This Banana Bread Recipe So Good, It'll Be Your Go-To (Oh, And It's Gluten-Free) (2024)

  • Gluten-Free Desserts
  • Banana Desserts
  • Quick Bread

This easy banana bread is moist, delicious, and just so happens to be gluten-free.

By

Kalisa Marie Martin

This Banana Bread Recipe So Good, It'll Be Your Go-To (Oh, And It's Gluten-Free) (1)

Kalisa Marie Martin

Kalisa Marie Martin a is classically trained chef, content creator, and travel entrepreneur of Jamaican heritage.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated January 31, 2024

This Banana Bread Recipe So Good, It'll Be Your Go-To (Oh, And It's Gluten-Free) (2)

30 ratings

Our 15 Best Banana Bread Recipes to Bake and ShareFEATURED IN:

I’ve been gluten-free for over 15 years. When I’m craving something, I don’t want a version of it that tastes “good for being gluten-free.” I want it to be as good as the real thing, and this banana bread delivers! It’s soft and moist and has a straightforward banana flavor that’s enhanced only by a touch of vanilla.

How to Make Gluten-Free Baking Easy

When a gluten-free bread or baked good doesn’t taste quite right, it’s usually because of the texture.

Gluten is an elastic protein found in wheat (and barley and rye) that gives structure and a satisfying chewiness. Without it, gluten-free baked goods have the potential to be dense, crumbly, and disappointing even if the flavor is on point. But they don’t have to be!

With the right recipe, you can end up with a final product that is just as good or, dare I say, even better than the gluten-filled version. The best candidates for easy gluten-free transformation are recipes that don’t rely on the structure and chewiness that gluten provides.

Banana bread is a perfect example. It gets its moistness from the mashed bananas, structure from the egg, and chewiness from the melted butter—the flour contributes less than 50 percent of what it takes to make this loaf!

Not to mention, one of the pitfalls of making gluten-filled baked goods is over-mixing the batter. This develops the gluten and results in an unpleasant toughness. With our gluten-free batter, this is a non-issue.

This Banana Bread Recipe So Good, It'll Be Your Go-To (Oh, And It's Gluten-Free) (3)

What’s the Best Gluten-Free Flour?

Years ago, you’d have to pull together different combinations of grains and ingredients for gluten free baking.

These days, there are many brands that offer awesome all-purpose gluten-free blends. My current favorite is King Arthur's Measure for Measure Gluten Free Flour. I also love Cup4Cup Multipurpose Gluten Free Flour (note that it contains milk) and Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour.

One-to-one gluten-fre flours should work as an equal replacement for standard flour, but it’s always a good idea to double check the fine print on your gluten free flour to make sure you don’t need to mix in additional ingredients like xanthan gum.

Banana Bread Swaps and Substitutions

If you’re looking for a classic banana bread, this is it. But, if you want to jazz it up, the sky’s the limit!

  • Add some mix ins: You could add 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, and/or 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • Swap the sugar: You can also adjust the amount of sugar to your liking and even swap one sugar for another. Try raw or brown sugar for an added caramel-like flavor.
  • Make it dairy-free: If you’re dairy-free and avoiding butter, use equal parts coconut, olive, or vegetable oil instead.

How to Store and Freeze Banana Bread

It's best to store banana bread covered on your countertop. It should last up to 5 or 6 days that way, but it's best within the first 3 to 4 days. It is still perfectly edible after day 4, but it might start to dry out.

If you don't think you'll use it up in time, don't worry. Freezing banana bread is easy.

How to Store and Freeze Banana BreadREAD MORE:

This Banana Bread Recipe So Good, It'll Be Your Go-To (Oh, And It's Gluten-Free) (4)

Gluten Free Dessert Recipes You'll Love

  • Almond Flour Banana Bread
  • Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Flourless Chocolate Olive Oil Cakes
  • Monster Cookie Bars
  • Flourless Lemon Almond Cake

This Banana Bread Recipe So Good, It'll Be Your Go-To (Oh, And It's Gluten-Free) (5)

Gluten-Free Banana Bread

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time55 mins

Total Time65 mins

Servings8 servings

Yield1 loaf

Make sure you’re using soft, overripe bananas that are anywhere from freckly to completely brown all over. When mashing, I like to leave some lumps in, similar to chunky applesauce.

Ingredients

  • 3 to 4 medium overripe bananas, mashed (1 1/2 cups)

  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted

  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 large egg, beaten

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 1/2 cups gluten-free all purpose flour

  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda

  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

  2. Prepare the loaf pan:

    Grease an 8x4-inch loaf pan generously with cooking spray.

  3. Mix the wet ingredients:

    In a large mixing bowl, add mashed bananas and stir in melted butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla.

    This Banana Bread Recipe So Good, It'll Be Your Go-To (Oh, And It's Gluten-Free) (6)

  4. Mix the dry ingredients and combine:

    In a smaller bowl, add flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk to combine. Add the flour mixture to the larger bowl with the wet ingredients and stir until fully combined. (Note that it will be slightly lumpy because of the pieces of mashed banana.)

    This Banana Bread Recipe So Good, It'll Be Your Go-To (Oh, And It's Gluten-Free) (7)

    This Banana Bread Recipe So Good, It'll Be Your Go-To (Oh, And It's Gluten-Free) (8)

  5. Bake:

    Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan, scraping the bowl to assist. Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until a tester comes out clean.

    This Banana Bread Recipe So Good, It'll Be Your Go-To (Oh, And It's Gluten-Free) (9)

    This Banana Bread Recipe So Good, It'll Be Your Go-To (Oh, And It's Gluten-Free) (10)

  6. Serve:

    Cool on a rack at least 15 minutes before removing the loaf from the pan. Cool completely before slicing and serving.

    Did you enjoy this recipe? Let us know with a rating and review!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
288Calories
9g Fat
50g Carbs
4g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories288
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g11%
Saturated Fat 5g25%
Cholesterol 43mg14%
Sodium 307mg13%
Total Carbohydrate 50g18%
Dietary Fiber 2g8%
Total Sugars 26g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 5mg26%
Calcium 38mg3%
Iron 1mg8%
Potassium 248mg5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

This Banana Bread Recipe So Good, It'll Be Your Go-To (Oh, And It's Gluten-Free) (2024)

FAQs

Why is banana bread not good for you? ›

You may find banana bread delicious, but conventional banana breads tend to be high in added sugar, refined carbs, and calories. Thus, it's best to enjoy banana bread occasionally as part of a balanced, nutrient-dense diet.

What is the trick to making good gluten free bread? ›

Tips and Techniques to make better Gluten Free Bread
  1. Use psyllium husk powder.
  2. Let the dough rest (not exactly the same as a bulk proof)
  3. Mix or knead thoroughly.
  4. Use less yeast.
  5. Bake in a tin with tall sides.
  6. Bake for longer, often at a lower temperature.
  7. Create steam in the oven.
  8. Use the tangzhong or scalded flour method.

Why did my gluten-free banana bread not rise? ›

Of course make sure that your yeast and baking powder is still active and fresh. Your bread will not rise if your yeast or baking powder has expired. A dense loaf could also be the result of not measuring your ingredients accurately.

Why is my gluten-free banana bread so dense? ›

Overmixing: Traditional bread recipes require dough kneading to develop gluten and create that desirable structure. However, overmixing gluten-free dough can lead to a more compact and dense final product. Inadequate Moisture: Gluten-free flours absorb more moisture than wheat flour, resulting in dry and thick bread.

At what point should you not use bananas for banana bread? ›

If they smell off, that's another good indicator that they are no longer okay to use. Rotten bananas will often have a fermented or alcohol-like smell. While it's okay if the banana peel is dark brown or even black, if the inside is too, then the fruit is beyond ripe and now on its way to rotten.

Is banana bread good for your stomach? ›

The nutritional benefits of banana bread varies from recipe to recipe. In general, bananas are a great source of potassium, fiber, and also contain vitamin C. "Potassium is essential for nerve conduction and heart function, and fiber is required for proper digestion," Markham says.

Which yeast is best for gluten-free bread? ›

What type of yeast should be used to bake Gluten Free Bread? Active dry yeast and instant yeast both work well and are often interchangeable. Be on the lookout for any Rapid Rise yeast that is best for one rise. For most of us that's the way gluten free bread is baked, a single rise in the tin.

What is the trick to baking with gluten free flour? ›

Gluten-free flours often contain fine starches, so they absorb more liquid than conventional flour. To address this, gluten-free recipes usually call for more liquid and produce looser batters. They may also call for a larger quantity of leavening, like baking powder, to help add volume and lighten the texture.

What does gluten do to your body? ›

Most people can handle the undigested gluten with no problems. But in some people, gluten can trigger a severe autoimmune response or other unpleasant symptoms. An autoimmune response to gluten is called celiac disease. Celiac can damage the small intestine.

Why are bananas not healthy for you? ›

Consuming too much potassium can be harmful to those whose kidneys are not fully functional. If the kidneys are unable to remove excess potassium from the blood, it could be fatal. People who use beta-blockers should eat high potassium foods, such as bananas, in moderation.

What are the health disadvantages of banana? ›

Eating too many bananas or other high-potassium foods can cause excess potassium in the body, also called hyperkalemia. This can cause serious health problems, including heart issues. While most people wouldn't be able to stomach the number of bananas necessary to cause this to happen, it's something to be mindful of.

Why bread is not good for health? ›

The highly processed flour and additives in white, packaged bread can make it unhealthful. Consuming too much white bread can contribute to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. However, buying bread with the word “whole” as the first ingredient still does not guarantee a healthful product. It is only the first step.

What are the benefits of banana bread in the body? ›

Having good nutrients can boost energy and help perform daily activities better. Banana bread has healthy fats due to the presence of monounsaturated fats. It comes from ingredients like nuts and olive oil. Moreover, it also has the ability to balance blood sugar levels and lowering the level of cholesterol.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Last Updated:

Views: 6123

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Birthday: 1992-02-16

Address: Suite 851 78549 Lubowitz Well, Wardside, TX 98080-8615

Phone: +67618977178100

Job: Manufacturing Director

Hobby: Running, Mountaineering, Inline skating, Writing, Baton twirling, Computer programming, Stone skipping

Introduction: My name is Wyatt Volkman LLD, I am a handsome, rich, comfortable, lively, zealous, graceful, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.