Best Gluten-Free Banana Bread (Low Carb / Zero Added Sugar)

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Hi Bold Bakers!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: Our Gluten-Free Banana Bread recipe is made with zero (that’s right zero) added sugar, dairy-free, and gluten-free flours. With a bit of coconut oil, this bread is super wholesome and flavorful.

• We have had a HUGE number of requests from bakers all across the world for gluten-free, sugar-free, low-carb, or paleo recipes. This recipe is engineered to tick all the boxes and fit whatever lifestyle you live.
• I know there are a lot of recipes out there for banana bread, but this one is the Best Gluten Free Banana Bread, ever. It also happens to be low carb with zero added sugar!

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 4/12/2014, to include explanations of key ingredients, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and more Pro Chef Tips.

Table of Contents

• What is Gluten-Free Banana Bread (Low Carb / Zero Added Sugar)?
• Tools You Need
• Key Ingredients and Why
• How to Make Gluten-Free Banana Bread (Low Carb / Zero Added Sugar)
• Can I Make Gluten-Free Banana Bread in Advance and How to Store Gluten-Free Banana Bread?
• How to Store Gluten-Free Banana Bread
• FAQs
• Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
• More Gluten-Free Baking Recipes

What is Gluten-Free Banana Bread (Low Carb / Zero Added Sugar)?

Our Gluten-Free Banana Bread is for everyone, not just those who are trying to eat gluten-free.

• Gluten-Free Banana Bread is a moist, dense, and flavorful quick bread made with ripe bananas, gluten-free flours, sweetened with sugar-free maple syrup, and optionally topped with a whole banana and studded with toasty walnuts.
• This delicious and nutritious sweet treat is a fresh take on one of my favorite comfort foods – Classic Banana Bread.

Tools You Need

• Mixing bowl
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Glass measuring jug
• Wire whisk
• Silicone spatula
• 9×5 inch loaf tin
• Parchment paper

Key Ingredients and Why

• Bananas

  • Overall, bananas play a crucial role in both the flavor and texture of gluten-free banana bread.
    • Firstly, bananas provide natural sweetness, reducing the need for additional sugar in the recipe.
    • Secondly, they contribute moisture, helping to keep the bread soft and tender.
    • Additionally, bananas add flavor and enhance the overall aroma of the bread.
    • Lastly, when mashed, bananas help bind the ingredients together, contributing to the structure of the bread.
  • 1 sliced in half lengthwise not only adds visual appeal but also provides a nice presentation and additional banana flavor to the finished loaf.
  • Moreover, bananas offer health benefits, including improved digestion, heart health, energy boost, and mood regulation, due to their rich nutrient content, particularly potassium, fiber, and antioxidants.

• Alternative gluten-free flour blend

makes my lovely banana bread grain-free, and lower in carbohydrates.

• • While normal flour is derived from wheat, almond flour and coconut flour are exactly what they sound like. You can easily make them yourself at home in no time.
  • Almond flour adds moisture, nuttiness, and richness to the gluten-free banana bread.
    • To make almond flour, check our recipe of How to Make Almond Flour: Using a high-powered blender blend the almonds for roughly 1-2 minutes until fine and powdery.
    • Take care to not over-blend or the nuts will start to release their oils and you will end up with nut butter.
  • Aside from adding healthy fat, and fiber, coconut flour helps absorb moisture and provide structure, resulting in a tender and well-textured loaf.
    • To make coconut flour, you simply blitz up dried unsweetened coconut flakes into a fine powder (or flour).

• Baking soda

  • Texturewise, baking soda is a leavening agent that reacts with acid to produce air bubbles to make the Gluten-Free Banana Bread rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Flavorwise, baking soda’s alkalinity balances the acidity in the batter, ensuring a well-rounded flavor without any overpowering tartness from the bananas.

• Cinnamon 

  • Cinnamon gives this bread warmth, sweet notes, and a beautiful aroma.

• Coconut oil

  • Melted coconut oil adds moisture to the batter, ensuring a soft and tender texture in the finished gluten-free banana bread.
  • Coconut contributes richness to the bread’s flavor profile, and providing a subtle nutty flavor complementing the sweetness of the bananas and adding depth to the overall taste.
  • You can also use vegan butter instead.

• Vanilla extract

  • Vanilla extract enhances the Gluten-Free Banana Bread flavor and creates a more complex and enjoyable taste experience.

• Eggs

  • Eggs enrich the flavor.
  • Additionally, eggs serve as a crucial binding agent in gluten-free banana bread, helping to hold the ingredients together and prevent the loaf from crumbling.
  • They contribute moisture to the batter, ensuring delicate tender crumb in the finished bread.

• Sugar-free maple syrup, maple syrup or honey

  • Sugar-free syrup in gluten-free banana bread acts as a sweetener, providing sweetness without the use of refined sugars, making it suitable for those monitoring their sugar intake or following a low-carb diet.

• Walnuts, roughly chopped

  • Nuts add texture, crunch, and nutty flavor to the loaf, enhancing its overall taste and providing additional nutrients like healthy fats and protein.
  • Other nuts like pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts can also be used depending on personal preference.
  • Nut-free substitutes for nuts in gluten-free banana bread include pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, shredded coconut, coconut flakes, or dried fruit.

How to Make Gluten-Free Banana Bread (Low Carb / Zero Added Sugar)

• Prepare to bake:

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C), then line a 9×5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

• Make the bread batter:

  • Mix dry ingredients: in a large mixing bowl stir together the almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, and cinnamon.
  • Mix wet ingredients: in a separate bowl combine the mashed banana, eggs, coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla.
  • Combine the dry and wet mixtures: fold the wet ingredients into the dry until a batter is formed. Lastly, fold in the chopped walnuts — reserving some to sprinkle over the top of the bread.

• Bake the bread:

  • Pour the batter into your lined baking tin. Lay the two halves of the whole sliced banana on the top and sprinkle over the reserved walnuts.
  • Bake the banana bread for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.

• Serve the bread:

  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly on the wire rack before removing from the tin. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.

Can I Make Gluten-Free Banana Bread in Advance and How to Store Gluten-Free Banana Bread?

Yes, you can make this Gluten-Free Banana ahead of time.

Once baked, allow the banana bread to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it

• at room temperature for up to 2-3 days.
• alternatively, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• If you want to keep it for longer, you can freeze it for up to 1 month.

FAQs

What is Lakanto? How is it made?

In addition to being low in carbs and gluten-free, this banana bread is made with no added sugar. While this recipe is sweetened by the ripe bananas, it also uses one of my favorite alternative ingredients: Lakanto brand maple syrup.

• This is a zero sugar liquid sweetener derived from monk fruit and erythritol. If you can’t find this, you can absolutely use another brand of sugar free maple syrup or regular maple syrup. I prefer to use this brand as it’s 100% natural, non-GMO, and vegan.
• I like to use this because it keeps the bread super moist and also adds that classic sweet maple flavor without all the added sugar.

[ Need more information on substituting sugars? Check out Gemma’s easy Sugar Substitute chart! ]

Is the texture different for this Gluten-Free Banana Bread than regular banana bread?

So you might be wondering with all of these alternative ingredients what is the texture of this Gluten-Free Banana Bread like?

• Well, if you’ve ever baked with coconut or almond flour before you know they actually lend themselves to a super moist texture and lovely cake-like chew.
• You lose nothing by using these special ingredients — but you gain fiber, protein, and a bit of healthy fat without having to think about the sugar content.

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips

• This bread can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month. Defrost at room temperature then toast or warm in the oven to enjoy leftovers.
• This bread can be made vegan by substituting the eggs with flax egg.
• To make flax eggs, combine 3 tablespoons ground flax seed + 9 tbsp water. Allow to set for 10 minutes until “bloomed,” then add into your batter in place of eggs.
• You can choose to add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors and feel free to add sugar-free chocolate chips for extra richness.
• If you prefer a lighter texture, add 1 tsp of baking powder to make this bread rise more.

More Gluten-Free Baking Recipes

• Healthy Banana Muffins (Paleo, Vegan, and Gluten-Free)
• 3 Ingredient Chocolate Banana Cookies (Vegan)
• No-Bake Chocolate & Oat Cookies
• Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
• Vegan Brownies

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 4/12/2014, to include explanations of key ingredients, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and more Pro Chef Tips.

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