Banana, Walnut & Maple Loaf
- prep time - 15 mins
- cook time - 40 mins
- total time - 55 mins
- serves - 10
Banana bread gets a performance upgrade in this walnut and maple loaf, with ripe bananas providing natural sweetness, potassium and easily digested carbs to fuel training or top up energy afterwards. Walnuts and flaxseeds add plant-based omega-3 fats and fibre for steady, sustained energy. Sweetened with a stevia brown sugar alternative and just a touch of maple syrup, it has all the comfort of a classic loaf with far less added sugar. Enjoy it warm, or toast a slice and top it with plant-based yogurt and banana for a post-workout snack.
Ingredients
WET INGREDIENTS:
- 4 Ripe bananas
- ¼ cup Oat or almond milk
- ¼ cup Light oil, such as groundnut or coconut
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 tsp Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Flaxseeds
- 2 tbsp Maple syrup
DRY INGREDIENTS:
- 1¾ cups Self-raising flour
- ¼ cup Performance Vanilla
- ½ cup Stevia brown sugar alternative
- 1 tsp Baking powder
- 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp Ground allspice
- ¼ tsp Grated nutmeg
- Pinch of Salt
- ½ cup Walnuts, roughly chopped
TOPPING:
- ½ Banana, sliced into rounds
- About 6 Walnut halves, to decorate
- 1 tsp Demerara sugar, to sprinkle (optional)
TO SERVE:
- Plant-based yogurt
- Sliced banana
- Chopped walnuts
- A drizzle of Maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C / fan 160°C / Gas 4, and line a loaf tin (or use a silicone one that doesn't need lining).
- Break the bananas into a bowl, mash with a fork, and add the remaining wet ingredients. Stir to combine.
- In a separate bowl, combine all the dry ingredients, including the walnuts.
- Carefully fold the wet ingredients into the dry until just combined, being careful not to overwork the batter.
- Empty the batter into your prepared tin. Lay the banana rounds and walnut halves on top and sprinkle with the demerara sugar, if using, then cook for around 40 minutes.
- Check the bread is cooked by inserting a skewer: if it comes out clean, it's done, but if it's still a little sticky, bake for another 15 minutes. If the top is already well-cooked, cover with foil before placing back in the oven.
- Serve warm, or slice and toast it. Top with plant-based yogurt, sliced banana, chopped walnuts and a drizzle of maple syrup.
