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Healthy Hemp Heart Banana Bread - GF & DF
Most everyone has an idea of what banana bread is supposed to taste like. They also have an opinion on whether it’s worth tasting or not. But almost everyone agrees it belongs in the desserts or maybe breakfast foods category.
But what about the health of it? Is it good for you? Could it be better for you?
We think YES. That’s why we’ve got this tasty and healthier hemp heart banana bread recipe for you!
Hemp hearts are a superfood, and with good reason! All our hemp products — hemp hearts, hemp oil, and hemp protein powder — offer incredible nutrition!
We think once your sweet tooth gets a “sweeter” deal on dessert, you’ll never go back to old banana bread!
What are the benefits of banana bread?
People often question the health benefits or health harms of banana bread. On one hand, it’s a dessert, on the other hand, it has bananas in it so it’s healthy, right?
Banana bread actually does offer some benefits that might surprise you, besides just satisfying your sweet tooth. It can provide a good source of fiber and protein, and vitamins and minerals. Typically, eating a slice of banana bread in place of cookies and processed desserts means you’re eating cleaner sweets.
The various ingredients in banana bread can even reduce cancer risk, lower cholesterol, and improve heart health. Where our hemp heart banana bread shines is the added benefits from the hemp hearts and hemp protein powder.
Let’s take a closer look at a few areas where these ingredients are beneficial!
Better Muscle & Nerve Function
Bananas are a great source of potassium, which is a critical component in muscle contractions and nerve functioning. This means you can work out better, with fewer muscle cramps, and your brain will be working at its best.
Banana bread made right also offers a great protein source. The protein in our recipe comes from bananas, eggs, and especially our Humming Hemp Hemp Protein Powder. Protein helps level out blood sugars and helps keep your appetite under control.
Our Hemp Protein Powder, though, adds 14g of complete, plant-based protein per 30g serving (which is roughly ¼ cup). Now you’re giving your dessert some serious health-boosting power!
Improved Digestion
Did you know that bananas are high in fiber? Fiber is a key player in moving food through your digestive system smoothly and regularly.
Adding fiber to your diet improves regularity, which can decrease your risk of issues such as leaky gut syndrome.
The added hemp products in this recipe boost the fiber content as well.
Heart Healthy
Banana bread can be less desirable when it comes to heart health, due to the fats and sugars in it. But with a few slight changes, this hemp heart banana bread actually does offer some heart benefits.
The hemp hearts and hemp protein powder offer ideal omega fatty acids, which are key in heart health. These special unsaturated fats play key roles in reducing inflammation, improving blood clotting, and even lowering cholesterol.
By replacing regular butter with non-dairy butter you’re taking things a step further in the right healthy direction.
May Reduce Cancer Risk
Don’t get too excited; eating banana bread regularly isn’t going to decrease your cancer risk.
But bananas ARE shows to potentially help reduce cancer risk, such as colon cancer.
Hemp products, as well, are shown to help reduce cancer risks. This is due to decreased inflammation, improved blood sugar regulation, and those omega fatty acids, as the top factors.
Hemp boosts your immune system overall. This is the single best way to help your body fight cancer before it can start!
Tips for the perfect banana bread:
Do bananas have to be ripe for banana bread?
Ripe (or even almost over ripe) bananas are easier to mash and sweeten the flavor of the bread. Using green (i.e. under ripe) bananas are more starchy than sugary. You won’t have quite the same chemical reactions going on during baking.
If you’re impatient for those brown-spotted bananas, try to quickly ripen bananas yourself!
Can bananas be too ripe for banana bread?
There is no such thing as too ripe. The riper a banana gets, the sweeter it is. If it’s brown, mash it down (for some of this yummy hemp banana bread)!
There IS such a thing as a rotten banana though. If it’s starting to grow mold, you should reconsider. If your bananas are too far gone, consider grabbing a can of pumpkin out of the pantry and make this delicious pumpkin bread instead!
How should I store fresh banana bread?
Just like how bananas shouldn’t be stored in the fridge, neither should banana bread. You’ll end up with a very dry and crumbly bread that way.
Once it’s fully cooled, snugly wrap your hemp heart banana bread in plastic or another airtight container. Countertop storage is just fine, like a regular loaf of bread.
A container is better than plastic wrap to help avoid moisture build-up which makes for a soggy loaf.
If you’re making it ahead for an event, you CAN store it in the freezer. Make sure your storage method is airtight!
How long is banana bread good for?
If properly stored, your banana bread should last about 4 days with airtight countertop storage.
Storing your loaf in the fridge will keep longer, up to about a week, but remember it may dry out that way.
Frozen banana bread will last about 3 months before you may start to risk freezer burn.
Does banana bread taste better the next day?
If you can resist the urge to eat it ultra-fresh, yes it tastes better the next day!
As your loaf of hemp heart banana bread cools, the moisture content will decrease a little. This helps bring out the flavors without “watering them down.”
Hemp Heart Banana Bread Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3-4 very ripe bananas
- 1/3 C melted non-dairy butter (regular butter or coconut oil is OK too)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/4 C gluten-free flour (regular flour OK too)
- 1/4 C Humming Hemp Protein Powder
- 1/4 tsp xanthan gum
- Pinch of salt
- 3/4 C coconut sugar
- 1/4 C Naked Hemp Hearts, + 1 Tbsp to sprinkle on top
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
- Grease a standard loaf pan (about 4×8 or 4×9) OR 4 small loaf pans (miniature size)
- Mash ripe bananas until smooth
- Add baking soda and butter into bananas. Combine and stir well
- Add remaining ingredients (flour, protein powder, xanthan gum, salt, coconut sugar, hemp hearts, eggs, and vanilla) and stir well to combine
- Pour the batter into the loaf pan(s). Sprinkle additional Naked Hemp Hearts on top if desired
- Bake on the center rack for 45-60 minutes for 1 loaf pan, OR 25-40 minutes for 4 mini loaf pans, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool, slice, & enjoy!
Notes:
- Experiment with what ripeness you like to find the perfect flavor for you. The riper a banana gets, the sweeter it tastes. You may find you prefer to skip the coconut sugar and just use super ripe bananas instead!
- Oils used for cooking have a different melting point than butter. They should not be substituted for equal measures in this recipe.
- For a vegan version, replace the eggs with “flax eggs”.
- Make sure to read the instructions on your chosen gluten-free flour. Some gluten-free flours may have different amounts than regular flour, so you may need to adjust your amount.
- Store in the refrigerator for a longer shelf life. Slice and freeze if necessary
What goes well with banana bread?
Peanut butter and banana is one of the first well-loved combinations that come to mind. Try spreading a little nut butter (peanut, almond, hazelnut, etc.) on a slice of your bread for even more protein power.
Many other people like a little chocolate with their banana bread, or even toasted coconut slices.
For an extra sweet tooth, try a light drizzle of raw honey. For a little more kick, try sprinkling a pinch of cinnamon or allspice on your slice!
Honestly, the sky’s the limit. Some other complementary flavors to try are:
- Apple butter or applesauce
- Fruit preserves
- Cream cheese, whipped cream, butter, etc.
- Caramel
- Maple syrup
- Coffee glaze
Summary: Healthy Hemp Heart Banana Bread
Making a loaf of banana bread makes a house smell wonderful. But making a loaf of healthier, hemp heart banana bread makes a body feel wonderful too!
With ingredients that provide a healthy boost — from heart to brain to immune systems — you’ll be powering up your dessert. Why just satisfy your sweet tooth when you can take better care of your body at the same time?
The next time you need a bake sale goody or a sweet birthday treat, this banana bread can be the highlight!
Get all the hemp ingredients you need from our website, our online shop at Amazon, or from a grocery store near you. Then tag us on Instagram when your bread is done with @humminghemp or #humminghemp. Happy baking!
