Gluten-Free Banana Bread

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 45 min. + cooling

Makes

2 loaves (12 pieces each)

Updated: Feb. 13, 2024
This gluten-free banana bread recipe isn't dry and crumbly—it tastes like the real thing. I hope you try it! —Gladys Arnold, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Ingredients

  • 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose baking flour (without xanthan gum)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups mashed ripe bananas (4-5 medium)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/3 cup canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a small bowl, whisk eggs, bananas, sugar, applesauce, oil and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.
  2. Transfer to 2 greased 8x4-in. loaf pans. Sprinkle with walnuts. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 45-55 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.
Gluten-Free Banana Bread Tips

What’s the best gluten-free flour for baking?

When you’re looking for an easy way to make your favorite bakes gluten-free, a gluten-free blend is the way to go. These flours combine several gluten-free ingredients like rice flour and potato starch. Look for brands that you can use cup-for-cup, such as King Arthur Measure for Measure or Cup4Cup Gluten-Free Flour. You can also make your own gluten-free flour mix.

Does gluten-free flour bake differently?

Baked goods without gluten will bake differently than their counterparts with gluten. The final product may have a more crumbly texture because of the lack of proteins helping the structure of the bake. With a little practice and testing, you can make the most of your favorite baked goods with gluten-free flour. Here are some gluten-free baking recipes to get you started.

How do you make banana breads for other diets?

Banana bread is an easy recipe to adjust for any diet. We even compared our most popular banana bread recipe with a few different variations: vegan banana bread, healthier banana bread, and this gluten-free banana bread recipe. Read up on the results of our banana bread test to choose which recipe is best for you, or make your own alterations to create a new favorite.

Can you use overripe bananas to make gluten-free banana bread?

Ideally, when making banana bread, you'll want to look for bananas with a yellow peel that has begun to lightly speckle or brown. However, you can also use overripe bananas (ones with peels that are dark brown or black) if that's what you have available on hand.

What else can you add to gluten-free banana bread?

There are many ways you can mix up this moist gluten-free banana bread recipe to suit your own tastes! Try adding chocolate chips, cranberries, pumpkin, pecans or a blend of spices. For more inspiration, take a look at more of our banana bread recipes.

How should you store gluten-free banana bread?

Gluten-free banana bread can be covered in plastic wrap and stored at room temperature for several days. However, if you can't polish your loaf off in a week's time, or want to save more moist gluten-free banana bread to enjoy later, store it in an airtight container and pop it in the freezer where it should keep for several months.

—Maggie Knoebel, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant and Sammi DiVito, Taste of Home Assistant Editor
Gluten-Free Recipe
Read all ingredient labels for possible gluten content prior to use. Ingredient formulas can change, and production facilities vary among brands. If you're concerned that your brand may contain gluten, contact the company.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 147 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 89mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.