Flourless Banana Bread

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5 from 836 votes
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We turn to this flourless banana bread recipe every time we’re out of flour. It’s fluffy and soft, and the almond flour gives it a nutty flavor my family loves. Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free!

flourless banana bread.
Table of Contents
  1. This flourless banana bread is the best gluten-free bread.
  2. Key ingredients
  3. How to make flourless banana bread
  4. Arman’s recipe tips
  5. Frequently asked questions
  6. Flourless Banana Bread (Recipe Card)
  7. More flourless quick bread recipes to try

This flourless banana bread is the best gluten-free bread.

meet arman

We go through a lot of bananas in my house. Between breakfast smoothies, banana blondies, and banana bread, we never have the problem of too many bananas. When I need a gluten-free breakfast bread (or, hypothetically, I forget to buy flour at the store), I make this flourless version. 

We love it because it doesn’t taste or, frankly, look like it’s flourless. The almond flour gives the bread a delicate crumb, and the bananas get tender and caramelized. It’s also convenient since you don’t need xanthan gum or multiple types of gluten-free flour.

If you enjoy making flourless treats like we do, try my flourless muffins, flourless brownies, flourless chocolate cake, or flourless cookies next!

Key ingredients

  • Almond flour. My #1 tip for baking with almond flour is to use blanched almond flour and NOT almond meal. The latter is made with almond skins, which yields a chewier texture and crumbly bread. If you don’t have almond flour, use equal portions of oat flour or a gluten-free flour blend. 
  • Sugar. Totally optional and only if you prefer your banana bread sweeter. I used white sugar, but maple syrup or a sugar-free sweetener like allulose works. 
  • Baking powder. Leavening agent that helps the bread rise and develop air bubbles. Don’t substitute with baking soda, as it won’t have the same effect. 
  • Cinnamon. My favorite spice for pairing with banana bread!
  • Salt. Just a dash goes a long way to elevating the other ingredients.
  • Ripe bananas. A must for any banana bread recipe! Make sure to use brown, overripe bananas for the sweetest flavor. 
  • Eggs. Room-temperature eggs are best.
  • Coconut oil. To help bind the ingredients and add texture. If not strictly dairy-free, use unsalted butter. 
  • Vanilla extract. Essential for any good baking recipe. 

How to make flourless banana bread

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1- Prep. Preheat the oven and grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper. 

Step 2- Mix. Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, melt the oil and whisk in the mashed bananas and eggs. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until smooth. 

Step 3- Bake. Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake until a toothpick comes out mostly clean. 

Step 4- Cool. Let the bread cool briefly before removing it from the pan. Once cool, slice and serve. 

slices of flourless banana bread.

Arman’s recipe tips

  • Don’t have ripened bananas? I’ve got you covered. Simply wrap your unpeeled bananas in foil and bake them at 300F for 15-20 minutes. We do this all the time in my house!
  • Use a blender. When I can’t be bothered to dirty two bowls, I’ll make the batter in my blender. 
  • Cover the loaf. After 35 minutes, if you notice the top of the bread is browning before the center is done, lightly cover it in foil and continue baking. 

Frequently asked questions

Why is my banana bread so dry?

Your gluten-free banana bread may be dry depending on the brand of gluten-free flour you use or if you substituted different types of flour. Always use the specified type of gluten-free flour in a recipe, as each type has different levels of absorbency. 

no flour banana bread.
flourless banana bread recipe.

Flourless Banana Bread

5 from 836 votes
My flourless banana bread is moist, fluffy, and full of fresh banana flavor. Made with simple ingredients, it’s a gluten-free, naturally sweetened treat that tastes incredible.
Servings: 12 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 45 minutes

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350F/180C. Grease a loaf pan or 10-inch square pan and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine the almond flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt, and mix well. In a separate bowl, melt your coconut oil. Add your mashed bananas and eggs and whisk together. 
  • Combine wet and dry mixture and mix until fully incorporated. Pour into the greased pan.
  • Bake for 40-50 minutes (square pan tends to be around the 40-minute mark, loaf pan 45-50 minute mark!), or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center. 
  • Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy. 

Notes

* Optional- Only add if you prefer a sweeter banana bread.
TO STORE: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. 
TO FREEZE: Let the bread cool completely, then wrap it in foil, place it in a freezer bag, and freeze for 3 months. 
Variations
Swap pans. I also tested this recipe in a 10×10-inch square pan, and it turned out great, but you’ll want to bake it closer to 40 minutes. 
Make it vegan. Swap the eggs for flax eggs. To make each flax egg, combine 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water. Or, try another one of my egg substitutes.
Add mix-ins. Fold in ½-⅓ of a cup of your favorite mix-ins, like chocolate chips, rolled oats, or walnuts.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 142kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 12gFat: 8gFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 2.5mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.7mgNET CARBS: 14g
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

More flourless quick bread recipes to try

Originally published November 2018, updated and republished January 2025

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Loved this recipe. I made 2 loaves. They were moist and delicious. I loved that there are minimal ingredients. I added chopped walnuts to my loaves. Thank you for this delicious and healthy option to traditional banana bread.

  2. 5 stars
    I can eat pretty much anything, but gloots DO leave me feeling MEH, thus trying out this recipe. Turned out great! I did make a few tweaks; I used coconut palm sugar, real eggs and butter instead of coconut oil. Also, I live at a high altitude, so baked goods take longer to bake and dry out faster… so I added another banana. I lined my loaf pan with parchment paper, so I could lift it out. I let it cool about 10, then tried it. Needed to bake longer, so I put it back in at 300 for another 10 minutes (again, it’s a high altitude issue). Then it was perfy!

  3. So I found this recipe and tried it. Tastes wonderful! So moist and such. (Added mini chocolate chips to mine…) however, I noticed that where I had placed it on the counter, there was a residue of coconut oil left when I picked it up. I only used the amount in the recipe. Thoughts?
    And as a side note, I love love loved Harry Potter! Reread each book several times, went to the midnight release of the last one. Watched all the shows many times over!

  4. i am thinking about making this bread/cake right now,I love harry potter, but i think i will leave it where it is.wit a million bucks i would buy some new furniture mine are so old.

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