This easy and delicious recipe for Greek yogurt banana bread is the best way to use up overripe bananas. It's moist, flavorful, and makes the perfect treat for any time of day. While it may seem strange, the Greek yogurt actually helps the banana bread stay moist while baking!
This recipe was originally published on April 30, 2019. It was updated with new photos and helpful step by step instructions on December 10, 2025.
Honestly, it's hard to go wrong with banana bread, it's such a classic bake! It's also a great way to use up all of those sad looking, ripe bananas. I always have a few stored in the freezer so I can whip up this recipe in a moment's notice!
Personally, this is my favorite way to make banana bread because it's so easy and tasty! All you have to do is dump the ingredients into a bowl, mix it up and bake it. The recipe I am sharing with you has no oil, limited sugar and no butter, but I promise it's still delicious! My favorite way to enjoy this is having a big slice for breakfast with a steaming cup of coffee.
If I can make this, you can too! I'm not the best at baking, so I try to keep these recipes simple. Similar to my banana oat muffins or apple oat muffins, this recipe only requires one bowl to mix the ingredients together. Easy peasy!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This banana bread is so easy to make! I'm not the best at baking, but even I was able to make this no-fail recipe.
- You only need one bowl to mix the bread batter which keeps the clean up simple.
- Banana bread is such a classic! This fun twist adds a unique flair.
Ingredient Notes
- Bananas - you will need very ripe, brown bananas.
- Egg - you only need one egg for this recipe.
- Plain Greek yogurt - this helps the banana bread stay moist.
- Sweetener - this recipe uses a combination of brown sugar and maple syrup to add rich warming flavors.
- Dry ingredients - all purpose flour, bakingsoda, salt, cinnamon and chocolate chips.
- Walnuts - these are completely optional so choose if you want them or not! Personally, I love the extra crunch.
Substitutions & Variations
- Cottage cheese - you can swap out the yogurt for cottage cheese!
- Nut-free - omit the walnuts for a nut-free option.
- Coconut flakes - add ½ cup of unsweetened coconut flakes for added texture and flavor.
- White chocolate chips - try using white chocolate chips instead of chocolate chips.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Mash the bananas in a large mixing bowl with a fork. Add the egg, Greek yogurt, vanilla, maple syrup, flax seed and brown sugar. Whisk together until combined.
Step 2: Add the remaining dry ingredients. Gently mix until a batter forms and the ingredients are combined.
Step 3: Pour the batter into a loaf pan lined with parchment paper, or spay it with non-stick spray.
Step 4: Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 50 minutes.
Hint: make sure to line the loaf pan with parchment paper so the bread is easy to remove after baking. Using parchment paper keeps this recipe oil-free. If you don't care about oil you can use a non-stick spray.
Emily's Top Tip
"When you have bananas that start turning brown simply remove the peel and store them in a ziplock bag or tupperware in the freezer. When you're ready to bake, allow them to thaw in the fridge overnight or run them under warm water."
Frequently Asked Questions
Store leftovers in a ziplock bag at room temperature for 3 days. If you want to store it for longer than that I recommend sticking it in the fridge or freezer.
You can freeze banana bread for up to 3 months. I like to make a double loaf (if I have rough bananas) and eat one now and freeze the other for later.
I do not have a vegan version of this on the blog. Since the main ingredients contain yogurt, eggs and chocolate chips this recipe is not vegan-friendly. If you want a vegan banana bake try my banana oat muffins instead!
Easy Greek Yogurt Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 3 brown bananas
- 1 egg
- ½ cup Greek yogurt (full fat or low-fat)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon of unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup maple syrup (or honey)
- ⅓ cup ground flax seeds
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips (or up to ¾ cup)
- ¼ cup walnuts roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Mash the bananas in a large mixing bowl with a fork.
- Add the egg, cottage cheese, vanilla extract, applesauce, maple syrup, flax seeds and brown sugar. Mix together until combined.
- Add the baking soda, cinnamon, salt, flour, flax seeds, chocolate chips and walnuts. Gently mix until a batter forms.
- Pour the batter into a loaf pan lined with parchment paper or spayed with non-stick spray.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 50 minutes. Insert a toothpick in the center and pull it back out. It should come out without any batter sticking to it. (It's okay if there is melted chocolate on it)
- Place the loaf banana bread on a cooling rack and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing into it.
Notes
- You can use cottage cheese in place of Greek yogurt.
- Using parchment paper will keep this recipe oil-free.
- If you don't care about oil you can use a non-stick spray on the loaf pan.
Cathy says
I love this recipe! I made it recently and got rave reviews from my guests. I used mini chocolate chips ( a little less than the recipe called for). It was perfect with a morning cup of coffee. This will be my go to recipe for banana bread!
Emily Toshiko says
Yay! So glad you and your guests enjoyed it.Thanks for leaving a review!
Patty Suss says
Had some of this delicious banana bread this morning! Such yumminess and just the right amount of sweetness!
Emily Toshiko says
Yay! I'm so happy you enjoyed it!