The Best Healthy Banana Bread (Vegan & Gluten-Free) Recipe
This Best Healthy Banana Bread is a moist, flavorful, and wholesome treat that’s both vegan and gluten-free. Made with ripe bananas, oat flour, natural sweeteners, and dairy-free ingredients, it’s perfect for a nutritious snack or breakfast option. Enhanced with warm spices, vegan chocolate chips, and walnuts, this banana bread offers a delightful texture and taste without compromising on health.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 10 slices 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan, Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
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
- 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.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed ripe bananas, coconut sugar, maple syrup, non-dairy milk, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix the oat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vegan chocolate chips into the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Transfer Batter and Add Toppings: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle additional vegan chocolate chips and chopped walnuts on top for added texture and flavor, if desired.
- Bake the Bread: Place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 60 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bread is fully cooked.
- Cool the Bread: Remove the banana bread from the oven and allow it to sit in the pan for 15 minutes. Then carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This cooling step is important to achieve the best texture.
Notes
- Make sure bananas are very ripe for optimal natural sweetness and moisture.
- Use gluten-free certified oat flour if gluten sensitivity is a concern.
- The apple cider vinegar helps activate the baking soda for leavening since this recipe has no eggs.
- Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- You can freeze slices for up to 3 months; thaw before serving.
- Feel free to substitute walnuts with other nuts or seeds according to preference or allergy considerations.
Keywords: healthy banana bread, vegan banana bread, gluten free banana bread, oat flour banana bread, dairy free baking, vegan dessert, healthy snack
