One of the most nostalgic treats has got to be a slice of soft banana bread slathered in butter, and this Vegan Banana Bread is sure to evoke those fuzzy childhood memories.
You’ll never notice it’s vegan, egg-free, and dairy-free because it has the most delectable, moist and even fluffy texture. And it’s called the best banana bread for good reason, too. All you need are 10 ingredients and 20 minutes of hands-on time.
After over 15 rounds of testing, I’m certain it’s fluffier, more tender, and less dense than any other vegan banana bread you’ve tried.
If you’re more of a muffin gal or want to turn this banana bread into individual-sized treats, you gotta try these outrageously good Vegan Banana Muffins!
Table of Contents
1. Why this recipe works
2. Ingredient notes
3. Step-by-step instructions
4. Tips for making this recipe
5. Frequently Asked Questions
6. Recipe card with notes
Why this recipe works
The ultimate tempting texture.
Banana bread can sometimes get a bad rap for being dense, but this one is far from it. The texture is tender, light, and fluffy, and it’s all thanks to two ingredients: aquafaba and vegan buttermilk.
Aquafaba is one of my favorite vegan egg substitutes for baking. It’s just the leftover liquid from a can of chickpeas! When it’s lightly whipped, it miraculously transforms ordinarily dense banana bread into a fluffy and light treat.
And adding vegan buttermilk to the batter is the best way to fix the curse of the dry banana bread (you know what I’m talking about!).
No fanciness required.
Banana bread doesn’t claim to be fancy. It leans into its natural rustic charm, which makes it such a comforting treat!
It’s made up of simple, pantry ingredients that are flexible and forgiving. Many readers have made tweaks to the recipe and have still had great results. Banana bread is pretty much foolproof, making it perfect for both beginners and pro bakers.
It’s just plain comforting.
Despite being vegan, nut-free, and soy-free and made with some better-for-you ingredients, this banana bread still tastes like pure indulgence. Warmed up and slathered in vegan butter makes it a true dream.
Ingredient notes
Aquafaba. This is the leftover liquid from a can of chickpeas. It’s a magical ingredient that gives this banana bread and other baked goods like my Vegan Vanilla Layer Cake a tender, moist, and light texture.
Substitute: If you don’t have a can of chickpeas at home, you can substitute 2 flax eggs instead. To make the flax eggs, mix 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed meal with 5 tablespoons of water. Stir and let sit for 15 minutes to thicken.
Several readers have made this recipe with flax eggs and said it was very tender, so rest assured, it’ll still be tasty (even if not as fluffy as the original).
Bananas. Overripe, spotty bananas are essential because (1) they’re very sweet, as the starches have converted to sugar; (2) they’re easier to incorporate into the batter; and (3) they have a deeper banana flavor, which translates to more flavorful banana bread.
Bananas not ripe yet? Skip to the FAQ for tips.
Oat milk + lemon juice. These two together give you a dairy-free buttermilk substitute, AKA the other secret to this ultra-fluffy and moist banana bread.
Substitute: Oat milk is a favorite of mine for baking because of its superb browning abilities (as evident in my Pumpkin Spice Bread) but soy milk should work well as a replacement.
Brown sugar. If choosing between light and dark brown sugar, go with the dark variety. It has a deeper molasses flavor, making the bread richer in flavor (and darker in color). You can also use coconut sugar.
Flour. All-purpose flour always leaves you with the best texture and foolproof results. Just make sure to measure it properly to prevent the bread from turning out dense! Head to the Tips section to learn more.
Substitute: We haven’t tested this recipe with gluten-free flour. However, many readers have had pretty good results using an all-purpose GF flour (like this variety from Bob’s Red Mill or this one from King Arthur). FYI gluten-free vegan banana bread will usually turn out a bit more dense.
Baking soda. The baking soda produces gas bubbles as a reaction to the acidic lemon juice. The bubbles in the batter enhance the rise and are the reason why this quick bread is so fluffy and light.
Step-by-step instructions
Pour the aquafaba into a mixing bowl. Whip it until it’s frothy and bubbly all over. Mash the bananas in another bow with a fork or potato masher.
Lastly, in a separate bowl, stir the lemon juice into the oat milk to make the vegan buttermilk.
Mix the wet ingredients. Whip the brown sugar and oil in a large mixing bowl.
Stir in the whipped aquafaba, then the buttermilk and vanilla. Finish by mixing in the bananas.
Tip: If you don’t have an electric mixer, use a whisk. It requires a little more arm muscle.
Add the dry ingredients. Gently stir the flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon into the wet mixture with a spatula. Try not to overmix! It’s ok if there are light flour streaks left behind.
Quick tip: According to Cook’s Illustrated, folding the dry ingredients into the wet (instead of vice versa) promotes better incorporation, a more supple batter, and prevents overmixing.
Pour the batter into a loaf pan and smooth out the top.
For optional decoration, gently place a halved banana on top of the batter. Sprinkle brown or coconut sugar on top for caramelization.
Bake. Bake the bread until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are ok). Cool in the pan for 10 min, then on a wire rack for 20-30 min before slicing and enjoying.
Pro tip: Insert the toothpick at an angle rather than vertically into the bread. The angle is a much better test for doneness in a tall loaf cake!
Tips for making the best vegan banana bread
Do not overmix!
Use a silicone spatula or wooden spoon to gently mix the dry and wet ingredients together. Only mix until both are combined. It’s ok if some traces of dry flour are left behind.
The more you mix, the more gluten develops in the batter. If you overmix, the bread will have a dry and almost chewy, denser texture.
Measure your flour properly!
I strongly recommend a digital kitchen scale for baking. If you don’t have one, do not scoop the flour straight from the bag with a measuring cup because you will over-measure the flour and end up with a dry banana bread.
The proper way to measure flour is to spoon it into the cup, then level it off with a knife.
Want to see the spoon and level method in action? Watch my Youtube video on banana bread (also at the end of this post), starting at the 5:20 mark.
Don’t let the batter rest too long.
Once the baking soda starts to react with lemon juice, bubbly chemistry magic starts to happen! If you let the batter hang out for too long, though, some of those bubbles disappear. So get your batter in the pan and into the oven as quickly as you can.
Let it rest before slicing.
The bread will be gooey if you slice it as soon as it comes out of the oven. Instead, let it rest in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes. This rest time lets the loaf finish baking and firm up a bit.
But don’t let it sit in the pan too long, or it can develop a soggy bottom. Instead, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
For a less sweet banana bread.
The bread isn’t overly sweet, but if you’re limiting your sugar intake, feel free to use as little as ¼ cup of sugar.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best banana bread is made with naturally ripened bananas. However, if you must make banana bread today and your bananas are not yet overripe, here’s what to do:
1. Preheat the oven to 300°F/150°C. Place the whole, unpeeled bananas on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 35 minutes, or until the skins turn black all over. If they’re already somewhat ripe, stick to the lower range.
2. Strain the bananas over a strainer to get rid of excess moisture, as less ripe, baked bananas will have more moisture.
Yes! To make muffins, fill a standard 12-muffin tin about 3/4 full. Bake at 350°F/176°C and reduce the bake time to 20 to 25 minutes (checking after 20 minutes).
Or bake at 375°F/190°C and reduce the bake time to 15 to 22 minutes (check at 13 to 15-minute range).
We have tested muffins using less sugar (1/4 to 1/2 cup) and it works well.
Use an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) square baking pan. Reduce the bake time to approximately 25 minutes. Or, make muffins (see above!).
I haven’t tried this specific recipe in the Instant Pot, but check out this Instant Pot banana bread recipe from my cookbook, the Vegan Instant Pot Cookbook.
Sure! Try vegan chocolate chips or finely chopped dark chocolate; chopped walnuts, hazelnuts, or almonds; or blueberries. Add between 1/2 to 1 cup total of mix-ins. If using chocolate chips, consider reducing the sugar by a few tablespoons.
So many ways! Plain, as an afternoon snack or dessert. For a more substantial snack, pair it with a latte, like this Almond Butter Date Latte or Golden Milk Turmeric Latte.
For breakfast, slather some almond or cashew butter on a slice and serve with vegan yogurt + berries.
For a weekend brunch platter, serve alongside my Eggy Tofu Scramble or Breakfast Burritos and a platter of fresh fruit.
Baked banana bread will stay fresh for 2 to 4 days at room temperature (once cooled, store in an airtight container).
To extend the shelf life, omit the decorative banana on top (which can become mushy and black within 1 day) and store it in the fridge.
Yes. If you plan on freezing it, don’t add the decorative sliced banana on top. Wrap cut slices or in foil, then place it in an airtight container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
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If you love this Vegan Banana Bread recipe, please rate and review it below and tag me with your recreations on Instagram!
The Best Vegan Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons (90 mL) aquafaba (see Note 1)
- 3 medium-sized very ripe bananas, (optional, 1 ripe banana for decoration)
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons (90 mL) oat milk, or plain-flavored plant-based milk of choice
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/3 cup (75g) sunflower oil, olive oil, or any neutral-tasting oil
- 3/4 cup (115g) organic brown sugar or coconut sugar (see Note 2)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (see Note 3)
- 2 cups (240 to 250g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled (see Note 4)
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/176°C. Arrange a rack in the bottom third of the oven. Line a 9×5-inch (23×13 cm) loaf pan with parchment paper, letting the excess hang over the long sides to form a sling.
- Pour the aquafaba into a medium bowl. Using a handheld electric mixer, whip the aquafaba on medium speed for 45-60 seconds until uniformly foamy.
- Wipe out the bowl used for the aquafaba. Add the three bananas to the bowl and mash with a fork until smooth and no lumps remain (or, for a more rustic banana bread, leave a few chunks in). FYI: the 3 mashed bananas should weigh around 300g.
- Stir the lemon juice into the oat milk and set aside. This is the vegan "buttermilk."
- In a large mixing bowl, add the sugar and oil. Mix using the electric mixer or a whisk until well combined.
- Add the whipped aquafaba and mix until well incorporated. Add in the vegan "buttermilk" and vanilla and mix until smooth. Add the mashed bananas and mix until well incorporated.
- Add the flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon to the wet ingredients. Switch to using a silicone spatula (if you don’t have one, use a large wooden spoon). Gently stir until the ingredients are just barely combined. It’s okay if you can see a few traces of flour.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top of the batter using a spatula or spoon.
- For the optional decoration, keep the peel on the reserved banana and slice it in half, lengthwise; then peel the banana. Sprinkle a little coconut sugar or brown sugar on the cut/interior sides of the banana. Gently arrange the bananas on top the batter, sugared side side up.NOTE: This might create a dome in the middle of the bananas, where the batter bunches up in the middle. Use a spoon to move some of the batter around the pan so that the bread doesn’t bake unevenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes. Since every home oven differs, I like to start checking at 45 minutes. The banana bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center top at a slight angle comes out a few moist crumbs (see Note 5). If there's runny batter, it needs more time.
- Transfer the pan to a wire rack and cool for 10 minutes. Then remove the bread from the pan and cool on the rack for at least 20 to 30 minutes before slicing (the bread is still cooking and setting up, so don't slice too early).
- To store, place completely cooled banana bread in an airtight container or wrap tightly in plastic and leave on the counter for 2-4 days (if using decorative banana topping, the topping a will start to brown after day 1). You can also freeze the banana bread. If you freeze the whole loaf, allow it to defrost on the countertop for 2-3 hours. If you freeze individual slices, defrost on the countertop for 20-30 minutes.
Notes
My favorite ever banana bread. One thing I’ve noticed is that when I follow Nisha’s tips more closely, I see better results. Especially helpful is the “no overmixing” tip – it makes a big difference!
Thanks for sharing, Sarah! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the banana bread :)
Taste is gd but the bread turn out really dense. I hv measured out all the ingredients carefully and even use 30g less banana to make the batter less runny. I wonder why it didn’t rise.
Will the result be different if I use baking powder instead?
Please advise
Hi Elaine, could you be over mixing your batter? This leads to a dense and gummy result. Mix until just combined, it’s okay if there are still a few flour pockets left in the batter when you transfer it to a pan!
Yet another successful recipe. Absolutely delicious. Greetings from Colombia.
Paula, So glad to hear you loved this recipe! Greetings from San Diego!
Hi Nisha
This sounds lovely, can you tell me how much vegan buttermilk is required please?
The vegan buttermilk is made by mixing the milk with the lemon juice. The quantities of these are listed in the ingredients. It’s a beautiful recipe I make it with my grandchildren and it has become one of their favourites.
Light, fluffy and sweet. My husband and I enjoyed this for a few days.
The use of aquafaba is ingenious. Now I have to figure out what to do with all my leftover chickpeas.
Awesome, Mary. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review! Here’s a blog post that may be able to help you figure out what to do with those chickpeas!
i did it. it‘s awesome!
Thanks for the lovely feedback, Tamara!
I have tried several different vegan banana bread recipes. But this one is by far the best! I finally got the recipe right…lol
Awesome, Dr. John. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!
This banana bread is amazing! not too dense and perfectly moist. There is no way that you would know it was vegan!
Awesome, Adriana. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!
Easily the best banana bread I’ve ever tasted! Came out perfect! I let it rest overnight and had two slices in the morning. It cooked really well and did not have that chewy or gummy texture that you often find in vegan banana recipes
Awesome, Sarah. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!
It’s in the oven, making it for the second time now. It’s rising beautifully.
Also adding a chocolate ganache frosting! (85% Lindt dark chocolate, melted on a ban marie, added coconut milk and two tbsp of powdered sugar). Excited! Thanks for the meticulous instructions, as always.
Thanks for sharing, Talia! We are so happy you enjoyed the banana bread :)
Very nice, excited to make it with my wife
Enjoy, Alfie!
Loved the flavour of this, and the ingredients were on hand and otherwise easy to find! Definitely will be my go-to banana bread recipe from now on! One question, though: can anyone share how to make the bottom of the bread/cake less dense? I followed the instructions fully, weighed ingredients, oven temp was perfect (using an oven thermometer), and I let the bread rest for long enough before cutting, but the bottom 1/3 of the it seemed a bit dense/gummy. Still amazingly tasty but would love for it to have a lighter texture all the way through. Thanks!
Hi Sarah, could you possibly be over-mixing the batter? Another reason the loaf is coming out dense is that the bananas you are using are too large and therefore are adding too much water content to the dish? Make sure the bananas are quite brown when making this recipe! Hope we were able to help a bit.
This really is the best vegan banana bread!!! I’ve always found the store bought banana breads too sweet. But this was perfect. I just swapped the plain flour with almond flour and it came out great… Thankyou Nisha 🤗🤗
Awesome, Sherin. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!
What are the nutritious facts
Hi there Iris, at the bottom of the recipe card there’s a part that says “Nutrition Info,” just click that and it will show you! We hope you get to try the recipe!
I DON’T GET IT! I measured everything with my scale and was very precise. On the outside the bread looked really good, but when I cut into it, it was complete wet.
That’s why I tried it again and had the bread 1,5 h in the oven… same outcome.
Really frustrating.
Hi there Kathrin, do you have an oven thermometer? Often if the temperature runs higher than what it says, it will cause the banana bread to not cook all the way through. Also, did you use a regular 9×5 loaf pan? Sorry to hear it didn’t turn out well for you.
Hello !
Thanks for this recipe, it’s very good. The texture is perfect ! I love your pastery recipe !
Romane, So glad to hear you loved this recipe!
Very very good… Moisted and fluffy. Not too sweet. Very easy to make. My add-ins were chopped pecans and 70% dark chocolate. Came out just perfect. Had to stopped my husband from eating half a loaf in one go. Will definitely make it again.
One question though, can I use the aquafaba from, say cannellini beans instead of chickpeas?
Hi Kay, yes aquafaba from cannellini beans should work as well. Sorry for the late response! We are so glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe, though!
Everyone I have given some of this banana bread to has said it’s the best banana bread they have ever had.
Thanks for the lovely feedback, Moriah!
This IS the best banana bread. Great flavor, texture, and pretty simple to make. I tried the decorative banana topping this time, and I really enjoyed it. I think more than anything it made me feel like I was eating a “fancy” banana bread but hey, I’m here for that.
Awesome, Abby. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!
Fantastic bread which I’ve now done numerous times. A few chocolate chips added but otherwise follow the recipe exactly. Thank you Nisha!
Awesome, Jon. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!