Short Description
A nutty twist on classic banana bread—this loaf is rich, moist, and packed with natural banana sweetness, creamy peanut butter, and a golden crunchy peanut topping. Perfect for breakfast, snacking, or cozy coffee breaks.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creamy and crunchy: Smooth peanut butter and chunky roasted peanuts create delightful contrast.
- Naturally sweetened: Ripe bananas and maple syrup or honey provide moist sweetness.
- Wholesome comfort food: Made with simple pantry staples for a satisfying baked treat.
- Great for sharing or gifting: A cozy loaf that’s ideal for morning toast or snack time.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ⅓ cup maple syrup or honey
- ¼ cup coconut oil or melted butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ⅓ cup roasted peanuts, chopped (plus extra for topping)
- 2 tbsp rolled oats (optional, for topping)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease or line a 9 × 5‑inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together mashed bananas, peanut butter, maple syrup (or honey), coconut oil (or melted butter), eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined.
- Fold in chopped peanuts.
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan, smooth the top, and sprinkle with extra peanuts and optional rolled oats.
- Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Yields 12 slices, based on standard 9×5‑inch loaf pan recipes
- Active time: 15 minutes
- Total time: Approximately 75 minutes (15 minutes prep + ~60 minutes baking + 10 minutes cooling) .
Variations
- Nut-free option: Omit peanuts and substitute with sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
- Extra mix-ins: Stir in chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, or dried fruit.
- Healthier swap: Use whole wheat flour for part of the all-purpose flour.
- Gluten-free: Replace with a gluten-free baking blend one-to-one.
- Vegan version: Replace eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg) and use maple syrup instead of honey.
Storage / Reheating
- Storage: Wrap cooled loaf in plastic or place in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 2–3 months
- Reheating: Warm individual slices in the toaster oven or microwave for a few seconds to restore softness and enhance aroma.
FAQs
What makes banana bread moist and fluffy?
Using very ripe bananas adds natural moisture and sweetness. Avoid overmixing to prevent a dense texture .
How do I know the bread is done?
Insert a toothpick in the centre—when it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, it’s ready
Can I use honey instead of maple syrup?
Yes, honey works well and contributes a subtle floral sweetness, though it may brown the crust slightly more.
How ripe should the bananas be?
Look for bananas with lots of brown spots; they’re sweeter and help produce a richer loaf
Can I make this in muffin form?
Absolutely—divide the batter into muffin cups and bake for about 20–25 minutes at 350 °F (175 °C), until a toothpick comes out clean .
Why add both baking soda and powder?
Baking soda reacts with the acidic bananas and peanut butter for lift, while baking powder adds extra rise for a fluffier texture.
Can I omit coconut oil?
Yes—replace with melted butter or neutral oil; keep the same quantity.
How do I prevent the topping from sinking?
Gently press peanuts and oats into the batter’s surface before baking, and avoid heavy stirring late in mixing.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
No, but you can substitute a gluten-free flour blend to make it gluten-free.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, double the ingredients and bake in two loaves or a larger pan. Baking duration may increase slightly.
Conclusion
This Crunchy Peanut Butter Banana Bread delivers rich flavor, tender crumb, and delightful crunch in every bite. With pantry-friendly ingredients and easy preparation, it’s an ideal treat for breakfast, snack time, or casual gifting. Enjoy warm with a spread of butter or a drizzle of peanut butter.
Print
Crunchy Peanut Butter Banana Bread
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (including rising time)
- Yield: 8–10 buns 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion
- Diet: Halal
Description
Soft and fluffy buns filled with a savory blend of shredded chicken, melty cheddar cheese, and spices, topped with delicate poppy seeds for a bakery-style finish. These are perfect for lunchboxes, gatherings, or cozy snacks.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 egg
- For the filling:
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For topping:
- 1 egg yolk + 1 tbsp water (egg wash)
- 1 tbsp poppy seeds
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine warm milk, water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add flour, salt, egg, and melted butter. Mix and knead for about 8–10 minutes until smooth. Cover and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet, sauté onion and garlic for 2 minutes. Add shredded chicken, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir in cheddar cheese and let cool.
- Punch down dough and divide into equal portions (8–10 balls). Flatten each ball and fill with 1–2 tbsp of the chicken-cheese mixture. Seal and shape into buns.
- Place on a lined baking tray. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush buns with egg wash and sprinkle with poppy seeds.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use leftover roast chicken or rotisserie chicken for quick prep.
- Try adding chopped herbs or spices to the filling for extra flavor.
- These buns freeze well—reheat in the oven or toaster oven before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
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