Gluten-Free Whole Grain Banana Bread

Recipe by King Arthur Test Kitchen
15 Reviews 4.9 out of 5 stars

Who doesn't love banana bread? A nostalgic favorite, this bread is packed with flavorful ripe banana. Nicely dense and moist, with just the right balance of sugar, spice (and everything nice), this is comfort food at its finest. 

We know you’ll love this gluten-free version of our Whole-Grain Banana Bread, a long-time favorite recipe here on our site. Substituting Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour for the flour in that original yields a delicious loaf that’s sure to be a hit with friends and family following a gluten-free diet. Enjoy!

Prep
10 mins
Bake
1 hr to 1 hr 15 mins
Total
1 hr 25 mins
Yield
one 9" by 5" loaf
Gluten-Free Whole Grain Banana Bread

Instructions

Prevent your screen from going dark as you follow along.

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F with a rack in the center position. Lightly grease a 9" x 5" loaf pan; if your pan is glass or stoneware, reduce the oven temperature to 325°F.

  2. In a large bowl, stir together the mashed banana, oil or butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.

  3. Weigh your flour; or measure it by gently spooning into a cup, then sweeping off any excess. Mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and chopped walnuts into the banana mixture. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl and mix again to thoroughly combine the ingredients.

  4. Scoop the batter into the prepared pan. Mix together the sugar and cinnamon, and sprinkle over the batter.

  5. Bake the bread for about 60 to 75 minutes, until the bread feels set on the top, and a paring knife (or other thin knife) inserted into the center comes out clean, or with just a few moist crumbs (but no wet batter). If you have a digital thermometer, the bread's temperature at the center should register about 205°F. If the bread appears to be browning too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil for the final 15 to 20 minutes of baking. Note: If baking in a glass or stoneware pan, increase the baking time by 10 to 15 minutes.

  6. Remove the bread from the oven. Cool it in the pan for 15 minutes, then loosen the edges, and turn it out of the pan onto a rack to cool completely.

  7. Store leftover bread, tightly wrapped, at room temperature for several days. Freeze for longer storage.

Tips from our Bakers

  • Want to bake and share? This recipe will make 15 standard-size muffins. Bake muffins in a preheated 350°F oven for 20 to 23 minutes, or until a thin paring knife inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

  • If you'd like to reduce the fat in this recipe, try any of these substitutions, which will yield a loaf very similar in texture and moistness to the original:

    • 1/4 cup (57g) applesauce for 1/4 cup (50g) of the vegetable oil
    • 1/4 cup (57g) yogurt (full-fat, reduced-fat, or nonfat) for 1/4 cup (50g) of the vegetable oil
    • 1/2 cup (113g) full-fat yogurt for all of the vegetable oil (99g)

    Want to lower the fat even further? Substitute applesauce or yogurt (full-fat, reduced-fat, or nonfat) for all of the vegetable oil. Understand that the resulting loaf’s texture will be notably less tender.

  • We love the slightly caramelized flavor brown sugar lends this loaf, but if all you have on hand is white granulated sugar — use it: 1 cup (198g), same volume amount as the brown sugar. Or use 1/3 cup (113g) liquid sweetener (honey, agave, or maple syrup) + 1/2 cup (106g) brown sugar; increase the amount of all-purpose flour by 2 tablespoons (14g) if you make this substitution.

  • Want to reduce the sugar in this recipe? Start by lowering it by 25%, from 1 cup (213g) to 3/4 cup (160g); the bread will (obviously) be less sweet, and also a bit less tender.

  • Be aware: Some of your baking ingredients can be a hidden source of gluten. Learn more at our blog post: For gluten-free baking, think beyond just flour. For additional information on King Arthur-produced products, read the complete details of our allergen program, including our contact-prevention practices.

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