High Protein Cream Cheese Banana Bread

Recipe Tips

Pan Preparation & Oven Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Prepare a bread pan by spraying it with avocado oil and sprinkling in flour (tapping out any excess) or by lining it with parchment paper.
Ingredient Swap Tip: You can substitute avocado oil with any neutral oil and use all-purpose flour or a gluten-free flour blend if desired.

Building the Banana Base: In a large bowl, combine your mashed overripe bananas, coconut sugar, and coconut oil. Whisk these together until well blended to form a smooth, flavorful base.
Additional Tip: If you want a slightly different texture, consider swapping part of the bananas with unsweetened applesauce.

Mixing the Wet Ingredients: Add eggs, milk, blended cottage cheese, and vanilla extract to the banana mixture. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are well combined.
Ingredient Swap Tip: For a lighter version, replace whole milk with almond or another plant-based milk and use low-fat cottage cheese if preferred.

Incorporating the Dry Ingredients: Gently fold in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender crumb.
Additional Tip: If adapting the recipe for gluten-free needs, use a gluten-free flour blend and add a little extra milk if the batter appears too thick.

Layering the Cream Cheese Filling: Pour about 75% of your batter into the prepared pan. Then, dollop your cream cheese filling over the batter before topping with the remaining batter. This layering creates a striking swirl effect once baked.
Ingredient Swap Tip: For a lighter twist, use Neufchatel cheese in place of cream cheese.

Adding the Crunchy Crumble Topping: Sprinkle your chosen crumble topping evenly over the top. This not only adds a delightful crunch but also enhances the overall flavor profile of the bread.

Baking and Final Steps: Bake for 60–70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 20 minutes before slicing.
Additional Tip: If your bread seems overly moist, you can extend the baking time by a few minutes while keeping a close eye on the color of the crust.

Refrigerate: After the bread has cooled completely, wrap it in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat: To enjoy later, warm individual slices in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for a few minutes.

Freeze: For longer storage of cream cheese banana bread, slice the bread and wrap each piece individually in plastic, then place in a freezer-safe bag. It can be frozen for up to 2 months; reheat in the oven directly from frozen to help maintain its moisture.