All good things come in small packages and seeds are a real proof of this! Even though they are so tiny, when it comes to nutrition seeds are BIG. If you are looking for a diet that will keep you in good shape, as well as in good health, these small powerhouses are the best choice for you, and we have the best banana bread recipes for you! They offer high levels of protein, good fats, and dietary fiber; no wonder people have been using them for thousands of years.

I like to think of myself as a fit mom plus a creative cook. And this combination produced many successful experimental foods that are both delicious and healthy. One such experiment resulted from my sweet cravings.

It took me a while to figure out how to make my favorite sweet treat lower in calories, fat, and sugar, but I got it. There are three critical ingredients in every standard banana bread recipe that need to be replaced:

- White refined sugar, my enemy no. 1, the ingredient that makes us overweight and gives our kids tooth decay. I replaced it with raw honey or pure maple syrup and never turned back in regret!

- The bleached processed flour which contains white color added, that is the flour we use on a daily basis, can be replaced with whole wheat or any gluten-free option out there. I usually mix whole wheat with oatmeal, coconut, or almond flour. Other options include buckwheat, sorghum, chickpea flour, etc.

- The refined vegetable oils we are all so used to deploy go through a process of refining which destroys all their nutrients and makes them very harmful. Olive and coconut oil are great replacements.

Not all seeds are destined for the soil. Many of them are destined to create beautiful sweet delights. Let’ look at their benefits one by one, followed by some best banana bread recipe ideas.

Easiest Chia Seed Banana Bread Recipe

Nutrition: fiber, proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamins.

Benefits: improves heart health and brain function, boosts the energy, makes skin and teeth healthier, aids weight loss. Weight loss is what caught my eye here. How does such a small seed help you lose weight? Chia seeds can absorb 10 times their weight in water. This way they slow digestion and keep you feeling satiated for a longer time, reducing sugar cravings at the same time.

Chia is perfect for those who are looking to build some muscle mass, and that is due to the zinc content. The zinc in chia helps regulate the appetite and energy expenditure, but it also provides strength and endurance.

How to use: Chia comes in black and white variations, without significant nutritious differences between each other. I recommend adding at least a tablespoon into the batter of each banana bread recipe you make. My favorite combo is by far the one with strawberry and coconut. The recipe makes use of a cup of fresh diced strawberries, 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes, 2 tablespoons of chia seeds, and vanilla extract . Add ¼ cup nonfat Greek yogurt that will contribute extra softness and moisture and add a few more halved strawberries and coconut flakes on top.

Other chia products to use: You can use chia seed powder as a flour substitute in your best banana bread recipes. Start with ¼ cup and mix it with another type of flour (3/4 cup) to see how it works for you. If you are satisfied you can increase the amount of powder in the recipe.

You can also use chia seeds to prepare chia eggs which are a great substitute for chicken eggs, especially for vegans or people who have egg allergies. For each egg, combine 1 tablespoon of ground chia seed with 3 tablespoons of water. Stir and place in the fridge for 15 minutes. That’s it!

#2 Flax Seed Banana Bread

Nutrition: omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

Health benefits: improved digestion, better skin, lower cholesterol, balanced hormones, lowered cancer risk. And that’s not all. They facilitate weight loss by reducing your sugar cravings!

How to use: Flaxseeds are best consumed ground, especially in baked goods. They are more easily digestible in that form; otherwise, they will pass through undigested. You can grind the flax seeds in a coffee grinder, best immediately before eating them. You can also buy them pre-ground in supermarkets. Flaxseed works very well in banana loaves with nuts (especially walnuts), raisins, and spices (cinnamon). I usually add between ¼ to ½ cup of this seed. Some time ago I made an amazing chocolate banana bread recipe with a ¼ cup of flaxseed mixed with ½ cup whole wheat flour for the base. The chocolateness came from the cocoa powder (1/2 cup) and the chopped dark chocolate (also ½ cup) into the batter. Тhe original recipe suggests using coconut milk and coconut sugar, so why not, extra flavoring won’t do you any harm!

Other flaxseed products to use: You can use flaxseed to obtain flax eggs. The method of preparation is exactly the same as for the chia eggs described above.

Another healthy flaxseed product is the flax oil. It is colorless to yellowish, low in calories, and is obtained by pressing dried, ripe seeds of the plant. Make sure you use organic, cold-pressed flaxseed oil from a well-known brand.

#3 Pumpkin Seed Banana Bread

Nutrition: Pepitas are very rich in zinc, a powerful antioxidant that is especially good for pregnant women fast-growing kids. They also contain manganese, phenolic acids, and vitamin E.

Health benefits: promoting prostate health, mental health, and heart health, preventing cancer and helping treat diabetes.

How to use: Choose raw, organic pumpkin seeds in order to avoid exposure to contaminants. To enhance their flavor, roast a cup of them, raw and hulled, for a maximum 20 minutes (longer roasting may lead to loss of nutrients and unwanted changes in the fat structure). Add half of them to the banana bread batter, mixed with ½ cup of pumpkin puree, then spice with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Sprinkle the rest of the pepitas on top.

Other pumpkin seed products to use: Pumpkin seed oil is also very beneficial because of the high “good” fatty acids content. It also contains has a positive effect on mood and sleep. Pumpkin seed oil should not be cooked because high temperatures “kill” many of nutrients and produce a bitter taste. You can incorporate this oil in glazes, for example, add 1 teaspoon of pumpkin oil to a vanilla-based glaze to give it a somewhat nutty taste.

#4 Sesame Seed Banana Bread

Nutrients: protein, essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, amino acids, fiber, vitamins, and minerals like magnesium and iron.

Health benefits: regulating blood pressure, balancing hormones, fighting cancer, protecting the heart.

How to use: There are white and black sesame seeds which differ in taste (the black ones are stronger). For best results, mix a tablespoon of black sesame seeds and a tablespoon of white sesame seeds in a pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add half of them to the batter and sprinkle some more on top. Crunchy!

Other sesame seed products to use: The flour that remains after sesame oil extraction is called sesame seed flour or simply sesame meal. It has high protein content and carbohydrates, which makes it perfect for people who are physically active. Combine sesame meal with another type of flour in your banana bread recipe, for example, ½ cup sesame meal and ½ cup whole wheat.

Sesame oil is derived from sesame seeds and is rich in is rich in vitamin K, linoleic, and oleic acids. The light-yellow variation of this oil has a great nutty taste and aroma and is the best for cooking. Use it to replace any kind of oil in the recipes. Add ½ cup to your banana bread batter and use it for greasing the pan as well.

Another product you can incorporate in your quick-bread is tahini, or sesame seed butter, made from whole roasted sesame seeds. Add 2 tablespoons into the batter to replace regular butter or nut butters (especially convenient for those allergic to nuts).

#5 Poppy Seed Banana Bread

Nutrients: dietary fiber and minerals such as calcium, zinc, and iron.

Health benefits: treating respiratory disorders, infectious diseases, diarrhea, sleep disorders, help with fever, inflammation, and irritation of the stomach.

How to use: Poppy seeds are great for adding texture, color, and crunchiness to banana loaves and, in my opinion, they pair best with lemon. Add ¼ cup of poppy seeds together with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to the batter.

Other poppy seed products to use: Poppy seeds can be pressed to produce poppy seed oil. This oil is very rich in vitamin E, so you can use it in the banana bread batter instead of any other type of oil.

Try also the poppy seed paste, made with finely ground poppy seeds mixed with butter or milk (choose non-dairy or low fat) and sugar. This paste can be flavored with nuts, raisins, orange or lemon zest, heavy cream, rum, cinnamon, or vanilla. It is best if the seeds are toasted before grounding to intensify their taste. This paste is easily made at home, but you can also find it in supermarkets. Add two tablespoons of it into a standard banana bread recipe batter, or use the flavored version as a spread on each slice.

#6 Hemp Seed Banana Bread

Nutrition: omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, gamma linolenic acid (GLA), 20 amino acids, 9 essential amino acids, soluble and un-soluble fiber.

Health benefits: improving the heart health, reducing the high cholesterol levels, balancing hormones, improving digestion, facilitating weight loss.

How to use: The raw shelled hemp seeds, also called hemp hearts, taste great and are easy to use. Simply add ½ cup of these seeds into the batter.

Other hemp seed products to use: Hemp oil is unrefined oil that is light green to dark in color. It is obtained by cold-pressing of hemp seeds and has a nutty taste and aroma, which makes it perfect for baked goods like banana bread. However, this oil has a low smoke point, which means it is not suitable for cooking. For this reason, you should only use it in the batter, but not to grease the pan.

Hemp milk is made by soaking hemp seeds in water and then mixing them with a blender. It is creamy and has a nutty taste. You can find plain and flavored variations (chocolate and vanilla). Add ½ cup of this milk in place of any other kind of milk to contribute extra softness and healthiness.

You can also use hemp protein powder as a substitute for flour, individually or mixed with another type of flour. as you might know, physically active people use protein powders because of their high content of plant protein, omega fatty acids, and dietary fiber which enhances the metabolism and increases the fat burning. Another upside is that this powder is vegan and organic.