Category Archives: bananas

Banana Bread with Peanut Butter Frosting (For Dogs)

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I’m between jobs that require me to be places and wear pants at the moment, and am starting school in just a few weeks so finding a job outside of my various freelance gigs feels kinda pointless at the moment.

banan-bread-for-dogs.jpg

So what’s a girl to do? Bake. Bake all day. Duh.

Millie Loves her Banana Bread!

But what about when you’ve baked so hard you have too many baked goods to handle? Well, you bake for your dog, of course.

Dog Banana Bread Peanut Butter

I made this banana bread with some random stuff I had around my kitchen. You can customize it to your liking or based on what you have in your pantry (there are several variations offered in the recipe; see below).

Millie_Banana_bread_Dog

The awesome thing about baking for dogs is that if there’s peanut butter involved, they probably won’t be very fussy. I’m pretty sure I could have baked a piece of rotting bread and spread peanut butter on top and Millie would still be a happy gal. Bless her.

Dog Banana Bread

In case you were wondering, she really liked it. Shocking, I know. I even caught her jumping on the kitchen counter to get more (yes, she’s small, but the girl can HOP).

Banana Bread for Dogs with Peanut Butter Frosing

Feel free to think baking your dog banana bread is over the top. Because that might be partially true. But I’ve always believed that if you’re going to have a pet, you may as well spoil the crap out of them.

I’m working on another pet-related post to explain why this week has been tough for me, so stay tuned.

Peanut Butter Banana Bread for Dogs

Also, I’ve promised to myself I’m going to be more consistent and candid with my blogging. I’m investing my time and energy into this instead of pursuits that do not grow or benefit me in any way.

Peanut Butter Banana Bread for Doggies!

So buckle up and get ready to join me next year as I go back to school yet again for my third degree (lol school forever) at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. #schooltilim50 #noregrets

BananaBreadMillie!

Without further adieu…

Banana Bread with Peanut Butter Frosting (For Dogs)

Prep Time:  20 minutes, plus time to chill dough
Cook Time: 30-45 minutes
Servings: 1 medium-sized loaf of doggie banana bread (enough for 8-14 treats)

Ingredients – Bread:

  • 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1/4 cup natural peanut butter
  • 1 cup oat flour (you can make your own by pulsing rolled oats in a food processor or blender until a powder/flour forms)
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 cup ground flax
  • 2 eggs OR 4 tablespoons chia seeds + 1/4 cup water
  • 3/4 cup water or milk or unsweetened almond milk or apple sauce

Ingredients – Frosting:

  • 1/4 cup natural peanut butter
  • 2-3 tablespoons plain yogurt, non-diary yogurt, milk, or nondairy milk to thin (optional)

Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F . Oil a loaf pan.
  2. Mash bananas in a large bowl. Add peanut butter and mix well. If necessary, microwave peanut butter for 30-60 seconds until it becomes melty and pliable enough to stir.
  3. Add oat flour, rolled oats, cinnamon, baking soda, and flax. Mix well.
  4. Add remaining ingredients and mix until well combined.
  5. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30-45 minutes, until a crust forms on the top and a toothpick/fork poked in the center of the loaf is clean upon insertion and removal.
  6. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
  7. To prepare frosting, thin out peanut butter with milk/yogurt (if using) until desired consistency is reached. You can also just spread peanut butter on top. Your dog probably won’t mind.

For human banana bread, check out this recipe.

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Mini Vegan & Gluten-Free Banana Pancakes

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Why is it that mini foods are more fun? At first it seems paradoxical, especially in a culture where bigger is better. But it’s undeniable. Mini food RULES.

Mini Vegan Banana Pancakes. Easy & Gluten-Free!

You know what I mean. Mini m&ms and mini chocolate chips >>>>> than their regular sized counterparts. And whenever things are miniaturized, whether they be burgers as sliders or bite-sized cupcakes or those tiny peanut butter cups, something is always more fun about mini food.

Mini Vegan Banana Pancakes! Gluten Free & easy!

I believe it has to do with food ratios and textures. Also visual appeal and general cuteness. But that’s just my two cents and super scientific take on the matter. Feel free to agree and/or disagree, my opinion is pretty much set.

Mini Vegan Banana Pancakes! easy & gluten-free

Mini foods also makes them Millie-sized, and we all know any mention or thought of my sweet pup fills my heart and soul with joy. What’ can I say? She’s just ma girl.

Easy Mini Vegan Banana Pancakes. Gluten-Free.

So the idea for mini pancakes is actually inspired by the Silver Dollar Pancakes at Trader Joe’s in the frozen section. Lots of moms tell me their kids love them. I tell them my mom loves them. Go pita, shattering stereotypes.

Mini Vegan Banana Pancakes! Easy& Gluten-free

Mini Vegan Banana Pancakes. Easy & Gluten-Free!

Mini Vegan Banana Pancakes. Easy & Gluten-Free !

I was off work today and wanted to do something a wee bit special for breakfast. As I had the time, I decided that I was going to make banana pancakes, because 1) I love bananas and 2) I wanted to “pretend like it’s the weekend, now” as that one Jack Johnson song goes because the way my work week falls at this moment Tuesday is my Sunday aka pseudo-weekend on a weekday. Confused yet? Cool. Let’s talk pancakes.

Mini Vegan Banana Pancakes. Easy & Gluten-Free

These wee babies are fluffy yet hearty, thanks to the creation of pseudo-buttermilk by combining almond milk + vinegar for a little bit of fluffy umpf, and the almond meal gives them a wonderful nutty flavor, reminiscent of banana bread with a density and satisfaction that will actually keep you full, unlike say, pancakes made with all-purpose flour.

Easy Mini Vegan Banana Pancakes. Gluten-Free

I really loved these little guys. They are not only delicious, but adorable, and oh-so-dippable, which is an added bonus for me because I’m not a real adult yet and I really enjoy that sort of stuff / eating with my fingers. How sticky and delightful.

Mini Vegan Banana Pancakes! easy & gluten-free

Make these wee ones and enjoy them plain, or with banana slices and maples syrup. Enjoy. Eat pancakes. Be happies. Go bananas.

-Kbakes out!

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 m inutes
Level: easy
makes 16-18 mini pancakes, serves two

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup oat flour
  • 1/3 cup almond meal (can sub more oat flour)
  • 1/2 large (or 2/3 small) very ripe banana, mashed
  • 2/3 cup unsweetened nondairy milk (suggested: almond, coconut, soy)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vinegar (any kind will do; can also be omitted with slightly less fluffy results)
  • 1 heaping tablespoon almond butter or coconut oil (can sub other nut butter or nondairy spread)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Directions:

1. In a small bowl or glass, combine almond milk and vinegar and allow to curdle for a few minutes. This is optional, but making this pseudo-buttermilk increases fluffiness. 🙂

2. In a large bowl, combine oat flour, almond meal, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. Add mashed banana and nondairy milk and stir gently until just combined.

3. Heat electric griddle to about 300 degrees (temperature may vary greatly among griddles) or heat a small amount of non-dairy butter or coconut oil in a small frying pan over medium heat. Allow to heat completely before cooking pancakes. When you flick water onto the griddle and hear a sizzle, it’s time to go.

4. Place about 1 tablespoon of batter in small circles on the griddle. When the top begins to bubble and edges begin to brown slightly, flip pancake and cook on the other side. Each side should take approximately 60-90 seconds to cook.

5. Serve with banana slices and/or real maple syrup. 🙂 Enjoy and dip away~!

Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal for One

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This title of this recipe should come as no surprise to those who know me. I love bananas. I love oatmeal. Boom: it’s a Banana Bread Oatmeal Bake for One. YUM.

BananaBread Baked Oatmeal for One Vega

What’s more surprising than the title of this recipe, and the fact that it was nearly 70 degrees today and I actually started sweating while outdoors (which hasn’t happened in approximately 6 months) is the fact that I’ve never put this recipe on my blog. This is strange because I eat it all.the.time.
Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal for One Vega
It’s a longtime favorite. A best friend in the breakfast department. A midnight post-all-day-study-marathon-at-Bobst meal. A lunch-time go-to when I feel like breakfast for lunch. A second breakfast when my typical 5:30am breakfast doesn’t hold me over til noon. In essence, I eat this baby several times a week, yet I’ve never shared it. Today, that changes.
Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal
Allow me to describe my BFF breakfast to you: It’s hot, fluffy, satisfying, creamy, filling, and tummy-friendly, and the whole thing tastes like you’re own personal hearty loaf of banana bread goodness.
Vegan Easy Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal for One
Bonus: it makes your kitchen smell amazing and takes less than 2 minutes to throw together. Then you let it bake up nice and quick in the oven, and the smell of sweet, sweet banana bread will waft all throughout your house, tickling your nostrils and getting your tummy oh-so-ready to eat it all up. It’s also vegan and gluten-free, making it highly allergen-friendly to you and your kin. I don’t know why I just referenced a Christmas song. Anyways…
Easy Vegan Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal for One
I really hope anyone looking to mix up their breakfast or late-night-snack routine gives this baby a whirl. It’s never let me down, and I believe it won’t let you down either. You can add syrup, sugar, or honey to the top if you desire, but I find the sweetness of baked bananas to be plenty. I like it best fresh out of the oven, covered with a splash of almond milk to cool it down, and drizzled with ooey gooey almond butter that gets all melty when it hits the hot oatmeal bake. But that’s just me. You do you. And you eat dem oats, homie.
Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal for One Vegan
 …because as my BFF Jake Tully’s senior quote reminds us all, “It’s a whollllleee lotta oats.” 😉

Prep Time: 2 minutes
Bake Time: 18-25 minutes
Level: easy

serves one, easily doubled

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 2 tablespoons oat flour or other flour (can sub additional oats if desired)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons nut butter or coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup almond or other non-dairy milk
  • 1 banana
  • 1-2 teaspoons honey, or maple syrup to top (optional, I think it’s perfect without it)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. In a small bowl, combine oats, oat flour, baking soda, and cinnamon. Mix.

2. Cut banana in half. Mash half of the banana and add to the bowl. Add nut butter or coconut oil and non-dairy liquid. Mix well.

3. Transfer to an oven-safe ramekin or dish. Slice remaining half of banana on top of oatmeal mixture. Place in the oven for 18-25 minutes, until fluffy, browned, and liquid has all absorbed. Serve with almond or other non-diary milk, non-dairy yogurt, and syrup or honey as desired.

Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal for One Vegan