Vegan Banana Bread Recipe (With Video and Step Images)

Prep Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

2 hrs 15 mins

Yield:

1 9-by-5-inch loaf

With this vegan banana bread in your repertoire, baking without eggs or dairy has never been tastier. And if you've never tried vegan baking before, this easy recipe is a great place to start. Flaxseed, or "flax egg," serves as a plant-based binder, while coconut oil and almond milk provide moisture and flavor. However, you're not limited to these options; the oil and milk can be replaced with varieties, should you have allergy considerations or other preferences.

Once baked and cooled, this vegan banana bread will keep well for several days, making it easy to enjoy a slice when the craving hits. Enjoy it at room temperature or warm it in the microwave. For extra flavor and moisture, add a pat of plant-based butter or drizzle of maple syrup before digging in.

Use very ripe bananas, which will offer the best flavor and texture for banana bread. You can tell a banana is very ripe if the peel is yellow with many brown spots.

Directions

Vegan Banana Bread Ingredients — Kelsey Hansen

Preheat oven, prep pan, and mix flaxseed and water:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Oil and flour a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan. Sprinkle flaxseed over 1/3 cup water. Let stand until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir to combine.

Kelsey Hansen
Mix dry ingredients:

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.

Kelsey Hansen
Add remaining ingredients:

Stir in oil, almond milk, flaxseed mixture, bananas, and vanilla.

Kelsey Hansen
Bake and cool:

Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 60 to 65 minutes. Let bread cool in pan 15 minutes. Remove bread from pan and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Kelsey Hansen

Let the bread fully cool before slicing into it. If the bread too warm, it will fall apart when you cut it.

Vegan Banana Bread Add-Ins

This vegan banana bread is tasty on its own, but you can elevate the flavor and texture by incorporating add-ins. For one loaf of bread, you'll need about 1/2 cup of ingredients, such as:

Dairy-free chocolate chips
Dried fruits, like raisins or chopped apricots
Fresh fruits, like blueberries or diced strawberries
Nuts, like pecans or walnuts

Feel free to mix and match ingredients for a customized loaf.

How to Store Vegan Banana Bread

Before storing vegan banana bread, let it cool first. You can then place it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three or four days. If the weather is hot, consider storing the bread in the refrigerator to prolong its shelf life. Let it reach room temperature before eating.

How to Freeze Vegan Banana Bread

Vegan banana bread is freezer-friendly. To store it in the freezer, wrap the cooled loaf in plastic wrap and put it in a freezer-safe plastic bag. Alternatively, you can slice the bread and wrap each piece individually. The loaf or slices can be thawed in the refrigerator. Be sure to eat the bread within three months for the best quality and texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the ground flaxseed do?

Ground flaxseed is an essential ingredient in this vegan banana bread. When mixed with water, ground flaxseed develops a gel-like texture. This acts as a binder, replacing the eggs that are used in banana bread.
Can you use gluten-free flour?

Yes, you can use gluten-free flour in this recipe. To make gluten-free vegan banana bread, simply replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour. Note that gluten-free baked goods tend to go stale quickly, so to extend the life of the loaf store it in the refrigerator.
Can you use a different oil?

Yes, you can use a different oil rather than the coconut oil the recipe calls for. Substitute the same amount of vegetable oil, canola oil, or extra-virgin olive oil in this recipe.
Do you need to use almond milk in this recipe?

No, you do not need to use almond milk in this recipe. You're welcome to use other types of plant-based milks, including oat milk, soy milk, or hemp milk. To avoid changing the flavor of the bread, we recommend you use a milk that is unsweetened and unflavored.

Other Quick Bread Recipes to Try:

Updated by

Kirsten Nunez

Vegan Banana Bread

Directions

Preheat oven, prep pan, and mix flaxseed and water:

Mix dry ingredients:

Add remaining ingredients:

Bake and cool: