Dairy-free Banana Bread

Name: Dairy-Free Banana Bread
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil (plus more for pan); ½ cup honey (raw, unfiltered); 2 large eggs (lightly beaten); 3 medium bananas (very ripe, mashed (about 1.5 cups mashed)); ¼ cup coconut milk (or almond milk); 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 TB ground flaxseed meal; 1 tsp baking soda; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; ½ tsp table salt; 1 ¾ cups white whole wheat flour; dark chocolate chips (mini, optional)

By Amy Dong
Published Jan. 23, 2024
Updated Mar. 5, 2024

This Dairy-Free Banana Bread is better for you and doesn’t sacrifice one ounce of flavor! It’s incredibly moist, packed with banana flavor, and, best of all, it’s completely dairy-free!

A loaf of dairy-free banana bread with chocolate chips in a glass baking dish. — This Dairy-Free Banana Bread is incredibly moist and better for you without compromising on flavor!

Video: Watch Us Make This Recipe

Why This Recipe Stands Out

If you’re a fan of moist flavorful breads, you’re in for a treat. This dairy-free banana bread recipe is a game-changer. Here’s why it’s worth trying:

Healthier: This recipe replaces ingredients such as butter, milk, and sugar with healthier alternatives like olive oil, honey, and coconut milk, just like our Healthy Pumpkin Bread.
Supremely Moist: The healthier ingredients don’t come at the cost of texture or flavor at all. It’s a supremely moist bread that’s just as good as traditional banana bread, if not better!
Versatile: You can add dark mini chocolate chips, nuts, or dried blueberries to customize the bread to your liking.

Key Recipe Ingredients

Overhead shot of igredients for dairy-free banana on a black table.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil – We use extra virgin olive oil to grease the pan and add a rich, fruity flavor to the recipe. Don’t worry; your bread will not taste like olives.
Raw, Unfiltered Honey –This is our natural sweetener of choice, adding a touch of sweetness without refined sugar.
Ripe Bananas – The star of the show, ripe bananas add natural sweetness and moisture to the recipe. Plus, they’re packed with nutrients!
Coconut Milk – We use coconut milk to add a creamy, tropical twist to the recipe.
Ground Flaxseed Meal – This is a great source of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, and it also helps to bind the ingredients together.
Ground Cinnamon – A teaspoon of ground cinnamon adds a warm, spicy note that compliments the sweetness of the bananas and honey.
White Whole Wheat Flour – We use white whole wheat flour for its nutritional benefits and its ability to give the recipe a light, fluffy texture.
Optional: Dark Mini Chocolate Chips, Nuts or Dried Blueberries – Feel free to add these in for extra flavor and texture. They work well with the other ingredients and make the recipe even more delicious.

Substitutions And Variations

This dairy-free banana bread is as versatile as it is delicious. With a base of ripe bananas and whole wheat flour, the possibilities for mix-ins and flavor additions are almost endless. Take a look at some of our favorite substitutions and variations:

Sweetener: Swap the honey with maple syrup or agave nectar if you prefer a different kind of sweetness.
Vegan: If you’re vegan, you can replace the eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp of flaxseed meal with 2.5 tbsp of water for each egg).
Flour: If preferred, you can use all purpose flour or whole wheat flour. Note that whole wheat flour will result in somewhat of a more “textured” bread than the white-whole-wheat.
Milk: You can also substitute the coconut milk with almond milk, soy milk, or any other non-dairy milk of your choice like we do in our Vegan Ice Cream.
Extract: For a fun flavor variation, try using almond extract, coconut extract, or even butter extract like we do in our Poppy Seed Bread.
Add-ins: Feel free to get creative with add-ins. Dark mini chocolate chips, nuts, or dried blueberries would all work beautifully in this banana bread.

Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

In a large bowl, mix oil, honey, eggs, bananas, and coconut milk.
Add the remaining ingredients, except flour, and mix gently.

Fold in the flour and chocolate chips, if using.
Pour the batter into a greased pan and bake for about 50 minutes. Allow bread cool before removing from the pan and slicing.

For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.

How To Prep Ahead

This dairy-free banana bread is already a snap to make, but we have a few additional tips to make it even easier. Take a look at our best prep-ahead tips for this recipe:

Dry Ingredients: All dry ingredients can be measured and combined several days ahead of time and stored in an airtight container.
Make and Freeze: The easiest way to enjoy this dairy-free banana bread is to make it ahead of time and freeze it. Make sure you cover it with plastic wrap. Simply pop it in the microwave, and it’ll be ready to enjoy!

Sliced dairy-free banana bread with chocolate chips. — Supremely moist dairy-free banana bread with ingredients that are actually good for you!

Commonly Asked Questions

What type of honey should I use for this dairy-free banana bread?

For this recipe, we recommend using raw, unfiltered honey but you can use any other honey you may have on hand as well.

What type of oil should I use to grease the pan?

We recommend using extra virgin olive oil to grease the pan. It’s a healthier option and it won’t alter the flavor of your banana bread.

How do I know when the banana bread is done?

The banana bread is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few tender crumbs attached. It should take about 50 minutes at 350F.

How long does dairy-free banana bread keep?

This dairy-free banana bread will keep for about 2-3 days at room temperature. If you want to extend its shelf life, you can refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze it for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap it well to prevent it from drying out.

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