Easy and Healthy Sugar-Free Banana Bread Recipe for Kids

I used to always think banana bread needed the added sugar until I tried this recipe. If you’re looking for a snack to pack in a lunchbox, a delicious breakfast side, or simply trying to avoid added sugar, this recipe has you covered! 

What I Love About this Banana Bread Recipe

When it comes to feeding solid foods, texture, flavor, and nutrition are everything. This friendly banana bread has it all:

• Natural sweetness from bananas. No need for added refined sugar! I’m always looking for recipes that have no added sugar and salt. We want to avoid added sugar and salt anywhere we can the first couple years!
• It uses simple ingredients that you likely already have in the pantry. Plus it uses up any old bananas you have sitting around!
• A soft, moist crumb that’s easy to grasp for little fingers.
• Simple swaps for dietary needs, like using almond flour or a flaxseed egg substitute.
• Packed with nutrients like fiber, potassium, and brain-boosting choline and healthy fats for toddlers and kids.
• It’s freezer-friendly for quick snacks or a great side to a meal any time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 3 very ripe large bananas
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all purpose flour 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
• Optional: chia seeds, chocolate chips (for older kids), or almond butter

This recipe uses everyday pantry staples, which makes it easy to make anytime. Plus, there’s no hunting down odd ingredients!

What You’ll Need to Make It

Before you start, grab these:

• Large bowl for the wet ingredients and a separate bowl for dry ingredients 
• A standard loaf pan or a muffin tin, greased or lined with parchment paper
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Large wooden spoon for mixing
• A wire rack for cooling if you’d like 

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat Your Oven

Set your oven to 350°F. Prepare your greased loaf pan or line it with parchment paper or use muffin liners to prevent sticking.

2. Mash The Bananas

In a large bowl, mash your overripe bananas with a fork until smooth. This step is where the natural sweetness and banana flavor come from. 

3. Combine Wet Ingredients

Stir in the eggs, melted butter, and teaspoon vanilla extract into the mashed bananas. Mix until everything is combined.

4. Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, teaspoon ground cinnamon, and salt (optional).

5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingrendients. Stir gently—overmixing can make the loaf dense instead of soft and fluffy.

6. Add Optional Extras

Now’s the time to stir in any extras, like chia seeds, flax seeds, finely chopped nuts, or a handful of chocolate chips. Since you won’t be serving this to babies under one year because of the texture of the bread, you can add some sweetness with the chocolate chips if you’d like. Avoid large nuts because of the choking risk to toddlers and babies. 

7. Bake

Pour the batter into your prepared tin. Smooth the top with a spoon and bake in the preheated oven for 55-60 minutes if using a loaf tin. If using a muffin tin or stoneware, bake for 20-25 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, it’s ready.

8. Cool

Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack. Once completely cool, slice it into pieces for serving.

9. Toppings 

I like to add either butter, almond butter, mascarpone cheese, cream cheese or other nut butters. All these toppings are suitable for babies and toddlers!

Serving and Storing Sugar Free Banana Bread

This sugar free banana bread is perfect as-is, but here’s how to tailor it to your little one’s needs:

• For babies: since banana bread is soft and can increase choking risk, it’s best to wait to serve it until babies are closer to 12 months of age. 
• For toddlers: Cut into bite-sized pieces or serve a slice with one of the toppings above for added nutrition. 
• For the whole family: Serve plain or spread with almond butter or Greek yoghurt for extra protein.

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic wrap. Frozen slices are a great way to have snacks on hand for busy days.

Nutrition Highlights

This recipe is more than just a delicious banana bread:

• Bananas: Packed with potassium, fiber, and vitamin B6.
• Butter: Provides brain-building fats 
• Choline: Concentrated in egg yolks and necessary for brain development
• Flour: Provides carbohydrates for energy
• Chia seeds: Adds omega-3s, fiber, and protein for growing bodies.

Best of all, it’s free from added sugar, so you can feel confident serving it to babies as young as six months.

Tips for Success

• Use ripe bananas: The more spots, the better! They’re sweeter and blend easily for a moist texture.
• Make it allergen-friendly: Swap the flour or eggs as needed for dietary restrictions.
• Get kids involved: Let older toddlers help mash bananas or stir the batter!

A Snack for Every Stage

This sugar free banana bread for kids is a recipe you’ll use over and over. It’s easy to prepare, packed with nutrients, and adaptable for every member of your entire family. Whether you’re packing a snack for older kids, or need a quick addition to your lunch box, this sugar free banana bread works perfectly!

For more healthy recipes like this, check out my Baby Meal Ideas page. It’s packed with inspiration to keep mealtime nutritious and easy!