Vegan Banana Bread (Simple and Flexible) (2024)

Updated: by Vera Morgan · This post may contain affiliate links · 63 Comments

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This is the best Vegan Banana Bread ever! Incredibly moist and easy to make in 1 bowl, you’ll have a hard time believing it isn’t made with eggs or dairy. Gluten free and oil free options included.

Vegan Banana Bread (Simple and Flexible) (1)

Treat yourself to a slice (or two) of this Vegan Banana Bread. It’s simply the best! The slices are soft and sweet, and every bite is bursting with that delicious banana flavor. Add in some walnuts or chocolate chips for an extra crunch and dig in!

The best part is that this vegan banana bread recipe is made with simple ingredients and only one bowl. It’s foolproof! Any level of home baker will have success.

It’s completely flexible too. Adjust the batter to be as healthy as my Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Muffins, add even more nuts and dried fruits for texture, add cocoa powder if you’re craving chocolate banana bread, or transform it from a quick bread into banana bread muffins. The options are endless!

Jump to:
  • Ingredients and substitutions
  • How to make vegan banana bread
  • Tips for success
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Storing and freezing
  • More ways to use ripe bananas
  • More easy vegan pastries
  • Vegan Banana Bread (Simple and Flexible)

Ingredients and substitutions

  • Bananas - The more overripe, spotty, and soft, the better. Overripe bananas are easier to work with, blend into the batter with ease, and provide the bread with a stronger banana flavor. Bananas also act as a binder, which means you don’t need a vegan egg replacer or flax eggs here.
  • Oil - I used grapeseed oil but you can use vegetable oil, coconut oil, or melted vegan butter instead. For oil free banana bread, replace the oil with an equal amount of applesauce.
  • All purpose flour - No fancy flour needed here! For a more rustic flavor, use a 1:1 mix of all purpose flour and whole wheat flour. Spelt flour should work too.
  • Brown sugar - White sugar or coconut sugar can be used instead.
  • Baking soda - Make sure it’s fresh! Expired baking soda will result in a banana bread that didn’t rise.
  • Vegan yogurt - Its acidic qualities will react with the baking soda, causing the bread to rise and become fluffy.
  • Add-ins - I love adding walnuts to banana bread but you could also use dairy free chocolate chips, pecans, or pumpkin seeds.
Vegan Banana Bread (Simple and Flexible) (2)

How to make vegan banana bread

There’s a reason I turn to this easy banana bread recipe when I have old bananas to use up. It’s completely foolproof and made in one bowl! Here’s how it’s done:

  1. The wet mixture: Mash the bananas with a fork in a mixing bowl. Whisk in the rest of the wet ingredients.
  2. Add the dry ingredients: Gently mix in the dry ingredients with the wet, being careful not to overmix.
  3. Finish and bake: Finish by folding in the nuts, chocolate chips, or add-ins of your choice. Pour the batter into a prepared loaf pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
  4. Let it cool, then enjoy: Let the bread cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Slice into it when it’s cool, then enjoy! For full ingredients and instructions see printable recipe card below.
Vegan Banana Bread (Simple and Flexible) (3)
Vegan Banana Bread (Simple and Flexible) (4)

Tips for success

  • Prepare the loaf pan properly - Spray it with cooking spray or lightly grease it with vegan butter. For extra security, line the pan with a piece of parchment paper and have the extras come up and out of the sides to act as handles for the baked bread.
  • Spoon and level the flour - AKA scoop the flour into the measuring cup with a spoon and sweep the excess off the top with a knife.
  • Do not overmix the batter - Only stir the dry mixture in with the wet until everything is just combined and no dry flour remains. If the batter is overmixed, the bread will turn out dense and gummy.
  • Customize it with add-ins - Like chocolate chips, walnuts, pecans, cocoa powder, pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins, dried cranberries, or pistachios.
  • To serve - Spread vegan butter on the warm slices or slather them with vegan cream cheese frosting.

Frequently asked questions

Can vegan banana bread be made gluten free?

To make this banana bread recipe gluten free, replace the all purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten free flour mix. Oat flour should work just as well but follow my tips on baking with oat flour first.

Can it be made without oil?

Yes! Simply replace the oil with the same amount of applesauce.

Why did my banana bread crack?

Cracks in banana bread are completely normal and nothing to be worried about. They shouldn’t affect the texture.

Can I use frozen bananas?

Yes, but let them thaw completely first. They’ll be much easier to mash this way.

Can I make banana bread muffins instead?

Sure! Make the batter as normal but spoon it into a prepared muffin pan instead. Bake at 350ºF for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Storing and freezing

To store: Wrap the loaf of banana bread or individual slices in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container. Banana bread can be stored at room temperature for about 3 days or in the fridge for 1 week.

To freeze: Wrap the loaf or slices in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Banana bread freezes well for up to 2 months.

More ways to use ripe bananas

  • Vegan Banana Waffles
  • Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Muffins
  • 5-Minute Mango Smoothie
  • Vegan Chocolate Banana Bread
  • Double Chocolate Banana Muffins

More easy vegan pastries

  • Vegan Blueberry Muffins
  • 1 Bowl Vegan Lemon Loaf
  • Easy Vegan Zucchini Bread
  • Vegan Pumpkin Bread

Enjoy everyone! Happy Day! Please feel free to comment below and give this recipe a rating. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

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Print

Vegan Banana Bread (Simple and Flexible) (5)

Vegan Banana Bread (Simple and Flexible)

★★★★★5 from 22 reviews
  • Author: Verna
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 10 Servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

This is the best Vegan Banana Bread ever! Incredibly moist and easy to make in 1 bowl, you’ll have a hard time believing it isn’t made with eggs or dairy. Gluten free and oil free options included.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients:

  • 3 large overripe bananas (about 1 and ½ cups mashed I measured)
  • ½ cup plain unsweetened vegan yogurt
  • ½ cup of neutral oil
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all purpose flour*
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¾ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (measure then chop)*

Optional Add Ins:

  • ½ - ¾ cup vegan chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9x5 non stick loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside.
  2. Wet ingredients: Add the overripe bananas to a large mixing bowl and mash with a fork until smooth. Whisk in the rest of the wet ingredients and mix well.
  3. Dry ingredients: Now add the dry ingredients on top starting with the flour, then add the baking soda, salt and cinnamon on top of the flour. Mix until just combined.Fold in the chopped walnuts and dairy free chocolate chips (if using)
  4. Bake:Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cool a couple of minutes then remove banana bread from pan to a wire rack and cool completely before slicing. It should be a lovely golden brown on top with some cracks which is completely normal.
  5. Enjoy:Slice and enjoy with a glass of soy milk or your favorite non dairy milk or a cup of coffee or tea! Serve a slice with or without vegan butter. Tastes even better the next day!! Step by step photos, FAQ, tips and more in above post and notes*

Notes

  • you can use melted vegan butter or refined coconut oil in place of neutral oil. (I usually use grapeseed oil)
  • For oil free:use applesauce instead of oil
  • For gluten free: use a 1:1 gluten free flour blend
  • Flour options: You could substitute a white whole wheat flour or a spelt flour or oat flour in place of all purpose flour.
  • For nut free: omit the walnuts
  • To store and freeze: will keep covered on the counter for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week and freezes well. Slice and wrap individually in plastic wrap to freeze. Or wrap the whole loaf tightly in plastic wrap and then in tin foil and it will keep for up to 2 months in the freezer.
  • Calories listed do not include dairy free chocolate chips

This Post has been updated it was originally published November 2019. The recipe itself is unchanged.

  • Prep Time: 15 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 60 Minutes
  • Category: Breakfast & Baking, Snacks & Sides
  • Method: Bake / Oven
  • Cuisine: American, Canadian

Keywords: vegan banana bread

More Breakfast & Baking

  • The Best Homemade Vegan Naan
  • High Protein Vegan Gluten Free Brownies
  • Vegan Apple Pie Bread
  • Vegan Chocolate Chip Muffins

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Darla Fielder

    This banana bread is simply delicious!! I don't buy vegan yogurt so substituted with vegan buttermilk (1 T. vinegar + 1/2 cup soymilk), and I also replaced the oil with applesauce. It baked beautifully with a lovely crumb with just the right sweetness. Thank you, Vera!

    Reply

    • Vera Morgan

      Thanks for the review Darla!

      Reply

    • Vera Morgan

      Wow thanks for the fantastic review Darla!

      Reply

  2. Sarah

    Super delicious banana bread!

    I chose this recipe because I had some vegan yogurt that I had to use up and know it makes vegan cakes so very moist and scrumptious! I'm glad I went with this recipe. It was incredibly easy and I added about 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. I also only used about 1/2 cup of sugar since that's all I had at home (time to run to the store and buy sugar now!) and it turned out sweet enough. This will definitely be my go-to banana bread recipe from now on! Thanks!!

    Reply

    • Vera Morgan

      Glad you chose my recipe Sarah!

      Reply

  3. Melinda

    This recipe is a true staple my kitchen. My entire family loves it. Thanks

    Reply

    • Verna

      You're so welcome! happy you're all enjoying the banana bread. thanks for your review!

      Reply

  4. John

    Fantastic recipe! Highly recommend!

    Reply

  5. Ariadne Huertas

    This Banana bread recipe is by far my Absolute favorite! I've made it several times for friends and family and they all agree that it's amazingggg!

    Reply

    • Verna

      Thank you so much for your wonderful review I am thrilled you're all enjoying the recipe. Feel free to leave a star rating- really helpful 🙂

      Reply

  6. Rachel Petersen

    Hands down the best recipe for banana bread out there- vegan or not. I can't stop eating it as soon as it comes out of the oven, and I love watching people's eyeballs bug out and pulsate big red hearts like they're Elmer Fudd watching Bugs Bunny walk past them dressed as a pretty lady after their first bite.

    Thanks for creating and sharing such a great recipe. You are definitely my #1 go-to vegan chef.

    Reply

    • Verna

      Oh wow!! thanks so much for the wonderful feedback you are so kind 🙂 You made my day!!

      Reply

  7. Herman

    So moist!

    Reply

  8. Michelle

    I never buy yogurt (vegan or otherwise) so added oatmilk instead. Used walnuts AND chocolate chips! The BEST banana bread ever!!!!

    Reply

    • Verna

      Yay!! glad you liked it and thanks for sharing your substitutions Michelle!

      Reply

  9. Stephanie

    This is my favorite banana bread recipe by far! It is so easy to make and delicious. I always use four bananas to make it a little more flavorful.
    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Verna

      Yay! glad you're enjoying the recipe Stephanie, thanks for commenting

      Reply

  10. Lil Fiest

    Super easy recipe. Used light spelt flour and chopped walnuts. I only needed to bake it the minimum time. Hubby loved it!

    Reply

    • Verna

      Sounds great! Thrilled you loved it. Thanks so much for your comment Lil!

      Reply

  11. Jas

    Any chancenyou could sub the yoghurt for something?

    Reply

    • Verna

      Hi Jas you could try applesauce or possibly plant milk but I have not tried any of these subs so I do not know if they will work. Hope that helps!

      Reply

  12. Abby

    Can you make this with almond flour?

    Reply

    • Verna

      Hi Abby, I have not tried using almond flour for this recipe. I'm sure the measurements would have to be adjusted. Hope that helps

      Reply

  13. Denise

    This is by far the best vegan banana bread recipe ever!! I substituted strained prunes for the oil and ground flaxseed sub for the egg! Added walnuts and vegan chocolate chips both! AMAZING 😉

    Reply

    • Verna

      Aww thank you so much Denise! You just made my day!! thrilled you enjoyed it. People will enjoy reading your substitutions- thanks!

      Reply

  14. Gina

    Yet another hit from the cheeky chickpea!! I swapped the oil for applesauce and it was still perfect! Thanks for this recipe 🙂

    Reply

    • Verna

      Aww thank you so much Gina! Glad it worked well for you! Happy day to you!

      Reply

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