Description
A flavorful twist on classic banana bread infused with warming chai spices, perfect for a cozy snack or breakfast. This Chai Banana Bread is moist, tender, and easy to make, featuring ripe bananas, light brown sugar, and a blend of chai masala spices for an aromatic touch.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 3 ripe, spotty Bananas
- 1/3 cup (70 grams) Butter, salted (or unsalted with a pinch of salt)
- 1 Large Egg (or 1 flaxseed egg as a substitute)
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/3 cup (75 grams) Greek Yogurt (can substitute with coconut yogurt)
- 1/2 cup (85 grams) Soft Light Brown Sugar
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (165 grams) Plain All Purpose Flour
- 1/2 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
- 1 3/4 tsp Chai Masala (store-bought or DIY blend)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Tin: Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F). Grease and line a 1lb loaf tin with baking paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Mash Bananas: Peel the bananas and place them in a large mixing bowl. Mash them with a fork until mostly smooth with a few lumps remaining. Alternatively, puree bananas in a blender or food processor for a smoother texture.
- Melt Butter and Combine Wet Ingredients: Melt the butter in a saucepan over low-medium heat or briefly in the microwave. Pour melted butter into the mashed bananas. Then, add the egg, vanilla extract, Greek yogurt, and light brown sugar to the bowl.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: Gently whisk all the wet ingredients together until the mixture is fully combined and smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, bicarbonate of soda, and chai masala spice to the bowl. Using a spatula, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the batter.
- Pour Batter and Bake: Pour the chai banana bread batter into the prepared loaf tin, spreading it evenly. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 45–50 minutes until the top is golden brown and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the bread to cool slightly in the tin before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm, ideally accompanied by a cup of masala chai for an indulgent treat.
Notes
- For a DIY chai masala, mix ground cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, black pepper, and nutmeg to taste.
- If using unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt to the mixture to balance flavors.
- A flaxseed egg can be made by mixing 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons water; let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
- You can substitute Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt to keep it dairy-free.
- Ensure bananas are ripe and spotty for maximum sweetness and moisture in the bread.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding flour to maintain a tender crumb.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion
