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Home » Breakfast Breads

Published: Apr 15, 2020 · Modified: Mar 29, 2021 by Kathy

Quinoa Banana Bread

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Three small loaves of bread lined up in a row.

Banana Bread with added quinoa for extra protein, fiber and nutrients. This delicious banana bread is moist and full of flavor.

This is a perfect recipe for using up those ripe bananas we always seem to have. 

Homemade bread cooling in pans.

Thank goodness for banana bread! Otherwise, I would have a whole lot of wasted bananas. For me, bananas have a perfect ripeness window of about two days max. Before then, they are too green.

After, they are too ripe. I end up making a lot of banana bread, banana muffins, and other banana recipes with all those ripe bananas. This time I decided to amp up my regular banana bread by adding quinoa! 

If you love banana bread, you'll also want to check out this banana zucchini bread and this blueberry banana bread!

Loaves of banana bread on a baking sheet.

How to cook quinoa

When cooking quinoa, you want to first rinse it thoroughly in water. There is an outer coating that can taste bitter if you don't rinse it off first.

Measure the desired amount of quinoa and pour it into a bowl. Fill the bowl with water and rub the grains with your fingers. Then pour it into a fine sieve and rinse under the water again.

Follow the directions for cooking on your package. Most usually have 1 cup of quinoa to 2 cups of water. Boil water, add quinoa, and simmer with a lid for 10-15 minutes until all water is absorbed. Quinoa can be eaten hot or cold and takes on the flavor of whatever dish it's in.

You can also check out this recipe on how to cook quinoa.

Sliced banana bread on a wooden cutting board.

Can you taste the quinoa in this bread?

The quinoa is almost unrecognizable in this bread. You really can't taste it at all. It does add a bit of a crunch on the outer edges.

My husband says he doesn't like quinoa, so he didn't believe me when I told him it was in the banana bread! Nothing like sneaking extra nutrition into something everyone is going to eat anyway!

Steps to make banana bread

  • Use really ripe bananas - the browner the better
  • Mash bananas before adding to mixture
  • Mix dry ingredients together and set aside
  • Mix eggs, sugar and butter together
  • Fold in mashed bananas
  • Add dry ingredients
  • Fold in cooked quinoa
  • Bake

Full sized or mini loaves?

I used mini loaf pans for this bread. I like the small size and the slices are just a perfect size! 

To make mini loaves bake in 4 mini loaf pans for 45 minutes. To make full sized loaves use 2 full size loaf pans and bake for 55-60 minutes. 

Other Great Recipes Using Quinoa:

  • Quinoa Farro Salad
  • Quinoa Enchilada Bake
  • Quinoa Waffles
  • Quinoa Salad

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

Check out all my bread recipes!

  • Homemade Croissants stacked on a cooling rack.
    How to Make Croissants
  • Homemade Focaccia Bread cut into squares.
    Homemade Focaccia Bread
  • A circle of round dinner rolls each with a different finished glaze.
    Bread Glazes
  • A loaf of homemade white bread on a wooden cutting board.
    Homemade White Bread
Quinoa Banana Bread

Quinoa Banana Bread

Kathy Berget
Banana bread made healthier with added quinoa.
4.98 from 48 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Servings 4 mini loaves
Calories 215 kcal

Equipment

  • Mini Bread Pan
  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 whole eggs (lightly beaten)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ cup salted butter (melted)
  • 3 medium bananas (mashed (1 ½ cups))
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa (cooked and cooled)

Instructions
 

  • Measure dry ingredients into a bowl and mix together
    2 cups flour, 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • In another bowl, mix eggs, sugar and butter together
    2 whole eggs, 1 cup sugar, ½ cup salted butter
  • Fold in bananas
    3 medium bananas
  • Mix in dry ingredients
  • Mix in quinoa
    1 cup cooked quinoa
  • Spray loaf pans and divide batter between 4 mini loaf pans
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes. 

Notes

Use cooked and cooled quinoa - you need one cup of already cooked quinoa for the bread.
I used four mini loaf pans. If using large pans increase baking time by 5-10 minutes. 
Cut each mini loaf into 8 slices. 
Test for doneness with a toothpick inserted into the middle of a loaf. If the toothpick comes out clean, the bread is done. 

Nutritional Disclaimer:

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Serving: 2slicesCalories: 215kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 3gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 155mgPotassium: 44mgFiber: 2gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 191IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

This recipe was originally published in March of 2015. The photos and post have been updated. 

More Breakfast Breads

  • Chocolate Banana Muffin with chocolate chips on a white plate.
    Chocolate Banana Muffins
  • Almond Poppy Seed Muffins on a baking rack.
    Almond Poppy Seed Muffins
  • An apple banana muffin on a small blue plate.
    Banana Apple Muffins
  • Sliced Blueberry Banana Bread on a wooden cutting board.
    Blueberry Banana Bread

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    April 16, 2020 at 9:13 am

    Thank God for banana bread is right Kathy! This looks so fluffy and delicious. Pinning and excited to try.

    Reply
  2. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    April 16, 2020 at 8:34 am

    5 stars
    What a brilliant idea to add quinoa! Talk about a lovely addition of nutrition! Pinned and can't wait to try this one out, Kathy! Plus, I love banana bread 🙂

    Reply
  3. David @ Spiced says

    April 16, 2020 at 3:32 am

    5 stars
    What a fun idea, Kathy! I think I've used quinoa before in a multi-grain bread, but I definitely have never used it in banana bread. Banana bread just so happens to be one of my all-time favorite comfort foods, so I totally want to try this trick out now. Looks delicious...and it's healthy, so I can have an extra slice, right?? 🙂

    Reply
  4. Nicole says

    January 21, 2020 at 6:16 pm

    Haven't tried it yet but is the recipe for 1 cup of cooked quinoa, or 1 cup of quinoa, cooked?

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 21, 2020 at 7:20 pm

      You will need to cook the quinoa and use one cup of the cooked quinoa in this recipe. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Jean Kluse says

    December 29, 2019 at 1:13 pm

    What is a serving? 215 calories per mini loaf pan? or per slice, but how many slices per pan.
    Maybe you have it somewhere, but I cant see it.
    I am excited to make this recipe and I know I can figure it out on my own, but if you already have
    done it....Well, you get it...
    Thanks, JK

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      December 29, 2019 at 2:40 pm

      Hi Jean,
      Thanks for your question and you're right, a serving isn't clear! I've updated the recipe and hopefully it's easier to understand. I make 4 mini loaves and cut each loaf into 8 slices. A serving is 2 slices.
      Happy Baking!
      Kathy

      Reply
  6. Lia B says

    September 07, 2019 at 4:17 pm

    I just made this bread and it really is a keeper! I only made half the recipe, because I wasn’t sure my people would like it. Super easy and delicious. And, since I always tweak recipes, after buttering the mold I always sprinkle sugar all over instead of flour; it adds a little crunchiness and serves the same purpose. Mine came out a little darker than yours maybe cause I used brown sugar and tri-colori quinoa, but yummy anyway.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      September 07, 2019 at 7:08 pm

      Hi Lia,
      I love the idea of a little extra sugar in the pan. That sounds delicious!

      Reply
  7. lisa says

    March 30, 2019 at 8:37 am

    made this, however, I would put step 2 in front of step 1 since i mixed my sugar with my dry ingredients and the next step is to mix sugar with butter. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 01, 2019 at 5:44 am

      Hi Lisa,
      Thanks for the suggestion. I usually mix my sugar in with my butter first and then in with the dry ingredients. Glad this worked out for you. Happy Baking! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Colleen says

    January 06, 2019 at 7:01 pm

    5 stars
    This bread is delicious! My family all said "This is a keeper"!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 06, 2019 at 7:37 pm

      Thanks, Colleen! I'm so glad everyone loved it! 😉

      Reply
  9. Fred G says

    November 29, 2018 at 9:11 am

    5 stars
    What a good use of q uinoa

    Reply
  10. Kirsten says

    July 25, 2018 at 7:39 am

    5 stars
    These are really good. My 21 month old loves them. I only used 1/2 cup of coconut sugar and added some wheat bran and they were still nice and sweet. Thank you for posting a recipe with quinoa that is not overly healthy...ie. no sugar, fat free, egg free, grain free...blah blah blah. I just wanted a nice somewhat healthy recipe and this is it👌

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      July 25, 2018 at 9:37 am

      Thanks, Kirsten! I'm so glad you love this banana bread. I like the changes you've made - great idea! Happy Baking 🙂

      Reply
  11. Sarah says

    May 06, 2018 at 7:47 pm

    5 stars
    Genius idea! Making these tomorrow 🙂

    Reply
  12. Andrea says

    February 06, 2018 at 1:31 pm

    4 stars
    I made this bread hoping my son who's a super picky eater would like it, so he could take it to school for a protein snack and he did like it! So thank you very much!
    I used whole wheat flour and 1/2 cup maple syrup.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      February 06, 2018 at 6:38 pm

      I'm so glad your son loved it! Adding maple syrup sounds like a wonderful flavor booster! Great idea!!!

      Reply
  13. Cathy Mullin says

    October 19, 2017 at 12:30 pm

    Kathy,
    Can you recommend a substitute for the 1 cup of sugar? I am a diabetic and have to watch the sugar content. I love quinoa and am anxious to try this.
    Cathy

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 19, 2017 at 7:02 pm

      Hello Cathy,
      I haven't tried making this with anything other than the listed ingredients. I'm not sure what a good substitute for the sugar would be.

      Reply
  14. Cara says

    May 02, 2017 at 11:16 am

    Would this make two regular loafs or just one? It sounds delicious! I will be trying it with a gluten free flour blend.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 02, 2017 at 5:55 pm

      Hi Cara,
      It would make two regular sized loaf pans. I haven't used gluten free flour before. Let me know how it turns out.

      Reply
  15. Renee Sheffer says

    March 18, 2017 at 4:36 am

    5 stars
    I work at a surgeons' office and we are all trying to eat healthier. I made this for a breakfast staff meeting on a day it was someone's birthday. No one missed the cake. It was amazing!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      March 18, 2017 at 5:08 am

      Thanks so much! I'm glad everyone loved it!

      Reply
  16. Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel says

    March 25, 2015 at 2:12 pm

    going to have to remember to try quinoa and banana together in recipes as i know i love baking with quinoa as it gives a great texture and flavor. well done!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      March 25, 2015 at 4:53 pm

      Thanks, Kelsey!

      Reply
      • Karen says

        March 10, 2017 at 6:17 pm

        One question....do you use 1 cup of quinoa dry and cook that to add, or do you add 1 cup of cooked quinoa? It puffs up a little when you boil it so I just wondered what you do? This recipe sounds so delicious and healthy!! Can't wait to try it!!?

      • Kathy says

        March 11, 2017 at 8:06 am

        Great question! I add one cup cooked quinoa. I measure it out after it is already cooked. Happy Cooking!

  17. Matea says

    March 24, 2015 at 5:28 pm

    I didn't know quinoa was supposed to be rinsed before cooking. Definitely need to do that next time! 🙂 And this banana bread looks amazing!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      March 24, 2015 at 7:49 pm

      Thanks, Matea!

      Reply
  18. marcie says

    March 24, 2015 at 2:44 pm

    I love quinoa, but I've never thought to add it to quick bread! What a great way to boost the nutrition!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      March 24, 2015 at 7:50 pm

      I'm finding you can add quinoa to quite a bit!

      Reply
  19. Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says

    March 24, 2015 at 4:00 am

    I've never baked with quinoa, but it's such a great idea. I have several bananas that are getting super duper brown on my counter. I better use them to make this!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      March 24, 2015 at 4:35 am

      Yep....you'd better make some banana bread!

      Reply
  20. Laura says

    March 23, 2015 at 5:53 am

    I love how you snuck a little quinoa in here. What a good idea! I'm always doing that to my family, sneaking in that healthy stuff when nobodies looking!! Banana bread is the best and such a great way to use up those brownish bananas. I'd rather eat a banana that's solid green than one that's just a little bit brown!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      March 23, 2015 at 5:08 pm

      I'm always looking for ways to sneak a little extra something into any dish!

      Reply
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4.98 from 48 votes (31 ratings without comment)

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I'm Kathy, and I love to create delicious recipes from scratch utilizing many ingredients that we grow and raise. I'm a recipe creator, food photographer, and cookbook author!

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