Eggless Healthy Banana Bread

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth. You want a creamy consistency with no large chunks.

Add the maple syrup (or honey), unsweetened applesauce, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Mix well until fully combined.

In another bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir to blend the dry ingredients.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.

If desired, fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans for added texture and flavor.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for about 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Once done, remove the banana bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.