The Best Healthy Banana Bread (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

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September 30, 2025

The Best Healthy Banana Bread (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

Banana bread is a beloved treat, and this healthy version makes it suitable for everyone! This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and packed with delicious flavor. Using ripe bananas, natural sweeteners like coconut sugar and maple syrup, and wholesome oat flour, this banana bread is both nourishing and satisfying. You can enjoy it for breakfast, as a snack, or even as dessert. This healthy banana bread is easy to make and requires no complicated steps or fancy ingredients. Plus, it has all the comforting flavors of classic banana bread, ensuring you wonโ€™t miss out on anything.

Turn your overripe bananas into a delightful loaf that everyone will love. This banana bread is moist, sweet, and filled with yummy chocolate chips and walnuts. Itโ€™s perfect for sharing with friends and family or keeping all to yourself!

Why Youโ€™ll Love This Healthy Banana Bread

This healthy banana bread is not only good for you but also super tasty. It features natural ingredients that provide a burst of flavor and great texture. The bananas ensure it stays moist, while the coconut sugar and maple syrup add sweetness without the added chemicals. You can also customize it by adding nuts or extra chocolate chips. It is simple to prepare, making it a great option for busy days. Every bite offers a warm and cozy feel, making it a true comfort food in a healthier form.

How to Make Healthy Banana Bread

Ingredients Youโ€™ll Need

  • 3 ripe bananas (= 1 ยฝ cups mashed banana)
  • โ…“ cup coconut sugar
  • ยผ cup maple syrup
  • ยผ 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
  • ยฝ tsp nutmeg
  • ยฝ tsp salt
  • โ…“ cup vegan chocolate chips (plus more for topping)
  • ยผ cup walnuts (chopped)

Step-by-Step Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF and line a 9ร—5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
  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 combined.
  3. Mix in the oat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vegan chocolate chips until just combined.
  4. Transfer the batter to the loaf pan and top with more vegan chocolate chips and chopped walnuts (if desired).
  5. Bake for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Remove the bread from the oven and let it sit in the pan for 15 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely (tempting, but this is very important!). Once cool, slice and serve!

How to Serve Healthy Banana Bread

This banana bread is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with a spread of nut butter or a dollop of coconut yogurt. Itโ€™s great for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. Enjoy it warm or at room temperature.

How to Store Healthy Banana Bread

Store your banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2-3 days. If you want to keep it fresh longer, you can store it in the fridge for up to a week. It also freezes well, so you can slice it and freeze individual pieces for later.

Tips for the Best Healthy Banana Bread

  • Use very ripe bananas for better sweetness and flavor.
  • Make sure to measure the oat flour correctly. Too much can make the bread dense.
  • Donโ€™t skip the step of letting the bread cool; itโ€™s essential for the right texture.

Recipe Variations

You can add chopped nuts, dried fruits, or even a swirl of peanut butter or nutella into the batter for variety. For less sweetness, try reducing the maple syrup or coconut sugar.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use regular flour instead of oat flour?

Yes, but this will change the recipe to not be gluten-free. Make sure to adjust the measurements as needed.

What can I substitute for coconut sugar?

You can use brown sugar or any other natural sweetener like agave syrup.

How can I make this banana bread even healthier?

Consider adding flax seeds or chia seeds for extra nutrients, or try reducing the sugar for a less sweet version.

Print

Healthy Banana Bread

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A vegan and gluten-free banana bread that is moist, sweet, and filled with chocolate chips and walnuts.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 65 minutes
  • Total Time: 80 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Vegan
  • Diet: Vegan, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ripe bananas (= 1 ยฝ cups mashed banana)
  • โ…“ cup coconut sugar
  • ยผ cup maple syrup
  • ยผ 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
  • ยฝ tsp nutmeg
  • ยฝ tsp salt
  • โ…“ cup vegan chocolate chips (plus more for topping)
  • ยผ cup walnuts (chopped)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF and line a 9ร—5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
  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 combined.
  3. Mix in the oat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vegan chocolate chips until just combined.
  4. Transfer the batter to the loaf pan and top with more vegan chocolate chips and chopped walnuts (if desired).
  5. Bake for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Remove the bread from the oven and let it sit in the pan for 15 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, slice and serve!

Notes

Use very ripe bananas for better sweetness and flavor. Make sure to measure the oat flour accurately to avoid dense bread.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 37g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

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