This cottage cheese banana bread is all the things you need in a loaf — moist, tender, naturally sweetened, and protein-packed. Nice for meal prep and freezer-friendly!
I’ve made quite a lot of banana bread through the years, like this almond flour banana bread and chocolate banana bread, however this cottage cheese banana bread would possibly simply be my new favourite.
It may not look completely different at first look, however the secret is within the cottage cheese. It provides moisture and a pleasant enhance of protein with out altering the traditional banana bread taste all of us love. Cottage cheese is such a flexible ingredient and works surprisingly properly in baked items — it’s creamy, gentle, and blends proper in whereas giving this loaf 7 grams of protein per slice.
Why You Gotta Strive This One
That is the sort of banana bread that by no means lasts lengthy in our home. My children adore it, and I like that it’s extra filling than your typical slice, because of the cottage cheese. It’s smooth, not overly candy, and works completely as breakfast, a snack, or one thing to stash within the freezer for later. When you’re trying to sneak in a bit of further protein (with out including protein powder), this one’s for you.
Elements Wanted
- all-purpose flour or complete wheat pastry flour – creates the right smooth, tender crumb. Complete wheat pastry flour provides a bit of further vitamin with out making the bread dense.
- baking powder + baking soda – the leavening combo that offers the loaf a pleasant carry and fluffy texture.
- ripe bananas – the star of the present. The spottier, the higher for that candy banana taste and pure moisture.
- cottage cheese – that is the key ingredient that retains the bread further moist and provides a strong protein enhance. I like to recommend utilizing full-fat cottage cheese for the very best texture and richness. You received’t style it, nevertheless it makes the loaf tremendous smooth and satisfying.
- eggs – helps to bind all the things collectively and provides the bread construction.
- coconut sugar – a pure sweetener that provides caramel-y depth with out being overly candy.
- oil – provides moisture and richness. I used avocado oil, however melted coconut oil or butter works too—use no matter you’ve obtained within the pantry.
Discover the complete ingredient listing with measurements within the recipe card beneath.
Straightforward Recipe Substitutions
This banana bread is scrumptious as-is, however you may undoubtedly attempt switching issues up if you’d like. Listed here are some straightforward substitutions you would attempt:
- Make it gluten-free: I haven’t tried it, however for those who want this recipe to be gluten-free, attempt a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour mix.
- Swap the sugar: Cane sugar, brown sugar and even maple sugar can be utilized as a swap. I haven’t examined liquid sweeteners like maple syrup right here, because it may throw off the feel.
- Combine-ins: Be happy to fold in ½ cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, darkish chocolate chips, and even shredded coconut for further taste and texture. My children adore it with mini chocolate chips!
Tips on how to Make Cottage Cheese Banana Bread
Step 1: In a big bowl, whisk collectively flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
Step 2: In a blender, mix bananas, cottage cheese, eggs, coconut sugar, oil, and vanilla. Mix till easy.
Step 3: Pour the moist combination into the dry and stir till simply mixed — don’t overmix!
Step 4: Switch batter to the loaf pan, easy the highest, and bake for 50–60 minutes, till a toothpick comes out principally clear.
Brittany’s Suggestions
- Use tremendous ripe bananas. The browner the peel, the sweeter and extra flavorful your bread will likely be.
- Don’t skip the blender step. Mixing the moist components offers the batter a easy, creamy texture and makes the cottage cheese utterly undetectable.
- Combine gently. Stir the batter till simply mixed — overmixing could make the bread dense or rubbery.
- Don’t over bake. Begin checking across the 50-minute mark. The bread is finished when a toothpick comes out principally clear with just a few moist crumbs.
- Let it cool earlier than slicing. I do know it’s tempting, however letting it cool helps the loaf set and offers you these clear, bakery-style slices.
- Bake time can range. All ovens run in another way, so begin checking across the 50-minute mark. A toothpick ought to come out principally clear with just a few moist crumbs.
Tips on how to Retailer Banana Bread
This banana bread holds up properly for just a few days and freezes superbly, which makes it good for baking forward or holding readily available for busy mornings.
- Room temperature: Retailer in an hermetic container for as much as 3 days.
- Fridge: For longer storage, hold it within the fridge for as much as 5 days. Let it come to room temp or heat it up barely earlier than serving.
- Freezer: Wrap particular person slices or layer them with parchment in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for as much as 3 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge, or pop a slice within the toaster oven or microwave to heat it up.
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