Best Vegan Banana Bread Recipe

This Vegan Banana Bread is moist, flavorful, and perfectly sweetened, making it an ideal treat for breakfast, dessert, or as a snack. The bananas add natural sweetness, while the plant-based ingredients ensure that it’s cruelty-free. This recipe is simple to make and creates a loaf that is deliciously soft, tender, and full of rich banana flavor.

Serves: 8-10 slices
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients:

3 ripe bananas, mashed (the riper, the better!)
1/2 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar (for a richer flavor)
1/4 cup maple syrup or agave syrup (optional, for extra sweetness)
1/4 cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil (or any neutral oil)
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (for extra moisture)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat flour for a heartier option)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for extra flavor)
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
1/2 cup walnuts or chocolate chips (optional, for added texture and flavor)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Oven and Pan:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a loaf pan with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

2. Mash the Bananas:

In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork or potato masher until smooth. Leave some small chunks for extra texture if you prefer.

3. Mix Wet Ingredients:

To the mashed bananas, add the sugar, maple syrup (if using), oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract. Stir well until combined and smooth.

4. Add Dry Ingredients:

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using).
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.

5. Add Optional Mix-ins:

If you’re adding walnuts or chocolate chips, fold them into the batter gently.

6. Bake:

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (a few crumbs are okay).
If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover the bread loosely with aluminum foil and continue baking.

7. Cool and Serve:

Allow the banana bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Slice and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Vegan Banana Bread:

Ripe Bananas: The riper your bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the bread will be. If your bananas are not ripe enough, you can speed up the ripening process by putting them in a paper bag for a few days.
Add-ins: You can customize your banana bread with a variety of mix-ins such as chopped walnuts, pecans, raisins, or dairy-free chocolate chips.
Flour Variations: For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour.
Sugar Options: You can adjust the sugar level based on your taste. If you prefer a less sweet bread, reduce the amount of sugar or syrup.
Freezing: This banana bread freezes well. Simply slice and wrap the pieces individually for a quick snack later on.

Why You’ll Love This Vegan Banana Bread:

Moist and Tender: The mashed bananas create a soft and moist crumb that’s absolutely delicious.
Simple and Quick: This recipe doesn’t require any fancy ingredients and is easy to make with pantry staples.
Naturally Sweetened: The bananas, maple syrup, and coconut sugar naturally sweeten the bread without the need for refined sugar.
Customizable: Whether you want to add nuts, chocolate, or extra spices, this recipe is flexible to suit your preferences.

Enjoy this Best Vegan Banana Bread as a perfect breakfast treat, snack, or dessert. It’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen, loved by vegans and non-vegans alike!