Healthy Vegan Banana Bread
A moist, flavorful, vegan banana bread with no oils or refined sugars. This loaf is the perfect indulgent treat for those following a HCLF diet, or those looking for a lean, yet still satisfying option.
Ingredients
- 4 medium - large overripe bananas
- 1/3 cup apple sauce
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup plant milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
- 2 tbsp oats (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Lightly grease a 9x5 loaf pan, and line it with a piece of parchment paper.
- Peel the bananas and place them in a large bowl. Mash the bananas with a fork into a smooth puree. A few lumps and chunks here and there is okay.
- Add the apple sauce, coconut sugar, plant milk, and vanilla extract to the bowl with the bananas. Stir until just combined.
- Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon to the bowl. Fold the ingredients in with a spatula until just combined.
- Add the walnuts and any other toppings you may be using to the batter. Fold them into the batter with a spatula. Do not over mix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Level the surface with a spatula and sprinkle with oats.
- Bake for 50 - 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centered comes out fairly clean, with a few wet sticky crumbs.
- After the banana bread is removed from the oven, let it to cool in it's pan for 10 minutes. Remove it from it's pan, and allow it to come to room temperature before slicing. If you slice the bread while it's still hot, it may be gummier than expected.
Notes
FAQ
Can I make this nut-free? - Yes! This is super easy, just leave out the walnuts and you're good to go.
Can I make this bread gluten-free? - Possibly. I haven't tried it myself, so I can't guarantee it. I recommend using a pre-made gluten-free flour blend and substituting it for the whole wheat pastry flour as suggested.
Essential Tools
9 x 5 Loaf Pan
Mixing Bowls
Rubber Spatula
Parchment Paper