Simple Gluten-Free Banana Bread Recipe
Banana bread is a classic favourite that reminds me of my childhood, but with gluten intolerance, it’s become quite a challenge to find a gluten-free banana bread that actually tastes good. With a bit of trial and error, I finally came up with a recipe that filled all my banana bread cravings!
This recipe has no frills or fancy ingredients—just a practical guide to making gluten-free banana bread that’s moist, flavorful, and can be frozen for bulk baking. So, let’s get down to the basics and explore the essential ingredients, substitutions, and tips to ensure your gluten-free banana bread turns out just right.
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Gluten-Free Banana Bread Recipe
Simple Gluten-Free Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups gluten-free flour We use Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups overripe bananas mashed
- optional: chocolate chips, walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Lightly grease a 9X5 loaf pan or use parchment paper.
- Combine flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar and butter together using an electric mixer until smooth. Then, using a wooden spoon, stir in eggs and mashed bananas.
- Pour the banana mixture into the flour mixture and stir until it is combined. If adding in chocolate chips or walnuts, stir them into the mixture before transferring the batter into a loaf pan.
- Bake in a preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the enter comes out clean (around 60 minutes). Let the banana bread cool in the pan for around 10 minutes before placing it on a cooling rack. Let the loaf completely cool before enjoying it!
What Gluten-Free Flour Should You Use
There are numerous brands of gluten-free flour on the market to choose from and ultimately, the one you choose may come down to personal preference, availability, and specific dietary needs or restrictions. The two gluten-free flours that we like to bake with are Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Flour and King Arthur Measure For Measure Gluten-Free Flour. Both flours aim to simplify gluten-free baking by providing a 1-to-1 substitution for all-purpose wheat flour, making it easier to adapt traditional recipes. Here’s why these two are top of our list.
If this is your first time baking with gluten-free flour, we encourage you to try out a few brands to learn which to see which one works best for your favourite recipes.
Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Flour
Bob’s Red Mill includes a mix of gluten-free flours, starches, and xanthan gum. Ingredients may include sweet white rice flour, whole grain brown rice flour, potato starch, whole grain sweet white sorghum flour, tapioca flour, and xanthan gum.
This flour blend is known for producing baked goods with a light and tender texture. It works well in a variety of recipes, including cookies, cakes, muffins, and pancakes. Because Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Flour contains xanthan gum, it’s important to note this if you have sensitivity or allergies to it
King Arthur Measure For Measure Gluten-Free Flour
King Arthur’s blend typically includes a mix of white rice flour, whole-grain brown rice flour, tapioca starch, potato starch and xanthan gum.
King Arthur’s Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour is designed to closely mimic the texture of traditional wheat flour. It often results in baked goods with a tender crumb and good structure. This flour is known for its versatility and can be used as a direct substitute for all-purpose wheat flour in most recipes without additional modifications.
Related Questions
Can you use overripe bananas when making banana bread? Overripe bananas are actually preferred for banana bread as they add natural sweetness and moisture. The peel should be mostly brown.
Can you use frozen bananas? Yes, you can use frozen bananas. Thaw them first and drain excess liquid before adding them to the batter.
Why did my banana bread sink in the middle? Overmixing the batter, using too much leavening agent, or opening the oven door too early in the baking process can cause the bread to sink. Ensure your oven temperature is accurate as well.
How do you make banana bread moist? Using ripe bananas, adding ingredients like yogurt or sour cream, and not overbaking can help maintain moisture in banana bread.
How do you store banana bread? Banana bread can be stored at room temperature for a day or two, but for longer storage, it’s best to wrap it tightly and refrigerate or freeze it.
To learn how to make gluten-free banana bread muffins, check out our recipe here!
