Vegan Banana Bread

Here’s a classic banana bread recipe with a vegan twist—it will fool anyone! Bananas and a flax egg provide the moisture, making this banana bread really close in flavor and texture to its non-vegan counterpart.

Vegan Banana Bread: A Riff on a Classic

When adapting a classic recipe to make it vegan, I start with a solid non-vegan recipe. For this vegan banana bread, I used this banana bread recipe, which is one of the most popular recipes on Simply Recipes!

From there, I looked at what I needed to switch out: butter and eggs.

Which Oil Is Best for Vegan Banana Bread?

Butter is the easy switch; it’s just a fat for a fat. For this particular recipe, I used walnut oil because I like the light nutty flavor it adds. However, walnut oil can be a bit harder to source and so my next suggestion would be to reach for avocado oil or coconut oil.

If you're looking to use coconut oil, you'll need to heat it up so that it's a liquid when you add it to the batter. Coconut oil can be a bit fickle in the microwave because steam builds up and makes the oil pop. I recommend melting it in a small saucepan over low heat on the stovetop.

What Is a Flax Egg?

Replacing the egg, however, is a bit trickier. When it comes to vegan baking, there are a few ways to replace an egg. For starters, there are companies that make a powder that can work 1:1 for an egg. However, it’s not always the easiest to find, and I like to use what I have on hand.

Enter the flax egg to make this an eggless banana bread. Flaxseeds, whether whole or ground, morph into a gelatinous mix when combined with water—or as I use in this recipe, almond milk. This mix is a great way to add a bit of moisture to the quick bread and replicates some of the action of an egg.

• Read More! How to Make a Flax Egg

I like to keep whole flaxseeds on hand and grind them in a spice grinder as needed. Flaxseeds have high-fat content, which means once they are ground, they go rancid a bit more quickly, so I recommend storing them tightly sealed in the refrigerator or freezer.

Wait, Is Sugar Vegan?!

One other thing to consider in vegan baked goods: sugar.

Sugar comes from sugar cane or sugar beets. Sugar cane is processed with bone char; it’s what makes the sugar white. The bone char doesn’t actually end up in the sugar, but because of the process, most vegans avoid this type of sugar.

There are many vegan brands of sugar, readily available at the bigger grocery stores.

The Perfect Bananas for Banana Bread

When it comes to banana bread, you want the bananas that look well past their prime. I often wait until the bananas are mostly brown and soft.

Of course, I’m not always ready to make bread when the bananas are ripe. To freeze bananas for later, do this:

• Peel and place the bananas on a sheet tray.
• Pop that sheet tray in the freezer and keep the bananas frozen until ready to use. Once the bananas freeze on the sheet tray, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag.
• When it’s banana bread time, let them thaw in the fridge or at room temperature and you’re ready to go.

Favorite Mix-Ins for Vegan Banana Bread

One of my favorite things about making banana bread is all the options I have for mix-ins. Add 1/2 cup of toasted, chopped nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts. Add carob chips for a chocolate-chip-like experience. Or look for vegan chocolate chips. I’ve also been known to add in a teaspoon or two of cinnamon!

• Get more ideas! Best Mix-Ins for Banana Bread

How to Store and Freeze Banana Bread

Finally, once you make your banana bread, be sure to store it well. Place in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to three days.

To freeze banana bread, slice and wrap each piece individually, and place in a freezer-safe container. Pull out slices as desired and thaw at room temperature. Banana bread is also great toasted.