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The Best Gluten Free Banana Bread

November 3, 2019 by Mia Zarlengo 59 Comments

walnut banana bread sliced on a wood board with white mug of coffee and slices on a plate

This banana bread is dense and fluffy at the same time, has all the flavor, and made with simple, nutrient-dense ingredients.

walnut banana bread sliced on a wood board with white mug of coffee

I think one of my all time favorite small things in life is something sweet alongside my coffee. Just makes my morning! I love this banana bread with my morning cup, smothered in seed or nut butter, yogurt, fruit, or any toppings i’m feeling.

The flours used are almond flour, buckwheat flour or oat flour, and tapioca starch. These are all some of my favorite gluten free flours. It’s also refined sugar free, and seriously tastes like the real deal!!

walnut banana bread sliced on a wood board with white mug of coffee

This version above has some chocolate chips added, plus a sliced banana pressed into the top before getting sprinkled with the cinnamon sugar topping. It’s my new favorite way to enjoy it 🙂

The smells in your house while this is baking are another huge bonus- i want my house to smell like this banana bread always!

walnut banana bread sliced on a wood board

I can’t wait for you guys to try this one! Enjoy xx

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The Best Gluten Free Banana Bread

★★★★★ 5 from 31 reviews
  • Author: Mia Zarlengo
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8–12 slices 1x
  • Category: Snacks
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Description

Thick and fluffy gluten free banana bread. Free of any refined sugars and flours, and full of flavor! 


Scale

Ingredients

  • 3 ripe, spotty bananas
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil OR butter, melted and cooled 
  • 2 eggs 
  • 1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract 
  • 1 + 1/3 cup almond flour 
  • 1/3 cup oat flour (can sub buckwheat flour)
  • 1/3 cup tapioca flour/starch 
  • 1 tsp cinnamon 
  • 1 tsp sea salt 
  • 1 tsp baking soda 
  • 2/3 cup chopped walnuts
  • Optional: Chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a loaf pan with parchment paper. For muffins, line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners. 
  2. In a large bowl, mash the banana —some chunks left are good!
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together coconut oil, honey, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Stir mixture into mashed bananas.
  4. Pour in remaining dry ingredients, and stir until everything is well combined. Stir in walnuts and/or chocolate chips.
  5. Pour batter into greased loaf pan (or cupcake liners).
  6. Bake loaf for 50-55 minutes (for muffins, only bake for 23-24 minutes!), or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then lift by the parchment paper to continue cooling on a cooling rack. Important: allow to completely cool before slicing. 

Notes

I have recently made some minor updates to the recipe to make it even better, and to leave out a couple ingredients that ended up not being necessary (ex: the hemp seeds). This is the best version yet 🙂

All of the substitutions I have listed in the recipe are ones I have tested my self. I cannot guarantee results if any other substitutions are made! xo

Did you make this recipe?

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Filed Under: Dessert, Recipes, Snacks

Previous Post: « Easy Chicken + Veggie Chili with Gluten Free Pumpkin Cornbread
Next Post: Paleo Pumpkin Bread with Cashew Cream Cheese Whipped Frosting »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Megan L

    December 23, 2019 at 8:20 pm

    Love! Truly is hearty + fluffy. Now one of my favorite banana bread recipes— will be making again soon!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Mia Zarlengo

      December 24, 2019 at 4:12 pm

      Thank you so much Megan!! So happy you loved this one 🙂

      Reply
      • Mallory

        January 16, 2021 at 2:12 pm

        The best gf banana bread!! So nutrient dense & delicious!

        ★★★★★

        Reply
  2. Artemis

    February 5, 2020 at 1:06 am

    I use this recipe a couple of times and my home spells so good after I bake it! I love this banana bread recipe!!

    Reply
    • Mia Zarlengo

      February 5, 2020 at 9:23 pm

      Love this 🙂 Thank you Artemis!!

      Reply
  3. Rana

    February 9, 2020 at 3:35 pm

    I made this, this weekend for a sweet treat post-breakfast … it is phenomenal! One of the best banana breads I’ve taste .. and I’ve tasted a lot! Further, it’s packed with healthy ingredients that are so good for you; honestly guilt-free! The hemp seeds and buckwheat are great in this recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Mia Zarlengo

      February 10, 2020 at 5:31 pm

      Thank you so much Rana!! SO happy you love this healthier banana bread 🙂

      Reply
  4. Jackie

    February 17, 2020 at 6:14 pm

    Perfect texture and sweetness! Totally satisfies sweet tooth!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Mia Zarlengo

      February 18, 2020 at 1:25 pm

      Yay! So happy to hear that- thank you Jackie! xoxo

      Reply
  5. Betsy

    February 18, 2020 at 9:34 pm

    This is seriously so incredibly good. My picky 6 year old loves it, so it’s for sure becoming a staple in my house and will replace my previous recipe that called for all the sugar, butter, and white flour. Stoked!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Mia Zarlengo

      February 19, 2020 at 1:57 pm

      Wow this truly makes me sooo happy! Thank you for the sweet note Betsy- so happy you and your little one love it 🙂

      Reply
  6. dana

    March 5, 2020 at 8:25 pm

    THE BEST BANANA BREAD EVER usually i’m afraid healthier banana breads will turn out dense, but this one was not! it turned out amazing and i will be making this again many more times!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Mia Zarlengo

      March 9, 2020 at 9:12 pm

      Ah what a huge compliment!!! Thanks so much Dana 🙂

      Reply
  7. Courtney

    March 11, 2020 at 9:15 pm

    Can’t stop eating this. So, so good! Made the following modifications and it’s still amazing.
    *flag eggs
    *pure maple syrup instead of honey
    *didn’t make the topping but sounds delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Mia Zarlengo

      March 12, 2020 at 7:38 pm

      So glad you loved the banana bread!! Thanks for the notes on the subs that worked for you- always helpful 🙂

      Reply
  8. Sofia

    March 24, 2020 at 2:24 pm

    Hi! I can’t wait to try this recipe! Do you recommend any substitutions for the buckwheat flour? Just realized I don’t have any around but would love to try out this recipe :))

    Reply
    • Mia Zarlengo

      March 25, 2020 at 3:36 am

      I haven’t made the recipe any other way so I can’t say for sure! You could try oat flour!

      Reply
  9. Catherine

    March 25, 2020 at 8:32 pm

    I’m not a huge banana bread fan, but this recipe is incredible! The flavors are excellent. It’s very moist and not too sweet. My whole family loved it! I will definitely be making this again! 🙂

    Reply
    • Mia Zarlengo

      March 26, 2020 at 5:40 pm

      Ah love this- thanks Catherine! Love sharing this with the fam 🙂

      Reply
  10. Kianna

    March 29, 2020 at 2:49 am

    I made these into muffins and they were so perfect! Hearty, thick, and moist just like you want banana bread to be. Super satisfying. Best banana bread ever!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  11. Katie

    April 12, 2020 at 10:23 pm

    Hi Mia! I am so excited to bake this during this upcoming week once my bananas become ripe enough! I was just wondering if the recipe would still work without the hemp seeds? If not, would something else substitute just fine like chia or flax seeds since I don’t have any around the house? Thanks 🙂

    Reply
  12. Sofia

    April 15, 2020 at 2:44 am

    Hi! I would love to try this banana bread recipe :)) It looks absolutely delicious! I did notice I do not have any tapioca or arrowroot starch unfortunately. Do you know if corn starch would work in place of it?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Mia Zarlengo

      April 15, 2020 at 2:50 pm

      I haven’t tried it so its hard for me to say what results you will get! Let me know if you give it a try!

      Reply
  13. Paige

    April 15, 2020 at 1:55 pm

    Is there a substitution for the almond flour? I am allergic to nuts.

    Reply
    • Mia Zarlengo

      April 15, 2020 at 2:49 pm

      I have not tried any subs for this recipe! I’m sorry!

      Reply
  14. Amanda

    April 15, 2020 at 3:22 pm

    This is INCREDIBLE! My family ate the entire loaf in less than 1 day 🙂 Thank you once again Mia, your recipes are always a huge hit.

    I didn’t have arrowroot / tapioca so I subbed for oat flour. I also had run out of salt, so omitted. It turned out fantastic with these modifications.

    Reply
  15. Sam

    May 12, 2020 at 10:44 pm

    So good!! The best gluten free banana bread I’ve ever made. Really tastes like the real thing! Used the oat flour instead of the buckwheat and it was perfect!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  16. April M. Reitano

    May 14, 2020 at 10:04 am

    Are there dates in the one you have pictured? I don’t see dates in the ingredient list.

    Reply
  17. Jordan

    June 1, 2020 at 8:09 pm

    If the only flours on hand are almond flour and Bob’s Red Mill paleo baking flour, would I still be able to make this? What portions of the flours should I use?

    Reply
  18. Claire B

    June 9, 2020 at 1:32 pm

    This is THE most delicious banana bread! It’s so moist and flavorful, & I don’t feel guilty eating it since it’s all good-for-you ingredients. I baked it in a 9 x 13 pan and it took about 18 to 20 minutes. Added in some collagen, too, for the added health benefits. This recipe is a keeper!

    Reply
  19. Jordan B.

    August 2, 2020 at 2:56 pm

    Seriously the best banana bread!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  20. Meg G

    August 11, 2020 at 1:08 pm

    Going in for round 2 of this recipe today! Your recipes are always so on point!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  21. anjali reddy

    September 3, 2020 at 9:36 pm

    The BEST banana bread!!! (And I don’t say that lightly!) A hit with the whole family!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Mia Zarlengo

      September 10, 2020 at 12:47 pm

      Ah no way!! Thank you so much Anjali 🙂 I have to agree but I’m biased haha!!

      Reply
  22. Sara

    September 14, 2020 at 7:38 pm

    I’ve made so many banana breads and this is quickly one of my absolute favorites! I used coconut oil, arrowroot, and oat flour and added chocolate chips. Will be making this again as soon as my bananas ripen!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  23. Spencer

    September 15, 2020 at 3:39 am

    Where has this been my whole life?????? So simple, so delicious.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  24. Halle

    September 17, 2020 at 9:39 pm

    it tastes delicious, but was still gooey after 50 min. (the toothpick was clean, though). Putting it back in for a bit and hoping for the best.

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Mia Zarlengo

      September 17, 2020 at 10:22 pm

      Hi Halle! Make sure you allow it to completely cool before you slice into it, as it continues to bake a little while sitting on the counter and cooling!

      Reply
  25. Rana

    October 11, 2020 at 3:39 pm

    I’ve commented on this recipe before, as this is absolutely my FAVORITE banana recipe! In spirit of Fall, I replaced the bananas with a cup of pumpkin purée, a tbsp of pumpkin pie spice and topped with chopped pecans. It was amazing!! 🤤🤤

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  26. rebecca

    October 15, 2020 at 6:26 pm

    I Made this with 2 bananas and subbed 1/4 cup pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice, and chocolate obv and it was AMAZING. best banana bread ever

    Reply
  27. Seeta

    October 19, 2020 at 9:05 pm

    This REALLY is the best banana bread/muffin recipe I’ve ever made (even better than recipes with gluten and refined sugar). The middles come out light and fluffy but the top still has that nice crispy muffin top — something I feel like is often missing from GF/refined sugar free recipes. I realized after I started that I didn’t have enough almond flour, so I ended up using 3/4 cup almond flour and a bit over 2/3 cup GF oat flour. It still came out great. Thank you for this one!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Mia Zarlengo

      October 20, 2020 at 5:00 pm

      Thank you so much for this sweet review Seeta! I am so happy you love this banana bread as much as I do 🙂

      Reply
  28. Paige

    November 4, 2020 at 3:11 am

    Delicious! Made it for the first time tonight and it was wonderful!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  29. Katrina

    January 9, 2021 at 5:45 pm

    Truly the best banana bread recipe out there! Thank you for this gem 🙏🏻❤️! Our family adores it! The deep flavours, hearty texture – just the yummiest!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  30. Nicole Tammaro

    January 15, 2021 at 3:47 pm

    Love this banana bread so much!! Thanks for another great recipe. 😀

    Reply
  31. Laura

    January 15, 2021 at 5:49 pm

    This banana bread is so moist and delicious!! My favorite recipe

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  32. Abby

    January 15, 2021 at 6:55 pm

    The best banana bread recipe! My whole family loves it and they are picky when it comes to “healthy” recipes! So yummy!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  33. Britney

    January 15, 2021 at 9:15 pm

    This is my go-to banana bread recipe!! I probably made like 15 loafs last year using this with slight variations for toppings and they all turned out superbly delicious.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  34. Jessie

    January 18, 2021 at 12:34 am

    The best banana bread recipe by far. It’s honestly better than any of the recipes that call for loads of sugar/butter/etc. By far my fave!!!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  35. Amy

    January 21, 2021 at 2:01 pm

    Loved this banana bread! So yummy and good ingredients! Except all the chocolate chips sunk to the bottom of the loaf 🙁 tips for next time??

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  36. Tessa

    January 23, 2021 at 12:22 am

    My dad is celiac and we both try to eat anti-inflammatory when possible. I made this today for his birthday! Everyone LOVED IT! Soooo good. The best banana bread I’ve ever made. 12/10. Will definitely make again!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  37. Ana

    January 24, 2021 at 11:16 pm

    I am eating this as I write this review. I am pregnant and have been craving banana muffins for a while but was looking for a healthy option. What a delicious recipe!

    I didn’t have almond flour, so I added 1 1/3 cup of oat flour and 1/3 buckwheat flour. I also used almond extract (1/2 as much) instead of vanilla extract.

    Hubby is very impressed, baby and mama are satisfied! Thank you!

    Reply
  38. Ana

    January 24, 2021 at 11:17 pm

    I am eating a muffin as I write this review. I am pregnant and have been craving banana muffins for a while but was looking for a healthy option. What a delicious recipe!

    I didn’t have almond flour, so I added 1 1/3 cup of oat flour and 1/3 buckwheat flour. I also used almond extract (1/2 as much) instead of vanilla extract.

    Hubby is very impressed, baby and mama are satisfied! Thank you!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Mia Zarlengo

      January 27, 2021 at 3:50 pm

      Omg this makes me soo happy!! Thank you so much Ana! xo

      Reply
  39. Nicole

    January 28, 2021 at 5:40 pm

    Literally the BEST gluten-free banana bread recipe that tastes like the real deal (and I’ve tried a loooot of different recipes!). Hubby even agrees that this needs to become a weekly staple in our house & he can be a tough critic on gluten-free recipes. Great plain, but also love to warm it up in the microwave for a few seconds and top with some yogurt.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  40. Kathy Webb

    January 29, 2021 at 8:20 pm

    The best banana nut muffins ever! So easy and delicious! I had to substitute arrowroot for the tapioca starch and it worked well.

    I love making yummy treats that nourish my family.

    Thank you for sharing your gift with others!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  41. Taylor

    January 31, 2021 at 7:18 pm

    The BEST banana bread I’ve ever made. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  42. Asli

    March 26, 2021 at 12:07 pm

    Thank you for this healthy and delicious recipe.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  43. Melanie

    March 30, 2021 at 6:50 pm

    This recipe has become a staple in our house, I make these muffins regularly and my husband and I love them! The recipe is very easy and the muffins are delicious. Thanks for this wonderful recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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