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Coconut Flour Banana Bread – No Sugar added, Paleo Option

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This amazing Coconut Flour Banana Bread Recipe is gluten free and only sweetened with bananas (no added sugar). This banana loaf can also be made paleo and tree nut free.

Overhead view of Coconut Flour Banana Bread in loaf pan

I’ve been promising you a recipe for banana bread made with coconut flour ever since I posted this coconut flour bread recipe. That’s been over a year now – so it was high time for the banana bread version!

But I had kind of forgotten about it, until I was visiting my mom in Canada recently and saw they were selling bags of overripe bananas for baking in the supermarket. I thought those would be perfect for banana bread which brought me back to my old promise.

To be honest, I expected it would take several rounds of recipe testing to get this banana bread recipe just right. Because that is what happening with the original coconut flour bread.

But to my happy surprise, it came out perfect on the first try! Of course I tested the healthy banana bread recipe again just to make sure that wasn’t beginner’s luck and then I made it another time for photos and to shoot a quick video for you (see below).

Gluten Free Banana Bread Slices on Cutting Board

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Can you use coconut flour for banana bread

For the longest time I thought coconut flour could only be used to make small baked treats like cookies and muffins. When I first started using coconut flour, everyone said it makes dry and crumbly baked goods.

So I found a way to use it for soft and moist recipes. So moist in fact, that I didn’t think they could hold up in larger things like cakes or quick breads.

But like I already mentioned, once I figured out how to make sandwich bread with coconut flour, I knew banana bread was possible too.

The 2 ingredients that I use in this no sugar banana bread (and not in muffins or cookies) are flax meal and peanut butter. Both of these help to give structure while still allowing for a moist texture.

Paleo Banana Bread Slices on plates

Tips for making this easy banana bread recipe

  • Use super ripe bananas! Because this is a healthy banana bread with no sugar added (not even unrefined sugar or syrup) you want to get as much natural sweetness from ripe bananas as possible. Bananas with lots of brown spots are a really good thing for this recipe.
  • Use just one bowl for everything! For this simple healthy banana bread recipe there is no need to mix dry and wet ingredients in separate bowls first.
    Use an extra large bowl and start with mashing the bananas. Then stir in the wet ingredients and finally the dry ones in the end.
  • Be sure to use a deep loaf pan. A regular 8×4 or 9×5-inch size works well, but it should also be 3-4 inches deep to be able to hold the batter with room to rise during baking.
  • Line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal. It’s easiest to use 2 strips – one that covers the width and another long and thin strip to cover the length of the pan.

Close up of sliced coconut flour banana bread

How to make this recipe paleo/tree nut free

Paleo:

To make paleo banana bread simply use another nut butter that isn’t peanut butter. Almond butter works great in this recipe.

Tree Nut Free:

If you are using coconut flour because you need gluten free and nut free recipes, then you still have ways to make this bread.

Use a seed butter! Tahini (sesame butter) would be my first recommendation. Just give it a try to make sure it isn’t too bitter, which would give the banana bread a slight bitter flavour note too.

You can also try sunbutter (sunflower seed butter). But be aware that sunbutter reacts with baking powder and soda. As the banana bread cools it might turn a shade of green, which may be a little startling but the banana loaf will still be totally safe to eat.

Plated No Sugar Banana Bread

How to store coconut flour banana bread

Because this gluten free banana bread is quite moist, I recommend storing it in the fridge after it first cools down to room temperature. Store it in a airtight container and it will last about a week.

Let the slices come to room temperature before eating or pop them in the toaster to warm up.

At room temperature this healthy banana bread lasts about 2 days.

You can also tightly wrap the loaf in parchment and plastic wrap to freeze it for a later time. Store in the freezer for 2-3 months.

Close up of banana bread made with coconut flour on a plate

Products I used for this Gluten Free Banana Bread Recipe

I used an extendable loaf pan at about the 9×5 inch size setting. You can use any regular 9×5 or 8×4 pan just make sure it is a deep pan. About 4-inches so that it can hold all the batter with room to rise without overflowing into your oven.

When it comes to paleo and allergy-friendly baking I love using the Enjoy Life chocolate chips. Especially their dark morsels.

I love using parchment paper when baking with coconut flour. It keeps the banana loaf from sticking to the pan and helps with removing it easily.

Angled view of banana bread on a cutting board

Coconut Flour eBook

As you might have gathered from this post that I love cooking and baking with coconut flour – simply because it is a healthier alternative to other flour. Which is why I wrote an eBook dedicated to all things coconut flour.

It focuses on sweet recipes for baked treats. You can get a copy of it HERE!

If you like this, you’ll love these coconut flour recipes as well:

Video: How To Make Coconut Flour Banana Bread

Angled view of banana bread on a cutting board
5 from 15 votes
Print

Coconut Flour Banana Bread - One Bowl Recipe

This amazing Coconut Flour Banana Bread Recipe is gluten free and only sweetened with bananas (no added sugar). This banana loaf can also be made paleo and tree nut free.

Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Keyword Coconut Flour Banana Bread
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 10 -12
Calories 169 kcal
Author Regina

Ingredients

  • 4 very ripe bananas
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/3 cup natural peanut butter or any other nut or seed butter (*see notes)
  • 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1/4 cup flax meal
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2/3 cup walnuts and/or chocolate chips optional (I do 1/3 cup each)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9x5 inch (or 8x4 inch) loaf pan by lining it with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl mash the bananas with a potato masher or fork until smooth. Add the eggs and break them up lightly with a fork.
  3. Add the peanut butter and melted coconut oil and stir everything with a spatula or wooden spoon until well combined.
  4. Now add the coconut flour, flax meal, baking powder, cinnamon, and sea salt. Stir until combined and no pockets of flour remain.
  5. Finally fold in the walnuts and/or chocolate chips.
  6. Fill the batter into the prepared baking pan. Smooth out the top and sprinkle with a few more walnuts/chocolate chips (optional)
  7. Bake the loaf for about 50 minutes. Then remove from oven and leave loaf cool in the pan until completely cooled.
  8. Then turn the pan over to remove the loaf and remove the parchment paper.
  9. Enjoy at room temperature or lightly toasted.
  10. Store the coconut flour banana bread in the fridge for up to 5 days. It will be fine at room temperature for 1-2 days.

Recipe Notes

*Nut Butter - To make the recipe paleo use almond butter or any other nut/seed butter.
To make the banana bread nut free, I recommend a seed butter like tahini (make sure it doesn't taste too bitter) or sunflower seed butter. Keep in mind though that sunbutter reacts with baking powder/soda and the loaf might turn a shade of green as it cools. It will still be totally fine to eat, the colour just might be a turnoff for some.

Sweetener - If you want to add more sweetness to the bread without adding many more calories or sugar, I recommend Lakanto Sugar-Free Monkfruit Sweetener. They have syrup as well as granulated options.

**Nutrition info excludes walnuts/chocolate chips

Nutrition Facts
Coconut Flour Banana Bread - One Bowl Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 slice (entire loaf makes 12 slices))
Calories 169 Calories from Fat 91
% Daily Value*
Fat 10.1g16%
Cholesterol 46mg15%
Sodium 128mg5%
Carbohydrates 14.1g5%
Fiber 4.1g16%
Sugar 5.3g6%
Protein 5.2g10%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rosanna

    Hi there,

    I tried making this recipe that looks so yummy but it dosnt turn out well. After one hour in the oven, it still comes out looking wet. I did the toothpick test and it came out clean which I thought would mean it would be ready but it wasn’t. What do you think causes that? Should I leave it more then one hour?

    Thanks:)

    Reply

    • Regina

      I am not sure that whole flax seeds will be quite as binding as flax meal. If you have whole flax, you can make your own meal though with a blender or food processor.

      Reply

  5. Cheri mello

    I CAN’T wait to TRY This!!! ❤️ And Then I Just About Using Coconut milk Instead of oil!! AWESOME! Thank You For Sharing G-d Bless

    Reply

  6. J Peterson

    I just made this bread this morning, I only had 3 bananas, so I used them all, no extra sweetner, and tried sunbutter. I also substituted carob chips for chocolate chips. This is an excellent recipe, great volume and texture. This will now be my go to banana bred recipe. Thank you so much for creating and sharing this recipe!

    Reply

  7. bethany

    I halved the recipe and add vanilla. With a portion so small I made it in to cupcakes topped with chocolate frosting. Came out delicious, moist, and perfect

    Reply

  8. Julie

    I just made this cake and it turned out fabulously, so moist and fine grained. The only change was adding a 3rd of a cup of chopped dates ( soaked in boiling water, then drained) along with 3rd of a cup of nuts, so no choc chips at all… will definitely make it again…thanks for the base 🙂

    Reply

  9. Mars

    Thanks for sharing your video + recepy.
    Just one question.
    In the recepy it says 1/2 cup of coconutflower, in a simular recepy is see 1 1/2 cup. Can you please tell me if 1/2 cup is correct?

    Thanks so much!

    Reply

      • Kay Self

        Sadly no dates so used really good prunes (not soaked and not wet ones), not enough walnuts so added almonds, pepitas, sunflower seeds, a few dried cranberry (really good tang). Also used 5 bananas so added wee bit more flour, baking powder (not much). It was ab fab!!

        Really wish I could post a pic as half eaten now by visitors. All raved about it.

        Will definite keep this one!

        Reply

  13. Faith

    I can not have flax seed or chia seed or the meals. Is there anything else I can use in its place? Also can’t have almond anything. Thanks!

    Reply

      • EA

        Hi, Will this recipe work if the flax is left out completely and nothing replaces? If not, what other options can I use for replacing that ingredient (besides your above mentioned Oat Flour or other nut flour? Thanks of for you help!

        Reply

        • Regina

          I have never tried to leave the flax out completely. Maybe it would work? In that case I’d recommend adding a little more coconut flour though (just a tablespoon or 2 more). Other suggestions that come to mind are chia seed or psyllium husk

          Reply

  14. Tiffany Thomas

    Delicious! I only had 3 bananas and half a papaya so I used that. It was a little too moist (my guess is because the papaya has no starch), and I’m anticipating the papya enzyme may break down the egg. Will make again!

    Reply

  16. CATHY

    finally got 4 bananas ripe and could not find my coconut flour, determined to make this recipe substituted almond flour. It turned out delicious put a star on this recipe to make again

    Reply

  17. Shelly

    Tried this today and love it!!!! May try just a touch of maple syrup next time for a little more sweet. But this recipe is awesome. I used 2 small loaf pans and divide the mixture. I froze one. Just finished a piece. Yummy

    Reply

  18. Sarah

    Any chance you know how to modify this as egg-free? We’ve got a severe egg allergy in the house, but also need to bake without grains. (Yep, that’s a really rough combo.)

    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Regina

      I am not sure if the eggs can be replaced in this recipe. You could certainly try. Would love to hear if it worked when you do

      Reply

    • Regina

      In most recipes I use maple syrup (a liquid) in my coconut flour recipes. But to be honest I think this bread is so nice and moist it could also handle a granulated sweetener.

      Reply

  24. Karen

    Trying to learn more 🙂 why is coconut flour more healthy than other flours? Also does it taste like coconut? I really don’t like the taste of coconut.
    Can I use PB Fit instead of regular peanut butter?
    I’m so excited to try this recipe

    Reply

    • Regina

      Hi Karen, coconut flour is gluten free and low carb therefore one of the few flours people with certain dietary restrictions can use. It is also cheaper than nut flours like almond flour.
      I find that when I use it in baking especially with lots of other ingredients like in this banana bread I don’t notice a coconut flavor at all.
      As for PB Fit, I haven’t tried it but I want to say that it should work

      Reply

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