This Low Sodium Banana Bread is moist and bursting with delicious banana flavor. I get a craving in the morning for the nutty banana bread a few times a year. Or when I hate just seeing a bunch of bananas that turned brown so quickly go to waste. So I really wasn’t surprised when re-evaluating my recipe how much sodium was in it like most breads. So I changed it up to make it low sodium. And since it is really hard to mess up banana bread it was really easy to make this classic into a low sodium banana bread version.
| Typical sodium amount per slice | 200+ mg |
| Sodium per slice for this recipe | 14 mg |
| Calories per serving | 199 |
A VERY LOW SODIUM BANANA BREAD
The typical banana bread recipes sodium levels vary quite a bit but most of them seem to be in the 180-260 mg’s of sodium range per slice, knocking big chunks out of your sodium budget and it just doesn’t have to be that way. How about a slice of banana with just 14 mg of sodium per slice? And it’s simple to do with just a hand blender and no stand mixer required. You could even do totally by hand if need be since low sodium banana bread is more of a batter than a dough.
Speaking of which, I believe stand mixers are more for “doughy” recipes and since this is a batter I would use a hand mixer or do it by hand with a whisk and spatula. And since I like keeping things in the kitchen fast and easy as possible, a hand blender is used in this recipe.
OVER RIPE BANANAS ARE BEST
The best bananas for the bread are when they are getting heavily spotted brown. And the fruit inside is getting almost mushy. It bakes up with a richer more robust banana flavor. When you prepare the banana you can leave it a little more “pulpy” if you prefer, I personally like to mix it out smooth.
Ripe banana bunch 
Soften butter quickly 
Banana bread batter ready for oven
Quick Tip: To soften butter quickly cut butter into tabs and stick to the inside of bowl.
WHAT FLOUR TO USE FOR LOW SODIUM BANANA BREAD
I also use bread flour as I think it makes a less dense loaf of bread. But don’t expect it to be light and airy, banana bread makes a heavy loaf. But you can use just about any flour you want as just about any ingredient in this recipe is interchangeable. Except for the Hain Featherweight no sodium baking powder, which is indispensable for low sodium baking.
HOW TO KEEP BANANA BREAD MOIST
Banana bread is supposed to be moist, so the best way to keep banana bread moist for days is to wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Once your bread is baked and cooled, I actually like wrapping tightly in aluminum foil, it’s just easier to open and such for me. And then store in a large zip lock freezer bag or a plastic Tupperware type container. Then just store it wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.
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Low Sodium Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour (I personally like to use bread flour)
- 2 tsp Hain’s no sodium baking powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 stick unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
- 3/4 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
- 1/3 cup plain yogurt
- 2 cups mashed bananas (3 to 4 large ripe bananas)
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Preparation
- Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease or coat with nonstick spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg together in a large bowl.
- Use a handheld mixer fitted with beater blades, beat the butter and brown sugar together on high speed until smooth, light and creamy. Then on medium speed, add the eggs. Beat in the yogurt, mashed bananas, honey and vanilla extract on medium speed until combined and smooth. With the mixer running on low speed or spatula, slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until no flour pockets remain. Do not overmix. Fold in the nuts, if using.
- Pour and scrape batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 60-65 minutes. Cover the bread with aluminum foil after 30 minutes to help prevent the top from getting too brown. A toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf will come out clean when the bread is done. Remove from the oven and allow pan to cool and then place the bread to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store banana bread at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
I use, own and recommend these products and ingredients used in this recipe and I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. Please understand that not everyone’s sodium and dietary requirements are the same, therefore some recipes may be higher than you’re allowed.
https://tastyhealthyheartrecipes.com/a-la-cart/baking/low-sodium-banana-bread/© 2024 Tasty Healthy Heart Recipes
Nutrition Information – The information shown is provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be substituted for a doctor’s or nutritionist’s advice. Please understand that not everyone’s sodium requirements are the same, therefore some recipes may be higher than you’re allowed. Always consult with your doctor for your recommended daily sodium allowance.
As always, please let me know how you like this recipe in the comments! I get motivated when I hear from you and am interested to learn about how you liked and served your Low Sodium Banana Bread. And please leave a comment or rating and share any tips you might have.
i have used about more than 13 of Bill’s recipes. i LOVE the fact that he is saving my life AND my sanity with these recipes. THANKS11 & a tip of the chef’s hat. JF u have a cookbook by now, Bill; I will buy a copy. get tired of writing it all down. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! Wanda Rhyelle & family
Bill, the flavor is great! I noticed the inside of the bread remained somewhat mushy, I baked an additional 30 minutes at 350 degrees ( total 1 hr. 30 min.) But it didn’t change. Any ideas as to why?
Not sure exactly, sounds like too much moisture. Try adding a bit more (1/4 cup?) flour next time. Be sure to tent the baking pan with foil so the top doesn’t burn but, loose enough moisture can escape.
Great low sodium recipe for banana bread. Made it with chopped walnuts and my husband loved it! Super moist and tasty! Will def make again.
Thanks Kathy!
I love this recipe
I was suggested this website by way of my cousin. I’m now not sure whether or not this submit is written by means of him as no one else understand such specified approximately my difficulty. You are wonderful! Thank you!
Thank you Hope you enjoy!
Bill
This excellent website certainly has all of the information and facts I wanted concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
Thank you Alonso,
I know was kinda lost when I first started and when reading about cooking low sodium it seemed many others were too. So I am happy to share, as we all can benefit.
Thanks
Bill
I am making this recipe as I text. (Seriously) it’s in the oven baking. I hope the banana bread come out delicious and awesome!! (I’ll comment back) to let you know. Thank you for posting a low sodium banana bread recipe because my soon to be mother-in-law in a strict low sodium lifestyle.
Hi Tammy
Excellent! Please let me know how you like it…
Bill
Can i leave out the yogurt WITHOUT REPLACING it with ANYTHING?
Im sorry i didnt see the other reply.
Thanks
What can be substituted for the yogurt since it has sodium as well.
Hi Judi,
I have to admit you kind of have me stumped here. Maybe add some more banana and a couple tablespoons of water? You want to keep the moisture content up. They say it is really hard to mess up banana bread.
Thanks
Bill
bless you for the low sodium version of banana bread. Just a quick critique, the text mentions baking power and the recipe itself has baking soda. Since I don’t think hain’s has a no sodium baking soda, I assume you meant powder? thanks again.
Hi Philip,
Yes, you are correct! Thanks for the sharp eye and I will correct. Hope you enjoyed your bread.
Bill