This ‘tried and true’, classic vegan banana bread recipe is moist, healthy, and so easy to make. It’s egg & dairy free, has an oil-free option, and is the best banana bread ever!
I love my vegan banana breads, and have quite a few variations in the recipe collection, like this Blueberry Banana Oat Bread, Buckwheat Banana Bread, and Carrot Banana Bread.
All have been adapted from this very recipe which is straightforward and incredibly simple, using ingredients you probably already have on hand. I’ve made it again and again, and it has not disappointed me yet!
This plant-based banana bread recipe is kid friendly and a fan-favorite for good reason – it’s delicious!
I’m happy to share with you this wonderfully easy, healthy vegan banana bread that I have loved for many years, and look forward to loving for many more to come!
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TIPS FOR THE BEST VEGAN BANANA BREAD
It’s all about the bananas! Banana bread is easy to veganize by adding extra banana, which acts as a binder, replacing the need for eggs or other egg replacers. And as an added benefit, it also helps to lessen the amount of sugar needed. The trick is to use very ripe, freckled bananas, because the riper your bananas are, the less sugar you’ll need! This recipe only calls for 1/3 cup of sugar, but of course you can adjust, up or down, to suit your tastes.
Fats or no fats: In place of using butter or vegetable shortening, I call for oil. But you’ll find this banana bread recipe to have the option of using vegan butter or shortening if you prefer. I’ve also played around with using half oil and half unsweetened almond milk (equaling 1/3 cup) with excellent results. And if you want to skip the fats all together, for an ultra-healthy vegan banana bread, try using unsweetened applesauce – it’s terrific!
Spruce up your banana bread with additional add-ins and toppings! Add up to 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, fold in chocolate chips, walnuts or pecans to the batter. Or once the batter is in the loaf pan, add a sprinkle of walnuts, pecans, sesame seeds, rolled oats, or sunflower seeds over top before baking, they will add texture add protein.
Spoon & level the flour! When measuring your flour, it’s helpful to use the ‘spoon & level’ method, this will ensure you don’t add too much flour. Never scoop the flour with a measuring cup. Instead, using a spoon, scoop the flour into the measuring cup, without packing it, and level with the back of a knife.
Don’t overmix the batter! It’s best baking practice when making any type of quick bread to not overmix, overmixing the ingredients will cause the gluten proteins to create an elastic batter that may not rise well. You only want to mix until you don’t see any flour streaks.
Methods: Since first posting this recipe, I have since adapted it to be mixed in one bowl making for an easy banana bread! But you’ll also find the original method as well.
Without further ado, let’s put it all together and bake…
HOW TO MAKE VEGAN BANANA BREAD
Making vegan banana bread is as easy as 1 – 2 – 3, this is the 1 bowl method!
- Add the bananas to the bottom of a medium mixing bowl and mash well, add in the remaining wet ingredients and mix well. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just until incorporated. Do not overmix. The batter will be slightly thick and a few lumps is OK.
- Pour the batter in a greased 9 x 5 loaf pan and bake for 50 – 55 minutes. Ovens are different, so use your best judgement. You can test for doneness using a toothpick, if it comes out clean, it’s ready.
- Let the banana bread cool, slice and enjoy. If you find you can’t wait to slice your bread before it’s cooled, you may notice a little gumminess on the knife, this is normal, but once completely cooled it will slice cleanly.
And that’s it, perfectly golden, moist and flavorful vegan banana bread made easy and healthy!
SERVE + STORE
- For serving. Make your slice even better by adding a smear of this healthy Cashew Sweet Cream or Triple Berry Chia Jam for a delicious breakfast or snack!
- How to store: Store your banana bread, covered to maintain moisture, for up to 3 – 4 days on the counter.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I make banana bread gluten-free? Absolutely, you can make banana bread gluten-free by using any gluten-free flour blend or buckwheat flour, replacing 1 – 1 the amount of flour called for.
Can I make this recipe oil-free? Yes! I have made banana bread oil-free by replacing the oil with applesauce, and it was just as good and even healthier. The loaf was a little denser, but the flavor was still great.
Can I make banana bread without baking soda? Yes, oftentimes I will make banana bread using 2 heaping teaspoons baking powder with great results, but I have left the baking soda in the recipe because I know some may prefer to add it as it does also help brown the top of the loaf. Just know that if you don’t have it on hand, you’ll be fine just using baking powder only.
Can I freeze banana bread? Sure thing, you can safely store banana bread in the freezer, it will stay fresh for up to 2 months if stored in a freezer safe container or bag. Simply let thaw in the refrigerator before eating. Banana bread can also be stored, covered, on the counter for up to 3 – 4 days. Or store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Can I make muffins instead? Yep, and they are so good! You can use this Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins recipe as your guide. If you don’t care for the chocolate chips, omit them altogether or replace them with walnuts.
WHAT TO DO WITH EXTRA BANANAS
If you still have a couple of extra bananas leftover from the bunch, try using them in any of these other easy and delicious banana recipes that require just 1 or 2 bananas!
- 3 Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Cookies (a fan-favorite)
- Chunky Banana + Peanut Butter Granola (healthy snack granola)
- Banana Chia Pudding (super easy treat)
- Vegan Banana French Toast (perfect for weekends)
- Avocado Chocolate Pudding (uses banana to cut the fat)
MORE QUICK BREADS USING FRUIT
Because you can never have too many baked good recipes on hand. Take a look at these other fantastic vegan bread recipes, you just may find a new favorite!
- Classic Pumpkin Bread
- Applesauce Bread (Oil Free)
- See all vegan Bread recipes on TSV!
If you try this banana bread recipe or have a question, please let us know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.
VEGAN BANANA BREAD (HEALTHY + EASY)
A tried and true, classic vegan banana bread! Perfectly moist and delicious, this healthy vegan banana bread recipe makes a terrific snack or great way to start the day.
- Author: Julie | The Simple Veganista
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 55 min
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 – 10 slices 1x
- Category: Quick Bread
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
INGREDIENTS
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- 1 3/4 cups (210 g) spelt flour (whole wheat, unbleached all-purpose, or gluten free blend), see notes
- 1/3 cup (75 g) organic pure cane sugar (or 1/2 finely chopped dates)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- pinch of mineral salt
- 1/3 cup (75 ml) neutral flavored oil (or coconut oil in liquid state, vegan butter at room temp or applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 small or 3 large overripe bananas (about 1 1/2 – 1 3/4 cups (338-410g)), mashed
- 1/4 cup (56 ml) almond milk, use only if needed
optional tasty add-ins:
- 1/2 – 2/3 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup chocolate chips (mini or regular)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
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INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease your loaf pan.
One bowl method: In a medium sized mixing bowl, mash 3 – 4 bananas (about 1 1/2 cups to 1 3/4 cups works well), add oil/applesauce and vanilla extract, mix again. Add the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt, and mix well, but don’t overmix, just enough until the flour is combined. Batter will be slightly thick and a few lumps is ok. If mixture seems too thick, add milk, especially if using heavier flours such as whole wheat or whole spelt (you’re more inclined to need it).
Pour batter into a greased loaf pan. Bake for about 50 min – 1 hour. Ovens vary, mine usually takes 50 minutes. You can also do the toothpick test in the center of the loaf, if it comes out clean it should be ready. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 min before slicing.
Original method: In a medium/large size bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt, set aside. In a medium bowl, mash bananas. Add the oil, vanilla and bananas to the dry ingredients and mix until combined, do not overmix. If mixture seems too thick, add the almond milk (especially if using heavier flours such as whole wheat or whole spelt, you’re more inclined to need it).
Pour batter into a greased loaf pan. Bake for about 50 min – 1 hour. Ovens vary, mine usually takes 50 minutes. You can also do the toothpick test in the center of the loaf, if it comes out clean it should be ready. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 min before slicing.
Store: Keep covered on the counter for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator up to 1 week. Keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw the wrapped loaves overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or a toaster oven with a door.
NOTES
When using metric units, scaling needs manual calculation.
Flour measurements. When using weighted amounts, flours vary by type. Use this guide to find the correct flour weight: Bob’s Red Mill Flour Weight Chart
No baking soda, no worries. If you don’t have baking soda on hand, use two teaspoons of baking powder. I’ve many loaves without baking soda with good results (the top just may not brown as much).
Oil-free or reduced oil. I have made this by replacing the oil with unsweetened applesauce and it was just as good. Loaf was a little denser and didn’t rise as much, but the flavor was still great. I’ve also played around with using half oil and half unsweetened almond milk (equalling 1/3 cup) with excellent results!
If using coconut oil, be sure it’s warmed and in its liquid state. My preferred oils for this recipe are either light-flavored olive oil or coconut oil.
Boost of flavor. Add up to 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the dry ingredients for a different flavor.
Add nuts or seeds. Try adding toppings like walnuts, sesame seeds, rolled oats, sunflower seeds, or pecans.
Using dates: To use chopped dates using the 1 bowl method, simply add them in with all the ingredients. If using the original method, add them in with the wet ingredients. I would use about 1/3 – 3/4 cup of dates (depending on how sweet you like it), pitted and finely chopped.
