The Best Healthy Vegan & Gluten-Free Banana Bread Recipe

Introduction

This healthy banana bread is both vegan and gluten-free, making it a perfect treat for various dietary needs. Moist and flavorful, it combines naturally sweet bananas with warm spices and a hint of chocolate for a deliciously satisfying snack or breakfast.

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas (about 1 ½ cups mashed)
• ⅓ cup coconut sugar
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• ¼ cup non-dairy milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 3 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
• 2 cups oat flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt
• ⅓ cup vegan chocolate chips (plus more for topping)
• ¼ cup walnuts (chopped)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed banana, coconut sugar, maple syrup, non-dairy milk, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar until well combined.
3. Step 3: Mix in the oat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vegan chocolate chips until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
4. Step 4: Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and top with additional vegan chocolate chips and chopped walnuts if desired.
5. Step 5: Bake for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Step 6: Remove the bread from the oven and let it sit in the pan for 15 minutes. Then, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use overripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and moist texture.
• Swap walnuts for pecans or omit nuts for a nut-free version.
• Add a handful of dried fruit like raisins or cranberries for extra chewiness and flavor.
• If you don’t have oat flour, you can make your own by grinding rolled oats in a blender until fine.

Storage

Store banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, gently warm slices in a toaster oven or microwave until heated through.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular flour instead of oat flour?

Yes, you can substitute regular all-purpose flour, but note the texture and gluten content will differ. Adjust baking times slightly as needed.

Is it necessary to use apple cider vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar helps activate the baking soda to give the bread its rise and tenderness, but if you don’t have it, lemon juice can be used as a substitute.

The Best Healthy Vegan & Gluten-Free Banana Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 122 reviews

This Best Healthy Banana Bread recipe is a deliciously moist, vegan, and gluten-free treat that combines ripe bananas, oat flour, and warm spices. Sweetened naturally with coconut sugar and maple syrup, and enriched with vegan chocolate chips and walnuts, it’s perfect for a wholesome snack or breakfast.

• Author: Tim
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 60-65 minutes
• Total Time: 75-80 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf (about 10–12 slices) 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Wet Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas (1 ½ cups mashed banana)
• ⅓ cup coconut sugar
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• ¼ cup non-dairy milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 3 tbsp coconut oil (melted)

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups oat flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt

Add-ins

• ⅓ cup vegan chocolate chips (plus more for topping)
• ¼ cup walnuts (chopped)

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal later.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, coconut sugar, maple syrup, non-dairy milk, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar until the mixture is smooth and uniformly combined.
3. Add Dry Ingredients: To the wet mixture, add oat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vegan chocolate chips. Gently stir everything until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can affect the bread’s texture.
4. Transfer to Pan and Add Toppings: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle additional vegan chocolate chips and chopped walnuts on top if desired, adding extra texture and flavor.
5. Bake the Bread: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 60 to 65 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
6. Cool the Bread: Remove the loaf from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then transfer the bread onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing to maintain its structure and flavor.

Notes

• Use very ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and moist texture.
• Oat flour can be made by grinding rolled oats in a food processor if you don’t have it on hand.
• Feel free to swap walnuts with pecans or omit nuts for a nut-free version.
• Ensure the non-dairy milk is unsweetened to keep the sugar levels balanced.
• Allow bread to cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling.
• Store banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
• This bread also freezes well; slice before freezing for easy serving portions.

Keywords: healthy banana bread, vegan banana bread, gluten-free banana bread, oat flour banana bread, dairy-free banana bread, plant-based banana bread, healthy baking