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Oatmeal banana bread is the perfect recipe for a quick, simple and light breakfast. Read on for step-by-step directions!
Out of all of our quick bread recipes, banana bread recipes are my absolute favorite. Our chocolate chip banana bread is a readers’ favorite and for a super moist banana bread I always go to my zucchini banana bread. This oatmeal banana bread is another winner because it’s a relatively healthy recipe with a familiar flavor profile.
Table of Contents
Why this recipe works
I love this easy banana bread because it uses less flour. In place of flour, it contains one cup of old fashioned oatmeal. Because of this, the banana bread is very light, fluffy and has an amazing taste. If you’re looking for a gluten free banana bread, you can check out our almond flour banana bread and for oil-free banana bread, check out our banana bread with applesauce.
A slice of this bread toasted and served with some nut butter pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee. Nothing beats a delicious homemade banana bread, right?
The ingredients
To make this bread, you need the following ingredients:
- Vegetable oil: You can also use canola oil or sunflower oil.
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs: It’s best for them to be at room temperature.
- Bananas: Make sure your bananas are ripe enough. The more brown spots they have, the better!
- Greek yogurt: This would make your banana bread moist and tasty. You can also use buttermilk or sour cream.
- All purpose flour
- Old-fashioned oatmeal: Be sure not to use quick oats for this recipe.
- Baking powder and baking soda
This recipe uses vegetable oil instead of butter and also includes old fashioned oatmeal and Greek yogurt which makes the banana bread pretty moist and tender.
A little note: Have all the ingredients at room temperature. This will help the ingredients to combine well.
Choosing the best bananas
When it comes to making any kind of banana bread, it’s important to use bananas that are not green. You need bananas that have black spots on them but are still a bit firm. You don’t want bananas that are brown inside because those will affect the texture and the bread will not be as fluffy.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Coat a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix vegetable oil and sugar until combined.
- Add in eggs one after another and mix, following by adding mashed bananas and vanilla extract.
- Add in Greek yogurt and mix well.
- Whisk in flour, old fashioned oatmeal, baking powder and baking soda.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle more oatmeal on top.
- Bake for 45 to 55 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out with little to no crumbs.
Pro tip: Always let the banana bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then take it out of the pan and let it cool completely before slicing. Because of the bananas and reduced flour, this bread will be moist and very tender. Therefore, make sure it’s cool before you slice it so it doesn’t crumble.
Variations
This recipe is very versatile and easy to modify. Here are a few of our favorite additions:
- Chocolate chips: Add 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips to the banana bread batter after you mix in the dry ingredients.
- Walnuts: Add 3/4 cup walnuts to the batter with the dry ingredients and you’ll have a little bit of crunch in every bite.
- Coconut: 3/4 cup shredded coconut added with flour and old fashioned oatmeal makes this banana bread extra delicious!
Storage and freezing
Store banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days and in the fridge for up to a week. Heat the slices in the microwave for 10 seconds to serve them warm.
Banana bread freezes well. To freeze, slice the banana bread and wrap each slice in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to avoid freezer burn. You can freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, unwrap the banana bread slice and place it on a plate. Reheat it in the microwave for one minute and 30 seconds or until it’s heated through.
Notes and tips
- It’s very important that you use the ripest bananas you can find. The darker the skin of the banana, the riper it is. Ripe bananas are easy to mash and make the bread very moist.
- You will need old fashioned oats and not quick cooking oatmeal. Old fashioned oats give texture to the bread.
- You can use sour cream instead of Greek yogurt in this recipe. Feel free to choose either regular or light sour cream or yogurt.
More Banana Bread Recipes
Dessert
Peanut Butter Banana Bread
Breakfast and Brunch
Double Chocolate Banana Bread
Dessert
Healthy Pumpkin Banana Bread
Breakfast and Brunch
Banana Bread Muffins with Walnuts
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Easy Oatmeal Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 3 bananas, mashed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup old fashioned oatmeal
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Coat a 9×5 loaf pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk vegetable oil and sugar until incorporated.
- Add in eggs one by one and mix well.
- Add in mashed bananas, vanilla and Greek yogurt. Whisk very well to make sure everything is fully combined.
- Add in all purpose flour, old fashioned oatmeal, baking powder and baking soda to the wet ingredients and mix using a spatula or a wooden spoon.
- Pour the oatmeal banana bread batter into the prepare pan and sprinkle 1 1/2 tablespoon old fashioned oatmeal on the banana bread.
- Bake in the oven for 50 -60 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the middle of the banana bread should come out with little to no crumb.
- Let it cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- You can use sour cream instead of Greek yogurt in this oatmeal banana bread.
- To make oatmeal banana nut bread, add 3/4 cup chopped walnuts to the batter after you mix in the dry ingredients.
- It’s best to have all your ingredients at room temperature.
- It’s very important that you use the ripest bananas you can find. The darker the skin of the banana, the riper it is. Ripe bananas are easy to mash and make the quick bread very moist.
- To make this banana bread recipe, you need old fashioned oats and not quick cooking oatmeal. Old fashioned oats give texture to the banana bread.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I loved it. Added 1/2 t of cinnamon. Great texture and flavor and nice and moist.
I consider myself a Banana Bread connoisseur and this recipe knocks it out of the park! I added unsweetened coconut flakes and flax seed and it was absolutely delicious. Moist yet firm, flavorful and just perfect. My husband spreads cream cheese on top but I prefer it plain, as is. This will be in my staple rotation. Thanks for the great recipe!
I’ve made these several time but as muffins instead of a loaf My family loves them and they always disappear quickly. I get 12 muffins and bake for about 20 mins. Check with toothpick for doneness!,
Yummmy.
Delicious and easy to make.
This bread is delicious! I love how much oatmeal they have, and the fact that they have yogurt and just a bit of oil. I make them in muffin form, cut the sugar in half, add a little salt, cinnamon, chopped walnuts, and chocolate chips. The kids love them!