This Coconut Banana Bread is gluten-free. The majority of the recipes here are gluten-free, not intentionally, but just because of what we cook, and eat. I realized, though, that this website was needing more gluten-free baking recipes, so I've have been experimenting with some alternative flours.
I used coconut flour in this loaf. And then, just to up the coconut ante, I also used coconut sugar, and flaked coconut, too. The result is a deliciously tropical, moist loaf. What I love about it? It's pretty guilt-free! No oil, minimal sugar, high in fibre, protein, and heart-healthy fats. It's low in calories, too, but high in the good carbs that give that good energy.
Banana bread is, of course, a tasty way to use up overly ripe bananas. It's also very quick to mix up a loaf of this quick bread and pop it in the oven.
As with most baking, it makes your house smell wonderful. And it's a perfect snack for a packed lunch or afternoon coffee break. Or just when you want something just a little bit sweet. A whole loaf freezes very well, but you can also wrap the slices individually for convenient lunch packing.
About Coconut Flour
Coconut flour is made from solid coconut that is ground into a fine powder. As a result, it has a slight coconut taste and fragrance, so it works well when that is desirable, like this banana bread, these yummy Blueberry Coconut Waffles, or these Coconut Shrimp Tacos.
Coconut flour is pretty wonderful, nutrition-wise. It's gluten-free, yes, but it's also high in fibre, protein, and the beneficial fats that coconuts are known for.
However, this is flour that can be a little tricky to work with until you get used to it. It's very absorbent flour because it is very dry. For this reason, you will need much less of it in recipes as compared to wheat flour. You also will need more eggs, and this recipe has five. That many eggs make the loaf even higher in protein and eliminates the need for any oil or added fat.
About Coconut Sugar
Coconut sugar is made from the sap of the flower buds of coconut palm trees. It's brown in colour and similar in flavour to brown sugar. It doesn't taste like coconut. There is no real nutritional benefit to using coconut sugar versus cane sugar. It's refined sugar and you can easily use brown or white sugar in its place, in equal quantities. Find out more about different forms of sugar here: Are certain types of sugar healthier than others?
I like using coconut or brown sugar just because I like a darker loaf and a touch of caramel flavour. This coconut banana bread doesn't contain a lot of sugar, just a quarter of a cup.
Want to try another delicious Banana Bread? Check out this recipe for Maui Banana Bread, or try another gluten-free loaf: Buckwheat Banana Bread.
Coconut Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups very ripe peeled banana mashed. (about 5 bananas)
- ¾ cup coconut flour
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 5 eggs beaten
- ¼ cup coconut sugar. or brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Line a 9 x 5 loaf pan with parchment, leaving an overhang over each end
- Put all ingredients in a large bowl and beat with a spoon until smooth.
- Spread batter in prepared pan
- Bake in center of oven 50-60 minutes, or until center is firm
- Cool in pan on a rack
- Remove cooled loaf from pan by loosening the sides with a knife, then using the parchment overhangs to lift out.
- Slice and serve
Notes
Nutrition
Cathy
I made this today, and we're enjoying it very much!
Colleen
Hi Cathy, I'm so glad you're enjoying, and thank you so much for stopping by to let me know!
Elizabeth
Mmmm this sounds lovely! I've used coconut sugar before, but I've never baked with the flour. I'll have to try it out!
Colleen
Hi Elizabeth! I really like the results when I've used coconut flour! It's worth giving it a try for certain recipes.
Tiffany
I can smell the wonderful aroma of this bread baking in the oven. It brings back memories of when I was in Hawaii. I can't wait to try your recipe!
Colleen
Hi Tiffany! This smells amazing when it's baking, and does taste so tropical. Enjoy. 🙂
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
I happen to love the smell of coconut flour. I too have gluten free recipes on my site. This sounds delicious, and I would even have this for breakfast.
Colleen
Thanks Gloria. I love the smell of coconut flour, too! 🙂
Dorothy at Shockinglydelish
I love the added protein! I also like that you don't need to add oils or fats.
Colleen
Hi Dorothy, I know, you don't think of protein when you have banana bread, right? But so many eggs in this one make it that. And you would never know there's no oil in there! 🙂
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
I am obsessed with banana bread but have never made it with coconut flour. Looks delicious!
Colleen
Hi Sam! Coconut flour works really well for this banana bread!
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This is the second recipe I've seen today that makes me happy about all the added coconut. To elaborate a little bit, I tend to get tired of recipes that use coconut (oil, sugar, flour, whatever) in every recipe, not because there's anything wrong with the ingredients, but because if you're going to add a little coconut flavour (I'm looking at you coconut oil), you might as well go all-in. So cheers for doubling down and really letting the coconut shine in your banana bread. It looks like a spectacular recipe!
Colleen
Hi Sean, the coconut is just so useful and versatile, isn't it? And the bonus is, it's a flavour that can be delicious in either savory or sweet dishes. Thanks for stopping by!
Denise from Urb'n'Spice
Making banana bread is one of life's pleasures. I am intrigued with making it with coconut flour (it is tricky, isn't it?). I can see how the moistness of the extra eggs and sweet bananas would work perfectly with this flour. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe, Colleen. It sounds lovely and I am looking forward to trying it.
Colleen
Hi Denise! Coconut flour is perfect in this banana bread, and I think you'll love it!
Nicole
Whenever banana bread pops up on my screen, I always wish the smell of it baking came along with the image. Although, I'd probably try to eat my computer, so maybe it's best how it is. This looks delicious, Colleen! Wish I had a slice right now.
Colleen
Haha, I know just what you mean Nicole! Luckily, banana bread is so easy to make so we don't need to eat our computers 🙂
Sharon
This looks delicious! ? I've done a bit if gluten free baking and agree on the eggs. I made a coconut flour pancake recipe and needed 5 eggs!
Colleen
Thanks Sharon! Great idea, maybe I'll try coconut flour pancakes next!