If you’ve got a few overripe bananas and a handful of juicy figs on hand, you’re already halfway to baking the most flavorful loaf in your kitchen. This banana fig bread is soft, naturally sweet, and perfect for breakfast, snacks, or even dessert. Unlike typical banana bread, the addition of mashed figs brings an earthy richness and soft chew that complements bananas beautifully.
You won’t need fancy equipment, and everything comes together in just one bowl. From mixing to baking, this recipe is a breeze, even if you’re new to baking quick breads. In this post, I’ll walk you through every step with tips, storage notes, and easy swaps to make it just the way you like it.
Quick Answer Box
Can you put figs in banana bread?
Yes. You can absolutely add figs to banana bread. They bring natural sweetness, a tender texture, and a rich flavor that complements ripe bananas beautifully.
What is the number one mistake made when making banana bread?
Overmixing the batter is the most common mistake. It leads to a dense and rubbery loaf. Always stir gently and stop as soon as the dry ingredients are fully incorporated.
What’s in Chrissy Teigen’s banana bread?
Her recipe includes overripe bananas, chocolate chunks, and shredded coconut. It is rich and indulgent, while this fig version offers a naturally sweet and wholesome alternative.
What is the secret to the best banana bread?
Use very ripe bananas with dark peels. Include moisture-locking ingredients like yogurt or applesauce. Let the loaf cool completely before slicing to get the perfect texture.
Table of Contents
Ingredients and Step-by-Step Instructions
Ingredients
You will need:
- 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed
- ½ cup fresh figs, mashed or finely chopped
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce or neutral oil
- ⅔ cup coconut sugar or light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- Optional: 1 to 2 fresh figs, sliced, for topping
Tip: Make sure your bananas are very ripe. The skins should be deeply spotted or mostly dark for the best flavor and moisture.
Instructions
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Step 2
In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas and figs until smooth. Add the eggs, yogurt, applesauce, sugar, and vanilla. Whisk until fully combined.
Step 3
In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
Step 4
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon just until the flour disappears. Avoid overmixing.
Step 5
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top. If using, place sliced figs on top for decoration.
Step 6
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with foil after the first 20 minutes. The loaf is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 7
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes. Then lift it out and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips
How to Serve
This banana fig bread is delicious all on its own, but you can dress it up in a few easy ways:
- Toast a slice and add a light spread of ricotta and honey
- Enjoy it warm with a cup of coffee or tea
- Top it with nut butter for a satisfying breakfast
- Pair it with vanilla yogurt and fruit for a balanced snack
- Try it with a spoonful of vanilla and nectarine preserves for extra flavor
If you’re making this for brunch or a gathering, serve it alongside fruit salad or a veggie egg bake. The figs give it just enough natural sweetness that you do not need any frosting or glaze.
Storage Tips
Keep your banana fig bread fresh with these simple storage methods:
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Refrigerator: Keeps well for up to 1 week
- Freezer: Slice the loaf, wrap each piece in parchment or plastic, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight or warm in the toaster oven
Tip: Let the bread cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation and sogginess.
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Customization Ideas and Nutrition Benefits
Make It Your Own
This banana fig bread is flexible. You can switch up ingredients or add extra texture based on what you love or what you have on hand.
Try these easy upgrades:
- Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for crunch
- Stir in chocolate chips for a dessert-style twist
- Include chia or flax seeds for extra fiber and protein
- Swap Greek yogurt for a dairy-free version to make it plant-based
- Use maple syrup or honey instead of sugar if you prefer liquid sweeteners
- Replace flour with a gluten-free 1-to-1 baking blend for a wheat-free loaf
Tip: If using dried figs instead of fresh, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes to soften before chopping and mixing into the batter.
Nutrition Highlights
This recipe focuses on real ingredients that satisfy without being too heavy.
- Bananas provide potassium and natural sweetness
- Figs offer fiber, antioxidants, and a subtle honey-like flavor
- Greek yogurt adds protein and helps create a moist texture
- Whole wheat pastry flour gives a soft crumb with more nutrients than white flour
- There are no refined oils, and you can use applesauce as a fat-free moisture option
This bread is naturally sweet and filling. It works well for breakfast, as a lunchbox snack, or even as a lighter dessert.
Advanced Tips and Final Thoughts
Bake Like a Pro
You don’t need to be an expert baker to get this banana fig bread just right, but a few smart moves can make a big difference.
- Measure your flour properly. If you can, use a kitchen scale. One and a half cups equals 180 grams. Too much flour can make the loaf dry.
- Stir gently once you add the dry ingredients. Mix only until everything looks incorporated. This keeps the crumb light and soft.
- Line your loaf pan with parchment paper. It helps you lift the bread out cleanly, with no sticking.
- Start checking for doneness around the 45-minute mark. Ovens vary. Use a toothpick and look for just a few moist crumbs.
Want to make a full baking day out of it? Pair this loaf with something rich and cozy like caramel apple cider cookies or a warm mug flavored with banana syrup for coffee.
Looking Ahead
Once you try this recipe, you’ll want to keep it in your rotation. You can turn it into muffins by baking in a lined muffin tin for 18 to 20 minutes. You can also double the recipe and freeze one loaf to enjoy later with a scoop of frozen fruit sorbet or a quick blueberry lemon syrup drizzle.
If you’re planning a weekend bake or building your own healthy snack menu, you’ll find more like this in our Healthy Treats collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use dried figs instead of fresh?
Yes, you can. Chop the dried figs and soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes to soften. Once they plump up, drain and gently pat dry before folding them into the batter. If you love fig-forward bakes, try our gluten-free fig bars for another wholesome option.
Why is my banana fig bread rubbery?
Rubbery texture usually means the batter was overmixed. Stir gently just until the dry ingredients disappear. Also, make sure your baking soda is fresh. If you’re unsure about technique, review our step-by-step tips under the Bake Like a Pro section above or explore more beginner-friendly recipes in our Healthy Treats archive.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes. Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend that is designed for baking. Avoid almond or coconut flour unless the recipe is adjusted for moisture and structure. Serve it alongside frozen fruit and yogurt for a balanced snack.
How ripe should bananas be?
The riper, the better. Look for peels that are deeply spotted or almost black. These bananas are soft, sweet, and perfect for baking. Not ready yet? You can ripen bananas quickly by placing them in a warm oven at low heat for a few minutes.
Conclusion
Banana fig bread is one of those recipes that feels special but fits perfectly into everyday life. It’s easy to make, naturally sweet, and full of flavor from ripe bananas and juicy figs. Whether you enjoy it with a warm drink in the morning or pack it for a midday snack, this loaf delivers every time.
Now that you know how to make it step by step, you can mix in your own favorite twists, freeze a batch for later, or share it with someone who needs a comforting slice. Want more recipes like this? Check out the full list in our Healthy Treats collection.
Let us know how it turned out for you in the comments. Happy baking!
Banana Fig Bread: Moist, Naturally Sweet, and So Easy to Bake
Ingredients
Method
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
- 2. Mash the bananas and figs in a large mixing bowl.
- 3. Add eggs, yogurt, applesauce, sugar, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
- 4. In a separate bowl, mix flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
- 5. Gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
- 6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Add sliced figs on top if using.
- 7. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Tent with foil after 20 minutes if browning too quickly.
- 8. Check with a toothpick to confirm doneness. It should come out clean.
- 9. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool fully before slicing.