This cottage cheese banana bread is all the pieces 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 over time, 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 basic banana bread taste all of us love. Cottage cheese is such a flexible ingredient and works surprisingly nicely in baked items — it’s creamy, delicate, and blends proper in whereas giving this loaf 7 grams of protein per slice.
Why You Gotta Strive This One
That is the type of banana bread that by no means lasts lengthy in our home. My children find it irresistible, and I really like that it’s extra filling than your typical slice, due to the cottage cheese. It’s comfortable, not overly candy, and works completely as breakfast, a snack, or one thing to stash within the freezer for later. If you happen to’re seeking to sneak in a bit further protein (with out including protein powder), this one’s for you.
Substances Wanted
- all-purpose flour or entire wheat pastry flour – creates the proper comfortable, tender crumb. Complete wheat pastry flour provides a bit further vitamin with out making the bread dense.
- baking powder + baking soda – the leavening combo that offers the loaf a pleasant raise 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 stable 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 comfortable and satisfying.
- eggs – helps to bind all the pieces 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 total ingredient checklist with measurements within the recipe card under.
Simple Recipe Substitutions
This banana bread is scrumptious as-is, however you may positively strive switching issues up if you’d like. Listed here are some straightforward substitutions you could possibly strive:
- Make it gluten-free: I haven’t tried it, however should you want this recipe to be gluten-free, strive 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 at liberty to fold in ½ cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, darkish chocolate chips, and even shredded coconut for further taste and texture. My children find it irresistible with mini chocolate chips!
Methods 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 clean.
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, clean the highest, and bake for 50–60 minutes, till a toothpick comes out largely clear.
Brittany’s Ideas
- Use tremendous ripe bananas. The browner the peel, the sweeter and extra flavorful your bread can be.
- Don’t skip the blender step. Mixing the moist elements offers the batter a clean, creamy texture and makes the cottage cheese fully 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 completed when a toothpick comes out largely 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 a different way, so begin checking across the 50-minute mark. A toothpick ought to come out largely clear with just a few moist crumbs.
Methods to Retailer Banana Bread
This banana bread holds up nicely for just a few days and freezes superbly, which makes it excellent for baking forward or holding available for busy mornings.
- Room temperature: Retailer in an hermetic container for as much as 3 days.
- Fridge: For longer storage, preserve 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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