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    Home » Breakfast & Baking

    Vegan Banana Bread (Simple and Flexible)

    Updated: Jun 18, 2022 by Verna Rindler · This post may contain affiliate links · 58 Comments

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    vegan banana bread sliced on a counter with vegan butter

    This is the best Vegan Banana Bread ever! Incredibly moist and easy to make in 1 bowl, you’ll have a hard time believing it isn’t made with eggs or dairy. Gluten free and oil free options included.

    vegan banana bread sliced on cutting board with vegan butter

    Treat yourself to a slice (or two) of this Vegan Banana Bread. It’s simply the best! The slices are soft and sweet, and every bite is bursting with that delicious banana flavor. Add in some walnuts or chocolate chips for an extra crunch and dig in!

    The best part is that this vegan banana bread recipe is made with simple ingredients and only one bowl. It’s foolproof! Any level of home baker will have success.

    It’s completely flexible too. Adjust the batter to be as healthy as my Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Muffins, add even more nuts and dried fruits for texture, add cocoa powder if you’re craving chocolate banana bread, or transform it from a quick bread into banana bread muffins. The options are endless!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients and substitutions
    • How to make vegan banana bread
    • Tips for success
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Storing and freezing
    • More ways to use ripe bananas
    • More easy vegan pastries
    • Vegan Banana Bread (Simple and Flexible)

    Ingredients and substitutions

    • Bananas - The more overripe, spotty, and soft, the better. Overripe bananas are easier to work with, blend into the batter with ease, and provide the bread with a stronger banana flavor. Bananas also act as a binder, which means you don’t need a vegan egg replacer or flax eggs here.
    • Oil - I used grapeseed oil but you can use vegetable oil, coconut oil, or melted vegan butter instead. For oil free banana bread, replace the oil with an equal amount of applesauce.
    • All purpose flour - No fancy flour needed here! For a more rustic flavor, use a 1:1 mix of all purpose flour and whole wheat flour. Spelt flour should work too.
    • Brown sugar - White sugar or coconut sugar can be used instead.
    • Baking soda - Make sure it’s fresh! Expired baking soda will result in a banana bread that didn’t rise.
    • Vegan yogurt - Its acidic qualities will react with the baking soda, causing the bread to rise and become fluffy.
    • Add-ins - I love adding walnuts to banana bread but you could also use dairy free chocolate chips, pecans, or pumpkin seeds.
    a loaf of vegan banana bread baked in a loaf pan

    How to make vegan banana bread

    There’s a reason I turn to this easy banana bread recipe when I have old bananas to use up. It’s completely foolproof and made in one bowl! Here’s how it’s done:

    1. The wet mixture: Mash the bananas with a fork in a mixing bowl. Whisk in the rest of the wet ingredients.
    2. Add the dry ingredients: Gently mix in the dry ingredients with the wet, being careful not to overmix.
    3. Finish and bake: Finish by folding in the nuts, chocolate chips, or add-ins of your choice. Pour the batter into a prepared loaf pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
    4. Let it cool, then enjoy: Let the bread cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Slice into it when it’s cool, then enjoy! For full ingredients and instructions see printable recipe card below.
    step by step photos how to make vegan banana bread
    two slices of vegan banana bread on a plate

    Tips for success

    • Prepare the loaf pan properly - Spray it with cooking spray or lightly grease it with vegan butter. For extra security, line the pan with a piece of parchment paper and have the extras come up and out of the sides to act as handles for the baked bread.
    • Spoon and level the flour - AKA scoop the flour into the measuring cup with a spoon and sweep the excess off the top with a knife.
    • Do not overmix the batter - Only stir the dry mixture in with the wet until everything is just combined and no dry flour remains. If the batter is overmixed, the bread will turn out dense and gummy.
    • Customize it with add-ins - Like chocolate chips, walnuts, pecans, cocoa powder, pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins, dried cranberries, or pistachios.
    • To serve - Spread vegan butter on the warm slices or slather them with vegan cream cheese frosting.

    Frequently asked questions

    Can vegan banana bread be made gluten free?

    To make this banana bread recipe gluten free, replace the all purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten free flour mix. Oat flour should work just as well but follow my tips on baking with oat flour first.

    Can it be made without oil?

    Yes! Simply replace the oil with the same amount of applesauce.

    Why did my banana bread crack?

    Cracks in banana bread are completely normal and nothing to be worried about. They shouldn’t affect the texture.

    Can I use frozen bananas?

    Yes, but let them thaw completely first. They’ll be much easier to mash this way.

    Can I make banana bread muffins instead?

    Sure! Make the batter as normal but spoon it into a prepared muffin pan instead. Bake at 350ºF for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

    Storing and freezing

    To store: Wrap the loaf of banana bread or individual slices in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container. Banana bread can be stored at room temperature for about 3 days or in the fridge for 1 week.

    To freeze: Wrap the loaf or slices in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Banana bread freezes well for up to 2 months.

    More ways to use ripe bananas

    • Vegan Banana Waffles
    • Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Muffins
    • 5-Minute Mango Smoothie
    • Vegan Chocolate Banana Bread
    • Double Chocolate Banana Muffins

    More easy vegan pastries

    • Vegan Blueberry Muffins
    • 1 Bowl Vegan Lemon Loaf
    • Easy Vegan Zucchini Bread
    • Vegan Pumpkin Bread

    Enjoy everyone! Happy Day! Please feel free to comment below and give this recipe a rating. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

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    vegan banana bread sliced on cutting board with vegan butter

    Vegan Banana Bread (Simple and Flexible)


    ★★★★★

    5 from 20 reviews

    • Author: Verna
    • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
    • Yield: 10 Servings 1x
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This is the best Vegan Banana Bread ever! Incredibly moist and easy to make in 1 bowl, you’ll have a hard time believing it isn’t made with eggs or dairy. Gluten free and oil free options included.


    Ingredients

    Scale

    Wet Ingredients:

    • 3 large overripe bananas (about 1 and 1/2 cups mashed I measured)
    • 1/2 cup plain unsweetened vegan yogurt
    • 1/2 cup of neutral oil
    • 3/4 cup brown sugar
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla

    Dry Ingredients:

    • 2 cups all purpose flour*
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 3/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (measure then chop)*

    Optional Add Ins:

    • 1/2 - 3/4 cup vegan chocolate chips

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9x5 non stick loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside.
    2. Wet ingredients: Add the overripe bananas to a large mixing bowl and mash with a fork until smooth. Whisk in the rest of the wet ingredients and mix well.
    3. Dry ingredients: Now add the dry ingredients on top starting with the flour, then add the baking soda, salt and cinnamon on top of the flour. Mix until just combined. Fold in the chopped walnuts and dairy free chocolate chips (if using)
    4. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cool a couple of minutes then remove banana bread from pan to a wire rack and cool completely before slicing.  It should be a lovely golden brown on top with some cracks which is completely normal.
    5. Enjoy: Slice and enjoy with a glass of soy milk or your favorite non dairy milk or a cup of coffee or tea!  Serve a slice with or without vegan butter. Tastes even better the next day!! Step by step photos, FAQ, tips and more in above post and notes*

    Notes

    • you can use melted vegan butter or refined coconut oil in place of neutral oil. (I usually use grapeseed oil)
    • For oil free: use applesauce instead of oil
    • For gluten free: use a 1:1 gluten free flour blend
    • Flour options: You could substitute a white whole wheat flour or a spelt flour or oat flour in place of all purpose flour.
    • For nut free: omit the walnuts
    • To store and freeze: will keep covered on the counter for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week and freezes well. Slice and wrap individually in plastic wrap to freeze. Or wrap the whole loaf tightly in plastic wrap and then in tin foil and it will keep for up to 2 months in the freezer.
    • Calories listed do not include dairy free chocolate chips

    This Post has been updated it was originally published November 2019. The recipe itself is unchanged.

    • Prep Time: 15 Minutes
    • Cook Time: 60 Minutes
    • Category: Breakfast & Baking, Snacks & Sides
    • Method: Bake / Oven
    • Cuisine: American, Canadian

    Keywords: vegan banana bread

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @cheeky_chickpea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #cheeky_chickpea_

    More Breakfast & Baking

    • Vegan Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
    • Blueberry Banana Smoothie
    • Strawberry Rhubarb Chia Seed Jam (No Pectin)
    • Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Muffins
    11277 shares
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Melinda

      June 28, 2022 at 5:39 am

      This recipe is a true staple my kitchen. My entire family loves it. Thanks

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        June 28, 2022 at 6:29 am

        You're so welcome! happy you're all enjoying the banana bread. thanks for your review!

        Reply
    2. John

      June 28, 2022 at 5:36 am

      Fantastic recipe! Highly recommend!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        June 28, 2022 at 6:29 am

        thank you so much!

        Reply
    3. Ariadne Huertas

      June 08, 2022 at 6:10 am

      This Banana bread recipe is by far my Absolute favorite! I've made it several times for friends and family and they all agree that it's amazingggg!

      Reply
      • Verna

        June 09, 2022 at 7:24 am

        Thank you so much for your wonderful review I am thrilled you're all enjoying the recipe. Feel free to leave a star rating- really helpful 🙂

        Reply
    4. Rachel Petersen

      May 14, 2022 at 10:11 am

      Hands down the best recipe for banana bread out there- vegan or not. I can't stop eating it as soon as it comes out of the oven, and I love watching people's eyeballs bug out and pulsate big red hearts like they're Elmer Fudd watching Bugs Bunny walk past them dressed as a pretty lady after their first bite.

      Thanks for creating and sharing such a great recipe. You are definitely my #1 go-to vegan chef.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        May 14, 2022 at 10:25 am

        Oh wow!! thanks so much for the wonderful feedback you are so kind 🙂 You made my day!!

        Reply
    5. Herman

      May 28, 2021 at 8:55 pm

      So moist!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Michelle

      January 26, 2021 at 12:06 pm

      I never buy yogurt (vegan or otherwise) so added oatmilk instead. Used walnuts AND chocolate chips! The BEST banana bread ever!!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        January 26, 2021 at 12:11 pm

        Yay!! glad you liked it and thanks for sharing your substitutions Michelle!

        Reply
    7. Stephanie

      December 23, 2020 at 7:54 am

      This is my favorite banana bread recipe by far! It is so easy to make and delicious. I always use four bananas to make it a little more flavorful.
      Thanks!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        December 23, 2020 at 8:15 am

        Yay! glad you're enjoying the recipe Stephanie, thanks for commenting

        Reply
    8. Lil Fiest

      December 15, 2020 at 5:34 pm

      Super easy recipe. Used light spelt flour and chopped walnuts. I only needed to bake it the minimum time. Hubby loved it!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        December 15, 2020 at 7:49 pm

        Sounds great! Thrilled you loved it. Thanks so much for your comment Lil!

        Reply
    9. Jas

      October 17, 2020 at 12:33 pm

      Any chancenyou could sub the yoghurt for something?

      Reply
      • Verna

        October 17, 2020 at 1:30 pm

        Hi Jas you could try applesauce or possibly plant milk but I have not tried any of these subs so I do not know if they will work. Hope that helps!

        Reply
    10. Abby

      September 14, 2020 at 9:04 pm

      Can you make this with almond flour?

      Reply
      • Verna

        September 14, 2020 at 9:06 pm

        Hi Abby, I have not tried using almond flour for this recipe. I'm sure the measurements would have to be adjusted. Hope that helps

        Reply
    11. Denise

      September 01, 2020 at 7:56 pm

      This is by far the best vegan banana bread recipe ever!! I substituted strained prunes for the oil and ground flaxseed sub for the egg! Added walnuts and vegan chocolate chips both! AMAZING 😉

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        September 01, 2020 at 9:40 pm

        Aww thank you so much Denise! You just made my day!! thrilled you enjoyed it. People will enjoy reading your substitutions- thanks!

        Reply
    12. Gina

      June 24, 2020 at 7:50 pm

      Yet another hit from the cheeky chickpea!! I swapped the oil for applesauce and it was still perfect! Thanks for this recipe 🙂

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        June 24, 2020 at 10:21 pm

        Aww thank you so much Gina! Glad it worked well for you! Happy day to you!

        Reply
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