Functional banana bread

This cozy loaf is everything banana bread should be—moist, comforting, just sweet enough—but layered with gut and hormone-loving ingredients. Born from a batch of fermented bananas and a craving for something soul-soothing, it’s become a new staple in our home for breakfast, snacks, and sharing with friends.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fermented banana mash (about 3 very ripe bananas (think brown spots and the verge of tossing out!) + 2 tbsp kefir, fermented 24–48 hrs)

• 2 pasture-raised eggs

• 1/3 cup melted grass-fed butter or coconut oil

• 1/4 cup unrefined coconut sugar

• 2–3 Medjool dates, pitted and finely chopped

• 1 tbsp maca powder

• 2 tbsp ground flaxseed (or chia seeds)

• 2 scoops collagen peptides (unflavored)

• 1 3/4 cups organic bread flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp sea salt

• 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips (70%+ cacao)

• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a loaf pan with parchment or grease well.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together fermented banana, eggs, melted butter/oil, coconut sugar, chopped dates, and maca.

3. Stir in flaxseed and collagen. Let sit for 5 minutes to thicken slightly.

4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and sea salt.

5. Add dry ingredients to wet, stirring gently until just combined.

6. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.

7. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.

8. Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean and the top is golden.

9. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

10. Smother with a slab of grass-fed butter and enjoy!

Tips & Variations:

• Add a sprinkle of hemp seeds or oats on top before baking for texture.

• Swap butter for ghee for extra richness.

• Want more tang? Let your banana mash ferment a full 48 hours.

• Store in fridge for up to 5 days or freeze slices individually for easy snacks.

• Instead of using a loaf pan, consider a muffin tin for easy on-the-go, toddler-approved snacks

Why It’s “Functional”:
This isn’t just banana bread—it’s a quiet powerhouse, designed to support your gut, hormones, and blood sugar with every slice. Here’s how:

• Fermented Bananas – Naturally sweet, but fermented to reduce the sugar load and introduce beneficial bacteria. Fermentation begins breaking down starches, making them easier to digest and less likely to spike blood sugar.

• Maca Root Powder – An adaptogen traditionally used to balance hormones and support energy and mood. Especially helpful during seasons of transition, stress, or postpartum depletion.

• Flaxseed (or Chia) – Rich in plant-based omega-3s and lignans that support hormone detoxification. They also help with satiety and blood sugar regulation thanks to their high soluble fiber content.

• Dates + Coconut Sugar – Whole-food sweeteners with minerals like potassium and magnesium. Their natural fiber slows glucose absorption.

• Collagen Peptides – Invisible in taste, powerful in function. Collagen supports gut lining integrity, reduces joint inflammation, and contributes to skin, hair, and nail health—especially important for mamas.

• Dark Chocolate (70%+ Cacao) – Adds soul, but also antioxidants, magnesium, and mood-boosting compounds.

• Bread Flour (organic) – While not gluten-free, using an organic, unbleached flour can reduce glyphosate exposure and support more conscious choices if that’s what’s accessible to you.