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This flourless banana bread is moist, fluffy, and full of fresh banana flavor. Made with simple ingredients, it’s a guilt-free, naturally sweetened treat that tastes incredible!
We go through a LOT of bananas in our house. Between smoothies, blondies, and banana bread, we never have the problem of too many brown bananas.
Whatever your reason for avoiding flour, whether it’s an allergy or intolerance, there’s no reason you should sacrifice sweets (hence, I’ve also made flourless brownies and breakfast cookies).
That’s why I developed an easy gluten-free banana bread recipe perfect for enjoying your morning coffee or sharing with friends.
Table of Contents
Recipe Highlights
- Diet-friendly. Since there’s no flour, this banana bread is gluten-free. It’s also dairy-free and naturally sweetened with only optional added sugar.
- Perfect texture. The texture is absolutely perfect, with a caramelized exterior and a moist, fluffy middle. You’d never be able to guess it’s made without flour.
- Great for sharing. I love bringing this banana bread to get-togethers since it’s full of flavors everyone loves. Even those of us not on a flour-free diet will still really enjoy it.
What we love most about this quick bread recipe is how easy it is to make. There’s no xanthan gum or different ratios of various flours required to make moist, fluffy banana bread. It’s just as easy as a “traditional” banana bread recipe!
Ingredients needed
This healthy banana bread recipe uses basic baking staples and nothing more! Here’s exactly what you’ll need:
- Almond flour. My #1 tip is to use blanched almond flour to give you the best texture and crumble possible. 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 to be on the sweeter side. I used white sugar, but maple syrup or a sugar-free sweetener like allulose could also work.
- Baking powder. A little leavening agent helps the bread rise and develop air bubbles.
- Cinnamon. An essential warming spice that I feel complements the banana perfectly.
- Salt. Just a dash goes a long way to elevating the rest of the ingredients. If you’re on a low-sodium diet, you can omit this.
- 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. If you’re making vegan banana bread, swap the eggs for 2 flax eggs. To make each flax egg, combine 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5-3 tablespoons of water. Stir and let it sit for 10 minutes for a gel to form.
- Coconut oil. To help bind the rest of the ingredients and add a rich mouthfeel. If you’re not a fan of coconut flavor, use fractionated coconut oil.
- Vanilla extract. Essential for any good baking recipe.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How to make flourless banana bread
Step 1- Prep work. Preheat the oven to 350F/180C. Grease a loaf pan or 10×10-inch square pan or line with parchment paper.
Step 2- Combine dry ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients.
Step 3- Combine the wet ingredients. In a separate microwave-safe bowl, melt the coconut oil. Add your mashed bananas and eggs and whisk to combine.
Step 4- Make the bread batter. Combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix until fully incorporated. Pour the batter into the greased baking pan.
Step 5- Bake. Bake the bread for 40-50 minutes (the square pan tends to be around the 40-minute mark, while the loaf pan is more like 45-50 minutes) or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Recipe tips and variations
- Use non-overripe bananas. If you don’t have ripe bananas, wrap unpeeled bananas in foil and bake them at 300F for 15-20 minutes. I know it sounds bizarre, but it works!
- Avoid overmixing. I promise it makes a difference. The more you mix, the more air bubbles you lose, and the denser the bread will become.
- Add mix-ins. I know I can be boring since I prefer my banana bread plain, but you can always add some mix-ins, like fresh blueberries, chopped pecans, chopped walnuts, almond butter, or dark chocolate chips.
- Cover the loaf with foil. If you notice the top of the bread is browning too quickly, cover it with foil and continue baking.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover banana bread slices can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you’d like your bread to last longer, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 1 week.
To freeze: Store cooled leftover bread in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 6 months.
Frequently asked questions
Using too much flour is the main reason why banana bread can turn out hard, dry, or chewy. The more flour you use, the more it absorbs the wet ingredients, thereby losing moisture.
Leavening agents (like baking powder or baking soda) create air bubbles as the bread bakes. If the bread is removed from the oven before it’s fully cooked in the middle, the air bubbles will burst, and the bread will collapse.
More flourless desserts to try
- Muffins– Unfussy, uncomplicated, and full of decadent chocolate flavor.
- Mug cake– Don’t even ask me how many times I’ve made this recipe!
- Chocolate cookies– These cookies literally MELT in your mouth.
- Chocolate cake– My family’s favorite chocolate cake recipe ever.
- Apple pie blondies– The best of both worlds: Sweet apple pie and chewy blondies.
Flourless Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups blanched almond flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar * See notes
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large bananas mashed
- 2 large eggs Can sub for 2 flax eggs
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F/180C. Grease a loaf pan or 10 x 10-inch square pan and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients 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
Nutrition
Recipe originally published November 2018 but updated to include new information for your benefit.
Sounds delicious. What is your suggested measure for the chocolate chips?
Hi there! I’d start with 1/4 cup, but up to 3/4 if you want it super chocolate filled! 🙂
Is 1 T a teaspoon or tablespoons? Recipe looks delish I’m gonna make it
Hi Morreen! 🙂
Yes, that is correct- T is tablespoon 🙂
Arman, I wanted to make the paleo version. I noticed that the recipe doesn’t list milk, but the instructions say to add milk. Do I add milk to not?
Many thanks, for all your recipes!!
Linda
Hi Linda! 🙂 Apologies for the confusion- The paleo option, as it has eggs, doesn’t need the milk 🙂
Thank you for your quick response!
Linda
So welcome!
Can i substitute almond milk and use dairy milk? ?
Hi Aliza! You sure can! 🙂
Bahaha I love this. You know they’re coming out with a new Harry Potter book, right?
LOL. Stop. It’s that ridiculous play.
Such a good answer Arman! I died a little inside when I finished the final book too… Actually I just cried. That could have something to do with the fact that I was heavily sleep deprived – I bought the book at midnight and was finished by 5am… How could I sleep when it was waiting for me!?
Right? So worth staying up for!
That’s an unusual but actually quite good reply to the million Dollar question. I think I’d set some money aside as savings – yes, I knooow -, donate some to good causes and use the remainder for any wishes I might have. Including all the fancy but pricey foods for recipe experimentation ;). Like nut butter, coconut flour and alternative sweeteners …
Definitely putting some towards ingredients!
I would be right there with you sharing that dream! I was devastated when the final book ended. I remember when it came out. I literally didn’t put it down until I finished. My mum was yelling at me to sleep and eat, but nope!
OMG. I wish we had snapchat back then…I remember my uni lecture on Monday morning after the book came out..People were reading it in the lecture hall lol!
I love to re-read books, and have one book I have read 3 times. Anyway, I love this banana bread, and will be making it with coconut flour and adding Lily’s chocolate chips.
🙂 That sounds delicious, Joanne- Lily’s works really well in baked goods!
My mom has been on pinterest a lot lately… the other day, she told me about this new blog she found that she loved– and it was Big Man’s World. She has been saving your easy, healthy dessert recipes to try 🙂
Hahaha your mum is my new favorite person!
You know about this right?
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/feb/10/new-harry-potter-cursed-child-eighth-book-july-play-script
It may help your woes 🙂
😀 I may or may not be considering a trip to the UK purely to visit it!