peanut butter quinoa banana bread

peanut butter quinoa banana bread

• 2.26.2017

I think sometimes when people think of banana bread - they get this visions of a dense banana loaf with nuts. While that isn't a terrible thing by any standard, it's always nice to try something different. Let's give banana bread a refresh. Maybe it'll be the new scone? Probably not.

I was home sick for a few days this week - and do mean the literal definition of a few. I was home for three days with some unfriendly rollercoaster of a cold. Started with a fever, then no voice, then a cough, then a scratchy throat. Super great. But the entire time, I was watching a pair of bananas get darker and darker on the window sill. By the time I got around to actually using them on Saturday night, I was actually worried they might be too ripe. But they weren't - and now we have some delicious banana bread.

I did some googling last week from the couch for different banana bread varieties and came upon a few that could be good in the future:

• black bottomed banana bread
• brown butter banana bread with ginger
• buttermilk banana bread
• chia seed & citrus banana bread
• strawberry banana bread

I ended up combining a few for this new version of peanut butter quinoa banana bread. While I knew that I would like the combo, I did run it by my sister for a second vote and she was on board. For some reason, this loaf comes out very light and airy. Almost a bit more of a muffin consistency than a loaf - which is fine with me.

Here's how it goes.

1. Preheat oven to 375 F and pull out whatever pans you'd like to use. This recipe will make loaf pans easily.
2. Combine the bananas, egg, and sugar in the bowl of your stand mixer. Once well combined, then you can add in the quinoa, butter, and peanut butter. 
3. In a separate bowl, mix together your dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder) and then add to the wet ingredients in batches. 
4. Once your batter is combined, then you can divide it evenly into your lightly greased pans. 
5. Bake for approx. 30 minutes in the oven. Time can vary depending on pan size - so just keep an eye on it.

Shopping List
3 ripe bananas
1 egg
3/4 cup of sugar
3 tablespoons of quinoa
2 tsp melted butter
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda