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    Home » Breakfast & Baking

    Vegan Banana Bread (Simple and Flexible)

    Updated: Jun 18, 2022 by Vera Morgan · This post may contain affiliate links · 60 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 21 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 ½ cups mashed I measured)
    • ½ cup plain unsweetened vegan yogurt
    • ½ cup of neutral oil
    • ¾ cup brown sugar
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla

    Dry Ingredients:

    • 2 cups all purpose flour*
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • ¾ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ¾ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (measure then chop)*

    Optional Add Ins:

    • ½ - ¾ 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

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      Vegan Chocolate Chip Muffins
    11277 shares
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Molly

      June 03, 2020 at 1:11 am

      This was seriously delicious! I used applesauce as an oil substitute! Will definitely be making many more times!! 🙂

      Reply
      • Verna

        June 03, 2020 at 1:04 pm

        Thanks so much Molly! Thrilled you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    2. Ellen

      May 31, 2020 at 3:33 pm

      Verna, I can finally delete all the many banana bread recipes that I’ve tried...this is now my go to recipe!
      Delicious and the texture is just right! Thank you!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        May 31, 2020 at 5:54 pm

        Aww thank you so much Ellen! You just made my day. Thrilled you love the recipe!

        Reply
    3. Cat

      May 27, 2020 at 4:16 am

      This is the BEST banana bread ever!! I've made it 5 times now and for a total beginner when it comes to baking...its been perfect every time! Thank you Cheeky Chickpea- my friends and family all love it!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        May 27, 2020 at 4:50 am

        YAY! thank you so much Cat you made my day! Thrilled you and your family are enjoying the recipe 😊

        Reply
    4. Sharon

      April 26, 2020 at 6:18 pm

      This truly is the best banana bread. It makes a nice big loaf mine was done in 50 minutes and my oven temperature runs true. The taste and the texture is great. I used WW white flour and Sukrin Brown sugar replacement. I won’t look further for another banana bread. recipe Thank you!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        April 26, 2020 at 9:55 pm

        Oh wow thank you very much Sharon! So nice of you to say. So Thrilled you love the recipe! Thanks for your comment!!

        Reply
      • Karen Balmforth

        May 26, 2020 at 3:12 am

        Thank you so much for This delicious banana bread recipe. I use applesauce instead of oil And coconut milk vanilla yogurt. I add walnuts and mini chocolate chips and it's delicious. I make 3 loafs at a time and freeze them. This is the best banana bread I've ever made 🙂

        ★★★★★

        Reply
        • Verna

          May 26, 2020 at 1:23 pm

          Aww thank you so much Karen! So happy you love the recipe. Thanks so much for your kind words!

          Reply
    5. MagPie

      April 20, 2020 at 3:15 pm

      This was the BEST banana bread EVER.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        April 20, 2020 at 3:29 pm

        Thank you so much!! You just made my day, super thrilled you loved it!

        Reply
    6. Jessica

      April 16, 2020 at 12:32 pm

      Great recipe! I made these for my toddler and reduced the brown sugar to 1/2 cup and made them into mini muffins instead of a loaf. They turned out great! Thanks 🙂

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        April 16, 2020 at 1:30 pm

        What a great idea Jessica!! I will have to try that for my grandkids! thanks for the comment. Super happy you enjoyed the recipe!

        Reply
    7. Darina

      April 14, 2020 at 7:05 pm

      Made this today!!! I added the chocolate chips and perhaps went a bit heavy on them but this is delicious!!! Thank you for the recipe!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        April 14, 2020 at 9:06 pm

        Yay! Thank you so much Darina! Glad you enjoyed the banana bread! I love it with chocolate chips too! Thanks so much for commenting!!

        Reply
    8. Darina

      April 07, 2020 at 5:07 pm

      Hello!!! Do you know if bread flour would work with this recipe?

      Reply
      • Verna

        April 07, 2020 at 6:08 pm

        Banana bread is actually more of a cake consistency so is best suited for regular flour which has a lower gluten content. Where as Bread flour has a higher gluten content and is used for baked goods like bread, buns and pizza dough, etc... so if you use it you will have a different outcome. You will have a chewier loaf. So if you intend to use it, try not to over mix the batter. Hope that helps.

        Reply
        • Darina

          April 07, 2020 at 8:24 pm

          Yes, thank you. That’s helps a lot!!! I appreciate your response.

          Reply
    9. Beth

      April 02, 2020 at 10:23 pm

      Hello! I don’t have vegan yogurt and am OK with using eggs (from our own chickens). Do you happen to know how many eggs I would use in place of the yogurt? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Verna

        April 03, 2020 at 1:34 pm

        Hi Beth this is a vegan blog.😊 I would say 2

        Reply
    10. Emily

      March 30, 2020 at 7:02 pm

      I want to make this but I’m out of yogurt. Is there something else you can recommend for substitution?

      Reply
      • Verna

        March 31, 2020 at 3:26 am

        you could try unsweetened apple sauce. enjoy!

        Reply
    11. Deb Clare

      January 25, 2020 at 7:15 am

      Best banana bread I have ever made.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        January 25, 2020 at 2:13 pm

        Oh wow!! Thank you so much Deb, you just made my day. Thrilled you love the recipe. Thanks so much for your comment!

        Reply
    12. Kelly

      January 24, 2020 at 6:44 am

      Excellent recipe, so easy and so good. Definitely a keeper.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        January 24, 2020 at 3:16 pm

        thank you so much Kelly! Glad you loved it.

        Reply
    13. Ginnie

      January 17, 2020 at 5:37 pm

      Thanks for including the amount, in cups, of banana. They vary greatly in size, so having measurements helps a lot.

      Reply
      • Verna

        January 17, 2020 at 6:18 pm

        You're welcome Ginnie! Enjoy the banana bread!

        Reply
    14. Lindsay

      November 12, 2019 at 7:40 pm

      What sort of vegan yogurt do you use and prefer when baking?

      Reply
      • Verna

        November 12, 2019 at 7:58 pm

        Hi Lindsay, I use Silk Plain Unsweetened Cultured Coconut Vegan yoghurt. Happy baking!?

        Reply
        • vanessa

          April 07, 2020 at 7:34 pm

          Hello, if i did not use the vegan yogurt would that be a problem? That is the only ingredient i dont not have in my kitchen.

          Thanks!

          ★★★★★

          Reply
          • Verna

            April 07, 2020 at 7:50 pm

            Hi Vanessa you could try subbing applesauce instead!

            Reply
    15. Midge

      November 05, 2019 at 2:18 pm

      Just made this yesterday ,so good

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        November 05, 2019 at 2:20 pm

        So glad you enjoyed the banana bread Midge! thank you so much for your comment!

        Reply
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