The Best Type Of Ingredient To Give Banana Bread Some Crunch

Banana bread never seems to go out of style. Made popular during the Great Depression when people couldn't afford to waste food and bananas seemed to ripen in the blink of an eye, banana bread has remained a favorite baked good for generations. Perhaps part of that enduring legacy is thanks to its versatility; banana bread leaves a lot of room for creativity. Alton Brown adds toasted oats. Some bakers swear by adding cream cheese to banana bread. While others opt for a sweeter, moister end product by adding olive oil as in this olive oil chocolate chip banana bread.

Banana bread really is a blank canvas for the culinary artist to develop and make a unique and delicious loaf for even the pickiest of eaters. In fact, if you're looking to add a crispy crunch to this baking staple, there's one type of ingredient that you should give a try. It can add a crunchy bite and more nutrients to this treat or snack.

Adding seeds is one of the easiest ways to add a bit of a crunch and more nutrients to your banana bread. You can sprinkle these little guys on top before you bake it or mix them right into the batter. The crispy addition will juxtapose the soft, tenderness of the bread, and add nutrients to your baked good since seeds are a great source of fiber, healthy fats, and many vitamins and minerals, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Almost any seeds will do, so feel free to play around, but sunflower, pumpkin, or sesame seeds are great additions, and good places to start experimenting. You also may want to toast your seeds and nuts before adding them to your mix. It will enhance the flavor of your seeds, and help prevent ingredients that tend to absorb moisture like flax and chia from drying out your final product. You don't want to sacrifice that pillowy soft, element of banana bread, do you?