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This easy Gluten Free Banana Bread is my go-to bake when I need something easy and comforting. I love homemade banana bread and this gluten free version only needs 7 simple ingredients. Perfect for using up those bananas which are going black in the fruit bowl!

Slices of gluten free banana bread.
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I don’t know about you, but I am definitely one of those people that buys bananas and then completely forgets about them until they turn black.

Luckily, this is the BEST time to make my Gluten Free Banana Bread! It saves the bananas going to waste and it’s so delicious, soft and squidgy.

Making banana bread gluten free is very easy and this recipe can be thrown together and in the oven in just 10 minutes, using 7 simple ingredients.

This banana loaf cake is perfect for slicing up for lunchboxes or picnics, having with an afternoon cuppa, or even freezing for a tasty sweet snack at a later date.

Plus you can customise it by adding chocolate chips, chopped nuts or dried fruits too.

If you can’t have eggs or dairy, you can easily make this recipe dairy free or use my gluten free Vegan Banana Bread recipe instead.

And for more recipe to use up leftover bananas, try my Banana Pumpkin Muffins, my Banana Nutella Muffins or my Banana Flapjack recipes next!

Slices of gluten free banana bread.

Ingredients

There’s a printable recipe card for this gluten free banana bread below. But for the shopping list here are the main ingredients you’ll need.

  • Bananas: In this recipe I use 3 small bananas, weighing approximately 350g (12oz) with the skins on. 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.
  • Caster Sugar: In the US you’ll need baker’s sugar, or use light brown sugar.
  • Vanilla Extract: This is optional but I find it adds a nice extra sweetness.
  • Eggs: I use large UK eggs which is the same as XL eggs in the US.
  • 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 if you do this.
  • Baking Powder: Or baking soda in the US. Make sure you use gluten free baking powder.
  • Xanthan Gum: This is optional but I find it helps the texture with gluten free cakes. Omit this if your gluten free flour blend already contains xanthan gum.
The ingredients for gluten free banana bread laid out on a pink backdrop.

How to Make Gluten Free Banana Bread

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

Preheat the oven to 180C / Fan 160C / Gas Mark 4. Line a 2lb loaf tin with parchment paper (or a loaf tin liner) and set to one side.

Peel the bananas and add them to a small bowl. Mash using a fork and set to one side – a few lumps are fine.

The mashed banana in a bowl and (right) the butter and sugar creamed together in a mixing bowl.

Add the melted butter, sugar and vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl and beat together with an electric whisk until combined.

Add the mashed bananas, egg, gluten free flour, baking powder and xanthan gum to the mixing bowl. Beat again with the electric whisk until just combined.

Recipe process shots showing mixing everything together to make the banana bread batter.

Pour the mixture into the lined baking tin, smooth out the top and place in the oven.

Bake for 50 minutes – 1 hour until golden, risen and a skewer in the centre comes out clean. Cool the banana bread (in the tin) on a rack before slicing up.

The gluten free banana bread before and after baking, in a loaf tin.

Storing and Freezing

Storing gluten free banana bread is so simple – it’s a very forgiving loaf cake!

This homemade banana loaf can be cooled and stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week. Don’t refrigerate it as this can make it go stale quicker.

You can also freeze it whole or in slices. I freeze slices in a bag or tub between sheets of parchment paper so I can defrost them whenever I fancy a slice.

A slice of gluten free banana bread.

Variations

Love gluten free banana bread and want to try it a different way? Here are some ideas for ways you can jazz up this classic banana bread base recipe:

  • Gluten Free Dairy Free Banana Bread: Simply swap the butter for a vegan margarine to make this banana bread recipe dairy free too.
  • Choc Chip Banana Bread: Add mini chocolate chips or chocolate chunks to your mixture for a delicious gluten free chocolate chip banana bread. I make it this way a lot – I prefer using dark chocolate chips but milk chocolate works too.
  • Cinnamon Banana Bread: Add 1-2 tsp cinnamon to your banana cake batter for a deliciously warming gluten free cinnamon banana loaf.
  • Nutty Banana Bread: Stir some chopped walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts or pistachio nuts into your banana bread batter for a nutty version. So good!
  • Fruity Banana Bread: You can add a couple of handfuls of dried fruit such as raisins, sultanas or cranberries to your banana bread batter for a fruity version.
Close up of slices of gluten free banana bread on a board.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some FAQs about this easy gluten free banana bread recipe. If you can’t find the answer to your question here or in the post above, please comment and I’ll try answer!

Can I make a gluten free vegan banana bread?

If you want to make a gluten free free banana bread without eggs or dairy, I recommend following my vegan banana bread recipe. I’ve tested this so many times over the years to get it perfect! If you want a gluten and dairy free banana bread you can simply switch the butter in this recipe for vegan margarine instead.

Can I ripen bananas in the microwave?

Yes, you can! This recipe works best with black and overripe bananas, but if you want to make this recipe sooner you can ripen the bananas yourself. Pierce a couple of holes in the banana skin using a knife or skewer, and microwave for 30-40 seconds. Leave to cool and the bananas will have magically ripened!

What is the best flour for gluten free banana bread?

This recipe is tested using plain gluten free flour blends in the UK – these are typically a blend of buckwheat, rice and potato flour. I use the FREEE gluten free plain flour for more of my baking as its readily available. This recipe requires a flour blend – single flours like coconut flour or almond flour won’t work the same.

If you make this recipe and love it, please do let me know by tagging me on my Instagram or using #theglutenfreeblogger. You can also share your creations in my Facebook group! And please do leave a 5* review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ to let others know you loved it too! It would mean the world to me and really helps support my website.

Slices of gluten free banana bread.
5 from 1 vote

Gluten Free Banana Bread

This easy gluten free banana bread only needs 7 simple ingredients and is a great way to use up blackening, overripe bananas! Enjoy it as it is or customise with chopped nuts or chocolate chips.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 1 hour
Servings: 8 slices

Ingredients 

  • 3 ripe bananas, approx 350g with skin on
  • 125 g butter, melted
  • 150 g caster sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 250 g plain gluten free flour
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 0.25 tsp xanthan gum, optional, if your flour blend does NOT already contain this

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 180C / Fan 160C / Gas Mark 4. Line a 2lb loaf tin and set to one side.
  • Peel the bananas and add to a small bowl. Mash using a fork and set to one side – a few lumps are fine.
  • Add the butter, sugar and vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl and beat together with an electric whisk until combined.
  • Add the mashed bananas, egg, gluten free flour, baking powder and xanthan gum to the mixing bowl. Beat again with the electric whisk until just combined.
  • Pour the mixture into the lined baking tin, smooth out the top and place in the oven. Bake for 50 minutes – 1 hour until golden, risen and a skewer in the centre comes out clean. Cool on a rack before slicing.

Notes

  • Weighing Scales vs Cups: You can toggle this recipe card to convert the ingredients into cups. However, I always recommend using weighing scales – these are cheap to buy and much more accurate. And in gluten free baking, a tiny variation can make a huge difference!
  • Step-by-Step Photos: Check out the blog post above for step-by-step photos to show how this gluten free banana bread recipe should look at each stage.
  • Storing and Freezing: Check out the post above this recipe card for more information on how to store and freeze this easy banana bread.
  • Like this Recipe? It would mean SO much to me if you could leave a 5* review and tell all your gluten free friends about this Gluten Free Banana Bread!

Nutrition

Serving: 1 slice | Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15g
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!
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About Sarah Howells

Hi, I'm Sarah! Diagnosed with coeliac disease 20 years ago, I'm on a mission to create the best gluten free recipes since sliced bread. No fruit salads or dry brownies here.

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