Hadley Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread

It can be a health bomb or boost… Many versions tend to be high in calories, sugar and fats, however, this dairy, gluten and refined sugar free chocolate banana bread is easy, delicious and healthy! It’s made with almond flour and is sweetened only with bananas and maple syrup so it can be your new ‘go to’ when you have extra bananas or just when you need a little healthy indulgence.

Of course, bananas are the all-star of banana bread, lending a natural sweetness. They are a great source of carbs, essential fuel for mental and physical processes. They are credited with an array of potential health benefits including decreasing cancer risk, lowering blood pressure and improving digestive health thanks to vits (incl A & C), minerals (incl potassium) and all important dietary fibre.

Banana bread can also be a top protein source with the right ingredients. This version uses almond flour in place of refined flour (which has little nutritive value, having been stripped of bran and germ layers). Protein is essential for growth and recovery of muscle and also helps to stabilise blood sugar levels, whilst providing satiety so you won’t feel like eating the entire loaf in one sitting I promise!

What’s more, the addition of raw cacao powder beautifully boosts this banana bread’s health score. Unlike normal cocoa powder / chocolate that has been chemically processed and roasted, cacao retains its antioxidants & flavanols. It’s easy to rant about the many benefits of cacao but allow me to summarise a few key ones quickly:

• It has over 40 times the antioxidants of blueberries

• It’s the highest plant-based source of iron with 7.3mg per 100g (*NB The iron is non-heme (as is all plant-based iron), so to get max benefits try combining it with some vit C)

• It’s high in magnesium for a healthy heart & brain - Mg aids the conversion of glucose into energy for improved clarity and focus

• It boasts more calcium than cow’s milk

• It’s a natural mood elevator and anti-depressant due to the presence of scientifically proven bliss chemicals (eg. serotonin)

Lastly, the healthy monounsaturated fats (hello almonds!) can help to stabilise blood sugar levels, as well as lower cholesterol levels - Win win!

Ingredients

• 3 very ripe medium bananas, mashed (approx 1 ¼ cups mashed banana)

• 4 small or 3 large eggs

• ¼ cup pure maple syrup

• ½ unsweetened plant based milk of your choice (I used oat)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 cups fine blanched almond flour (I made my own with 200g blanched almonds which I blended in the Nutribullet)

• ½ cup coconut flour

• ½ cup unsweetened cacao powder

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ cup dark chocolate chips (dairy free), plus 1 tablespoon extra for sprinkling on top

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 175 degrees C. Line an 8 ½ x 4 ½ inch loaf pan with baking paper

• In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, eggs, pure maple syrup and vanilla extract until well combined

• Add in the almond and coconut flour, cacao powder, baking soda and salt. Combine well. Fold in the chocolate chips

• Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of chocolate chips over the top

• Bake for 55 - 60 minutes or until the tester comes out almost clean in the middle of the bread. Cool the loaf for 5 minutes in the pan, then remove and place on a wire rack to fully cool

• Slice once cool and top with your favourite nut butter or enjoy it unadulterated!