Skip to Content

Gluten Free Banana Bread

Gluten free banana bread is a super moist quick bread that will become your go-to banana bread! Use a gluten free flour mix to make this banana bread gluten free. No one will know that the gluten is missing!

Moist banana bread sliced on cutting board with 3 bananas

This is the best banana bread and a favorite way to use overripe bananas! When I switched to a gluten free diet a few years ago, I found the easiest way to test my new gluten free recipes was to start with a gluten free flour blend. It’s a quick way to take out the wheat and to make this banana bread gluten free.

Of course, all fruits including bananas are gluten free. You will need to double check the remaining ingredients to make sure that each item is certified gluten free.

Find more gluten-free recipes and gluten free baking tips here.  If your are looking for a traditional banana bread, try this upside down banana bread recipe or a toffee banana bread. Or if you’d like to make muffin recipes, the recipe for banana muffins can be found here. There are so many options when it comes to quick bread recipes!

Gluten free flour mix

Of course you can make your own homemade gluten-free flour blend, but I use this gluten free flour mix. (affiliate link) Some gluten free mixes are better than others. Just make sure that you know the difference between gluten free flour and flour blends or mixes. While they sound the same, there is a key ingredient included in the blends– xanthan gum.

Xanthan gum is the substance you are looking for on the ingredient list. It helps to thicken baked goods. If you happen to simply have gluten free flour then add 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum per cup of gf flour in the recipe.

Ingredients:

How to make banana bread

Follow along with these photos to see how to make this gluten-free recipe:

  1. Mix the dry ingredients of gf flour mix, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl, set aside
  2. Whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, oil and sugar in a large bowl.
  3. Combine the wet ingredients and dry ingredients.
  4. Mash the bananas in a separate bowl then fold the mashed bananas in to the batter.
  5. Pour batter into a loaf pan covered with baking spray and parchment paper.
  6. Bake for 55-60 minutes.
Step by step photos of making banana bread gluten free

Tips for making banana bread

  • First whisk the dry ingredients together, then the wet before combing both together. Mash the bananas last and fold them into the batter.
  • Use very ripe bananas when making banana bread. Let the banana skin become speckled and darkened with brown spots. The fruit will be soft and somewhat mushy. This is perfect for baking with bananas and will make a moist banana bread! The sugar content is higher and you’ll love the sweetness. You may even be able to reduce the sugar in the recipe if your bananas are really ripe.
  • Because this gluten free banana bread recipe is so moist, the bread loaf needs a long time to bake 55 – 60 minutes. Bake the loaf uncovered for the first 45 minutes, then check on it. You’ll likely need to cover the top with an aluminum foil tent. The top will be golden brown but the interior of the bread needs to continue to bake.
  • If you are short on bananas you could use 2 only for a 2 banana bread recipe. This is a flexible recipe and should be fine with 2 or 3 bananas.
  • Mash the bananas with a fork or with my preferred tool, a potato masher
Ripe bananas being mashed with potato masher for gf banana bread

Variations on gluten free banana bread

Try any of these add ins to mix up the flavor and texture of your homemade bread. 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup is suggested

  • mini chocolate chips (gluten free)
  • chocolate chips (gluten free)
  • caramel chips (gluten free)
  • raisins
  • chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans make a lovely gluten free banana nut bread
  • coconut chips
  • dried fruit — apricots or currants

Of course is you don’t need a gluten free recipe, you can use all purpose flour in place of the gluten free flour mix.

Close up photo of gluten free banana bread on wood cutting board and parchment paper

How to store quick bread

Quick breads in general last a few days at room temperature if they are wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or put in an air tight container.

You can freeze quick breads easily. I like to slice the banana bread first, wrap each piece in plastic wrap, then store the loaf in a freezer safe Ziploc bag. When you are ready to eat the bread, simply defrost overnight in the refrigerator, toast in the toaster, or warm for 15 seconds in the microwave.

Need a dairy free recipe?

There is no butter in this recipe but there is milk. If you need dairy free banana bread, please substitute a non-dairy milk like almondmilk or coconutmilk for the regular milk. That gives you a dairy-free option without much change at all to the recipe.

I have not tried substitutes like flax egg or apple sauce for the eggs so I can’t suggest a vegan banana bread. I’ll add that to my list of recipes to develop.

Here is the Google Web Story for this GF Banana Bread!

Yield: 12 slices

Gluten Free Banana Bread

Close up photo of gluten free banana bread on wood cutting board and parchment paper

Gluten free banana bread is a super moist quick bread that will become your go-to banana bread!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups gluten free flour mix
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 3 eggs
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 3 bananas, ripe and mashed

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 inch loaf pan with baking spray then line with parchment.

Gently whisk together the dry ingredients of 2 cups gluten free flour blend, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, and ½ tsp salt. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, vigorously whisk the 3 eggs, ¾ cup milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and ½ cup vegetable oil and ¼ cup sugar.

Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients then add the 3 mashed bananas to the batter. Stir until well mixed.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 55-60 minutes or until the top of the bread is lightly golden. *See note below

Cool before serving.

Notes

It may be helpful to check the bread at 45 minutes. If the top is golden brown, cover it with an aluminum foil tent and continue to bake for the full time. The bread is very moist and needs the full baking time.

Serve with soft butter, lemon curd, or enjoy on its own.

This bread freezes well! Slice first then wrap each slice in plastic wrap and store in a freezer safe container or Ziploc bag.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 226Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 310mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 1gSugar: 8gProtein: 5g

This data is provided by Nutritionix and is an estimate only.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Still need more banana recipes? Try these!

Pin this gluten free recipe!

Pinterest image over overhead view of bananas and sliced gluten free banana bread

Please note that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Antoinette

Wednesday 23rd of June 2021

I’m wondering what pan you used in this recipe? I baked mine for 1 hour 15 mins and the inside is still a bit mushy. Mine was a glass 9x5.

Antoinette

Tuesday 29th of June 2021

@Holly Baker, thank you

Holly Baker

Saturday 26th of June 2021

I used a Kitchen Aid Aluminized Steel pan 9 x 5 by 3 inches.

Patti

Monday 31st of May 2021

This is the best gluten free bAnana bread!! I have also turned it into apple bread I just add 1/2 c of applesauce and I cup of diced dried apples instead of the bananas . I add apple pie spice to the bread and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top.the bread base is so easy to work with . It doesn’t get gummy. Thank you For this recipe!!

Holly Baker

Saturday 26th of June 2021

I'll have to try your apple version. Sounds good!

Addison

Sunday 21st of February 2021

Gluten free banana bread is hands down my favorite thing to bake! This recipe is spot on!!!

Tristin @ Home Cooked Harvest

Sunday 21st of February 2021

This banana bread recipe turned out so well. Thanks for providing a gluten free version!!

Holly Baker

Tuesday 23rd of February 2021

So glad you enjoyed it!

Loreto and Nicoletta

Sunday 21st of February 2021

I love the aroma when bananas 🍌 bread is baking. So good fresh out of the oven with butter! Yum!😋😛 This gluten free version is wonderful we have so many friends that are gluten intolerant!👍👌❤ Thanjs for sharing!😁

Skip to Recipe