Many a healthy diet has been sabotaged by dessert cravings, but this recipe for Baked Bananas is just what the sweet tooth ordered.
When you’re trying to avoid flour, processed sugars, and artificial sweeteners, but you have a raging lifelong sweet tooth, your usual dessert time can feel depressing. A handful of berries on flavorless yogurt? An apple with some cinnamon sprinkled on it? When you’re used to eating actual desserts, these options feel like diet food. I don’t do well in that situation.
One solution to this is to cook the fruit you eat for dessert. A quick bake in the oven or air fryer does wonders for an apple, and you can cook berries in a saucepan to make a kind of sauce to put on top of yogurt. These are delicious options to try, but when it comes to baking fruit, there’s one fruit that takes first place, always: bananas. The power of a baked banana, especially when it’s ripe, should not be underestimated. Cooked bananas have all kinds of flavors that raw bananas don’t have, and these flavors develop as the sugars caramelize.
This simple recipe for baked bananas is my go-to when I’m trying to eat more whole foods and less processed sugars. It barely takes any work, only has a few ingredients besides bananas, and the snack is done in under half an hour. It’s healthy, easy, and tastes like something I’d order at a restaurant. In other words, a baked banana makes me feel like I’m not depriving myself of anything!
Are Baked Bananas Healthy?
Yes, baked bananas are healthy—almost as healthy as a plain banana! Bananas contain lots of potassium and fiber, they barely have any fat, and they provide doses of several vitamins, including B6 and C. Honey is a natural, unprocessed sweetener, and although it’s still a source of sugar, it contains flavonoids and other antioxidants. This baked banana treat is low in calories and is vegetarian-friendly, gluten-free, and dairy-free, so it’s acceptable to lots of different dietary styles. You can make this recipe vegan by simply substituting the honey for maple syrup or agave nectar.
What’s Your Style Of Baked Banana?
This recipe is about as simple as baked bananas get, so it’s ripe for accessorizing. I’ve been eating bananas this way for years, so I have a few variations of this healthy-but-decadent dessert. Here are a few of my favorites.
- Chocolate banana: Sprinkle a tablespoon of cocoa powder on your bananas before baking, after you’ve rubbed on the honey.
- Vanilla banana: Drizzle a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract over the top of your bananas before you put them in the oven.
- Peanut butter banana: Sprinkle powdered peanut butter (I like PB2 brand) over your bananas prior to baking. Bonus points if you add cocoa powder, too!
- Bananas Foster: Sprinkle chopped pecans, vanilla extract, and a small amount of maple syrup on your bananas after you’ve added the honey. Add a dollop of whipped cream with some cinnamon on top to garnish them before serving.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Leftover baked bananas can be transferred to an airtight container once cooled and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, transfer to a freezer-safe ziplock bag with the air squeezed out, and freeze for up to 3 months. Honestly, baked bananas are at their best right out of the oven, so try to eat them fresh!
Serving Suggestions
When these baked bananas come out of the oven, you might not be able to resist just eating them as they are, and that’s perfectly acceptable! But one reason I love this recipe is that there are so many ways to enjoy these tasty bananas.
Baked bananas are a scrumptious addition to Delicious Cottage Cheese Pancakes and Healthy Vegan Pancakes. You can also eat them with homemade banana ice cream; it works especially well when the baked bananas are hot! Try them with this Cookie Dough Banana Ice Cream Recipe or as a topping on these Chunky Monkey Banana Ice Cream Bowls.
I think these bananas are also fantastic on top of hot oatmeal, as a topping for all types of Overnight Oats, and if you have any left, throw them in a smoothie!
Ingredients
- 2 large, ripe bananas
- 2 teaspoons honey
- Salt to taste
- Cinnamon to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400℉ and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Peel the bananas and slice them in half lengthwise. Place each half on the baking sheet, cut-side up.
- Rub the bananas with honey and sprinkle each piece with a pinch of salt.
- Bake until soft, about 15-20 minutes.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
This was just what I was looking for. I used this to put over my buckwheat. I love simple recipes like this.
So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe. Thanks for reading.