Go Back
Black Sesame Banana Bread

Black Sesame Banana Bread

Chelsea Colbath
A fun twist on traditional banana bread using black sesame tahini and a thick, crunchy coating of black sesame seeds on top! If you love tahini, you're going to love this banana bread!
Print Pin It
5 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 40 minutes
Time 45 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 3 large ripe bananas (the more black spots, the better)
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup black sesame tahini*
  • 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour**
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping

  • 2 Tablespoons black sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon organic cane sugar

Instructions
 

  • 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a loaf pan with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • 2. Peel bananas and mash them in a large mixing bowl (I like to use a potato masher to make this easier, but a fork works, too). Add egg, maple syrup tahini, olive oil, and vanilla, and mash once more to fully combine.
  • 3. Add all remaining ingredients and use a rubber spatula to stir the batter until fully combined. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan, and top with sesame seeds and sugar.
  • 4. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until banana bread is cooked through (since it's a dark loaf, it's hard to tell by looking/touching when it's ready. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean).
  • 5. Let banana bread cool for 10-15 minutes before turning it out of the pan and letting cool completely on a wire rack. Slice and serve when warm, or store cooled bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Notes

*Black sesame tahini is exactly what it sounds like: tahini made from black sesame seeds, instead of white ones. It has a slightly nuttier flavor, and gives this banana bread it's black color. If you can't find it in a store near you, regular white tahini works just as well here.
**White whole wheat flour has the same nutritional profile as regular whole wheat, but a more mild flavor and texture. If desired, regular whole wheat, all-purpose, or a combination of the two may be used in place of the white whole wheat called for in this recipe.
Vegan Friends: this recipe works just as well with a flax egg in place of the chicken egg (1T ground flax + 3 Tablespoons water). The final loaf will be ever so slightly more dense, but still quite enjoyable.