Soft, naturally sweet, and full of cinnamon flavor, this No Sugar Added Banana Bread is the perfect everyday treat. Made with almond flour, dates, and ripe bananas, this gluten-free banana loaf uses natural sweetness for a healthier twist on classic banana bread.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
- 👪Serves: 7 slices
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 300 kcals and 9 grams of protein
- 📋Main Ingredients: Ripe bananas, dates, eggs, almond flour and buckwheat flour.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, no added sugar.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: A naturally sweet, soft banana bread made with wholesome ingredients and no added sugar.
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This banana bread recipe without sugar is one of the easiest ways to use up those extra bananas sitting on the counter, and the riper they are, the better the flavor. The batter comes together in about five minutes, making it a simple homemade treat for busy days.
Warm cinnamon, crunchy walnuts, and naturally sweet dates give this banana bread recipe without sugar plenty of cozy flavor without the need for refined sugar. It’s the kind of healthier baked good you can enjoy any day of the week, just like these no-sugar healthy carrot muffins. Even classic sugar-loving die-hards tend to fall in love with this dairy-free banana bread.
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💭 Why You'll Love The Recipe
Soft texture: Many gluten-free breads are dense or dry, but this sugar-free banana nut bread comes out soft and a little moist. Though not as moist as my slow cooker banana bread.
Naturally sweetened: The only sweeteners in this recipe are overripe bananas and dates (not even maple syrup!). So, it's a dessert you can feel good about giving to the kids.
Family-approved: Even my husband enjoys this recipe, and he's a classic sugar-lover.
Ingredients and Substitutions
No wheat flour or baking soda in this recipe! However, if you have well-stocked gluten-free pantry essentials, you probably already have all the staples you need.
- Mashed bananas: The riper the bananas, the better! When your bananas have brown spots, it means they're super ripe. If you have extra, use them for this high-protein banana pudding.
- Dates: Another natural sweetener, I use dates the most when making this viral date bark recipe.
- Almond flour: Make sure to use blanched almond flour (learn the difference between almond flour and almond meal) to get the best texture.
- Coconut oil: In a pinch, I think avocado oil will work, but coconut oil changes texture based on its temperature, so it does affect the consistency.
- Light buckwheat flour: Light flour is easier to work with in baking than dark buckwheat, as it doesn't absorb as intensely. If you use dark flour, it will absorb too much, and the bread will be "gunky". Know that a 1:- Gluten-free baking flour works too.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Flavor Variations
- Chocolate: Everyone loves the chocolate banana combo. To do this, add 2 tablespoons of raw cacao powder to the mix.
- Rich caramel: If you're alright with maple syrup, drizzle the gluten-free sugar-free banana bread with coconut milk caramel sauce for ultimate indulgence.
- Peanut butter banana: Add some no oil peanut butter to the mix or drizzle it on top with some extra nuts for a classic flavor combo.
How To Make No Added Sugar Banana Bread
Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients.
Step 2: Add n the wet.
Step 3: Portion into a loaf pan and top with cinnamon and walnuts. Bake for 30 minutes, letting it cool in the oven.
Expert Tips To Make It
Use a silicone loaf pan or line yours with parchment paper to make the banana walnut bread easy to remove.
The bread is my favorite when topped with Nuts For Butter. The same goes for my protein zucchini bread. I'm sure it would be tasty with these Starbucks drinks to try, too.
Turn the oven off before it looks fully cooked and golden. This ensures that it doesn't overbake and keeps its soft texture.
Store leftover banana bread once cooled in an airtight container on the counter for 2 days or in the fridge for up to a week. Know that it will firm up if stored in the fridge and tastes best if light reheated before serving again.
No Sugar Added Banana Bread FAQs
Yes, you can freeze sugar-free banana bread either in slices or as a loaf. If it hasn't been cut, wrap the loaf in plastic wrap before placing it into an airtight bag. Store it for up to 3 months. When you need it, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat at a low temperature before serving.
Yes, in place of buckwheat flour, you can use gluten-free 1:1 baking flour in the same ratios.
Bananas that are overripe are best for banana bread because they're sweeter. You want bananas with visible brown spots that are softer to the touch.
More Dairy & Gluten-Free Banana Recipes
If you tried this No Sugar Added Banana Bread Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
No Sugar Added Banana Bread (Gluten-Free)
Video
Equipment
- 1 Silicone loaf pan
Ingredients
- 3 Bananas very ripe
- 3 Eggs
- 10 Dates soaked for a few minutes in warm water
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 2 tablespoons Coconut oil
- 1 cup Almond flour
- ½ cup Buckwheat flour light
- 0.5 teaspoon Baking powder
- 1 tablespoon Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Nutmeg
- ⅓ cup Walnuts chopped, for topping
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a blender combine the bananas through to the coconut oil until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry and mix well, until everything is combined.
- Grease an 8x4 pan and pour the batter into the pan. Use a silicone spatula to spread evenly.
- Sprinkle the teaspoon of cinnamon on top of the banana bread. Top with crushed walnuts making sure to press them down slightly into the batter.
- Bake 20 minutes. Turn the pan and bake another 8-9 minutes. Turn the oven off and let sit in the oven for 30 minutes to finish cooking. Letting it sit is where it firms up so don't skip this step!
- Remove from oven and use a silicone spatula to carefully remove from the baking pan.
Notes
- If you don't have dates on hand, you can sub them for ⅛ cup of honey
- Use a silicone loaf pan or use parchment paper to line it. Banana bread sticks.
- Don't overlook letting it sit in the oven to finish cooking after you turn the oven off. After the cooking time, the banana bread will not look done. It's sitting in the oven that firms it up and makes it transition from a sloppy mess into awesome
- Likewise, be careful taking it out of the pan. Use a silicone spatula because it's delicate!
- Make sure to use light buckwheat flour and not dark or you'll have a gunky mess.
- Know that gluten-free 1:1 baking flour can be used in direct replacement of the buckwheat flour.
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Shelby says
This is my husbands favorite banana bread and he never believes it's sugar free, it's that good!
Lucy At Home says
Mmmm banana bread! This reminds me of one of my mum's friends who was a brilliant baker and she'd always make us a loaf of banana bread when she came to visit!
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fitasamamabear says
It's the classic "take with you" dessert/snack!! I love it lol