banana health bread

Just in case you're totally confused at the title "banana health bread", please. Let me fill you in on this greatness. Health bread is a really popular sandwich bread here in Namibia. It's usually a really dark, pretty color {I'm not sure what kind of flour they use} and packed with nuts, seeds, and raisins. My favorite way to eat is with avocado and egg or peanut butter and honey. We love walking to the gas station down the road and buying a loaf of the bread. Almost every gas station in town bakes it fresh daily and the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through the air is intoxicating. 

I decided to whip up a really hardy version of classic banana bread this weekend and it reminded me exactly of my beloved "hakahana" health bread- hence the name. It's packed with raisins, sunflower seeds, and oats which give it a good amount of protein and fiber. Of course, you don't have to use sunflower seeds and raisins- you could use dried cranberries, apricots, almonds, walnuts, anything! For a balanced breakfast, try spreading some peanut butter or honey on top  of a slice {umm yes.}, have it with a side of fresh fruit, or a hard-boiled egg. It's not too sweet, but it's full of banana and cinnamon flavor which is my FAVORITE. I also made it gluten and dairy free! … Just 'cuz. 

banana health bread// dairy-free, gluten-free 

yields one large loaf + 5 medium-sized muffins

3 large bananas, mashed

1 egg + 2 egg whites

1/3 c. soymilk

3/4 c. dark brown sugar

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. white rice flour

1 c. gluten-free all purpose flour

1 c. oats

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/4 tbsp. baking powder

3/4 c. raisins

1/2 c. sunflower seeds

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Combine bananas, milk, eggs, vanilla, and sugar. Add dry ingredients and fold in raisins and sunflower seeds. Stir until combined. Pour batter into a greased loaf pan. Pour any excess batter into muffin tins and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool before removing from pan.