This tender, gluten-free banana bread is excellent for heart health. When chocolate chips and walnuts are added, the bread tastes just like an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie!
Wash hands thoroughly according to CDC guidelines.
Spray a loaf pan with non-stick baking spray or line it with parchment paper. Set the oven at 350 F. (Use 325 F for a dark, metal pan.)
Place the whole oats in a food processor and run the machine until the oats are chopped fine and have almost the consistency of flour.
Add the cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Pulse a couple of times to combine the dry ingredients.
In a large bowl, mash the bananas. Add the oil, yogurt, maple syrup, brown stevia or monkfruit sweetener, egg, and vanilla. Beat with a spoon or spatula until the liquid ingredients are evenly distributed.
Sprinkle the oat flour mixture over the top and gently mix just until the dry ingredients are incorporated.
Gently fold the walnuts, chocolate chunks, or any other additions into the batter.
Turn the mixture into prepared loaf pan and place in the oven. Check for doneness after 50 minutes. Bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes if necessary. A toothpick inserted in the middle of the loaf should come out clean with only a few crumbs clinging to it.
Remove from oven and let cool for about 10 minutes in the pan. Then, turn the loaf out onto a wire rack to finish cooling. Slice and serve when cool enough. Or, wrap the unsliced loaf tightly in foil to freeze or serve later.
Notes
This loaf will have dramatically fewer calories and carbohydrates without the walnuts and chocolate chips.It would be delicious with raisins, craisins, or chopped dates although these could make it overly sweet.