fashioned rolled oats.
How should the zucchini be prepared before adding it to the batter?
The zucchini should be shredded and have excess moisture squeezed out.
What size loaf pans are needed?
You will need two 9x5-inch loaf pans.
Is this bread considered low-fat?
Yes, it is made lower in fat by incorporating unsweetened applesauce alongside a small amount of oil.
What kind of applesauce is recommended?
Unsweetened applesauce is recommended for this recipe.
What nuts can be added to this bread?
Walnuts are suggested as a nutritious add-in for added texture and taste.
How do I ensure the bread is easy to remove from the pan?
You should grease the pans or line them with parchment paper for easy removal.
What is the secret to a tender crumb in this recipe?
A tender crumb is achieved by using applesauce and being careful not to over-mix the batter.
What spices are included in the dry ingredients?
The recipe includes cinnamon, ground allspice, and freshly ground nutmeg.
Can I use dates instead of raisins?
Yes, you can use raisins, dates, or walnuts depending on your preference.
How long should the loaves cool after baking?
Allow them to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Is this bread suitable for a healthy snack?
Yes, it is described as a nutritious snack perfect for breakfast or healthy eating.
What type of vanilla is suggested?
The recipe calls for pure vanilla extract.
Which oils can be used in this recipe?
You can use either vegetable or canola oil.
Why is it important not to over-mix the batter?
Avoiding over-mixing ensures that the finished loaf remains tender.
Is this a good recipe for reducing food waste?
Yes, it is a fantastic way to use seasonal produce and overripe bananas to avoid food waste.
What type of white flour is used?
The recipe specifies unbleached, sifted white flour.
How much shredded zucchini is required?
The recipe requires 2 cups of shredded zucchini.
Is this recipe family-friendly?
Yes, the recipe yields flavors that the whole family will love.
When should I add the vanilla extract?
Stir the vanilla extract into the wet mixture after the eggs, sugar, oil, applesauce, and bananas are mixed.
Should I use table salt or sea salt?
The recipe specifically lists table salt.
What is the primary flavor profile of this bread?
It features a natural sweetness from bananas combined with a subtle earthiness from fresh zucchini.
How should the dry ingredients be mixed?
Whisk together the flours, oats, leavening agents, and spices in a large mixing bowl until well combined.
Can I eat this bread while on a diet?
The recipe is described as a guilt-free slice brimming with health benefits.