This Cottage Cheese Banana Bread is a delicious and moist twist on the classic banana bread. The cottage cheese adds richness and an extra boost of protein, making this loaf both satisfying and wholesome. With a touch of maple syrup and the warmth of cinnamon, this bread is perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a healthy dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Extra Moist & Tender: The cottage cheese makes this banana bread incredibly moist and soft, while adding a subtle creamy texture.
- Nutritious Twist: This banana bread is made with almond flour, making it gluten-free and a great option for those with dietary restrictions.
- Versatile Add-ins: Whether you prefer walnuts, chocolate chips, or fresh blueberries, this recipe is easy to customize to your taste.
- Naturally Sweetened: With ripe bananas and maple syrup, this banana bread is naturally sweet without the need for refined sugar.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese (full-fat or low-fat)
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups almond flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, or blueberries
Directions
- Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it for easy removal. - Mix Wet Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, eggs, cottage cheese, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated. - Add Dry Ingredients:
Add the almond flour, baking soda, and cinnamon to the wet ingredients. Mix until everything is fully combined, ensuring there are no dry spots. - Fold in Mix-ins (Optional):
If you’re adding walnuts, chocolate chips, or blueberries, fold them gently into the batter at this point. This is an optional step but can add an extra burst of flavor and texture to your banana bread. - Bake:
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it out evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. - Cool and Serve:
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy your moist, flavorful banana bread!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 10-12 slices
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 45-55 minutes
- Total Time: 55-65 minutes
Variations
- Vegan Option: Substitute the eggs with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) and use non-dairy cottage cheese if available.
- Gluten-Free: This recipe is already gluten-free due to the almond flour, so it’s a perfect choice for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Add Spices: If you love spices, you can increase the cinnamon or add nutmeg and cloves for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Sugar-Free: Replace maple syrup with a natural sweetener like stevia or monk fruit if you want to keep the bread sugar-free.
- Fruit Variations: Swap bananas for other fruits like apples or pears for a completely different flavor profile.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store the banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze this banana bread for up to 2 months. Wrap slices in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag for easy access.
- Reheating: To reheat, place a slice in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or warm it up in a toaster oven for a couple of minutes.
FAQs
1. Can I use regular flour instead of almond flour?
Yes, you can use all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour instead of almond flour. However, if you’re looking for a gluten-free version, stick with almond flour.
2. How ripe should the bananas be?
The riper, the better! Overripe bananas are ideal because they’re naturally sweeter and mash more easily, giving the bread a smoother texture.
3. Can I use yogurt instead of cottage cheese?
Yes, you can substitute cottage cheese with plain Greek yogurt. This will provide a similar creamy texture and a tangy flavor.
4. How can I make this recipe lower in sugar?
Reduce or omit the maple syrup and rely on the natural sweetness of the bananas. You could also add a sugar substitute like stevia.
5. Can I make this recipe without eggs?
Yes, you can use a flax egg or chia egg as a substitute for the eggs in this recipe.
6. Can I add chocolate chips to this recipe?
Definitely! Chocolate chips are a delicious addition to this banana bread. Just fold them in with your mix-ins for an extra indulgent treat.
7. Can I make this bread without walnuts?
Of course! You can skip the walnuts entirely or replace them with another mix-in like dried fruit or shredded coconut.
8. Can I bake this as muffins instead of a loaf?
Yes, you can bake this batter as muffins. Scoop the batter into a muffin tin and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Can I freeze this bread?
Yes, this banana bread freezes well. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil, then store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months.
10. How can I make this banana bread fluffier?
For a fluffier texture, you could beat the eggs well before mixing them in, and make sure not to overmix the batter.
Conclusion
Cottage Cheese Banana Bread is a fun, nutritious twist on a classic favorite. The creamy cottage cheese and natural sweetness from the bananas and maple syrup make it a standout, while the almond flour ensures a tender, gluten-free texture. Whether you enjoy it as a breakfast treat, a post-workout snack, or a sweet afternoon pick-me-up, this banana bread is sure to become a go-to recipe in your kitchen.
PrintCottage Cheese Banana Bread
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 slices
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Cottage Cheese Banana Bread is a healthy twist on a classic! Moist, flavorful, and naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and maple syrup, with the added richness of cottage cheese.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it for easy removal of the bread.
- Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, eggs, cottage cheese, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
- Mix until smooth and well-combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients:
- Add the almond flour, baking soda, and ground cinnamon to the wet mixture.
- Stir until fully combined. The batter will be thick.
- Fold in Mix-ins (Optional):
- If desired, gently fold in your choice of walnuts, chocolate chips, or blueberries.
- Bake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it out evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve:
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Slice and enjoy your delicious, moist banana bread!
Notes
- If you prefer a sweeter bread, you can adjust the maple syrup or add a few tablespoons of honey.
- For extra moisture, consider adding ¼ cup of coconut oil or melted butter.
- This bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
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