Blog trends are fun.
And often strange to the rest of the world.
When I say the Purely Twins’ Plantain Bread I couldn’t wait to whip up a protein-laced version of my own.
It may not quite count as strange at this point, as it’s caught on like a wild-fire. BUT I’m going to say it qualifies for Strange But Good because my co-workers would definitely think it’s weird look on with curiosity.
Since I an unable to make anything that isn’t protein-laced (I’m beginning to think it’s an addiction), I tool the liberty of pumping up the plantain bread concept. It was easy enough to do with a little protein powder.
The part when I took a little more creative license was the flavor. These cooler mornings have made me crave a fall treat – gingerbread! Why not combine two of my favorite breads? Banana Plantain Gingerbread!
The icing on this breakfast treat was a mixture of quark with a little stevia, cinnamon, and vanilla. It tasted like cinnamon roll frosting. Seriously.
Round 1 was eaten with blueberries (not bloobs… that is the worst blogger trend). Round two was topped with smashed raspberries… and eaten in the car. Yes, this bread is hearty enough to pick up and eat while driving inching along in traffic at a complete standstill in a jam.
[Tweet “This #glutenfree plantain bread has a whopping 20g of protein!”]
Plantain Ginger Protein Bread
- 1 medium plantain, fully ripe*
- 1/2 cup liquid egg whites
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp Golden Lakanto (or brown sugar/other sweetener)
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1/4 tsp no sodium baking powder
- 1/8 tsp cardamom
- Pinch of cloves
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I used Growing Naturals Rice Protein)
Preheat oven to 350.
In a small blender (I used a Magic Bullet) blend all ingredients except the protein powder.
Add protein powder and blend again until just combined.
Pour into a prepared pan (I used 8-in round) and bake for 15 mins.
Makes 2 servings.
*A plantain is fully ripe when the skin has turned almost black; it will be aromatic and sweet.
Approximate nutritionals (for 1 serving): 198 calories, 0.3 g fat, 123.6 mg sodium, 32.5 g carbohydrates, 2.6 g fiber, 13.9 g sugar, 19.8 g protein
How have you enjoyed making co-workers, friends, or family stare with strange but good creations this week? The link up rules can be found here or by clicking on “Strange But Good” in the menu bar above. In short, I want to see what concoctions have earned you weird looks from co-workers, family and friends! Post your Strange But Good creations, grab the logo below for your blog, and link up here.
Remember to use #strangebutgood in any Tweets and Instagrams of your creations. 🙂
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I LOVE my new job… but lawd I am so happy its Friday.
Have you tried any of the plantain recipes floating around?
Do you eat breakfast on the way to work? I wish Atlanta had better public transportation!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says
The twins’ plantain bread is so yummy! I have two plantains at home that I need to make. I think that I’ll this bread instead of just roasting them. YUM! Happy Friday.
Laura says
Thanks! Let me know if you try it. The sky’s the limit with the flavors!
Debbie (Accidently Delish) says
so glad you jumped on the plantain bread wagon.
confession: i’ve totally made a similar flavor profile, but i think i called it my chai one. soooo good.
ironically i have been looking for a ginger bread loaf recipe and i was thinking of just combining the plantain/banana bread recipe and adding ginger. should work right?
now i want plantain bread. all out of plantains. sad times.
Laura says
Ugh. I KNEW you would have already done a similar. Quit taking all the flavors! 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I’ve have been obsessed with plantains but have only ever make them into to baked fries or chips. I pour gallons of smoked paprika on them and just last night I used cinnamon as well and they are simply amazing (plus lightly dipping them in ketchup!)
Laura says
That sounds awesome… except the ketchup part. I’m un-American or something… I’ve never liked it!
Lisa says
Blog trends are fun…especially when you combine them to make awesome stuff like this!!! Luckily I have plantains at my house right now! This looks delicious.
Kait @ ChickadeeSays says
This sounds amazing! I LOVE gingerbread and have been trying to get more protein into my diet. Totally trying this!
xx Kait
Court Star @ StarSystemz says
Wow ginger and plantains that is quite the combo but two of my favorite things. I may have an add ginger to everything addiction I just adore the sweetness and flavor burst! I love this idea and can not wait to try it out. Have a great weekend lots of love C
Laura says
I do too! Ginger and cinnamon in all the things. I even added it to my eggs today!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
I’ve been seeing so much plantain goodness all over the blog world but its MIA here. Do you reckon it would work with a banana before it gets too ripe? Love to his this a go as I love gingerbread! Great stats too! Thanks for the link up!
Laura says
For sure! I’d actually let the banana ripen though. Just make sure to use a large banana, as plantains are bigger.
Lucie@FitSwissChick says
Bloobs – NO GO.
I need to try this. I saw the plantain bread everywhere and it looks so good! And I am always up for added protein.
I eat breakfast AT work. In front of the screen. Not ideal, but as I go to the gym first thing, there is no time to add a break for food…..
Jemma says
I adore plantain. It’s great blended up to make savory pancakes. Loving your recipes!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
I’ve been meaning to make a plantain bread since they’ve been all over the bloggy world lately but my usual market doesn’t see them. Pinning this and making it a point to stop at another market that does have them over the weekend. Love gingerbread so I’m all over this!
Laura says
I think you could do it with a banana too… or even a winter squash!
Kierston @candyfit says
I’ve not but I must seeing that I love plantain!
lindsay says
you and twins joining forces for a recipe concoction? Oh my, i can’t handle this. So freakin GENIUS
Laura says
I’m telling you, we need to have one big kitchen party!
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers says
I must make this! I’m a big fan of gingerbread. I posted a recipe today that my family thinks is pretty odd, and although it’s good, I’m not sure if it’s strange enough for strange but good. Hmmmm…
Laura says
I think okra qualified!!!! I’ve learned that strange isn’t strange to bloggers anymore. It how much you can freak out “normal” people that counts. 😉
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
THANK YOU! The bloobs thing drives me crazy. Anywho, I have yet to try a plantain… I keep meaning to, but they’ve always kind of creeped me out and reminded me of badass, unripe bananas. One of these days…
Laura says
They are a little starchier, but really good! Wait until it’s nearly black (fully ripe) and it will be softer and sweeter.
P.S. THANK YOU for the bloob support. 😉
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
Plantain has been everywhere thanks to purely twins and I am loving it! Just made pumpkin spice plantain chips and I have officially eaten 5 plantains this week! Obsessed would be an understatement! P.s Finally linked up. Been wayyyyy too long! Thanks for hosting 🙂
Laura says
So glad you joined in!!! Those pancakes look amazing. I love green. 🙂
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says
I have to admit that the current plantain trend does have me curious – I’ve only ever tried them in chip form before. One of these days, I’ll pick some up!
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
I’ve never tried a plantain actually. Sometimes I really do like blog trends, and I always dig your creativity!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Heather, you and I are frighteningly alike so I will share this with you. I’ve had plantains once before and hated them. I am intrigued by the twins’ bread and want to make it, but I am a little freaked out. I’m cheap, so I won’t throw away food, but I’m not sure about plantains. I actually walked over to them at the store, touched them and didn’t buy them. Baby steps…
Laura says
I get where you guys are coming from… and I promise that baked into a bread it’s TOTALLY different than the fried stuff you get. Let then ripen (nearly black) and you’ll love them!
RavieNomNoms says
Ok, let me just take a moment and tell you HOW glad I am that I found your blog back in the day (which was a Wednesday – Dane Cook ref), I am totally remodeling my lifestyle and my “diet” and I am SOOOOO thankful that I have your website here to help me through the first portion of it so I can learn how to cook and bake like you. So excited and of course I will do the normal baking from time to time, but still. STOKED!
These look amazing!!!
Laura says
Raven… thank you!! I’m glad I found yours too. 🙂 I love your recipes, and I cannot WAIT to see what you come up with.
Morganne @ NutButterRunner says
YUM! This has my name written all over it!
Laura says
Next time I’m going to use PicMonkey to plaster your name all over a pic. 😉
Courtney says
YUM! This looks delicious.
I am very grateful for your addiction to make protein-laced goods. 🙂
She Rocks Fitness says
It’s been a while since I have mad plantain bread, but I have one in my kitchen and I like the addition of the protein powder for extra punch…I may make this tomorrow morning before my swim/bike workout. Thanks for sharing! WAHOO to Friday!
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli says
So you jumped on the plantain train too, huh? Ha, look at that, it rhymes! 😉 I’ve been seeing these things pop up all over the place…and I swear Debbie is starting to turn a little yellow! Haha! I don’t know though…I’ve had plantains a couple of times and just wasn’t that impressed…too starchy and dry (even when they were fried!). I think the ONLY way I’ve ever liked them was in chip form…the ones they sell at Trader Joes…I could put down a bag of those babies in one sitting! Lol
And for the record, “bloobs” is not the worst blog trend ever…”amazeballs” is! Ugh, I can’t believe I even just typed that! *shudder*
Laura says
Debbie MUST be yellow by now! LOL!
You have to try baking with them (maybe a pancake?!). That way you avoid the starchiness. And use a super-ripe black one! They are amazeballs. 😉
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli says
Omg, you’re KILLING me! But thanks for the heads up on the color difference…I’ve always used the yellow/green ones…maybe that’s why I haven’t liked them!
Kat says
me things me needs to make more time to BAKE!
Laura says
I’m starting to appreciate the blender-speed mixing more and more! 🙂
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
Those Purely Twins are PURELY GENIUS!!
Purelytwins says
yum! we made a pumpkin one the other day 😉 love gingerbread
Laura says
I’m drooling over your IG pics…
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
I really want to try this, but I had plantains once before and was not a fan. I need to suck it up and try again…
Kristen says
Sorry if this is already in the comments, what size pan and how do I know when a plantain is ripe enough to use? Same as a banana? Thank you!!
Laura says
Thanks for pointing that out! I just updated the recipe. 🙂
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
This recipe totally just put me in the mood for Christmas! LOVE gingerbread!
Jody - Fit at 55 says
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! I have seen all the plantain stuff out there BUT like you, I like to add protein & this is the bomb!!! OK, I am old. Can I still say that??? 😉 YUM!!!!!!
Laura says
LOL! You can say whatever you want… I’m pretty sure you could kick the ass of anyone who made fun. 😉
Heather @ Better With Veggies says
I wish plantains were a vegetable – this looks so good! I’ve been drooling over the Purely Twins version of this too, just one more to add to the drooling fest! 🙂
Laura says
I think you could make it with a winter squash – anything thick like that.
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says
I will not eat and drive. I will however drink and drive…smoothies, that is.
I’m with you; so incredible happy Friday is here, and I’m finally done with work this week. I may actually celebrate with a glass of my hoarded booze. 😉
Cait's Plate says
Any time I eat anything that’s #strangebutgood I can’t help but think of you!
Also I definitely need to get on this plantain bread thing – I’m seeing it everywhere and it looks so good!
Laura says
Awwww… I am honored. 🙂
Anytime I take an IG pic, I wish I were you. LOL!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
Oh man… This looks amazing!! I can’t do eggs right now… you think I could do a flax egg??
Laura says
For sure! I think it would work perfectly.
Maria @ Pappa Don't Preach says
I’ve made the regular plantain bread but your version sounds so good!!! Particularly because I love ginger. What a great Fall treat! Pinned and hopefully making it this weekend!
Laura says
Thank you! Let me know how you like it!! 🙂
Catherine says
Sounds interesting.. may have to try this one – need more protein in my diet!
Megan (The Lyons' Share) says
SO GOOD – loved it as a snack today. Thank you, as always!
Laura says
I am thrilled that you liked it! Thanks for the tag. 🙂