Buckwheat Banana Bread is more than just another boring banana bread recipe! Replace the all-purpose flour with gluten-free buckwheat flour and you will love the texture and flavor plus the bonus of extra nutrition.
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If you aren't familiar with buckwheat, you may be surprised to know that it is not a form of wheat, despite the name. Buckwheat is actually a seed, called a groat, and buckwheat flour is simply finely ground raw buckwheat groats.
Because it isn't related to wheat, buckwheat flour is a great addition to your gluten-free baking ingredients.
A buckwheat flour recipe that you may be familiar with is Buckwheat Pancakes. Kasha is toasted buckwheat which is eaten as a cereal. I love it in salads like these: Mediterranean Buckwheat Salad, Buckwheat Salad with California Prunes, or Butternut Buckwheat Salad and soups (try Buckwheat Soup with Turkey, Sweet Potato & Kale. Buckwheat flour is also the key ingredient in soba noodles.
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Why You'll Love This Healthy Banana Bread
- This simple banana bread is a great recipe for using overripe bananas, and it's freezer friendly.
- Buckwheat is a nutritious flour that's high in fibre and rich in minerals
- Just like my coconut banana bread, this healthy buckwheat banana bread recipe is gluten-free and grain-free.
- Buckwheat, unlike many other gluten-free flours (almond flour, coconut flour, etc.) can replace all-purpose flour one for one in most recipes.
- You will love the nutty flavor and beautiful texture of this gluten-free banana bread.
- Unlike other banana bread recipes, this recipe isn't loaded with sugar, so it makes a healthy snack or breakfast.
Ingredient Notes
- Buckwheat Flour You can find light buckwheat and dark buckwheat flour. Either will work and only the color of your banana bread will change.
- Bananas Use very ripe, or overripe bananas for the best flavor and texture.
- Eggs Eggs should be at room temperature.
- Almond Milk Or oat milk, any other nut milk, or dairy milk
- Olive Oil You can substitute and vegetable oil. If you choose to substitute coconut oil, be aware that your banana bread will have a coconut flavor
- Brown Sugar Brown sugar gives the banana bread a delicious touch of caramel flavor, but you can substitute maple syrup, coconut sugar, or white sugar.
- Cinnamon & Nutmeg
How to Make it: Step by Step
- Mash the bananas with a fork or a potato masher
- Whisk in the eggs, milk, oil, sugar and vanilla
- Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and combine before spreading the batter in the prepared loaf pan.
Garnish (Optional)
- Place sliced banana on top of the batter
- Sprinkle lightly with brown sugar before baking.
Top Tips
- If you can't find buckwheat flour, you can make your own by grinding buckwheat groats into a fine powder using a coffee or spice grinder, or a food processor.
- Bring eggs to room temperature quickly by putting them in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for 5 minutes
- Cool the banana bread completely on a wire rack before slicing.
- Buckwheat banana bread can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- To freeze, wrap the cooled loaf in plastic wrap and then in foil. Alternatively, you can wrap individual slices and store them in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
FAQ's
Yes, even though its name contains "wheat", buckwheat has no relation to wheat, and is in fact, the seed of a flouring plant. So, yes, buckwheat flour is gluten-free.
Buckwheat flour is higher in fiber and minerals than all-purpose flour
Buckwheat flour comes in "dark" and "light". Dark buckwheat flour is not hulled, so it has dark specs and if your banana bread is dark, it's probably because you used dark buckwheat flour. There is no difference in the taste or texture of your loaf.
Try These Other Quick Bread Recipes
Recipe
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Buckwheat Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups buckwheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 ripe bananas
- 2 eggs large
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup almond milk
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Grease a 9" loaf pan lightly and line with parchment paper
- In a large bowl, mash three of the bananas
- Add the eggs, olive oil, almond milk, brown sugar, and vanilla to the mashed bananas and whisk until combined.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the buckwheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Add the banana mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until combined.
- Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
- Add topping if using (see below)
- Bake for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely before slicing
Optional Topping
- Peel a banana and slice vertically
- Put the banana slices cut side up on top of the batter
- Sprinkle lightly with brown sugar
Notes
- If you can't find buckwheat flour, you can make your own by grinding buckwheat groats into a fine powder using a coffee or spice grinder, or a food processor.
- Bring eggs to room temperature quickly by putting them in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for 5 minutes
- Cool the banana bread completely on a wire rack before slicing.
- Buckwheat banana bread can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- To freeze, wrap the cooled loaf in plastic wrap and then in foil. Alternatively, you can wrap individual slices and store stem in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Heidy
I was a little nervous trying this recipe, but after making your Buckwheat Banana Bread-man, I have been missing out! Straight up delicious, and I will be making this recipe again soon!!!
Colleen
I'm so happy to hear this, Heidy. Thanks for your comment!
Veronika Sykorova
Buckwheat flour used to be my favorite flour for baking but I've replaced it by a gluten-free mix. Can't wait to give this banana bread a try though, I miss cooking with buckwheat!
Colleen
Buckwheat is amazing, Veronika! Enjoy this banana bread!
Natalie
Wow, the texture is quite amazing. I never baked bread with buckwheat flour. I think it's time to give it a try. Thanks for the recipe!
Colleen
You're welcome, Natalie. Enjoy!
Jeri
I had no idea Buckwheat is not flour from wheat but from a seed! I'm adding it to my grocery list so I can make this healthy bread!
Colleen
I think you'll love buckwheat banana bread, Jeri!
Melinda
What a yummy new twist on banana bread. I’m a big fan of buckwheat but have a hard time finding recipes using it that my family enjoys. Now we have this one! DELICIOUS!
Colleen
I'm so happy that you love this buckwheat banana bread, Melinda!
veenaazmanov
Sounds so healthy and I just cant wait to give this flavorful Bread a try.
Colleen
Do give it a try, Veena. You won't be disappointed!
Lindsay
Absolutely love this! The nuttiness and heartiness of this particular banana bread makes it our favorite for after workouts or quick breakfasts. Thanks for a great recipe!
Colleen
You're very welcome, Lindsay! I'm happy to hear this loaf is a favorite. Enjoy!
Bernice
This seems like a great recipe to test the gluten free baking waters with. I make banana bread all the time, so it wouldn't be a stretch to try it with gluten free flour.
Colleen
Hi Bernice, even if you don't need to be gluten-free, buckwheat is a great ingredient for so many recipes. This banana bread is always a hit with everyone. Enjoy!
nancy
i love buckwheat teas so this buckwheat flour bb is perfect! pinned for later
Colleen
Hi Nancy. You will love buckwheat banana bread. Enjoy!
Kristen
Super duper delicious! Can't wait to make again. :)Thank you!
Colleen
You're welcome, Kristen! Enjoy!
Heather
I had some buckwheat flour leftover and wasn't sure what to do with it...but this was a perfect use for it! Great flavor and so moist!
Colleen
So glad this banana bread turned out great for you, Heather!
Vanessa
I had a bunch of buckwheat groats in the pantry that I wasn't sure what to do with. So I blitzed them into flour first to make the banana bread. Love the nutty flavour it gives!
Colleen
Hi Vanessa, I'm so happy to hear that you love it! Thanks for commenting!
Roxana
This tasted so wholesome and amazing. More filling and satisfying than the usual recipes. A keeper for sure.
Colleen
I'm so happy to hear this, Roxana! Thanks for commenting!
Sara
So glad we found this recipe, delicious flavour and texture.
Colleen
I'm glad you found it, too, Sarah. So happy you loved this banana bread!
Andrea
Healthy, nutritious and banana bread, sounds yummy!