A moist, protein-rich banana bread that tastes like dessert but is actually healthy. Made with wholesome ingredients like cottage cheese, oat flour, and cocoa powder, this bread is perfect for breakfast, snacks, or a guilt-free treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- High in Protein: Cottage cheese adds a boost of protein, making this banana bread more filling and nutritious.
- Naturally Sweetened: Uses ripe bananas and maple syrup (or stevia) for a naturally sweet taste.
- Moist and Chocolatey: Cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips give it a rich chocolate flavor.
- Gluten-Free Option: Made with oat flour, making it suitable for those avoiding wheat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or stevia
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Blend Cottage Cheese: In a blender or food processor, blend the cottage cheese until smooth.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mash the bananas, then add eggs, blended cottage cheese, maple syrup (or stevia), and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Mix in the oat flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder until a smooth batter forms.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Stir in the dark chocolate chips, reserving some for the top.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let the banana bread cool before slicing. Enjoy it warm or chilled!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 8-10 slices
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Bake Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
Variations
- Nutty Addition: Add chopped walnuts or almonds for extra crunch and healthy fats.
- Sweeter Option: Increase the maple syrup to 3-4 tablespoons if you prefer a sweeter bread.
- Dairy-Free Version: Substitute the cottage cheese with a dairy-free yogurt or blended silken tofu.
- Extra Chocolatey: Stir in a tablespoon of cocoa nibs or use extra dark chocolate chips.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Keep the banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the microwave.
- Reheating: Warm slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a toaster oven for a fresh-from-the-oven taste.
FAQs
Can I make this banana bread without a blender?
Yes! You can simply mix the cottage cheese thoroughly with a fork or whisk to break it down before adding it to the batter.
What can I use instead of oat flour?
You can substitute oat flour with almond flour or whole wheat flour if you’re not gluten-sensitive.
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of cottage cheese?
Yes! Greek yogurt can be used as a direct substitute for cottage cheese.
How do I know when my banana bread is done?
Insert a toothpick in the center—if it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, it’s ready!
Can I make this into muffins?
Absolutely! Pour the batter into a greased or lined muffin tin and bake at 350°F for 18-22 minutes.
Is this banana bread good for meal prep?
Yes! It stores well and makes a great grab-and-go breakfast or snack.
What if my bananas aren’t ripe enough?
You can speed up ripening by placing the bananas in a brown paper bag for a few hours or baking them at 300°F for 10-15 minutes.
Can I make this egg-free?
Yes! Replace each egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water).
What type of chocolate chips work best?
Dark chocolate chips give the best rich flavor, but you can use semi-sweet or even sugar-free chocolate chips.
How do I keep my banana bread moist?
Make sure not to overbake, and store it in an airtight container to retain moisture.
Conclusion
This Cottage Cheese Chocolate Banana Bread is the perfect balance of indulgence and health. With its rich chocolate flavor, protein boost, and moist texture, it’s a fantastic choice for a nutritious breakfast or snack. Try different variations to make it your own, and enjoy a guilt-free treat!
Print
Cottage Cheese Chocolate Banana Bread
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 slices
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Cottage Cheese Chocolate Banana Bread is a protein-rich, naturally sweetened, and moist treat that tastes like dessert but is actually healthy! Made with cottage cheese, oat flour, cocoa powder, and dark chocolate chips, this gluten-free banana bread is perfect for breakfast, snacks, or a guilt-free indulgence.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup oat flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or stevia)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
- Blend Cottage Cheese: Blend cottage cheese in a food processor until smooth.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mash bananas, then add eggs, blended cottage cheese, maple syrup (or stevia), and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in oat flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder until a smooth batter forms.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Mix in dark chocolate chips, reserving some for topping.
- Bake: Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan, sprinkle remaining chocolate chips on top, and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool & Serve: Let cool before slicing. Enjoy warm or chilled!
Notes
- Nutty Addition: Add chopped walnuts or almonds for extra crunch.
- Sweeter Option: Increase maple syrup to 3-4 tablespoons for a sweeter taste.
- Dairy-Free Version: Swap cottage cheese for dairy-free yogurt or blended silken tofu.
- Extra Chocolatey: Stir in a tablespoon of cocoa nibs or extra dark chocolate chips.
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