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Greek Yogurt Banana Bread with Brown Sugar Pecan Glaze Recipe

4.8 from 80 reviews

This Greek Yogurt Banana Bread is a moist, flavorful twist on the classic recipe, incorporating creamy Greek yogurt for extra tenderness and protein. It features ripe bananas, a touch of cinnamon, and a decadent brown sugar pecan glaze that adds a rich, nutty sweetness, perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Banana Bread

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1/3 cup neutral oil (or melted butter)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (plain, full-fat preferred)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 medium ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/4 cups)

Brown Sugar Pecan Glaze

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp milk or cream
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper if desired for easier cleanup.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until well combined.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk brown sugar, neutral oil, eggs, Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, and mashed bananas until smooth and thoroughly blended.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until no more flour streaks remain. A few lumps are okay to avoid developing a dense bread from overmixing.
  5. Pour Batter and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
  6. Cool the Bread: Let the banana bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Allow it to cool mostly before applying the glaze.
  7. Prepare the Brown Sugar Pecan Glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and brown sugar together until smooth. Stir in milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, letting the mixture gently bubble for 1–2 minutes to thicken slightly.
  8. Add Pecans to Glaze: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the chopped pecans evenly.
  9. Glaze the Banana Bread: Spoon the warm glaze over the mostly cooled banana bread, allowing it to drip down the sides. The glaze will soak in and set as it cools, adding a luscious finishing touch.

Notes

  • Using ripe bananas ensures maximum sweetness and moisture in the bread.
  • Do not overmix the batter; this keeps the bread tender and light.
  • The glaze is best added when the bread is mostly cooled to prevent it from running off.
  • You can substitute pecans with walnuts or skip nuts entirely for a nut-free version.
  • Extra cinnamon can be added to enhance the warm spice flavor if desired.
  • For a dairy-free alternative, substitute the Greek yogurt and butter with plant-based options.

Keywords: banana bread, Greek yogurt banana bread, banana bread with glaze, pecan glaze, moist banana bread, easy banana bread recipe, homemade banana bread