Whole-Wheat Kefir-Infused Banana Loaf
Hey there, fellow banana bread enthusiasts! If you're after a hearty loaf that's both dense and bursting with flavor, look no further. This twist on traditional banana bread recipes is just what you need.
Yield: 1 banana bread loafDifficulty: Eezy peezyTotal time: Approximately 1 hour and a halfActive time: Approx 30 minutes
The Lowdown on Hearty Banana Bread
To create a hearty, slightly less sweet banana bread with a rich flavor using kefir as the rising agent, we've given the standard recipe a makeover for those who crave a bit more substance. Plus, the probiotics in kefir make it a healthier choice!
Recipe
Ingredients:- 1 cup whole wheat flour- 2/3 cup oat flour- 1/3 cup rolled oats- 2 tsp. baking powder- 2 tsp. baking soda (don't freak out—it'll balance out thanks to the acids in the kefir)- 1/4 tsp. sea salt- 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon (optional)- 1/4 tsp. nutmeg- 1/4 tsp. allspice- 1/3 cup chocolate chips (feel free to go with dark chocolate chips for a deeper flavor)- 1/2 cup pure cane sugar (consider honey or maple syrup if you'd like it sweeter)- 1/3 to 1/2 cup chopped walnuts- 2/3 cup kefir ( homemade varieties are best)- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
Instructions
- Blend all dry ingredients, along with chopped nuts and chocolate chips. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) as this recipe moves quickly. Be sure it's almost ready to go by the time you begin messing with the wet ingredients.
- Bananas at the perfect ripiness? Score! They'll make your bread silky smooth. Combine the mashed bananas into a creamy mixture and stir in this blend of dry ingredients. Make sure the mixture has a consistent texture.
- Once the oven is ready, incorporate the kefir and keep stirring to blend evenly. You may need slightly less or more kefir depending on how liquid your bananas are. The baking soda will start reacting with the acid in the kefir right away, so work speedily.
- Transfer the mix into a greased baking pan, silicone mold, or a non-stick baking pan. For a decorative touch, scatter some rolled oats on top of the leveled bread.
- Move the pan to the preheated oven and bake on the middle rack for about 50 to 55 minutes. Test it with a toothpick towards the end of cooking. Allow it to cool, slice, and serve!
DREAM BIGGER
For extra sweetness, increase the sugar to 2/3 cup or up to 1 cup, or use honey, maple syrup, or molasses. If you're after a sweeter bread, give it a whirl!
Want added tartness? Opt for dried cranberries!
Enjoy your kitchen adventure, my friends! 🍔🍌🌍💗🌟✨
Preferably, consider incorporating rolled oats and oat flour into the dry ingredients for a heartier texture. Realize that using kefir as the rising agent will help neutralize the sweetness of the banana bread, making it slightly less sweet but rich in flavor. After mixing all the ingredients, react promptly to the baking soda starting to react with the acid in the kefir to ensure a consistent texture in the bread.
