15 Healthy Banana Desserts That Will Make Your Mouth Water

Bananas are a versatile and healthy ingredient swap that will satisfy your sweet tooth without compromising your well-being. This tropical fruit is a nutritional powerhouse loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Bananas are an excellent potassium source, supporting healthy blood pressure levels and heart health. The fiber in bananas aids digestion and increases feelings of fullness, making them a fantastic choice for those trying to manage their weight. 

Additionally, they are packed with antioxidants, like vitamin C, which can help boost your immune system and protect against cellular damage.

In this article, we'll tantalize your taste buds with healthy banana desserts that will make you forget about their less nutritious counterparts. From velvety banana chocolate mousse to irresistible chocolate chip banana muffins, we’ve got you covered. 

Get ready to satisfy your sweet cravings while nourishing your body with these healthy banana recipes that are yummy enough for the whole family.

How to Use Bananas in Baking 

Fresh or frozen, bananas add a natural sweetness and moisture to baked goods. 

Bananas work well with a variety of flavors and ingredients in baking. You can add them to classic breakfast recipes like banana bread, muffins, or pancakes. They also make a great addition to traditional dessert recipes like cookies and cake.

Bananas can often be used as a lower-fat substitute for traditional ingredients like butter or oil in baking. Replacing oil or butter with banana decreases saturated fat, giving you a dessert that’s better for your health. 

To replace these ingredients, use mashed bananas in a 1:1 ratio. For example, if a recipe calls for 1 cup of butter, you can substitute it with 1 cup of mashed bananas. 

When adding mashed bananas to a recipe, it's important to make slight adjustments to other ingredients. Since bananas add moisture, you may need to reduce the liquid in the recipe. You might also want to decrease the amount of sugar in the recipe since ripe bananas are naturally sweet.

Believe it or not, you can also use frozen bananas in baking. Let the bananas thaw, remove the excess liquid, and mash them up. 

Tips to Freeze Ripe Bananas 

Here are some quick tips and tricks for freezing ripe bananas:

1. Peel the ripe bananas and cut them into chunks or leave them whole.
2. Place the banana chunks or whole bananas in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and let the bananas freeze for two to three hours or until completely frozen.
4. Once frozen, transfer the bananas to a freezer-safe bag or container, remove excess air, and seal tightly.
5. Label your freezer bags or containers with the date you froze the bananas to keep track of their freshness.

Frozen bananas can be stored for three to four months, but for the best taste and texture, try to use them within one to two months.

Using Frozen Bananas in Recipes:

Smoothies

Add frozen banana chunks to your favorite smoothie recipes for a creamy and naturally sweet base. They also eliminate the need for ice cubes.

Banana Bread

Thaw the frozen bananas at room temperature or in the microwave until they become soft and mashable. Mash the bananas and use them in your banana bread recipe as you would with fresh bananas.

Banana Pancakes

Thaw the frozen bananas, mash them, and use them in your pancake batter. The bananas will add moisture and a hint of sweetness to your pancakes.

Banana Ice Cream

Frozen bananas can be the key ingredient in making deliciously creamy and healthy banana “nice cream.” Simply blend the frozen bananas in a food processor or blender until smooth, and enjoy the guilt-free dessert.

Can Bananas Be Too Ripe? 

Bananas can never be too brown for baking, especially for banana bread. The more ripe the banana, the sweeter and more moist the banana bread. It’s important to know that ripeness can alter the flavor of your final product. 

Black bananas are perfectly edible and ideal for baking, despite their appearance. While bananas start off yellow with brown spots, they can darken to a completely black hue and still be used for baking. 

If your bananas are growing mold, have an off-putting smell, or have liquid coming out of them, they are not safe to use and should be discarded.

15 Healthy Banana Dessert Recipes 

Healthy Banana Bread Recipes 

Carrot Cake Banana Bread

Indulge in this delectable carrot cake banana bread with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. The moist and fragrant carrot cake combined with the sweet and ripe bananas creates a unique banana bread that's truly irresistible. The velvety cream cheese frosting is generously infused with aromatic cinnamon, lending a rich and comforting touch to every bite.

The whole wheat flour and oats used in this recipe make it packed with fiber, which helps promote healthy digestion, prevents blood sugar spikes, lowers cholesterol, and keeps you full for longer. The recipe calls for coconut sugar, but you can omit this ingredient for a lower-sugar alternative and slightly less sweet option.

For the frosting, you’ll need cream cheese, powdered sugar (you can use Swerve as a calorie-free option), cinnamon, and a bit of vanilla extract.

One slice has about 210 calories, 33 grams of carbs, 4 grams of protein, and 5 grams of fiber. 

Banana-Blueberry Buttermilk Bread

This mouthwatering treat combines the richness of buttermilk with the sweetness of ripe bananas and the burst of tangy blueberries. Whether enjoyed as part of breakfast or as a satisfying afternoon snack, this recipe will surely please your taste buds.

The whole wheat pastry flour, bananas, and blueberries add to the fiber in this loaf. Blueberries are also high in antioxidants. 

For 278 calories per slice, you’ll get 3 grams of fiber, 5 grams of protein, and 49 grams of carbs. If you want to reduce the amount of carbs in this recipe, you can use a calorie-free brown sugar replacement such as Swerve or Lokanto. 

Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

You won’t believe how moist this cinnamon swirl is inside this healthy banana bread. Plus, it’s topped with a delightful cinnamon crunch! You won’t need any butter, eggs, or grains, and it’s healthy enough to have for breakfast. 

The whole recipe only has two tablespoons of sugar, and if you want to, you can use sugar substitutes to make it completely free of added sugars. 

This bread is fairly low-calorie and high in protein, so if you’re concerned about weight loss, this one is a good option for you. One slice has 12 grams of protein and only 142 calories. 

Banana Muffin Recipes 

Chocolate Blender Muffins

Blender muffins are unique because they are easy and quick to prepare with minimal mess. These healthy double chocolate banana blender muffins are gluten-free, amazingly delicious, and your blender does all the work. The chocolatey muffin base and dark chocolate chips definitely satisfy your craving for brownies. 

The oats and banana in this recipe give you lots of fiber – which, as we won’t stop celebrating – keeps you feeling full and your blood sugar levels stable. 

One muffin has about 160 calories, 4 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, and 27 grams of carbs. 

Vegan Banana and Apple Muffins 

These muffins are so yummy and irresistible because they’re bursting with banana flavor and sweet apple chunks. This recipe is egg-free and dairy free, so it’s suitable for vegans, too. 

At just 171 calories, 20 grams of carbs, 3 grams of fiber, and 3 grams of protein, these muffins make a great on-the-go snack that won’t wreak havoc on your blood sugar. 

Gluten-Free Paleo Banana Muffins

Need a gluten-free option for using up those over-ripe bananas? Look no further because these muffins are so light, moist, and fluffy that they almost taste like banana cake. You’d never know they were gluten-free and low-carb.

One muffin is only 160 calories and boasts 4 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein! 

Banana Bars Recipes 

Banana Bread Blondies

These banana bread blondies are a delicious, high-fiber way to use up those ripe bananas! They’re loaded with the classic banana bread flavor but made into the perfect handheld treat! You can add nuts and chocolate chips for a delicious breakfast, snack, or dessert!

These banana bread blondies are healthy and packed with protein and fiber, which will help prevent blood sugar spikes and keep you feeling full for longer. 

One slice is about 270 calories, 34 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of protein, and 14 grams of fat. 

Vegan Baked Banana Protein Bars

These banana bread protein bars are high in protein and banana flavor, plus they’re vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free. Ensure your bananas are extra ripe and spotted to give the bars optimal sweetness without the added sugar. 

One bar is about 170 calories, 8 grams of protein, 13 grams of carbs, and 3 grams of fiber. 

Chia Banana Bread Energy Bites

These flavorful energy bites are super easy to make and require no baking. They are made with creamy peanut butter, banana, heart-healthy walnuts, oats, chia seeds, protein powder, and a delicious drizzle of chocolate. The recipe can easily be made vegan or gluten-free, and they’re the perfect snack or breakfast for on-the-go. 

One chia banana bread energy bite makes for a great afternoon pick-me-up or an after-dinner treat at just 130 calories, 4 grams of protein, 15 grams of carbs, and 3 grams of fiber. 

Banana Smoothie Recipes

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

Smoothies are a great option for a quick, nutrient-packed breakfast or a snack on the go. This healthy banana peanut butter smoothie recipe is one you’ll look forward to drinking. Thick, creamy, and naturally sweet, this tasty smoothie reminds me of a milkshake; it’s that good.

The bananas make this smoothie high in fiber, potassium, and vitamin B6 and vitamin C. Peanut butter has protein and healthy fats, too. You can also substitute almond butter if you prefer. 

One smoothie has 380 calories, 20 grams of protein, 38 grams of carbohydrates, and 6 grams of fiber. 

This particular smoothie is slightly higher in calories, but there are ways to make smoothies lower-calorie and better for weight loss. 

Spinach Banana Smoothie

This creamy spinach banana smoothie is easy; you only need four ingredients to make it! This smoothie is vegan-friendly, naturally sweet, and loaded with nourishing green goodness. The combo of Greek yogurt and soy milk makes it high-protein and perfect for before or after a workout.

 It’s deliciously easy, and there’s plenty of room to customize and make it your own. One smoothie has about 250 calories, 20 grams of protein, 35 grams of carbs, and 6 grams of fiber. 

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Blueberry Banana Protein Smoothie

The brightly colored fruity smoothie is an excellent way to use up those frozen bananas that are almost past their prime. It’s packed with protein, fiber, and antioxidants, so it’s a great way to start your day!

Each smoothie has 230 calories, 20 grams of protein, 32 grams of carbs, and 5 grams of fiber. 

Other Banana Recipe Ideas 

Oatmeal Banana Breakfast Cookies

You won’t find an easier way to use your old bananas than these 3-ingredient oatmeal banana breakfast cookies. You only need two medium-ripe bananas, quick oats, and walnuts. Each cookie is under 100 calories and has 15 grams of carbs, 2 grams of protein, and 2 grams of fiber. 

These flourless banana cookies also make a great snack to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Vegan Banana Creme Brûlée

Feeling a bit fancy? Why not try your hand at this banana creme brûlée? Unlike your average creme brûlée, this one contains protein from nutrient-packed hemp seeds, fewer sugars thanks to the natural sweetness of bananas, plus a serving of fruit!

This one isn’t the healthiest of all banana recipes, but it is a healthier version of creme brûlée.

Avocado Banana Cacao Mousse

Don’t miss out on this super easy, mouthwatering, and healthy avocado banana cacao mousse. 

Avocado might sound a bit weird as an ingredient for a dessert, but it brings a luxurious creaminess to this recipe like nothing else could. It’s full of healthy fats, too. Just make sure your avocado is buttery ripe. 

Cacao adds the chocolate flavor to this mousse and many antioxidants that protect the cells and prevent premature aging and disease. You can add a little extra sweetness with maple syrup or coconut sugar, or you can leave it out, as the ripe bananas will add a touch of natural sweetness.

The whole recipe is only 287 calories, 45 grams of carbs, and 6 grams of protein. 

Learn More About Healthy Nutrition with Signos’ Expert Advice

Signos is a great resource for expert advice on nutrition and healthy eating. Signos has a team of registered dietitians who compile evidence-based nutrition information to help you improve your health and wellness. Check out the resources here.

Signos CGM empowers you to improve your health by keeping track of your diet, exercise, sleep habits, and blood sugar. Knowledge is power, and a CGM can give you specific information about how your habits affect your health. 

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