This is my favorite vegan banana bread recipe ever, and it’s so easy to make in 1 bowl, no mixer required! It’s super moist, tender and full of buttery banana flavor. Gluten free, nut free and oil free options.

It’s one of the most popular recipes on my site with nearly a hundred 5-star ratings!

3 slices of vegan banana bread on parchment paper with the rest of the loaf in background

Don’t let your old bananas go to waste! Instead, mash ‘em up and throw them into this easy banana bread recipe. Every slice is moist, lightly spiced, and just so scrumptious! Enjoy a slice warm with a pat of vegan butter.

The batter is so simple and made in one bowl with easy to find ingredients. In fact, you probably have most, if not all of them in your cupboard right now!

I really think you’re going to love this simple and moist bread! It’s:

  • Dairy free, egg free, and easy to make oil and gluten free.
  • Made in only one bowl.
  • Really customizable. Mix in walnuts, chocolate chips, or anything else you like!
  • Perfectly sweet and moist with a beautiful golden crust.

If you want more recipes that use up ripe bananas, check out these Quick & Easy Vegan Banana Muffins and Vegan Banana Pancakes.

looking down on a loaf of bread sliced about halfway through

Ingredients needed (with substitutions)

  • Bananas – Use really ripe, spotty bananas for the best results.
  • Flax eggs – Made from ground flaxseed and water. If you don’t have flaxseed at home, you can use another egg replacer or use ½ cup of applesauce instead.
  • Vegan butter – While vegan butter is the best and will make the banana bread very moist, coconut oil works well as a replacement. Applesauce also works for an oil free banana bread, but the results won’t be as moist and can be a bit gummy.
  • Sugar – I use both organic granulated sugar (organic to ensure it’s vegan friendly) and brown sugar, interchangeably. Both work well. You can also use coconut sugar.
  • Almond milk – Or you can use oat milk, cashew milk, or any other plant milk you have at home.
  • All purpose flour – Or use spelt flour or white whole wheat flour/whole wheat pastry flour. Looking for gluten free banana bread? Try my easy Vegan Gluten Free Banana Bread recipe or simply substitute a gluten free mix.
  • Baking soda – To help the bread rise.
  • Add ins – I love freshly ground nutmeg and chopped walnuts in banana bread. You can easily customize it any way you like using my suggestions below!

How to make vegan banana bread

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

You’ll need a standard loaf pan and just one mixing bowl for this recipe. The batter is so easy to make.

  1. Make the flax egg by stirring the ground flaxseed together with the water. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes to thicken. Mash the bananas in a large mixing bowl. Scoop them into a measuring cup to make sure you have the right amount.
  2. Stir the melted vegan butter into the bananas.
  3. Add the sugar, almond milk, and flax egg to the bananas. Stir to combine.
  4. Next, add the flour, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg. Gently stir to combine.
collage of how to make banana bread, the batter in a bowl

Be careful not to over mix the batter, or your bread could be dense and gummy tasting. Finish by folding in any add ins, such as chopped walnuts or chocolate chips.

bowl of batter, yellow tint

Transfer the batter to your prepared loaf pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

uncooked yellow batter in glass pan

The crust will turn a beautiful golden brown in the oven, and might just be the best part! It’s also completely normal for the top to crack like the photo below, and is a sign of perfect banana bread.

Let the bread cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack. Slice when it’s cool and enjoy!

whole loaf of bread in glass pan

Tips for the best banana bread

  • Add ins – Cinnamon, vegan chocolate chips, cocoa powder, pecans, almonds, pumpkin seeds, or raisins.
  • Toppings – Gently press sliced bananas, chocolate chips, oats, sunflower seeds, or walnuts on top of the banana bread batter before it goes in the oven.
  • Don’t over mix – Gently mix the ingredients together with a wooden spoon or spatula until everything is just combined. Over mixing the batter will leave you with dense bread. 
  • Let it cool – Let the finished banana bread cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing. This will make it easier to slice and keep it from crumbling all over the place.
  • Serving – Spread some vegan butter on each slice or enjoy as-is!
close up of sliced banana bread

Frequently asked questions

  1. Why didn’t my banana bread rise? This probably means your baking soda is too old. Test its freshness by sprinkling a little into some vinegar. If it’s fizzy, that means it’s fresh. If not, head to the store for a fresh box.
  2. Can banana bread be made gluten free? Yes! Either replace the all purpose flour with a gluten free flour blend or follow my Gluten Free Banana Bread recipe instead.
  3. Can it be made oil free? You can replace the vegan butter with applesauce but I find the results aren’t as moist.
  4. How long does it last? Vegan banana bread will stay fresh for 1 or 2 days at room temperature or up to 1 week in the fridge. Make sure to wrap the finished loaf really well in plastic wrap so it stays moist.
  5. Can you freeze banana bread? Yes! It freezes really well for up to 3 months. Just wrap it really well and let it cool first.
stack of 4 pieces of bread with grey and white background

Banana Bread Muffins

You can make muffins instead of bread with this recipe. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and fill muffin liners in a pan nearly to the top. Bake for 20-24 minutes, or until done.

What to do with ripe bananas

Most often I make a loaf of this banana bread, but there are so many delicious ways to use up ripe bananas! Try any of these recipes:

slice of vegan banana bread with butter melting on it, grey plate

Want more vegan quick bread recipes?

cut in half piece of bread with butter all over it
square image of a loaf of vegan banana bread sliced in white background
4.93 stars (153 ratings)

Best Vegan Banana Bread

This is my favorite vegan banana bread recipe ever, and it's so easy to make in 1 bowl, no mixer required! It's super moist, tender and full of buttery banana flavor. Gluten free, nut free and oil free options.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 50 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Servings: 10 slices

Ingredients 
 

  • 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
  • 5 tablespoons water
  • 2 large ripe bananas, about 1 cup mashed
  • 1/3 cup melted vegan butter (see Notes for options)
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar or brown sugar, lightly packed
  • 1/4 cup almond milk
  • 2 cups all purpose flour (see Notes for options)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg, optional but good
  • 3/4 cup chopped walnuts or non-dairy chocolate chips, optional

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a standard loaf pan (8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches or 9 x 5 inches). 
  • In a small bowl, combine the ground flaxseed and water. Set aside to thicken; this is your flax egg mixture.
  • In a large bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until smooth. Scoop it into a measuring cup to make sure you have about 1 cup mashed, then return it to the bowl. Stir the melted vegan butter into the bananas.
  • Now add the sugar, almond milk and flax egg mixture. Stir with a large spoon until well combined.
  • Add the flour to the bowl with the wet ingredients, then sprinkle the baking soda, salt and nutmeg if using on top of the flour. Stir gently until just combined, making sure you don't over mix. 
  • Gently fold in the walnuts or chocolate chips, if using. Pour into the prepared pan, place in the center rack of the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 
  • Let it cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer the loaf to a cooling rack. Let the banana bread cool for at least 30 minutes if possible, as this will make it easier to slice. Serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

  1. Oil free: Use applesauce instead of melted vegan butter. I have tested it and while I prefer it with oil, it’s quite good with applesauce. 
  2. Gluten free: Use a gluten free flour mix. May also sub spelt flour or white whole wheat flour for a whole grain option.
  3. Nut free: Use soy milk, coconut milk or another non-dairy milk instead of almond milk. Any milk will do!
  4. Sugar: You may use brown sugar or granulated sugar here. Even coconut sugar works. Feel free to lower the amount for a less sweet bread.
  5. Muffins instead: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F, divide into muffin liners and bake for 20-24 minutes, or until done.
  6. Leftovers/freezing: Cover leftover banana bread and keep at room temperature 1-2 days, or keep it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Banana bread freezes very well, too.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 288mg | Potassium: 150mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 297IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 2mg
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Author: Nora Taylor
Did you make this recipe?Mention @nora_cooks_vegan_ or tag #noracooks!

*This recipe was originally posted September 2018 and has been republished with new photos and better writing. I’m always improving the content on my website, thank you!

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Comments

  1. Thank you for this recipe. I have been using it for a few years. It is a hit with all family members!

  2. I blended about 2.5 cups of oats to use instead of flour(to get 2 cups oat flour,) & used 3 bananas because oats tend to soak up a lot of moisture. Baked in a mini muffin pan for 25 minutes & they turned out delicious!

    1. Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas and feedback, Lauren! I’m thrilled that you loved the banana bread!

  3. This is the best banana bread my husband and I have ever had. I used the apple sauce instead of the oil. I don’t usually bake much anymore, but it looks like this is going to be a biweekly recipe from now on. Thank you

  4. I make this all the time, it’s easy and delicious! Nora, you need to go on The Today Show with this recipe. Last week someone was on who made banana bread and it looked awful, it just looked like brown sandwich bread. It had no appearance of banana bread. Of course, all your recipes are fantastic….we need you on some of these shows! 🙂

        1. Thanks Krystal! Aquafaba would probably work. You could just use 1/4 cup of applesauce instead, if you have it, or another egg substitute, such as Bob’s Red Mill. Hope this helps!

  5. Super good!!!! I made this for my daughter who is newly vegan. I am not vegan so I wasn’t sure how it would taste. It is amazing- soft & fluffy with great flavor!

  6. Been my go to banana bread for the last couple years! I do use a bit more than a cup of mashed bananas, use applesauce in lieu of butter, and add apples cut into tiny cubes for added moisture and tastes amazing! I’ve also used pumpkin pie spice when I’ve ran out of nutmeg. The best banana bread 💙

    1. I see why this recipe received and deserves five stars. It is so easy to follow and allows for substitutions and still have amazing results. I’m not a baker at all and had already experienced one fail following someone else’s recipe. I was so proud of how this turned out even despite my adding the ingredients from your banana pancake recipe due to my toggling back and forth – ha! I used spelt flour and vegan butter and it’s so delicious and moist. Wish I had remembered to use the banana milk I bought but I’ll certainly be making this again and again!

      1. I love that you were proud of your banana bread! That is so awesome! Thanks for your fabulous feedback and review! Happy baking!

  7. Your recipes are the BEST!! Been vegetarian for 14 years and almost Vegan for 4 . Your recipes always come out perfect !! You should have a million stars and then I realized this too is the first time I’ve ever wrote a review and I’ve made many of your recipes 100×s !!! Thank you . It’s Delicious

    1. Hi Frances. I am honored by your kind words! I am thrilled that you are loving my recipes! Thanks for your terrific feedback – it is so encouraging!

  8. Another winning recipe. Non vegans have eaten this and loved it. We absolutely love it and I’ve made it numerous times already. Love all your recipes!

    1. Hi Tina. I appreciate you using my recipes, and am so glad you are loving them! Thanks for your terrific feedback and review on the banana bread!

  9. I increased the recipe by half to better fill a 9×5” loaf pan. The only ingredients that didn’t increase by half were the plant based butter (used 1/2 cup) and the sugar (could have done with a little more, though). Otherwise, the bread came out great and I didn’t have to throw out any bananas. I prefer making vegan recipes for quick bread and this was a winning recipe. Thank you!

  10. This is such delicious banana bread! My non vegan daughter requests it regularly. Thank you so much for sharing. I always love your recipes.

    1. You are welcome, Kim! I am glad you guys are loving the bread recipes, as well as others! Thanks for sharing your terrific feedback! I appreciate you using my recipes!

    1. I’d say that’s a score! I’m so glad that your family loved the banana bread! Thank you for sharing your amazing feedback!

  11. I’ve made this more times than I can count.
    It’s an incredible recipe and never fails.
    We add blackberries or blueberries or chocolate chips to maximize the deliciousness.
    Thank you, Nora!

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