Healthy Banana Bread

Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (165 degrees Celsius) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.

In a large bowl, beat the oil and honey together together with a whisk. Add the eggs and beat well, then whisk in the mashed bananas and milk. (If your coconut oil solidifies on contact with cold ingredients, simply let the bowl rest in a warm place for a few minutes, like on top of your stove, or warm it for about 10 seconds in the microwave.)

Add the baking soda, vanilla, salt and cinnamon, and whisk to blend. Lastly, switch to a big spoon and stir in the flour, just until combined. Some lumps are ok! If you're adding any additional mix-ins, gently fold them in now.

Pour the batter into your greased loaf pan and sprinkle lightly with cinnamon. If you'd like a pretty swirled effect, run the tip of a knife across the batter in a zig-zag pattern.

Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (typically, if I haven't added any mix-ins, my bread is done at 55 minutes; if I have added mix-ins, it needs closer to 60 minutes). Let the bread cool in the loaf pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool for 20 minutes before slicing.

NOTES
Recipe adapted from my honey whole wheat banana bread, originally based on All Recipes.

STORAGE SUGGESTIONS: This bread is moist, so it will keep for just two or three days at room temperature. Store it in the refrigerator for five to seven days, or in the freezer for up to three months or so. I like to slice the bread before freezing and defrost individual slices, either by letting them rest at room temperature or lightly toasting them.

*A NOTE ON OILS: I love coconut oil here. I used unrefined coconut oil and really can't taste it in the final product. Olive oil will lend an herbal note to the bread, if you're into that. Vegetable oil has a neutral flavor, but the average vegetable/canola oil is highly processed, so I recommend using cold-pressed sunflower oil or grapeseed oil if possible.

MAKE MUFFINS: Here's my banana muffin recipe! Basically, divide the batter into 11 muffin cups (greased or lined with muffin liners, if necessary) and bake at 325 degrees for 23 minutes or so.

MAKE IT VEGAN: Use maple syrup instead of honey, replace the eggs with flax eggs and choose non-dairy milk (I used almond milk) or water.

MAKE IT DAIRY FREE: Choose non-dairy milk (I used almond milk) or water.

MAKE IT EGG FREE: Replace the eggs with flax eggs.

MAKE IT GLUTEN FREE: I haven't tried myself, but I have heard from a reader that Bob's Red Mill's all-purpose gluten-free mix worked well here.

MAKE IT LOWER IN FAT: I would argue that this bread contains a healthy amount of fat, but you can replace the oil with applesauce if you're following a low-fat diet.