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The Best Gluten-Free Banana Bread Recipe

The BEST gluten-free banana bread recipe made with gluten-free flour blend and sweetened with coconut sugar. Add chocolate chips and/or chopped nuts to level up this already moist and fluffy dream bread.

Loaf of banana bread cut into slices on a sheet of parchment paper with ripe bananas to the side.

Confession: I fancy myself a bit of a banana bread aficionado.

After posting my grain-free recipes for Paleo Banana Bread  using almond flour and Coconut Flour Paleo Banana Bread, I have since followed up the two with countless variations on grain-free banana bread. 

Just have a scroll through my Banana Bread  archives to feast your eye sockets on the possibilities.

The Paleo Carrot Cake Banana Bread is my personal favorite, followed closely by Paleo Cranberry Orange Bread

All that said, this is the very first gluten-free banana bread recipe I have posted on this site using a gluten-free flour blend.

Perfect Gluten-Free Banana Bread - a healthy banana bread recipe sweetened mostly with banana and some coconut sugar

I simply use my favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and sweeten the bread primarily with ripe bananas and a touch of coconut sugar.

Over the years, I have learned a couple of tricks to make the ultimate moist, fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth delicious banana bread. Let us discuss!

Tips For Making THE BEST Moist Banana Bread:

My secret to making insanely moist and incredible banana bread is: LOTS of bananas.

Years and years ago, I discovered using more bananas makes banana bread incredibly moist and delicious.

Not to mention, naturally sweet. Rather than adding a lot of oil or butter, much of the moisture can come from the bananas themselves without sacrificing flavor, moisture, or fluff. 

If anything, the more bananas, the better 😉

Gluten-Free Banana Bread sweetened mostly with bananas and a touch of coconut sugar for a healthier banana bread recipe

For this reason, I usually use a cup and a half of mashed ripe banana in one loaf of banana bread, which usually equates to 4 ripe bananas. 

For my grain-free banana bread recipes, I don’t add any additional fat (oil or butter), as there is plenty sourced from the almond flour and coconut flour. 

Because gluten-free flour blends don’t contain as much fat as almond flour or coconut flour, I use a small amount of melted butter to give the loaf a bit of fat love. Coconut oil and avocado oil work too!

The massive amount of overripe bananas also enables you to cut down on the added sugar, which I see as a bonus.

For the grain-free banana bread recipes, I add a just a couple tablespoons of pure maple syrup or coconut sugar to boost the sweetness to absolute perfection.

You can also use cane sugar or just stick with the mashed bananas for sweetness. 

Healthy Gluten-Free Banana Bread - perfectly moist and fluffy banana bread recipe with chocolate chips

If you’re wondering what makes this recipe the best banana bread recipe, here are the main bullet points:

Recipe Highlights: 

This easy gluten-free banana bread recipe is ULTRA moist, incredibly fluffy, perfectly sweet, delectably soft, beautifully gooey (assuming you add the chocolate chips), and easy to prepare.

Let’s discuss the simple ingredients for this cozy banana bread recipe. You can find them at any grocery store!

Ingredients for Gluten-Free Banana Bread:

Gluten-Free Flour Blend: Taking the place of regular all-purpose flour, we use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.

Ripe Bananas: Be sure to use overripe bananas that have plenty of brown spots. This ensures the bread will turn out very moist, loaded with banana flavor and will be perfectly sweet.

Eggs: Regular eggs at room temperature help the bread rise and make it nice and fluffy.

Butter (or Coconut Oil): Providing moisture and fat content, butter brings beautiful flavor to this amazing banana bread. You can replace it with avocado oil, vegetable oil, or melted coconut oil.

Coconut Sugar (or Cane Sugar): Used to sweeten the bread, we need a granulated sweetener.

I like using coconut sugar because it is lower on the glycemic index than cane sugar, but white sugar or brown sugar work great. For less added sugar, use a sugar-free sweetener.

Ground Cinnamon: For me, lots of ground cinnamon is mandatory! Cinnamon makes banana bread so warm and delicious. Use more or less depending on your taste.

Pure Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla brings warm flavor to really entice the taste buds.

Baking Soda: The leavening agent here. Check to be sure it isn’t expired before using it!

Sea Salt: A pinch of sea salt enhances all of the flavors. Don’t skip it!

Chocolate Chips (Optional): Bringing pockets of chocolate joy, I love adding chocolate chips. You can skip them or you can also add chopped nuts like chopped walnuts or pecans.

Now that we’ve covered the basic ingredients, let’s bake a loaf (or twelve)!

How to Make Gluten-Free Banana Bread:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9” x 5” loaf pan with parchment paper.

Begin by mashing up the bananas in a mixing bowl until they reach desired consistency. I like leaving mine slightly chunky so that as the bread bakes, I get little pockets of rich banana flavor.

Mash the bananas and measure them out.

Whisk in the eggs, vanilla extract and cooled melted butter until well-combined (wet ingredients) in a large bowl.

Combine wet ingredients in a mixing bowl

In a separate bowl, Stir together the gluten-free flour, baking soda, sea salt, coconut sugar (or brown sugar), and cinnamon until combined (dry ingredients).

Stir together the dry ingredients for the banana bread

Pour the dry mixture into the mixing bowl with the wet mixture and stir until the batter is incorporated.

Pour the dry mixture into the bowl with the wet mixture

Pour the batter into the parchment-lined loaf pan and sprinkle with additional chocolate chips.

Stir until the batter is well combined

Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bread has risen substantially and the bread tests clean. Turn off the oven and allow it to sit in the warm oven an additional 5 to 10 minutes.

If at any time during the baking process the top of the bread becomes too dark, you can cover the loaf pan in aluminum foil.

Baked goods are considered fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 190 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can insert an instant read thermometer to the center of the bread to verify whether or not it is cooked through.

Healthy Banana Bread Recipe made gluten-free and refined sugar-free. The BEST banana bread recipe!

Remove bread from the oven and let the bread cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

The end result is an amazingly moist and fluffy gluten free banana bread with the best texture and a great recipe to put on repeat any time you need a sweet treat.

Can I Make This Banana Bread Vegan?:

For a vegan banana bread recipe that is gluten-free, egg-free, and dairy-free, follow my Vegan Banana Bread Recipe, which uses a flax egg replacement. 

Recipe Adaptations:

  • Want to make muffins out of this recipe? Follow my recipe for Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins!
  • Replace the butter with ghee, avocado oil, or melted coconut oil.
  • If you bake using cane sugar, replace the coconut sugar with granulated cane sugar or brown sugar.
  • Looking for a banana bread that is lower in added sugar? Replace the coconut sugar with ½ cup sugar-free sweetener.
  • Add chopped walnuts or pecans to make banana nut bread.
  • Omit the chocolate chips.
  • Use regular flour instead of gf flour if you don’t need a gluten-free recipe.
  • Fashion up a streusel topping to give the bread a bit of a coffee cake essence.

What Type of Gluten-Free Flour Should I Use?:

I always use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour, but I have also heard King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure For Measure Flour blend is magnificent as well.

Most gluten-free flour blends are a combination of brown rice flour, xanthan gum, tapioca flour, potato starch and often baking powder.

While I don’t have extensive experience with the King Arthur blend or Pamela’s, I’ve heard enough magnificent feedback over the years to safely recommend it.

If you try this recipe using a different blend, please do share in the comments below and let us all know how it turns out! 

The Best Banana Bread Recipe made with gluten-free flour and sweetened with coconut sugar, studded with chocolate chips

Store any leftovers on the counter top covered in plastic wrap for up to 5 days or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

For an extra chocolate version of this bread, be sure to check out my Double Chocolate Gluten-Free Banana Bread!

More Delicious Gluten-Free Quick Breads:

Steamy gluten-free chocolate chip banana bread LET’S GO!

Loaf of gluten-free banana bread on a sheet of parchment paper, cut into slices.

Gluten-Free Banana Bread Recipe

The most amazing moist and fluffy gluten-free chocolate chip banana bread that will surely make you swoon! Add chopped walnuts if you like them!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
1 loaf

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9” x 5” loaf pan with parchment paper.
  • Mash the bananas in a mixing bowl and be sure you have 1 1/2 cups (or close to it). Whisk in the eggs, vanilla extract and cooled melted butter until well-combined (wet ingredients).
  • In a separate bowl, Stir together the gluten-free flour, baking soda, sea salt, coconut sugar, and cinnamon until combined (dry ingredients).
  • Pour the dry mixture into the mixing bowl with the wet mixture and stir until the batter is incorporated. If adding chocolate chips and/or chopped walnuts or pecans, do so here.
  • Transfer the batter into the parchment-lined loaf pan and sprinkle with additional chocolate chips.
  • Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bread has risen substantially. Turn off the oven and allow it to sit in the warm oven an additional 5 to 10 minutes. If at any time during the baking process the top of the bread becomes too dark, you can cover the loaf pan in aluminum foil. NOTE: Baked goods are considered fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can insert an instant read thermometer to the center of the bread to verify whether or not it is cooked through.
  • Remove bread from the oven and allow it to cool 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Video

Notes

*I use grass-fed butter, but you can also use ghee or melted coconut oil for a dairy-free version
**If you don’t typically bake with coconut sugar, feel free to switch it out for regular granulated cane sugar or brown sugar.
UPDATE 3/17/2024: I like to cover the loaf pan with aluminum foil for the first 50 minutes of baking. I then remove the foil and continue baking for the remaining 15 to 20 minutes. This ensures the top doesn’t become too brown during the baking process and keeps the loaf nice and moist. If you go this route, keep the foil tented to allow the loaf room to rise underneath it. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 12Calories: 255kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 3gFat: 9gFiber: 3gSugar: 22g
Course: Breads, Breakfast, Quick Breads
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chocolate chip banana bread, coconut sugar, gluten free recipes, healthy banana bread, quick bread, the best gluten-free banana bread recipe
Servings: 1 loaf
Calories: 255kcal
Author: Julia

The BEST Gluten-Free Banana Bread Recipe! Moist, fluffy, insanely delicious banana bread that is so easy to make! Recipe includes dairy-free and refined sugar-free options.

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Recipe Rating




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Gigi

Saturday 16th of March 2024

This is in the oven right now!! Can't wait to taste it.

Julia

Sunday 17th of March 2024

Aww I love that! Enjoy, Gigi! xo

Juliah C.

Saturday 16th of March 2024

This turned out so tasty!! I baked mine for about 65 minutes. I had to put foil on during the last 15 minutes. I will definitely make again! I used coconut oil instead of butter too.

Julia

Sunday 17th of March 2024

Thanks so much for sharing, Juliah! This is super helpful to others who want to try the recipe :) xo

Cindy

Tuesday 5th of March 2024

So happy to have a recipe for my beloved banana bread that’s gf, easy and delicious. Love it!

Julia

Thursday 7th of March 2024

I'm happy to hear it, Cindy! Thank you for the sweet note! xo

Bry

Monday 19th of February 2024

This is SO good! Newly gluten free but I’ve always been dairy and artificial sugar free for 5 years now and it’s the best banana bread I’ve found!

Julia

Wednesday 21st of February 2024

Aww thanks, Bry! I appreciate the sweet note. I'm happy you've found a GF banana bread you enjoy! Welcome to the gluten-free community! xo

Mary

Thursday 25th of January 2024

This is absolutely THE best banana bread I have ever made. I have now made at least a dozen times and it has never failed. I use Swerve brown sugar, blend my own gf flour and pecans or walnuts instead of choc chips. My family loves it! Thank you for sharing this recipe!

Julia

Friday 26th of January 2024

Yaay, I love hearing that, Mary! Thanks so much for sharing the details - this is super helpful to others who want to try the same changes. I know there are a lot of folks who follow my site who prefer baking sugar-free too, so this is great to know! xoxo

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