The Best No Butter Banana Bread (With Oil) 

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No butter banana bread, using oil instead, is a delicious twist on the classic banana bread recipe. In fact, making banana bread is a simple way to make something delicious with minimal ingredients and effort; even my teenage son can make it! It’s also a great way to use up overripe bananas sitting in the fruit bowl. 

In our home, we make this quick go-to banana bread recipe at least two times a week. My teenage son has mastered it and loves to have it for breakfast in the morning and as a quick after-school snack, too! In the past, he has added nuts to the recipe, too, for a different flavor variation.

Another favorite around here is this delicious Artisan bread recipe or my daughter’s favorite white chocolate and raspberry scone recipe!

Why We Love Easy Banana Bread Without Butter

• This no-butter banana bread is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed at any time of the day. It can be served for breakfast with a cup of coffee, as a snack during the day, as a dessert, or simply to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings.
• Banana bread is a fantastic way to use overripe bananas that might otherwise be discarded. Instead of throwing them away, you can turn them into a delicious treat, minimizing food waste and saving money.
• This recipe is the definition of comfort food! It uses simple ingredients, has easy preparation, and delivers the most delicious aroma, taste, and texture! It’s also great for sharing – perfect for potlucks or get-togethers with friends!

Reasons To Use Oil Instead Of Butter For Banana Bread

The question I get asked the most is why to use oil instead of butter. There are a few pros to using oil instead of butter. 

Moist Banana Bread With Oil

Banana bread made with oil will be moister than banana bread made with butter. Oil is a liquid at room temperature and therefore produces exceptionally moist banana bread and baked goods. Butter is hard at room temperature, which can cause your banana bread to be a tad drier.

No Butter Banana Bread Stays Fresh Longer

Using vegetable oil in banana bread instead of butter should make your bread last longer than bread using butter. 

Banana Bread With Oil Is Healthier 

Depending on the type of vegetable oil you choose to use in your banana bread, it can be better for your health than using butter. Butter is much higher in saturated fats than some oils, ie Olive oil.

A high-quality oil can also be high in vitamins, such as vitamins E and K, beneficial fatty acids, and antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation. Therefore, if you choose to use olive oil or another high-quality vegetable oil, it will be a better overall choice for your health.

Ingredient Substitutes for Banana Bread With Oil

Banana bread is one of the best and easiest breads to make for many reasons, but one of the reasons I love this recipe is that it is so easy to make with whatever you have on hand! 

Substituting some of the ingredients in this recipe will still produce amazing bread. I recommend making the bread the first time as written, but after that, try any of these fun variations.

• Pureed fruit for bananas.

If you are craving banana bread but have run out of ripe bananas in the pantry, try pureed fruit instead. Strawberries, prunes, and almost any other fruit are great substitutes for bananas. They will give your bread a very similar texture and sweetness.

• Applesauce for bananas. 

Applesauce is also an excellent substitute for bananas. Substitute equal amounts of applesauce to this recipe, and your bread will be as moist and sweet as if you had used bananas.

• Substitute maple syrup for vanilla extract.

Pure maple syrup is a wonderful substitute for vanilla extract. It will add a very similar flavor to your bread. When I substitute it, I like to double the amount of maple syrup to vanilla extract.

• Brown sugar instead of white sugar.

Using brown sugar instead of white sugar in banana bread will get you a tad deeper, more caramel or toffee-like flavor due to the added molasses. White sugar is also sweeter. Substitute brown sugar for equal amounts of white sugar, and your banana bread will still have a fantastic flavor.

• Butter if you don’t have oil.

Of course, you can also use this recipe if you decide not to bake with oil. Simply melt one butter stick or ¼ cup of butter to replace the oil. This will produce a slightly different flavor to your banana bread than bread baked with oil.

How To Make No Butter Banana Bread

Please be aware that this is an oven-baked version of banana bread and is not appropriate to make in a bread machine.

Materials

• Greased Loaf Pan
• Parchment Paper
• Large Mixing Bowl
• Wooden Spoon
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• Optional** Electric Mixer or Stand Mixer

Shop Banana Bread Materials

Ingredients 

• 2 cups (240 grams) of flour; this can be bread flour or all-purpose flour.
• 1 cup (200 grams) of white sugar.
• 1 teaspoon, (5 millilitres) of baking soda.
• 1 teaspoon, (5 millilitres) of baking powder.
• ½ teaspoon, (2.5 millilitres) kosher salt.
• ½ cups (115 millilitres) of oil: Vegetable oil will work, but corn oil or canola oil are both very neutral-tasting. Olive oil is a wonderful, healthier choice, too.
• 1 ½ cups (345 millilitres) or 3 ripe bananas.
• 2 large eggs.
• 1 teaspoon (5 millilitres) of vanilla extract.

Optional* Add 1 cup (170 millilitres) of dark chocolate chips, 1 cup of dried cranberries, or 1 cup of walnuts for added flavor and a texture variation.

Directions

1. Begin by setting the oven to 325 degrees F and generously greasing a loaf pan approximately 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches in size. If you prefer, line your loaf pan with parchment paper instead.
2. In a large bowl, begin by mixing the flour, white sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt together.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk the 2 large eggs until they are slightly frothy and combined.
4. Using a medium bowl, mash the ripe bananas. You want to mash your bananas before you add them to the other ingredients because it is important not to overmix this recipe. Over-mixing will make your banana bread less moist and soft.

5. Add the oil and eggs to the mashed bananas mixture along with the vanilla extract.
6. Once all ingredients are mixed together well, slowly incorporate dry ingredients into the wet ingredients batter; be sure only to mix until just combined.
7. Finally, fold in the chocolate chips (if desired) and pour the mixture into buttered or parchment-lined loaf pans.

8. Bake for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
9. Remove the loaf from the bread pan and place it on a wire rack to cool.

Enjoy!

Storing Banana Bread

Although this healthy banana bread recipe is best consumed right out of the oven (just ask my son), it can be wrapped in plastic wrap or saran wrap and stored at room temperature for up to 4 days. It will keep a little longer if it is stored in the refrigerator (5-7 days) and can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months in the freezer.

To keep this banana bread very fresh and moist, let it cool completely, then add a piece of paper towel to the base of an air-tight container. Add a second piece of paper towel to the top of the bread and seal the container. Keep the bread in the refrigerator and consume it within a week.

No Butter Banana Bread Tips and Tricks

• Measure out exactly 1 1/2 cups of ripe bananas when making this recipe. This will ensure that your bread doesn’t come out too dry or too wet once it is baked.
•  Use very ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots for best results to ensure a moist, flavorful loaf.
•  Try adding chopped nuts to make banana nut bread, or add different types of chocolate chips to the top of the bread to give it a unique twist or texture to the bread.
•  Try using real chocolate chips and ripe bananas, this sweet treat can be enjoyed for breakfast, dessert, or as an anytime snack.
•  Add sour cream or Greek yogurt to your batter to produce an extra moist homemade banana bread.
•  DO NOT OVERMIX! To keep your banana bread soft and moist, don’t overmix your batter. Mix the dry ingredients gently into the wet just until everything is combined.

No matter how you decide to enjoy it, one thing is certain – this easy banana bread recipe will make any day just a little bit sweeter! Try serving it with a yummy butter board or this easy and delicious strawberry jam! 

I hope you love it as much as my family does! As always, I would love to hear from you. Please leave me a rating or let me know how your bread turned out in the comments below. You can always find me on one of my social media channels like Instagram or Tik Tok too. Don’t forget to add this recipe to Pinterest so you can come back to it over and over!

Frequently Ask Questions About Banana Bread With Oil

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