Do you have bananas turning browner by the day? If you are gluten free, you are going to love this gluten free banana bread recipe. If you have been following along on my family’s journey, you know we don’t buy premade desserts because they contain palm oil which makes my son sick.
When I make GF banana bread, no one in my house can tell the difference between the gluten free flour and regular flour.
In addition to avoiding palm oil, I’m 100% gluten free and have been for years due to health concerns (pain from inflammation, not celiac), I will tell you that being able to have this family favorite safely has been amazing for me. Plus, it’s a great way to use up bananas that are past their prime.
Using fruits in baking, such as bananas, it’s a healthier alternative to cakes and other desserts that rely solely on sugar. This is an easy gluten free banana bread that’s delicious and fast.
I only have a glass loaf pan but using a metal one will enable the bread to bake more consistently and faster. Whichever you have, it will turn out moist, dense, and delectable!
Gluten Free Banana Bread Recipe
I love using Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Flour or King Arthur Baking Company Measure for Measure Gluten Free Flour. You can find them at grocery stores, online on their websites, or at stores such as Target. These are the best GF flours for making banana bread.
If you have a preferred flour such as almond flour, just be sure it replaces regular flour one-to-one when using this recipe. Gluten free coconut flours and other flours are drier and require additional liquids when using them in baking.
If you are someone who tries to reduce their gluten intake by using GF flours when baking, you may notice a difference than when making a regular banana bread recipe. However, if you follow a strict gluten free diet, you will be so grateful you can enjoy banana bread, you will love it.
The best part about making banana bread gluten free is you get to use up rotting bananas that you would have otherwise thrown away or composted. Other great things are it’s fast and easy. It takes 10 minutes to prep and 50 minutes to bake. Just let it cool for 10 minutes or so and then serve.
Gluten free banana bread is dense and great for making French toast ~ Image credit: Dawn Head
Ingredients for GF Banana Bread
- 2 cups gluten free 1-to-1 baking flour
- 1½ cups overripe bananas, 4 – 5 bananas
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup softened butter, one stick
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Optional add-ins, ½ – 1 cup of walnuts, chocolate chips, etc.
Equipment Needed
- Loaf pan
- Small bowl to soften butter (if microwaving)
- 2 medium bowls
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Mixing spoon
- Measuring spoons, cups
How to Make Gluten Free Banana Bread
- Set oven to 350ºF degrees in a glass loaf pan; if using a metal pan, set oven to 325 degrees.
- If you need to soften the butter in the microwave, do it now. Set it out on the counter to cool before using.
- Prepare 9 x 5 loaf pan by greasing with butter, avocado oil or other mild oil such as soybean or other tasteless vegetable oil. Lightly flour and set aside.
- Mash bananas in a medium-sized bowl and set aside.
- In a large bowl, add the gluten free flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Mix well.
- In a separate bowl, add the softened butter and sugar. Cream together. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time. Next add the milk, pure vanilla extract and the mashed bananas. Combine well.
- Transfer the banana mixture into the flour mixture. Stir to combine and moisten but don’t over mix. If using, add in chocolate chips, walnuts, or other add-ins at this time. Combine.
- Transfer banana bread batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake in oven for 50 minutes. Using oven mitts, remove the banana bread and check for doneness with a fork or toothpick. When it comes out clean, it is done. You may need to return the banana bread to bake for up to 5 more minutes.
- Set banana bread on a cool stovetop or cooling rack for a minimum of 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, you can gently remove the gluten free banana bread and turn it out on the cooling rack. Another option is to keep the bread in the pan, cutting as needed.
- Cut into slices and devour!
This is truly the best gluten free banana bread recipe around. It rivals what you will find anywhere.
Be sure it’s completely cool before refrigerating. You can also cover it and store it on the counter, out of direct sunlight and away from heat.
Make gluten free banana bread recipe in metal or glass loaf pan ~ Image credit: Dawn Head
Gluten Free Banana Nut Bread Recipe
To make GF banana bread with nuts, simply mix them in at the end, just before you transfer the batter to the loaf pan. I love banana nut bread with walnuts but you can use any nuts. Other ideas include almonds or cashews. Add peanuts or chocolate chips for more flavors. A great combination is using real chocolate chips and walnuts.
I made a banana bread without flour that’s also gluten free. It’s really easy to make in a food processor or blender. Check it out!
Pro Tips
What makes this recipe really easy is setting the butter on the counter the morning you plan to make the banana bread. This will give the butter time to soften.
If you don’t have time to soften the butter on the counter, cut the stick of butter in half and place it in a small bowl. If you have a “soften” setting on your microwave, follow the instructions. Otherwise, microwave for 30 seconds, and then set out on the counter to cool a bit before using.
If you have lots of overripe bananas, two loaf pans, and extra time for baking, double this recipe and make two loaves. I’ve found it best to bake them separately so they are baked through.
A hand mixer will make it easier to mash the bananas but you can make this entire recipe by mixing it by hand.
Metal pans are excellent conductors of heat. You may prefer using a metal pan as it heats up faster and can be better at baking the center of the bread. In addition, bakery browns more easily in metal pans. For this gluten free banana bread recipe, you can use a glass loaf pan or a metal loaf pan. If using a glass pan, it may take longer to bake. Be sure to check for doneness with a fork or toothpick.
Another tip: If you have yellow bananas but aren’t ready to make banana bread, you can store fully-ripened yellow bananas in the refrigerator in a sealed produce drawer. The peels will darken but they won’t spoil. The banana flavor will remain for another week.
Gluten Free Flour
Making banana bread gluten free is easy. If you have baked with gluten free flours before, you may know how different they are. For a “sure thing” baking experience, I love using Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Flour or King Arthur’s Measure for Measure.
However, you can use any GF flour where you replace it in the equivalent amount as regular flour. You can use either of these flours in most any recipe that calls for regular flour.
For best results, use a gluten free flour blend that includes xanthan gum, and be sure to follow the recipe closely.
Ways to Serve GF Banana Bread
In addition to enjoying banana bread in slices for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, you can toast gluten free banana bread in the toaster or toaster oven. Because it’s dense, it holds up to the upright toaster.
NOTE: If you are follow a 100% gluten free diet, you will NOT want to use the same toaster others in your family use for regular bread. I have a small dedicated toaster for myself.
Use this gluten free banana bread to make French toast on a lazy weekend or a special brunch. Serve it with pure maple syrup. You can also slice bananas and toss some walnuts on top for a savory breakfast. It is delicious.
How to Ripen Bananas Faster
Ready to make this amazing GF banana bread but your bananas aren’t ripe yet? You can speed up the banana ripening process by storing bananas in a brown paper bag. Don’t use plastic bags because they will trap moisture. Another option is to place them near ripe fruit, such as apples, which emits ethylene gas that causes fruits to ripen.
Uses for Overripe Bananas
- Use in smoothies
- Make banana pancakes
- Try my delicious banana muffins
- Use overripe bananas to make a banana milkshake
Allow GF banana bread to cool on a cool stovetop or cooling rack; make sure there is airflow to the bottom ~ Image credit: Dawn Head
Best Gluten Free Banana Bread
If you are truly gluten free, you know the struggles with trying to avoid every crumb. For me, I experience immense inflammation and pain from gluten. I’ve avoided it for years. Combine this with my son’s palm oil allergy and intolerance, and you can be sure I bake everything from scratch. It is very rare that I can find a store-bought dessert that is both palm oil free and gluten free.
Homemade is best! Thanks for being interested in palm oil free and gluten free baking. I hope this recipe becomes a family favorite. I love serving it to my kids because fruit breads and cakes derive some sweetness from the fruit. I have a picky eater who loves this banana bread gluten free.
Consider other desserts you can bake with fruit as well. You can make pumpkin bread, coconut bread, and others by substituting one-for-one gluten free flour.
In conclusion, making gluten free banana bread is a quick and easy way to enjoy a delicious, nutritious snack. It’s also a great way to use up overripe bananas. Learn how to freeze bananas to use them for this recipe as well. Enjoy!
If you make this recipe for GF banana bread, please let me know how it went in the Comments below.
Featured image credit: Dawn Head
Gluten Free Banana Bread ~ Fast, Easy & Delicious!
Ingredients
- 2 cups gluten free 1-to-1 baking flour
- 1½ cups overripe bananas 4 - 5 bananas
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup softened butter one stick
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F for a glass loaf pan and 325 degrees F for a metal loaf pan
- Soften the butter in the microwave then set on the counter to cool.
- Prepare 9 x 5 loaf pan by greasing with butter, tasteless oil such as avocado oil or vegetable oil. Lightly flour.
- Mash bananas in a bowl, and set aside.
- In a large bowl, add gluten free flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Combine.
- In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar. Whisk in one egg at a time. Add milk, pure vanilla extract, and mashed bananas. Mix.
- Transfer the banana mixture into the flour mixture. Stir gently to combine but don’t over mix. Optional: Add in chocolate chips, nuts or other add-ins at this time.
- Transfer banana bread batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50 minutes. Remove banana bread and check for doneness with a fork or toothpick. When it comes out clean, it is done. You may need to return the banana bread to bake for up to 5 - 8 more minutes.
- Set banana bread on a cool stovetop or cooling rack for a minimum of 10 minutes. You can gently remove the gluten free banana bread and turn it out on the cooling rack. Or you can cut and serve directly from the pan.
- Cut into slices and devour!
Notes
- Set the butter on the counter to soften before using. Otherwise, you can soften in the microwave.
- A hand mixer will make it easier to mash the bananas but you can make this entire recipe by mixing it by hand.
- If you have yellow bananas but aren’t ready to make banana bread, store fully-ripened yellow bananas in the refrigerator in a produce drawer for up to one week.