Banana Bread made with Cottage Cheese and Applesauce

Banana bread made with cottage cheese, applesauce, and chocolate chips, fresh out of the oven.

This cottage cheese and applesauce banana bread is a delightful twist on a classic, perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. With its moist texture, balanced sweetness, and touch of chocolate, it’s a recipe you’ll love baking—and sharing!

Banana bread has long been a household favorite, but when you’re looking to make it healthier without sacrificing flavor or moisture, you’ve come to the right place. This variation incorporates blended cottage cheese and unsweetened applesauce, making it rich, creamy, and lower in fat than traditional recipes that rely on butter or oil. Not only does this approach enhance the texture, but it also adds a subtle tanginess that perfectly complements the sweetness of ripe bananas. Plus, with the addition of chocolate morsels, this banana bread brings a touch of indulgence to every slice.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into what makes this banana bread recipe unique and so enjoyable. From the specific role each ingredient plays to the best storage methods and baking tips, I’ll guide you through every step to ensure your homemade loaf turns out as delicious as possible. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a banana bread beginner, this recipe is straightforward, made with basic ingredients, and wonderfully adaptable. Let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love This Banana Bread Recipe

There are a few reasons this quick bread recipe will become a favorite in your home. First, it’s a healthier twist on a classic treat. By using low fat cottage cheese and applesauce in place of butter, this simple recipe keeps the bread tender and moist but lower in fat and calories. The cottage cheese also adds a few extra grams of protein. This is a perfect choice if you want a satisfying, guilt-free snack or breakfast option without sacrificing flavor.

Additionally, the blend of semi-sweet chocolate morsels with cinnamon and vanilla extract makes each bite flavorful and comforting. These simple ingredients work together to create a quick bread that’s both familiar and a bit unexpected. Lastly, this recipe is incredibly versatile. It’s easy to make gluten-free by swapping the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend, and you can adjust the sugar levels based on your preferences. When you are ready to enjoy your final product, your possible toppings are endless! I love peanut butter and almond butter on this cottage cheese banana bread recipe.

Simple Ingredients in this Banana Bread Recipe

Flour: All-purpose flour provides structure to the banana bread. Enhance fiber and protein content by incorporating some whole wheat flour, and for a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Cinnamon: This warm spice pairs perfectly with bananas and chocolate, enhancing the bread’s aroma and flavor.
Baking Soda: Baking soda helps the bread rise, giving it a light and fluffy texture.
Salt: A small amount of salt enhances the other flavors, balancing out the sweetness.
Eggs: Eggs help bind the ingredients together and add richness.
Blended Cottage Cheese: This is the star ingredient! Blending cottage cheese creates a smooth, creamy texture that keeps the bread moist without needing butter or oil.
Ripe Bananas: Ripe bananas are naturally sweet and add flavor and moisture to the bread.
Vanilla Extract: Vanilla enhances the flavor, adding a hint of warmth and depth.
Unsweetened Applesauce: Applesauce is another key ingredient for moisture and a subtle fruity sweetness, replacing the need for added fats.
Brown and White Sugar: Brown sugar adds a touch of molasses flavor, while white sugar provides the right level of sweetness.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels: Chocolate morsels add richness and a decadent touch that makes this one of my favorite banana bread recipes.

Combining ingredients to make homemade banana bread with cottage cheese and applesauce instead of oil

How to Make One of my Favorite Banana Bread Recipes

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5 loaf pan to prevent sticking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. This ensures the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, blended cottage cheese, vanilla extract, brown sugar, white sugar, applesauce, and mashed bananas until smooth.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and whisk gently until just combined. Be careful not to over mix, as this can make the bread dense.
Add Chocolate Morsels: Fold in the chocolate morsels, stirring until they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Bake: Pour the batter into a prepared loaf pan. This can be done by greasing a loaf pan or lining one with parchment paper. Bake for 55-60 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and Enjoy: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy a slice while it’s warm and fresh!

Quick bread batter in prepared load pan, topped with chocolate chips/

How to Store the Bread

Once baked, your banana bread will stay fresh for up to three days if stored at room temperature. Place it in an airtight container or wrap it in plastic wrap. For longer storage, keep it in the fridge for up to a week, though it’s best to allow it to come to room temperature or warm it slightly before eating. To freeze, slice the bread and place individual slices in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen banana bread will keep well for up to three months. Just thaw slices as needed or reheat in the microwave.

Freshly baked banana bread made with cottage cheese and unsweetened applesauce for a lower fat content

Tips for Making the Perfect Banana Bread

Use Very Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be. For best results, look for bananas with lots of brown spots.
Blend the Cottage Cheese: Blending the cottage cheese ensures a smooth texture. This can easily be done in a blender or food processor. If you skip this step, the bread may have a slightly grainy texture.
Measure Flour Properly: Use the “spoon and level” method for measuring flour to avoid packing it in, which could make the bread dense.
Don’t Over mix: Over mixing can lead to a tougher texture. Mix just until the dry ingredients are incorporated.
Customize Add-Ins: Try chopped walnuts, pecans, or even dried fruit for variety.

Fresh banana bread with melted chocolate chips inside.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend.

What if I don’t have applesauce?

You can substitute applesauce with an equal amount of melted butter or a neutral oil, like vegetable oil or avocado oil. However, this will increase the fat content. Alternatively, mashed avocado or a kids pureed fruit pouch will work too.

Why did my banana bread sink in the middle?

This usually happens if the bread was underbaked. Make sure to bake for the full 55-60 minutes, and test with a toothpick to confirm doneness. If your oven runs hot or cool, consider using an oven thermometer to ensure accurate baking temperatures.

Can I skip the chocolate morsels?

Absolutely! If you’re looking to reduce the sugar or prefer a simpler banana bread, feel free to omit the chocolate morsels. You could also replace them with nuts or dried fruit.

Do I need to use both brown and white sugar?

The combination of brown and white sugar adds a subtle depth to the flavor, but you can use one or the other if you prefer. Using just brown sugar will give the bread a richer, molasses-like flavor, while only white sugar will make it lighter in taste.

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of cottage cheese?

Yes, Greek yogurt can be a substitute, though the texture and flavor may vary slightly. Greek yogurt is thicker and has a tangier flavor than cottage cheese.

What’s the purpose of low fat cottage cheese in banana bread?

Cottage cheese adds moisture and a boost of protein to the banana bread without the need for butter or oil. When blended, it creates a smooth, creamy base that keeps the bread soft.