Thank you so much for being here—I’ve got a truly amazing twist on banana bread that’s not only moist and heartwarming but also packed with protein. This powerful Cinnamon Swirl Cottage Cheese Banana Bread is the perfect blend of comfort and nutrition. If you’re ready to bake and savor every bite, make sure to subscribe by email for more delightful recipes!
Overview of Recipe Content
Here’s a rich, flavorful loaf that’s ideal for breakfast, snack time, or even a cozy dessert. With creamy cottage cheese and a cinnamon-sugar swirl, it’s like having cake for breakfast—but better!
- What it is and where it fits: A protein-rich, moist banana bread with a sweet cinnamon swirl—perfect for brunch, an afternoon pick-me-up, or lunchbox treats.
- Why you’ll love it: Fluffy, soft, and not too sweet—its tender crumb and warm swirl make it feel indulgent without guilt.
- What it tastes like: Banana-forward sweetness balanced with hints of cinnamon, honey/maple, and a light tang from the cottage cheese.
- Health/nutrition & seasonality: Cottage cheese boosts protein & calcium; oat flour adds fiber. Great year‑round, and especially comforting in cooler months.
Ingredients:
- For the Banana Bread:
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2–3 bananas)
- ¾ cup cottage cheese
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ cups oat flour (or blended oats)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 2 Tbsp melted butter or coconut oil
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar or raw sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Tools needed:
- 9×5″ loaf pan (or 8×4″)
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Spoon & small bowl for the swirl
- Parchment paper (optional, for easier removal)
Suggested substitutions & additions:
- Swap coconut sugar for brown sugar in the swirl.
- Add ½ cup chopped nuts or dark chocolate chips for texture.
- Replace cottage cheese with Greek yogurt for a smoother crumb.
How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Cottage Cheese Banana Bread
- Preheat & prepare:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175 °C). Grease the loaf pan or line it with parchment. - Mix wet ingredients:
In a large bowl, mash bananas until smooth. Add cottage cheese, eggs, honey/maple syrup, and vanilla. Mix until creamy and well combined—just like a hug in batter form! - Add the dry mix:
Stir in oat flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Don’t over‑mix; stop as soon as the flour disappears. - Prepare the swirl:
In a small bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until thick and syrupy. - Layer & swirl:
Pour half the banana batter into the pan. Spoon about half the cinnamon mixture over it, then gently swirl with a skewer or knife. Add the rest of the banana batter and swirl again with the remaining cinnamon mixture for a marbled effect. - Bake:
Bake 45–60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out with just a few moist crumbs—not wet batter. If the top browns too fast, tent with foil after 35 minutes. - Cool & enjoy:
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Slice and enjoy warm or at room temp with a pat of butter or extra honey drizzle!
What to Serve with Cinnamon Swirl Cottage Cheese Banana Bread
- Creamy chai latte or coffee for the ultimate cozy combo
- A dollop of Greek yogurt and fresh berries for brunch
- A smear of peanut butter for added protein & richness
- Toasted granola on the side for crunch contrast
Tips for Making It Perfect
- Use ripe, sweet bananas (spotty or dark-skin) for best flavor.
- Pulse oats into flour if you don’t have premade oat flour—just don’t over blend.
- Let the kitchen cool; overly warm bowls can affect rise.
- Want to prep in advance? Bake the loaf, cool, wrap in foil, freeze, then thaw before serving.
Storage Instructions
- Store tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Keeps in fridge up to 5 days—slice cold or reheat.
- Freeze individual slices for up to 2 months. To thaw, microwave briefly or leave on counter.
General Information
This hybrid loaf is inspired by classic American banana bread and yeast‑like warmth of a cinnamon swirl. Cottage cheese boosts protein and gives a delicate tang—an idea passed down in our family by my nonna, who always found ways to make breakfast nourishing and comforting. Perfect fall or spring baking, or anytime you want a hug in loaf form.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use all-purpose flour instead of oat flour?
Yes! Use 1¼ cups AP flour and reduce baking soda to ½ tsp.
2. Is Greek yogurt a substitute for cottage cheese?
Absolutely! It yields a slightly denser texture but keeps the protein boost.
3. How can I prevent the swirl from sinking?
Make sure your batter is thick—not too runny—and swirl gently.
4. Can I make mini loaves or muffins?
Sure! Just bake 20–25 min for muffins or mini loaves until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Is this bread gluten-free?
If your oat flour is certified gluten-free, then yes!
Conclusion
This Cinnamon Swirl Cottage Cheese Banana Bread is comfort, protein, and a swirl of sweetness all rolled into one easy loaf. It’s a recipe I’m so proud to share, and it’s bound to be a new favorite in your household! If you loved this, you might like my Lemon Poppy Seed Yogurt Bread or Peanut Butter Banana Oat Muffins next.
Bake with joy and tag me on Pinterest at @poulefrecipe—I can’t wait to see your beautiful loaves!
Interactive Elements
I’d love hearing from you—leave a ⭐ review below or share your photo on Pinterest! Tag me @poulefrecipe for a chance to be featured.
Nutritional Information (approx. per slice, yields 12)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 160 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 24 g |
| Protein | 6 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2 g |
| Unsaturated Fat | 3 g |
| Cholesterol | 35 mg |
| Sodium | 160 mg |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
Delightful Cinnamon Swirl Cottage Cheese Banana Bread 🍌🍞✨
- Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
- Yield: 12 slices 1x
Description
Moist and protein-packed banana bread swirled with cinnamon sugar—a delicious twist on a classic.
Ingredients
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
¾ cup cottage cheese
2 large eggs
¼ cup honey or maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1½ cups oat flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and prep loaf pan.
2. Mash bananas; mix in cottage cheese, eggs, honey, vanilla.
3. Stir in oat flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt until just combined.
4. Whisk swirl: melted butter + brown sugar + cinnamon.
5. Layer half batter in pan; add half swirl, then rest of batter, top with remaining swirl—gently swirl.
6. Bake 45‑60 min until toothpick shows moist crumbs.
7. Cool 10 min in pan, then transfer to rack before slicing.
Notes
Use ripe bananas for sweetness.
Over‑mixing flattens loaf—mix lightly.
Freezes well—slice and freeze individual pieces.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 55 mins
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 160
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 24
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 35
