Zero Guilt Oatmeal Banana Bread

We all know that the desserts that are full of butter, eggs and oil taste great...but I don't want to feel bad about eating a snack. I love swapping out for healthier ingredients and having the finished product come out great! This is low calorie and delicious! I can honestly say that the only thing I would do differently is maybe add a little bit more banana next time because I love a strong banana presence in my banana breads. The original recipe for this bread can be found here. I will post it as it was and then show where I changed it.

Zero Guilt Banana Bread

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 2/3 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup oats
• 1 cup mashed bananas ( I would use more next time)
• 1/3 cup buttermilk 1/3 cup plain organic greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs beaten 1/2 cup egg beaters
• cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 8 x 4 inch loaf pan with cooking spray.

Combine dry ingredients together in a large bowl.

Combine banana, buttermilk, oil, vanilla, and eggs in a small bowl or measuring cup.

Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently just until the dry ingredients are moistened.

Spoon batter into the prepared pan and bake for 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Slice and serve plain or with the topping of your choice. Butter, honey, peanut butter, and fresh fruit (or the strawberry coulis we made to go with those cupcakes the other day!) would all make great toppings for this bread.

Obviously I took this way to the extreme of altering ingredients to make it healthier. If you want to mess around with this recipe, go for it!! Change it back to what it originally was or only modify a few of them. Use real eggs and applesauce. Or real oil and applesauce with the buttermilk.

You can really do whatever you like! Don't be afraid to experiment!