Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

on Oct 23, 2026

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This gluten free Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread is so soft and squidgy, with a beautiful swirl of cinnamon sugar in the centre, and a crisp cinnamon sugar topping. Forget bulk standard banana bread, your favourite bake just got a cosy, autumnal upgrade!

Slices of cinnamon swirl banana bread on a board,

Notes On This Cinnamon Banana Bread Recipe

🍌 Imagine gluten free banana bread and gluten free cinnamon rolls had a baby – and you’ve got this delicious and beautiful cinnamon swirl banana bread.

🍌 You only need 10 simple ingredients to make this cinnamon banana bread, and most of them are probably already in your cupboard!

🍌 This is such an easy gluten free bake – just mix everything up, swirl in the cinnamon sugar, and bake. A great way to use up leftover, overripe bananas!

Notes On This Cinnamon Banana Bread Recipe
Ingredients and Substitutions
How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
Storing and Freezing Instructions
Gluten Free Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread Recipe Recipe
More Banana-Inspired Bakes

Slices of gluten free cinnamon swirl banana bread with a coffee pot outside.

Ingredients and Substitutions

There’s a printable recipe card below for this cinnamon swirl banana bread with the full quantities. But here are the main ingredients and ideas for any swaps.

Bananas: Ideally you want overripe bananas which are starting to go black. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and squishier the banana bread!
Butter: You could use a baking margarine or a vegan butter for a dairy free recipe.
Sugar: In the US you’ll need baker’s sugar, or you can use light brown sugar, for the cake. For the cinnamon, use dark brown sugar.
Vanilla Extract
Eggs
Plain Gluten Free Flour: You’ll need to use a plain gluten free flour blend for this recipe – or an all purpose gluten free flour blend. You could use a self-raising gluten free flour if you prefer, but cut the extra baking powder down to 1 teaspoon.
Baking Powder: Or baking soda in the US. Make sure you use gluten free baking powder.
Xanthan Gum: Omit this if your gluten free flour blend already contains xanthan gum.
Cinnamon: You’ll need a ground cinnamon, you can use sweet cinnamon if you like.

Ingredients for gluten free cinnamon swirl banana bread with text labels.

How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

There’s a printable recipe card below with the method. But here are some step-by-step photos to show you how easy this gluten free cinnamon swirl banana bread is to make.

Process shot of cinnamon swirl banana bread showing a bowl of brown sugar and cinnamon mixed together. — **Step 1:** Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together.

Process shot of cinnamon swirl banana bread showing the butter and sugar mixed together in a glass bowl. — **Step 2:** Mix together the butter, sugar and vanilla extract.

Process shot of cinnamon swirl banana bread showing the eggs, banana and flour in a mixing bowl. — **Step 3:** Add the eggs, flour and banana and mix together.

Process shot of cinnamon swirl banana bread showing the cinnamon layer on the banana bread batter. — **Step 4:** Pour half the batter in the tin, add the cinnamon sugar and swirl.

Process shot of cinnamon swirl banana bread showing the banana bread before baking. — **Step 5:** Add the rest of the batter, then the remaining sugar, then swirl.

Process shot of cinnamon swirl banana bread showing the finished banana bread on a wooden board. — **Step 6:** Bake the banana bread and allow to cool before slicing and serving.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

TO STORE: Once baked, this gluten free cinnamon swirl banana bread will last for around a week in an airtight container. No need to refrigerate!

TO FREEZE: You can either freeze the whole cake, or slice it up and freeze in portions to just defrost whenever you fancy a slice.

More Banana-Inspired Bakes

If you like this gluten free cinnamon swirl banana bread then make sure you check out these other gluten free recipes to use up bananas too…

Have you tried this recipe?

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