This super moist single-serve banana bread is secretly healthy with 16g of protein, naturally sweetened, and made with oat flour. This easy recipe takes 20 minutes and tastes like a soft, buttery banana cake!
The best healthy banana bread for one
Single-serve banana bread is my go-to treat. It’s quick to whip up, wonderfully wholesome, and flavorful. I’ve crafted a variety of banana recipes, from classic banana bread to banana cake to healthy banana brownies. But this single-serve banana bread might take the crown.
This individual-sized banana bread is wonderfully fluffy and moist. The recipe calls for straightforward ingredients like ripe bananas, egg, oat flour, and a touch of sweetness, keeping it both delicious and nutritious. What’s even better? There’s no need for refined sugar or sweeteners here!
I make this banana bread at least three times a week because it’s easy to prep, always hits the spot, and it’s also single-served, so I don’t have to worry about storing extras.
If I had to pick one similar recipe, I’d say this banana bread tastes like my viral chunky monkey banana pancakes. So whether you’re craving an easy breakfast, a satisfying snack, or a sweet dessert, this single-serve banana bread is your answer. I can’t wait to hear what you think!
Why you’ll love this single-serve recipe:
- Quick & Easy: Single-serve banana bread takes under 20 minutes to make.
- Perfect Portion Size: This recipe is made for one!
- Moist: The banana bread is so moist and made WITHOUT BUTTER!
- Naturally Sweetened: There are NO refined sugars in this banana bread.
- Oat Flour: There are no refined flours, either. This banana bread is made gluten-free with oat flour.
- Taste Like a Cake: So buttery, soft, and delicious.
- Secretly Healthy: Trust me, no one can tell this banana bread is healthy!
- Tastes Amazing: This is the best banana bread ever.
- Try these chocolate baked oats (single serve) or banana oat waffles next!
Ingredients needed
This single-serve banana bread calls for ten simple and healthy ingredients. You need oat flour, an egg, spotty bananas, milk, honey, and a few other ingredients. This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free. Here is a list of everything you need so you are prepared:
- Banana: Adds natural sweetness and moistness to the banana bread. Use a spotty and brown banana for extra sweetness.
- Egg: Provides structure and moisture to the bread.
- Milk: Adds moisture and a subtle flavor. Our favorite is vanilla unsweetened almond milk, but you can use cow’s, oat, cashew, or soy milk.
- Sweetener: Use honey or maple syrup to naturally sweeten the banana bread.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a pleasant vanilla aroma.
- Nut Butter: You can use peanut butter, almond butter, sun butter, or cashew butter. It adds richness, creaminess, and a nutty flavor to the bread.
- Oat Flour: You can use homemade or store-bought oat flour. It provides a hearty and gluten-free base for this banana bread.
- Baking Powder: Acts as a leavening agent to make the bread rise and become fluffy.
- Ground Cinnamon: Infuses the banana bread with warm and comforting Fall flavors.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Mini chocolate chips and/or chopped walnuts: These add extra texture and flavor to the banana bread, making it a delightful treat. You can use your choice of chocolate chips.
Kitchen tools needed
Here is a list of kitchen utensils you will need to make this easy and healthy banana bread recipe. It’s single-serve!
- Oven or Toaster Oven
- 8-ounce Remikin or Oven-Safe Mug
- Whisk
- Measuring Tools: 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1 Tablespoon, and 1/2 cup.
How to make single-serve banana bread
This healthy single-serve banana bread recipe is so easy to make. It is extra fluffy, moist, and so soft. Here are detailed step-by-step instructions with pictures for visual reference so any level cook can make them. The full recipe and ingredient measurements are at the bottom of this page in the recipe card.
Step 1:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C) and lightly grease a single-serve baking dish or 8-ounce ramekin.
Step 2:
In a mixing bowl, mash the banana until smooth. Then, whisk in the egg, milk, maple syrup (or honey), nut butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Step 3:
Add the oat flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt to the wet ingredients. Stir the mixture until there are no visible traces of dry flour. Optionally, mix in the chocolate chips and/or chopped walnuts for added texture and flavor.
Step 4:
Pour the batter into the greased oven-safe ramekin. Top with additional chocolate chips and walnuts if desired.
Step 5:
Finally, bake for 18 – 22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let your banana bread cool for 5 minutes. Serve with a peanut butter drizzle, a dollop of yogurt, and fresh fruit. Enjoy!
Expert recipe and baking tips
- Use extra spotty, brown bananas: Make sure your banana is ripe, spotty, and brown. The riper the banana, the sweeter and more flavorful your banana bread will be.
- Grease your ramekin: Don’t forget to grease it to prevent sticking.
- Homemade Oat Flour: If you prefer homemade oat flour, simply grind rolled oats in a food processor until they reach a flour-like consistency.
- Monitor baking time: Baking times can vary, and it’s essential to ensure it’s not overbaked. Check for doneness with a toothpick; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Customize with mix-ins: Get creative with mix-ins. I love mini chocolate chips and walnuts, but you can use pecans, almonds, raisins, shredded coconut, diced apple, and the list keeps going.
- Cook in the microwave: If you want to skip the oven, cook this banana bread in the microwave. To microwave the banana bread, cook on high for 90-120 seconds. It will puff up significantly but will settle as it finishes cooking.
Banana bread variations
Here are some delicious flavor variations and mix-ins to elevate your single-serve banana bread:
- Chocolate Chip: Add 2 tbsp chocolate chips.
- Nutty: Mix in 2 tbsp chopped nuts.
- Blueberry: Fold in 2 tbsp of fresh or frozen blueberries.
- Cinnamon Swirl: Create a cinnamon-sugar swirl.
- Coconut: Add 2 tbsp of shredded coconut.
- Banana Pumpkin: Instead of cinnamon, use pumpkin pie spice.
- Maple Pecan: Use maple syrup and add 2 tbsp chopped pecans.
- Chai Spice: Use chai spices instead of cinnamon.
- Peanut Butter: Mixing in peanut butter.
- Zucchini: Incorporate 2 tbsp of grated zucchini.
- Double Chocolate: Remove 1 tbsp of oat flour and add 2 tbsp of cocoa and 2 tbsp of chocolate chips.
- Apple Cinnamon: Add in 2 tbsp of diced or shredded apple.
- Carrot Cake: Add 2 tbsp of grated carrots, 1 tbsp of raisins, and 1/4 tsp of nutmeg.
Easy ingredient substitutions:
Here is a list of the best ingredient substitutions for this banana bread for one. I only recommend swapping 1 – 2 ingredients so the original recipe doesn’t completely change.
- Oat Flour: If you don’t have oat flour, make your own by blending rolled or quick oats at a high speed until it is a flour-like consistency.
- Almond Milk or Oat Milk: You can use regular cow’s milk, soy milk, or any other dairy-free milk of your choice instead of almond milk or oat milk.
- Maple Syrup or Honey: Feel free to use agave nectar, brown rice syrup, or any liquid sweetener you prefer as a substitute for maple syrup or honey.
- Eggs: If you want to make this recipe vegan, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds with 2.5 tablespoons of water to make one flax or chia egg. Let it sit for a few minutes until it thickens.
- Nut Butter: You can swap the nut butter with sunflower seed butter or tahini for a different flavor profile or if you have nut allergies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I substitute the oat flour?
I have tested every flour and found that it’s best not to substitute the oat flour. Oat flour has a specific texture since it is light and airy and made from ground oats. However, if you need to, you can use all-purpose flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour in place of oat flour in this banana bread recipe. Look at the picture of the batter because you may need to add 1 tbsp extra milk. Don’t use almond flour or coconut flour!
Is this banana bread for one healthy?
Not all banana breads are “healthy,” but this recipe is for many reasons. First, there is no added refined sugar. Second, each serving has XX grams of protein packed with fiber. Third, they are gluten-free and dairy-free. Fourth, they are filling and made with seven simple ingredients.
Can I make them vegan?
Yes, you can make this single-serve banana bread vegan by replacing the egg with a flax or chia egg. Simply mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds with 2.5 tablespoons of water to make one flax or chia egg. Let it sit for a few minutes until it thickens.
Can I air-fry it instead?
Yes, you can also air fry this single-serve banana bread recipe. Preheat your air fryer to 290°F and air fry for 12 – 15 minutes, until golden and fluffy.
Can I use a microwave to make single-serve banana bread?
Yes, you can microwave the single-serve banana bread for a faster cooking option. Microwave on high for 90-120 seconds, and it will puff up before settling as it finishes cooking.
What are the best toppings for single-serve banana bread?
Toppings like additional nut butter, a dollop of yogurt, fresh fruit, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar can enhance the flavor and presentation of single-serve banana bread.
Can I freeze banana bread?
Yes, banana bread can be frozen. Wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in an airtight container or freezer bag. It can be stored for up to 3 months.
How to store and reheat banana bread:
Storing: To store banana bread, wrap it in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container and keep it at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for longer freshness.
Reheating: When reheating, simply microwave individual slices for a few seconds or warm slices in a toaster or oven for a few minutes until they’re heated through and enjoyable.
If you love this recipe, try these next!
- Single-Serve Pumpkin Baked Oats
- Protein Chocolate Chip Baked Oats
- 3 Ingredient Banana Oat Pancakes
- Banana Pumpkin Muffins
- Healthy Blueberry Banana Bread
- Air Fryer Baked Oats
- Chocolate Baked Oats (single serve)
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
Single Serve Banana Bread
Ingredients
- ½ large ripe banana, spotty and brown for extra sweetness
- 1 large egg
- 3 Tbsp almond milk or oat milk, I love vanilla unsweetened almond milk
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup or honey
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp nut butter, peanut butter, almond butter, sun butter, or cashew butter
- ⅓ cup oat flour, homemade or store-bought
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp salt
- Optional: 2 tbsp mini chocolate chips and/or chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and lightly grease a single-serve baking dish or 8-ounce ramekin.
- In a mixing bowl, mash the banana until smooth. Then, whisk in the egg, milk, maple syrup (or honey), nut butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add the oat flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt to the wet ingredients. Stir the mixture until there are no visible traces of dry flour. Optionally, mix in the chocolate chips and/or chopped walnuts for added texture and flavor.
- Pour the batter into the greased oven-safe ramekin. Top with additional chocolate chips and walnuts if desired.
- Bake for 18 – 22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let them cool for 5 minutes. Serve with a drizzle of peanut butter, a dollop of yogurt, and/or fresh fruit. Enjoy your single-serve banana bread!
Notes
Nutrition
I only recommend products I love and use myself. In full disclosure, I may receive a small compensation for purchasing a product I recommend. Thank you for supporting Healthful Blondie!
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