The best banana bread ever, and it's vegan! Perfectly sweet, moist, and topped with a brown sugar crust, this delicious banana bread is super easy to make and customizable with your favorite stir-ins.
My family has the best banana bread recipe. Ever. I hate to brag, but it's true. Back when I was young and learning to cook, I tried out some banana bread recipes that were decent, before my mom took me aside, handed me a recipe card and informed me that it was the only banana bread recipe I'd ever need, because it was the best!
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Well, she was wrong about at least one thing, because I guess she didn't know that a time would come when I'd need a vegan banana bread recipe. But that's not a big deal, because creating a vegan version of the old family favorite recipe was no biggie!
Oh, and well, maybe she was wrong about it being the best, because, in fact, this vegan recipe is actually better.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Overripe bananas. Your bananas absolutely need to be overripe. This means LOTS of brown spots. Preferably almost as much brown peel as yellow. Check out the photo below to get an idea of what this looks like. Using bananas that aren't ripe enough will not only affect the banana flavor of your bread, but it will give it a dry, chewy texture.
- Sugars. We're using granulated white and brown sugar, and you'll want to make sure both are organic in order to keep the recipe vegan. Coconut sugar can be substituted for brown sugar if you'd like.
- Canola oil. Feel free to substitute another baking oil, like vegetable oil, melted coconut oil, or even olive oil. I don't recommend using vegan butter in this particular recipe.
- Vanilla extract.
- Flour. The recipe calls for all-purpose wheat flour, which is the only type I've tested it with. I've had a few readers that had success with various gluten-free flours, though. Check out the comments below the recipe to read about their results. I suspect that whole wheat pastry flour or a mix of white and whole wheat flour would also work.
- Baking soda.
- Cinnamon. You can leave this out if you insist, but it adds a wonderful flavor to the loaf.
- Salt.
- Walnuts. You're welcome to substitute another type of nut such as pecans or hazelnuts, or use your favorite banana bread stir-in, such as chocolate chips.
Tip: If you have overripe bananas but aren't ready to make banana bread, just freeze them! Peel them, seal them up in freezer bags, then thaw when you're ready to bake
How It's Made
Below is a detailed photo tutorial on how to make this dish. Scroll all the way down if you'd like to skip right to the recipe!
The great thing about veganizing banana bread is that you don't have to fuss over figuring out the right egg substitute. Bananas do the job! I use bananas as vegan egg substitutes in all kinds of baked goods, but when it comes to banana bread, they're already an integral part of the recipe.
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Step 2: Oil a loaf pan, then cut a sheet of parchment paper to about half the length of your pan. Line the pan with the parchment paper as shown in the photo above. You'll use that little bit of overhang to lift your banana bread from the pan when it's ready.
Step 3: Peel and place your bananas into a large mixing bowl, then use a fork or potato masher to mash them up. Get the mixture relatively smooth, but don't break a sweat! In fact, leave a few little chunks if you like. Personally, I think little chunks are part of the charm of homemade banana bread.
Step 4: Add sugar, brown sugar, oil, and vanilla to the bowl, then stir everything up.
Step 5: Add your flour to the bowl, then sprinkle the other dry ingredients on top of the wet ingredients — baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
Tip: Wondering why we sprinkle the other dry ingredients on top of the flour? That's how we keep this as a one-bowl recipe! This method helps to ensure that everything gets mixed in evenly, without you having to combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
Step 6: Stir the batter just until the ingredients are combined. Don't overdo it!
Step 7: Now, gently fold in the walnuts. The batter will be very thick.
Tip: Stir your batter just until the ingredients are combined. Mixing too much will overdevelop the gluten, making your vegan banana bread tough. This rule applies with pretty much all wheat flour-based muffins and quick breads.
Step 8: Pour the batter into your loaf pan and smooth it on top.
Step 9: Sprinkle some brown sugar over the top of your unbaked loaf. I like to gently press it in a bit with my hands.
Step 10: Pop the pan into the oven and bake your vegan banana bread until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 11: Let your loaf cool for at least 15 minutes. At this point you have the option of removing it from the pan. Use the extra parchment paper hanging over the sides to pull it out.
Tip: As with all baked goods recipes, make sure your ingredients are at room temperature before you begin baking.
Step 12: Once your vegan banana bread has cooled completely, go ahead and slice it up. Dig in!
If you love this recipe and have more overripe bananas to use up, try my vegan banana waffles, vegan French toast casserole, vegan banana cake, or vegan banana pancakes!
Variations
- Chocolate chip banana bread. Instead of walnuts, add a cup of vegan chocolate chips to the batter. And if you're a chocolate lover, make sure to check out my vegan chocolate banana bread recipe as well!
- Switch up the nuts. Replace the chopped walnuts with pecans, almonds, or peanuts.
- Spiced banana bread. Include some additional warming spices, such as cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice. You can increase the amount of ground cinnamon as well!
- Garnish with an extra banana. Cut a banana in half, lengthwise, then place the halves over your loaf before baking, cut sides up. Gently press them in. I recommend skipping the brown sugar topping if you go with this option.
Leftovers & Storage
Store your leftover vegan banana bread in it's original loaf pan, tightly covered in plastic wrap. It will keep at room temperature for 2 to 3 days, or in the fridge for about 1 week.
You can also seal the loaf up in a freezer bag or airtight container and freeze it for up to 3 months.
You can optionally warm the individual slices in the microwave or oven heated to 350°F for a few minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually old baking soda is the culprit. Test yours by sprinkling it in some vinegar. It should fizz. If not, toss and replace it.
They're not necessary! Bananas serve the same function.
Use my vegan banana muffins recipe! I've made all the necessary adjustments for you.
When I created this recipe, I used overripe bananas weighing about five ounces each. This includes the peel and everything. Having said that, the recipe is forgiving, and unless you rarely buy bananas, you should be fine to simply use what look like medium-sized bananas to you.
More Vegan Quick Breads
Like this recipe? If so, please stop back and leave me a review and rating below if you try it! Also be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram, or subscribe to my newsletter for more recipes like this one!
📖 Recipe
The Best Vegan Banana Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 medium overripe bananas (Notes 1 and 2)
- ⅓ cup organic granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup organic brown sugar
- ⅓ cup canola oil (or your favorite baking oil)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt (Note 3)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans, vegan chocolate chips, or your favorite banana bread stir-in)
For Topping
- ¼ cup organic brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- Lightly oil a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan and arrange a strip of parchment paper width-wise along the center, with just a bit hanging out over each side.
- Peel the bananas and place them into a large mixing bowl. Mash them well with a fork or potato masher.
- Add sugar, brown sugar, oil, and vanilla to the bowl. Stir until well-mixed.
- Add the flour to the bowl, then sprinkle the baking soda, cinnamon and salt on top of the flour.
- Stir everything together just until mixed. Don't overmix. The batter will be thick.
- Fold in the walnuts.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top with the back of a spoon.
- Sprinkle the top with brown sugar.
- Bake for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the pan from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack. Allow the loaf to cool for at least 15 minutes before removing it from the pan. Let it cool completely before slicing.
- Slice and serve.
Video
Notes
- Make sure at least a third of your banana peel is brown, and preferably closer to half. Bananas that aren't ripe enough will negatively affect the flavor and texture of this recipe.
- You should be able to eyeball your bananas to find a medium one, but if you're in doubt, go for ones that weigh about 5 ounces (with the peel).
- While the majority of commenters on this recipe have loved it, I've also heard from a few people who found it to be too salty. I think the amount of salt is perfect, but if you tend to be sensitive to saltiness, try using only ½ teaspoon of salt the first time you make it.
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I made vegan banana bread according to your recipe, it took only a short time to make and it tasted great, my daughter loved it, thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much! I've made this basic recipe about 5 times now. It's my go to base for banana bread. I've done some variations, like adding a can of whole berry cranberry sauce, A spoonful of peanut butter, mandarin orange juice, pomegranate juice, blueberry infused craisins, half can of coconut milk, crushed up Oreos, and walnuts and pecans.. Just having some fun with it! For the topping I've been using a mix of crushed up cashews and brown sugar.
Really love this recipe. So moist and yummy, and no high-fat oils. I just sprinkled a bit of the brown sugar on top - not much and used chocolate chips and grape nuts as topping and mid-layer. Gives a crunch without actual nuts, due to nut allergy. Delicious!
Yum! Absolutely delightful. My non-vegan dad loved it, too. I'll be making this again and again. Thank you!
Day 1 of making this bread and the brown sugar seemed too much. Day 2 and after and it was absolutely perfect. This is a fabulous recipe and definitely one I plan to use again and again.
Vegan, yes. Probably delicious but SO UNHEALTHY!!
ASTOUNDING RECIPE!! i never even used to like banana bread. thank you!!!!!!!!
Turned out perfect, thanks for the recipe.
every time I make this for other, people ask me for the recipe!! it is so good :) Thanks connoisseurus veg--this recipe is perfect.
I always use chocolate chips and skip the brown sugar coating because I don't want it to be too sweet (but I've never tried it)
Best banana bread ever! And for the record - I’m not vegan…
I put only a sprinkle of salt, left the walnuts out (but put about 1/2 cup chocolate chips). Amazing!!!
Also if you don’t like cinnamon that much you can put about 1/2 tsp…
In the story under, "Ingredients You'll Need" you said that you you use all purpose 'wheat' flour. But in the actual ingredient list it says just all-purpose flour. I'm excited to use this recipe but not sure on the flour.
You can just buy regular all-purpose flour (gold metal brand or something similar). This is the same thing as all-purpose wheat flour. The only reason I specify "wheat" in the post is for folks who might want to attempt it with something like all-purpose gluten-free flour, which isn't made from wheat.
As always, you've been a great resource in finding vegan recipes. Came out moist and delicious. Thank you!
Just made this for the first time and it worked perfectly! I didn't have granulated sugar so used half white caster and half dark soft brown (which I also sprinkled on top), and also threw in 70g each of chopped dark choc and walnuts. Cut down on the salt a bit too, just to be safe. Lovely texture and flavour, and the slightly burnt sugar crunch on top is brilliant! Adding this to my recipe collection right now
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much!!
I love it!
Glad to hear it!
This has become a staple in our house. Seriously the best banana bread ever!!! Thank you!!!! ❤️❤️❤️
This recipe is a keeper. I cut the oil to a tablespoon, and it turned out fine. Thank you!
This truly is THE BEST vegan banana bread I’ve ever made! I just made it yesterday and my family and I have eaten half the loaf already. Absolutely delicious!
SO good! I’ve never put brown sugar in or on my banana bread, but I will always add it from now on. I also added chopped dates, which was really yummy.
This truly is the best banana bread I've ever tasted. I must have made it 20 times. When my son was in the hospital, he asked me to bring him some. It's super-good topped with So Delicious Bananas Foster vegan ice cream. Thanks so much for this recipe.
Don’t go looking elsewhere, this is the only banana bread recipe you need - vegan or not!! It’s quick, easy, and so delicious!! My go to recipe!
Easy to make and absolutely delicious!
This is so good. I put extra brown sugar on it and added walnuts and dried cranberries. Putting parchment paper in the loaf pan is so helpful since it makes removal so easy. Thank you for this delicious recipe!
This is actually the BEST!
Thanks
This cake is AMAZING!!!
I reduced the sugar to only 1/3 cup total and did coconut brown sugar as well as coconut oil.
It is so easy so make and hard to keep on tne counter :-) we could not stop eating
Hi! I live in Denver and just made this for a brunch I hosted with vegan friends. They really like it but we only ate the ends. The outside of the bread was getting really brown, but the center just wouldn’t cook and remained raw. Do you have high altitude baking suggestions? Or other suggestions? My friends loved it, and I’d like to make this again without ending up with a raw middle. Thank you!!!
I believe you need to add a couple of Tablespoons of extra flour (or substitute) for the altitude. Thanks for the reminder - Was thinking of making this and I live at 5400' so I will make the adjustment.
Solid recipe. I was surprised no flax, considering you always add eggs in most banana bread recipes. Have added to my files. Thanks so much. I did a sugar/oat/coconut oil top. But recipe is perfect regardless. :)
Just made these. Used chocolate chips instead of walnuts as my daughter is allergic. Baked them as muffins for about 22 minutes. Excellent! Thank you for such a tasty recipe. They were moist but not wet, baked absolutely perfectly.
I have made this banana bread several times now and each time we love it. However this time I had to make adjustments.
My husband has recently been diagnosed with pancreas failure so I have to limit unhealthy fats and sugar. Sooo I used refined coconut oil ( melted) as it is med chain and easily digested without the help of the pancreas , and substituted the white sugar with a sugar substitute by King Arthur and the results were fantastic! Thank you for a recipe that is able to be modified and still be yummy!!
Very easy recipe and so tasty! Love the crunchy crust that developed during baking!
I’ve made this recipe probably 20 times at this point, so I figured I should probably leave a review as a thanks. This banana bread was one of the first things that introduced me to vegan baking and I’m so happy I found it. It’s a staple for any holiday or gathering I’m apart of, it’s easy and assures me I have something delicious to eat. My entire family (non-vegan) loves it, and my dad frequently buys bananas in bulk as an excuse to hassle me to make a loaf. I used to work at a vegan bakery that makes banana bread, and I can say this recipe beats that one by a long shot (despite the excessive amount of sugar bakeries use). I’m so happy I found this, thank you!
AMAZING RECIPE! I didn't have brown sugar and used coconut sugar instead. It tasted so good and it was moist/fluffy. My dad who isn't vegan loved it!
It would have been great, but it was top salty for a banana bread. Next time I'll just use only 1/2 tsp of salt. I also added 2 Tbsp of almond milk.
I make this recipe every week for my husband - I use Sucanat for the sugar, unsweetened applesauce for the oil and add dried cranberries, raisins, dried cherries and walnuts! So good!!
Absolutely delicious! A new family favorite recipe at our house. Moist, great banana flavor. Very easy to make.
Thank you
YPavey
This is best banana bread recipe! I make it at least twice a month. My family loves it.
All your recipes are so good and this is no exception! I’ve made this numerous times already and it always turns out perfect. Here’s a little tip - if you are using leftover frozen bananas (I have bags of them!) I figured out three medium bananas are 12 ounces, so I just weigh out that amount and it’s perfect.
Thanks for the awesome recipe!
i use this recipe every time i make banana bread. it’s just so delicious!!! the only thing i add myself is i chop up chocolate bars in pieces and add them in,, SO delicious
The first time I made this, I did so because we had a guest stay with us over Christmas who is vegan. Everyone loved it and my husband said it was the best banana nut bread I ever made. Everyone, that is, but me. With every bite, I could taste the oil...Ick! So the second time I made it, I replaced the oil with sugar free applesauce. NOW, I agree with my husband. THIS is the best banana nut bread I ever made...and still vegan!
This was the best! I added an extra banana because I had it and it was fantastic. Thanks for the recipe
Great taste overall, but too salty. I'll decrease salt to 1/2 teaspoon next time.
Very very yummy. I decided to try this instead of veganizing my old recipe. It was excellent as prepared per the recipe. It is a keeper!
I made this as directed and it came out dry and crumbly. If i slice it it falls apart. Hard to take to a party
Excellent recipe!! I put 1/4 tsp. Of salt
Fabulous recipe! Made muffins and they are incredibly delicious! Thank you for all your creations, you make vegan food sing!
How long did you bake when making the muffins?
This can be made gluten-free! I made it substituting the flour for a rice flour-based mix, 3/4 tsp of xanthan gum and added a teaspoon of baking powder. Because gluten-free recipes do well with extra protein I added an egg. If you can find a vegan protein source go ahead and add that although it might be fine without it. I also added frozen blueberries and it was so good! I was so happy to find a recipe that didn’t have any form of butter since I can’t eat that.
I wasn’t able to add this to my Pinterest board though.
Great recipe! A bit too salty for my taste, but overall a great flavor.
It turned out delicious. I used a mix of walnuts, pecans and vegan chocolate chips. Replaced half the oil with unsweetened apple sauce and only used half the brown sugar for the topping to save some calories.
Thank you for a great recipee!
This one is a keeper. Amazing recipe and thank you for posting
One of the best banana bread recipes I’ve made and so simple! Absolutely delicious. I’m vegan but my parents aren’t and they loved this. I love that the recipe is accessible for those unaccustomed to vegan baking :)
Sooooo yummy!
My little prefers muffins so I spooned enough into a muffin tin (to experiment on the timing) … it turned out excellent as well: same temp but 25 minutes instead of 50 minutes.
I left off the sugar topping since I was making this for my toddler. It turned out amazing. I made it twice this week, one for myself, and one to bring to my parent's house.
Wow! I'm 54 and quite set in my ways. My whole life I've been using the same non-vegan banana bread recipe my mom used when I was a kid, and I love it. I made this one for my vegan niece who was visiting for Thanksgiving, and I also made one of my usual kind. Trying them side by side, I was amazed to find I liked this one even better. The best banana bread I've ever had of any kind. Thank you! (Note: I left out the walnuts on purpose and the vanilla extract by mistake, and it was still fantastic.)
This is the best banana bread! I've made it like ten times already. Thanks so much for the recipe.❤