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Moist, fluffy, easy, and oil-free 5 ingredient vegan banana bread recipe.

One of the best parts about this recipe is that the food processor does all the work for you.

This easy vegan banana bread is also oil-free, refined sugar free, and gluten-free when using certified gluten-free oats.

This banana bread makes for a great sweet snack or easy breakfast when topped with some runny peanut butter.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Delicious and nutritious. No oil, sugar, or flours used in this recipe.
Easy clean-up. A food processor is the only equipment you’ll need for this recipe.
Less than 30 minutes to make, including prep time and cook time.
This easy banana bread doubles as healthy oatmeal breakfast bar, healthy snack, healthy dessert or workout snack.

Ingredients

Rolled oats or oat flour

I’m using rolled oats in this recipe, which is easily turned into oat flour in the food processor. If you have oat flour already though, you can also use that in this recipe.

If you love oatmeal, you'll love to try them in these recipes:

Very ripe bananas

Since we are not using any added sweetener, we want the bananas to be super ripe to add as much natural sweetness as possible.

If you don’t have overripe bananas, you can add additional sweetener. Pure maple syrup, agave syrup, brown sugar, or coconut sugar would be great sweeteners to use.

Nut butter

I used salted crunchy peanut butter because I love the combination of peanut butter and banana, but feel free to use almond butter, tahini, cashew butter, or any nut/seed butter of your choosing.

Baking soda and apple cider vinegar

We aren’t using any eggs in this recipe and relying on baking soda and vinegar as leavening agents.

Baking soda and apple cider vinegar work together in baked goods to create carbon dioxide which makes a more fluffy and less dense banana bread.

expert tips

before the ingredients are mixed in the food processor

after the ingredients are combined in the food processer

Be cautious not to over-process the mixture once you've added all the ingredients. Over-blending can result in a gummy or dense texture in the bread.
Oven temperatures may vary slightly, so keep an eye on your bread as it bakes. The bread is done when the center is fully cooked and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Depending on your oven, it may take slightly more or less than the suggested baking times.
Use a loaf tin that's been greased or lined with parchment paper for easy removal of the bread after baking.
For best results, use OVERRIPE bananas which are sweeter and will add a deeper banana flavor.
After pouring the mixture into the loaf tin, use a spatula to gently smooth the top. This helps ensure an even and attractive appearance when the bread is baked.

Customize this recipe

This recipe is highly customizable and would be great with the following additions or substitutions:

Vegan chocolate chips
Cacao nibs
Walnuts
Dried fruit
Pumpkin seeds
With vegan yogurt
Use almond butter or any other nut/seed butter to replace the peanut butter.
Add vanilla extract, a little cinnamon, nutmeg, or any other additional seasonings.

Storage

Storage leftovers

For any leftovers, place a paper towel on the top and bottom of the banana bread loaf before storing in an airtight container or storage bag. Store in a cool, dry place.

Freezing

Write the date on the container. Slice the banana bread and place onto a parchment paper lined baking tray with. Freeze overnight in a single layer. Once frozen, add slices to an airtight ziplock bag and store for up to 6 months.

Reheating

When you’re ready to enjoy, reheat in toaster oven or air fryer until defrosted and warmed through.

close up of the texture of the banana bread

Can I use coconut flour or almond flour?

I have not tested this recipe using any other flours. Feel free to drop a comment if you have had success with using any alternative flours.

Does refrigerating banana bread dry it out?

Yes, refrigerating banana bread and other baked goods dries it out.

Storing baked goods in the fridge can indeed result in them drying out faster than when kept at room temperature.

This is primarily due to the low humidity levels typically found in refrigerators, which can cause moisture to evaporate from the baked goods at a quicker rate.

To maintain the moist and fluffy texture of banana bread, it is generally recommended to store them in a cool, dry place at room temperature

How do you know when banana bread is done?

Visually, as banana bread bakes, it should turn golden brown. Keep an eye on the top and sides of the loaf. If it appears evenly browned, it's a good sign that the bread is close to being done.

You can also gently press the top of the banana bread with your finger.

If it springs back and feels firm, it's usually a good indication that the bread is fully baked.

If your finger leaves an indentation, it may need more time to cook.

Lastly, with the toothpick test you can insert a toothpick or skewer into the center of the bread. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs clinging to it, your banana bread is likely done.

How ripe is too ripe for banana bread?

Bananas are too ripe for banana bread if they emit a fermented or alcohol-like odor.

While it's acceptable for the banana peel to be dark brown or even black, if the inside of the fruit shares the same coloration, it indicates that the banana is overly ripe and progressing towards spoilage.

Additionally, a clear indication of bananas gone bad is the presence of any leaking fluids.

Can I use frozen and defrosted bananas for banana bread?

If you thaw frozen bananas, they will likely contain more liquid from the thawing process compared to using fresh bananas. As a result, you will need to use additional dried ingredients to achieve similar results.

Print Recipe

Healthy Vegan 5-Ingredient Banana Bread Recipe (Gluten-Free)

5 ingredients and a food processor is all you'll need to make this delicious and moist gluten-free and vegan banana bread that is perfect for all of your overripe bananas.

Prep Time5

Cook Time20

Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: gluten-free banana bread, healthy banana bread, vegan banana bread

Servings: slices

Calories: 272kcal

Equipment

1 High-speed food processor
1 9x5 inch metal loaf pan
1 Spatula
Parchment paper

Ingredients

2 large overripe bananas 288 grams
½ cup salted peanut butter
2 cups rolled oats
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
½ teaspoon baking soda
1/l tsp vanilla optional
½ teaspoon cinnamon optional

Instructions

Add rolled oats into the food processor and process on high for 1 minute until oat flour forms.
Add the rest of the ingredients and process on high until fully combined for 10-15 seconds. Be careful not to blend for too long, or else the mixture will be gummy.
Pour mixture into a loaf tin and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake at 350F for 20 minutes until the center is fully cooked and the top is nicely browned. Cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes until the bread is cool to touch.

Notes

Cooling is Key: Allow your banana bread to cool in the loaf tin for at least 30 minutes before attempting to remove or slice it. This helps it set properly and prevents it from falling apart.
Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze in slices for several months.
Reheating: If your bread becomes slightly dry after storage, you can moisten it by lightly toasting it or microwaving it for a few seconds.
Ripe Bananas are Best: Use ripe bananas with brown spots for the best flavor. They are sweeter and mash more easily. If your bananas aren't quite ripe, you can accelerate the process by placing them in a paper bag for a day or two.
Oven temperatures can vary, so use the toothpick test to determine doneness. Insert a toothpick into the center of the bread; if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, it's done. If it's gooey, bake a bit longer.

Nutrition

Once you see how easy it is to make this 5-ingredient vegan banana bread, you’ll understand why I am obsessed with this delicious banana bread recipe.

Easy 5-Ingredient Vegan Banana Bread Recipe (No-Oil)

Why you’ll love this recipe