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Sliced loaf of vegan banana bread with chocolate chips on a wooden board, cooling on a wire rack with walnuts and extra chocolate chips scattered around.

Wholesome Vegan Banana Bread (Oil-Free + Naturally Sweetened)

Delaney Marie
Moist, fluffy, and naturally sweetened, this Vegan Banana Bread is quick to make, oil-free, and customizable with walnuts or chocolate chips! Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or as a snack.
*Note that From Start to Finish is an estimate that includes time for your oven to preheat and for you to prep the recipe, time for your banana bread to bake, and a bit of time to cool at the end.
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From Start to Finish1 hour 15 minutes
Servings12 slices

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups whole wheat pastry flour* - OR all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2-3 very ripe bananas - peeled (about 250–300g once peeled)
  • ⅔ cup pure maple syrup
  • 1.5 tablespoon almond butter
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoon nondairy milk
  • Optional: ⅔ cup walnuts - roughly chopped
  • Optional: ½ cup vegan chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Prep work: Preheat oven to 350F. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper (you can leave a bit of overhang on the sides for easy removal), or lightly grease it.
  • Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • Combine wet ingredients: In a separate large bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until mostly smooth (a few small lumps are fine). Whisk in the maple syrup, almond butter, applesauce, vanilla, and nondairy milk until well combined.
  • Bring it all together: Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and gently fold together until just combined (do not overmix). Stir in walnuts and/or chocolate chips, if using.
  • Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes in the loaf pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

*Whole wheat pastry flour: This recipe can be made with whole wheat pastry flour OR all purpose flour. If you'd like the whole wheat pastry flour option, look for this at your local health food store or check out Amazon! Please note that whole wheat pastry flour is NOT the same as whole wheat flour and that whole wheat flour will not work in this recipe.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @joyfulbalanceofficial on Instagram and show the world your plant based creation!