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February 4, 2021 4 Comments

Healthy Banana Snack Cake

A slice of healthy banana snack cake on a white plate with a fork in the corner and extra chocolate chips around the plate. Additional plates of banana cake in the background

 I’m constantly trying to find new ways to use overripe bananas, and I’m also always looking for ways to feed these five children of mine that seem to always be hungry. This Healthy Banana Snack Cake has been my solution lately. It’s made with whole wheat flour, oatmeal, and Greek yogurt, which makes it a great option for a yummy and healthy snack. We love a simple snack cake around here. You can try our Pumpkin Snack Cake and our Zucchini Snack Cake, too.  

The entire 9×13 cake only has 3/4 of a cup of sugar in it because the bananas and a few chocolate chips take care of the sweetening. The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of canola oil, but you could sub it for coconut oil or even applesauce if you are looking for ways to make it even healthier.

In the recipe, I advise you to let the wet ingredients and the smashed bananas sit for five to ten minutes with the oatmeal mixed in it. This might seem like a strange step in the recipe, but it helps to soften the oatmeal so it won’t be as noticeable in the cake. You can skip that step if you prefer. No biggie.  

This cake is always a hit with my kids, and it literally takes no time at all to mix up and get in the oven. It’s my new go-to way to use up the always-present (it seems) overripe bananas in my fruit basket. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

A pan of healthy banana snack cake, but into 2x2 squares with a few pieces missing and a serving spatula in the empty spacesMore Simple and Healthy Snack Ideas for Hungry Kids

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snack cake with bananas, oatmeal and chocolate chips. You can see the chocolate chips sprinkled on topStep-by-step pictures 0n how to make Healthy banana Snack Cake

A collage with 11 pictures showing step by step directions on how to make Healthy Banana Snack Cakea 9x13 dish of banana snack cake. You can see the chocolate chips sprinkled on top

Frequently Asked Questions about how to make Healthy Banana Snack Cake

Can I make this recipe if I only have one overripe banana?

Yes. The recipe will still work, but the banana flavor will not be quite as strong. 

Is all-purpose flour okay if I don’t have whole wheat flour? 

Of course. The whole wheat flour just ups the healthy factor. 

a white plate with banana snackcake on it. there is a bite taken out and you can see two other plates of snack cake in the backgroundwill regular yogurt work or does if have to be Greek Yogurt?

Regular yogurt will work fine. The Greek yogurt is preferred because it adds a little extra protein. 

Are Old-fashioned Oats okay if I don’t have quick oats?

Yes, they will work great. The reason I prefer quick in this recipe is because they are harder for picky kids to spot in the cake. 🙂

Can this be made in muffin tins?

Yes, it technically can. The lower fat in these muffins makes them stick a little bit to cupcake wrappers. So I would suggest spraying the tins with cooking spray and not using wrappers. They will also need to cook for about 5-8 more minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when pulled out of the center of a muffin.

pinterest collage for banana snack cake

Healthy Breakfast Ideas

White Bowl with baked oatmeal and a splash of milk a fresh strawberries and blueberriesThe Best Baked OatmealA square slice of crustless quiche on a small white plate.Crustless Quiche Egg CasseroleApple Pie flavored oatmeal with sliced red apple on top.Overnight Apple Pie Oats

 
5.0 from 1 reviews
Healthy Banana Snack Cake
 
Print
Prep time
10 mins
Cook time
17 mins
Total time
27 mins
 
Simple and healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Snack Cake. Great way to use up overripe bananas. A hit with kids and adults alike!
Author: Maria
Serves: 16-20
Ingredients
  • ⅓ cup greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup canola oil
  • ½ cup brown sugar, lightly packed
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup quick oats
  • 2 overripe bananas, smashed
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1¼ cup whole wheat flour
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt, scant
  • ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray and set aside.
  3. Combine yogurt, oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and quick oats. Mix well with a fork or a hand mixer until combined. Stir in the smashed bananas. Set aside and let sit for about 10 minutes. (This step can be skipped, but it helps soften the oatmeal so it isn't as noticeable in the cake.)
  4. Next, add eggs and vanilla. Mix until thoroughly incorporated.
  5. Mix in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
  6. Stir in chocolate chips and spread evenly in the greased 9x13 pan. If you prefer, you can reserve half of the chocolate chips to spread on top.
  7. Bake at 350 degrees for 17-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
3.5.3251

Healthy Dinner Ideas

A large frying pan filled with slice zucchini and yellow squash, Italian sausage and dice tomatoes.Million Dollar Zucchini SkilletSheet pan of brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes and Kielbasa with a fork taking some of the food off the sheet panSheet Pan Kielbasa with Sweet Potatoes and Brussel SproutsInstant-Pot-Lentils-with-Chicken-and-Sweet-PotatoInstant Pot Lentils with Chicken and Sweet Potato

Pinterest collage for healthy banana snack cake with three images

9x13, After School Snacks, Banana, Cake, Chocolate Chips, Desserts, Healthy Recipes, Ingredients, Main Categories, More, Recipes
banana cake, banana snack cake, healthy baking, Healthy Banana Snack Cake, healthy kid snacks, healthy treats, how to use over ripe bananas, over ripe bananas, Ripe Bananas, simple and healthy snacks, whole wheat flour
4 Comments

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4 Comments

  1. Susan

    February 5, 2021 at 9:46 am

    I’m interested in trying this banana cake recipe, but I wondering if there is a calorie count available? I couldn’t find it in this email but thought I would ask here? Thank you

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      February 7, 2021 at 5:55 pm

      Hi Susan, Unfortunately I don’t have the caloric information for this recipe. Sites like this one should work for figuring it out if you enter the ingredients. https://www.verywellfit.com/recipe-nutrition-analyzer-4157076

      reply to this comment
  2. AnnS

    March 3, 2022 at 10:51 pm

    I have a child who doesn’t like very sweet foods, so he really loved this snack cake.

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      March 7, 2022 at 4:23 am

      Yay! That’s great!

      reply to this comment

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Hi, I'm Maria. A mom of five and a total foodie. My superpower is taking ordinary recipes and making them DELICIOUS. Your family will LOVE these meals! Come cook with me, I promise it will be amazing! Get started here or search my archives below.


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