8 ingredients is all you to make this delicious, refined sugar-free and Oil-Free Wheat Bran Blueberry Banana Bread!
I caught the quickest cold known to man this week. I felt my throat getting itchy on Tuesday, woke up with a sore throat on Wednesday, and started feeling better on Thursday. Holla! The funny thing is, just a few days before my cold started, I was cockily thinking about how I didn't get sick when Brett had his bad cold. Pride comes before the fall, y'all.
Another random, unrelated thought. Remember when I shared with you that I was going to slowly try to switch to all natural cosmetic products? A couple weeks back we got our first shipment from Amazon that included new shampoo, conditioner, soap, face wash (raw honey), and aluminum-free deodorant for Brett (I have already started making my own from scratch). Welllll, turns out some of products we tried didn't work so well. I love the soap and honey (both of which I use on my face), but the shampoo, conditioner and deodorant were no goes.
First of all, Brett smelled. I didn't notice it too much myself, but the aluminum-free deodorant didn't fly with him. As for the shampoo and condition, Brett thought they were okay, but my scalp became super greasy and itchy and I started getting dandruff. Eww. No thank you. Hopefully I'll find some natural products that actually work on my hair soon, but as for now, I'm loving my chemical-laden shampoo. It's so nice to have normal hair back!!
As for this Oil-Free Wheat Bran Blueberry Banana Bread, I honestly wasn't sure if I was going to post this recipe (I know, I know. Just what you want to hear, right?). I still doubt myself sometimes and wonder whether people will like certain recipes as much as I do. But once I realized that I kept looking forward to having a slice of this bread, and that Brett kept eating it too, I knew it was post worthy.
Some reasons I love this bread, other than the few ingredients it requires, is it's doughy, sweetness, which all comes from bananas and dates! Natures candy, I tell you. Then you have all the fiber from the wheat bran and flour that keeps you full and satisfied and provides plant-based protein. Lastly, you've got little jewels of blueberries laced throughout each slice that provide a sweet burst of freshness. Yum!
📖 Recipe
Oil-Free Wheat Bran Blueberry Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup wheat bran
- 1 cup non-dairy milk
- 3 over-ripe bananas
- 8 pitted medjool dates
- 1 ½ cup whole wheat flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup blueberries
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 °F and spray a loaf pan with non-stick baking spray.
- In a large bowl, mix together the wheat bran and the almond milk and let is stand for 10 minutes.
- In a food processor, process the bananas, dates and vanilla until smooth. Mix into the bran mixture.
- In another bowl whisk together the wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add this dry mixture into the wet mixture and stir until just blended. Fold in the blueberries.
- Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges brown. Allow the bread to cool before slicing.
Julia says
The instructions mention baking soda but I don't see it listed in the ingredients list. How much is supposed to be used?
Faith VanderMolen says
Hi Julia! Well, good question! This is an old recipe, but I'm guessing about 1/2 teaspoon! I'll try to test these out again and edit the recipe soon!
Nicole Ralston says
In a food processor, process the bananas, dates and vanilla
The ingredients list doesn’t mention vanilla?? Hmm
Faith says
Oh sorry! It won’t affect the final result too much. Add a teaspoon of you like! I’ll edit the recipe...it’s an older one when I was still learning the ropes!
Rhoisin says
Faith, I just found your site and look forward to making the wheatbran loaf. Looks purfect. Thankyou for deciding to share.
I have been using a deoderant , PrimalPitPaste.com. Organic & natural. I still sweat a teeny bit thru it, but I dont usually have any odor. Am trying to convince my husband to give it a try during a holiday break, to assess.
Faith says
That's great Rhoisin! Thanks so much for commenting and introducing yourself. So funny you mentioned the Primal Pit Paste because I just ordered some! We must think alike. I'm excited to give it a try once it arrives! Good luck with your husband;)
Erica says
Faith, I'm just starting out with clean eating and cutting out refined sugars so it was really nice to run across your blog. I am looking forward to making this bread, but I had a couple of questions as I am also new to baking. In the directions you mention adding the vanilla and baking soda, yet those two items do not appear in the ingredient list. Could you tell me how much of each I am to use? Thank you!
Faith says
Hey Erica! Thanks for commenting! I'm glad you came across my blog and I hope it helps you with your new eating plan. Sorry about the recipe confusion. This is an older post, but I'm pretty sure I wrote in baking soda when I didn't mean to! So just use the baking powder and no baking soda. As for vanilla, it would be 1 teaspoon, but also optional and easy to leave out. I hope that helps! I'll go edit the post now:)
Nichole Kraft says
I'm all about natural cosmetics and personal care items! I've switched to natural stuff for all of my hygiene/cosmetic stuff (hubby is a little resistant). I can totally relate to you about the shampoo. I spent months trying tons of homemade and store bought natural shampoos, and the only one that's worked is NaturOli. It's made from soapnuts, and it's a little pricey but a little bit goes a long way. I restock only once every two months or so (and I have very long hair that I wash every day). You can order it on Amazon. Might be worth a shot. 🙂
I also spent a long time hunting for a natural deodorant, and it may sound weird, but the only thing that has truly worked for me is Dr. Bronner's lavender hand sanitizer (it's a spray). Sounds weird, but it works. 🙂
Good luck as you transition into natural products. It's definitely worth it!
Faith says
Hey Nichole!! That's awesome (and amazing) that you use all natural products! I can totally believe that it took months to find a natural shampoo that worked for you. My hair was pretty gross on my first attempt but I really want to keep trying. I'll definitely check out that NaturOli! Thanks so much for the recommendation.
I'm loving my homemade deodorant so far, but i haven't used it in the summer yet, so well see;) I love Dr. Bronner's lavender soap, but I haven't tried the hand sanitizer! I use it for my body wash and face wash and it's working well so far.
Thanks for the encouragement and for saying hi! It was great to hear from you:D
Leah M @ love me, feed me says
This looks so hearty and delicious!!
The best plant based shampoo and conditioner I've found is Sukin! They also make amazing face washes, scrubs, and moisturizer!!
Faith says
Thanks Leah! And thanks too for the recommendation on shampoos! I'm going to go check out that brand!
Sydni Jackson says
Let me know if you want to try some more Arbonne! Their shampoo & conditioner literally SAVED my damaged hair, it's great. And I use the deodorant almost every day. It feels really light and fresh, doesn't get on clothing at ALL, and smells nice. I only go back to Degree if I know I'm going to be really sweaty, because on a hot day or after an intense workout the Arbonne natural deo still lets a little sweat come through. But I guess.... isn't that a good thing?? Sweat releases toxins, so it probably helps cleanse your body to let a little sweat come through every now and then. Hmmm
Faith says
Okay will do!! That's a pretty amazing review. Is the Arbonne deodorant anti-perspirant? I actually like the homemade version that I use, I smell better than when I used store bought! But I do sweat more, but it's never smelling so I don't really mind. But yeah, I'm thinking when summer rolls around I may want something else that keeps me from sweating so much:)
Becca @ The Earthlings Handbook says
Oh, that looks so good! It's similar to my Raisin Bran Bread which also is oil-free but uses applesauce instead of milk.
For your shampoo woes: Have you tried washing your hair with vinegar? It works very well for me!
Faith says
That Raisin Bran Bread looks awesome Becca! Thanks for sharing!
I've thought about using vinegar for shampoo, but have yet to try it! I'll have to give it a go soon!
Meg Bollenback says
This is a beautiful loaf! Love the blueberries and the heartiness of the bran. I had to laugh at the comments about the deodorant not working...it's good that you didn't notice it, but a bit funny that it just wasn't a good experience for him. Kudos for trying it out!
Faith says
Thanks Meg!! Yeah, the deodorant thing was a funny experience. One day he wore a different deodorant on each arm as a test and we had a fun time laughing about his lop-sided odors:)
Suzanne says
Wow - we are on the same wavelength....my whole family has had the same thing and I was just thinking how each time they have been sick - I have not gotten it....only to wake up the next day with a sore throat. I have not had the fever etc that they have had though 🙂
I love this recipe and cannot wait to try it. I have bananas I need to use so was planning to make bread (and I always puree blueberries to put in my banana bread too - my boyz do not like them baked in normally - but slightly pureed it great. I love the idea of dates with it!!!
Lastly - I am with you on the shampoo - we have done natural personal care products for years (though your comment on the deodorant has me wondering as one of my boyz does stink a lot - they are all teens so we just thought it was hormones - maybe it's more than that!). Anyway - I have not been able to find a shampoo (have tried MANY!) that does not make my hair seem greasy and weighed down (and my hair is very thick and tends on the dry side)...it is a bummer. Keep us posted if you find one that works.
I will put a plug in for my friend's company - Annmarie Gianni skin care - it is amazing stuff - check it out. Even in my 'old age' I have tended to break out and be dry and since using her products for the past several years (since she began - not even sure how long) - I have had soft, clear skin!
Have a great Monday 🙂
Faith says
Haha bummer!! I hope you don't get a fever and that your sore throat goes away soon...they're the worst!
I'm so glad you want to try this recipe... I hope you do! That's great you've found little tweaks for produce that work for your boys. If you end up pureeing the blueberries you may need to bake the bread a tad longer because of the extra moisture. Just a thought!
That's awesome you guys have been using all natural products for so long! I'm so surprised I didn't think about switching sooner. I'll definitely keep you posted if I find something. Tell me if you find something that works for you too!
I'll def check out your friends skin care. Sound amazing! Thanks for the recommendation:D
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
Wow what a great looking recipe! I love the addition of the dates. Thanks for linking up with us today. Happy Meatless Monday
Faith says
Thanks Deborah! Thanks for hosting!
tina muir says
blueberry banana? what a combo! I just actually bought some dates last week, so I can give this a try, love that it is oil free! Great to see you back on our linkup! have missed you 🙂
Faith says
Perfect!! I hope you like it Tina!