Banana bread is considered an American recipe, gaining popularity in the United States during the 1930s with the rise of commercial baking soda and baking powder. These innovations allowed home bakers to create quick breads without yeast, and banana bread became a convenient and delicious way to use overripe bananas that might otherwise go to waste.
Though now enjoyed worldwide, banana bread’s origins are tied to American home baking traditions, particularly during the Great Depression, when resourcefulness in the kitchen was essential. Its simple ingredients and versatility helped cement it as a staple recipe in American households.
Over the years, banana bread has evolved, inspiring countless variations that include nuts, chocolate chips, and various spices. Today, as we embrace the tradition of banana bread, the use of high-quality olive oil adds a modern twist. Not only does olive oil enhance the flavor of the bread - adding a more robust, fruity note - but it also contributes health benefits, making this classic American recipe even more appealing.
Enjoy!
PJ KABOS
Step-by-Step Visual Recipe: American Banana Bread with Healthy Olive Oil
Desert/Snack—serves: 15
PJ KABOS High Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil used:
Ingredients:
- 3 large bananas (or 4 smaller ones), ripe, mashed
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup (90 grams) loosely packed dark brown sugar (or light brown sugar)
- ¾ cup PJ Kabos High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 cup (140 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (140 grams) whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon of cloves (optional)
- salt, a pinch
For the cream cheese topping (optional):
- 1 package (200 grams) cream cheese
- ¼ cup honey (or a little bit more)
- garnish the cream cheese topping with chopped nuts, a sprinkling of cinnamon or a sprig of fresh mint (optional)
Equipment:
- 1 large loaf pan (or 2 small loaf pans)
PJ KABOS
Preparation
- If making with the optional topping, remove the cream cheese from the refrigerator to bring it to room temperature.
Bananas: In a large bowl, mash up the bananas either by hand or with using a mixer.
Eggs: Add the eggs and mix.
Brown sugar: Using your fingers, crumble the brown sugar and add it to the bowl, mixing well. (Note: While light brown sugar is used here, dark brown sugar adds a deeper, more robust flavor. If you’re short on time, feel free to use any sugar—white, light brown, or dark brown—but make sure the dark brown sugar is well crumbled for even mixing.)
Olive Oil: Add PJ Kabos High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil and mix in. (Note: You may always add a tablespoon or so of yogurt or milk if you feel the batter is too thick or…as we do ¼ cup more oil! Milk or yogurt adds moisture while keeping the batter lighter, whereas additional olive oil results in a denser texture. It's all about personal preference.)
Dry ingredients: In a second bowl pour in the all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour. To that add the baking soda and baking powder and mix well with the flour. Add cinnamon and/or cloves if you desire.
Putting it together: Using a large spoon, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing well after each addition. (Note: Avoid overmixing to ensure the banana bread maintains a tender crumb.)
Grease the loaf pan or pans: Let the batter rest for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, grease the loaf pan with a teaspoon of olive oil and lightly dust it with flour. Alternatively, you can line the pan with baking paper, though it may not retain as much moisture as greasing and flouring.
Baking time: Bake for approximately 40 minutes in a preheated oven at 175°C (350°F). Keep in mind that using two small loaf pans may require a shorter bake time (around 30-35 minutes), while a larger loaf pan might take longer (up to 55 minutes). Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean, the banana bread is ready.
For the cream cheese topping (Optional)
Cream cheese: Mix the cheese until smooth, add the honey and mix it all together well.
Top the loaf: Gently cover the top of the fully cooled loaf with the cream cheese topping. Alternatively, each individual slice may be spread with the cheese mixture. Garnish with chopped nuts, a sprinkling of cinnamon or a sprig of fresh mint.
Kali Orexi—Good Appetite!
PJ KABOS
PJ KABOS
PJ Kabos High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a favorite of world-renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa, who has also been the chef for the Golden Globes dinner on several occasions. That means our EVOO was featured at one of Hollywood's most glamorous events—how cool is that!?
Fresh Harvest 2024/25
High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
from PJ KABOS
PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic—Phenolic Shot
(Gold Bottle)
PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic—"Phenolic Shot," is an award-winning extra virgin olive oil with possibly the highest phenolic content available in a true extra virgin olive oil today. Its intense bitterness and pungency clearly reflect the activity of these polyphenols. Meant to be taken as a shot or may be drizzled over salads, roasted vegetables, toast, fava, etc. to amplify both flavor and health benefits.
PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic—Robust
(Black Bottle)
PJ KABOS Family Reserve Organic - Robust, is an extra virgin olive oil that is very high in polyphenols and adds depth, character and great health benefits to every meal.
PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic—Medium Taste
(White Bottle)
PJ KABOS Family Reserve Organic - Medium, is an extra virgin olive oil that is high in polyphenols and adds a lovely taste and great health benefits to every meal.
PJ Kabos Family Reserve—Medium Taste
(White Tin)
PJ KABOS Family Reserve - Medium, is an extra virgin olive oil in an easy-to-store tin that is high in polyphenols and adds a lovely taste and great health benefits to every meal.
Please enjoy having a look around our websites, pjkabos.com and oliveoil.com, as well as our Amazon Store for more about our many high-phenolic olive oils, recipes, history, etc. And follow along with us on Instagram for photos concerning olive oil production, our groves in Greece, articles about olive oil, family history and more.
PJ Kabos High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Your Trusted Oil, Straight from Our Table to Yours.
