This Healthy Gluten Free Banana Bread proves that making recipes healthier doesn’t have to involve sacrifice. This is so good it will become your go-to banana bread recipe. Even if you are not an expert baker, this is a recipe you can count on!
This recipe was originally published September 14, 2017.
Last Updated
You Will Fall In Love with this Healthy Gluten Free Banana Bread!
One of my favorite people in the world to cook for is my youngest son.
Of my three children, he is by far the least picky. And even if he doesn’t love something, he does his best to keep in under wraps.
My other two kids are far less gentle with my feelings. They also resist trying anything new.
Christian, especially now that he is a little older, is very open to trying new things.
I have a banana bread recipe that I’ve been making for years. (It isn’t my recipe, and it isn’t healthy.)
It is, however, delicious. (But I’d argue that this Healthy Quinoa Flour Banana Bread holds its own against it.)
I try to make Christian muffins or bread at least once a month. If the other two don’t like what I’ve made, I just freeze it in portions, and then he can just pull it out when he needs a snack.
Often when they head outdoors to play with their buddies, I’ll get the urge to start baking. There is something about seeing my boys just be kids (like we used to be) rather than glued to electronics that makes me want to feed them.
I love being able to pull out something he loves, so I wasn’t sure about trying to make a Healthy Gluten Free Banana Bread.
This week, I was craving comfort food, and because this was one of the 200+ recipes that I have written but not tested, I decided to give it a try.
I held my breath as he tried it.
He paused for a minute and then asked, “Mom, did you put walnuts in this?”
As a rule, my kids don’t love nuts. “Yes,” I replied.
“It’s really good. I guess I like walnuts more than I thought.”
Score! This Healthy Gluten Free Banana Bread is one I will make again and again. I love knowing I can give him a healthier banana bread that he will love!
Frequently Asked Questions for Healthy Quinoa Flour Banana Bread
Is quinoa flour good for baking?
Quinoa flour is an excellent option to include in gluten free baking. Toasted quinoa flour will add a rich nutty flavor to baked goods. However, it is important to note that you cannot simply substitute it for all purpose flour. I recommend using no more than 50% quinoa flour when baking.
How do you take the bitterness out of quinoa flour?
Toasting quinoa flour is a very easy way to remove the bitterness. You can read more about how to do it here.
Is quinoa flour healthy?
Yes! Quinoa flour is simply ground up quinoa and can be considered a wholesome baking option.
Tips & Tricks
- Make sure that you bring the butter, eggs, and Greek yogurt to room temperature prior to baking.
- I used Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 flour for testing.
- Consider toasting the quinoa flour. It requires a bit of advanced planning but your efforts will be richly rewarded.
Variations for This Recipe
- Add in 1/2 cup chocolate chips.
- Use pecans in place of walnuts.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.
- Add 1/2 cup shredded coconut.
Tools for Making Quinoa Banana Bread
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If You Like Quinoa Banana Bread You May Also Like:
- Gluten Free Quinoa Bread
- Quinoa English Muffins
- Gluten Free Goat Cheese, Caramelized Onion and Spinach Rolls with Quinoa Crust
- Hearty Quinoa Bread
Healthy Quinoa Flour Banana Bread
I’ve always leaned towards a savory breakfast, but I can’t get enough of this Quinoa Flour Banana Bread! It is perfect for making ahead of time for those mornings when I have little time to spare. This Healthy Gluten Free Banana Bread is light, tender, with all the flavors you expect. Serve this bread warm – leftovers can be gently reheated in a skillet, toaster, or the oven.
Healthy Gluten Free Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter softened
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/3 cup coconut palm sugar or sugar of choice
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup gluten free flour blend
- 1/2 cup quinoa flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream
- 1/2 cup walnuts chopped (optional)
- 2 medium bananas mashed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, applesauce, sugar and maple syrup.
- Blend in eggs, one at a time.
- Add vanilla and mix well.
- In a separate bowl, combine flours, baking soda and salt. Add to the wet mixture and blend completely.
- Add in Greek yogurt, walnuts and bananas and blend until smooth.
- Transfer mixture to prepared pan.
- Bake at 350 for 1 hour. You know it is done when a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow to cool for 15 minutes and then place on a wire rack to finish cooling. (That is unless your family is already begging you to cut it.)
Nutrition
Other Gluten Free Quick Breads to Try:
- Gluten Free Zucchini Bread from Meaningful Eats
- Gluten Free Blueberry Bread from Sullivan Street Eats
That looks really good! I love the addition to quinoa. It’s such a healthy grain. I’ve been eating it for about a year now, and I feel a lot better!
That sounds like an amazing recipe! I’ve never had quinoa in bread before, but I do love it in my oatmeal and salads. I’ll have to give this a try!
I am glad that he ended up liking it, walnuts and all. It does sound really delicious. A perfect companion to a hot cuppa tea on a chilly fall day.
This bread looks so yummy and it would make a great breakfast. I love that it is gluten free.
It’s the season for all kinds of baked goods.. This sounds delicious and I love that it’s gluten free.
Oh wow. A gluten free banana bread recipe! I love it. Although me and my family is not on any dietary restriction, it would still be nice to try out new recipes. This would also come in handy if we would be having guests with sensitivity to gluten.
Banana bread is a family favorite and a great way to ensure none of our older fruit goes to waste. I have never baked with quinoa flour, but am anxious to give it a try. Thanks for sharing!
I’m all about gluten free in our house. This bread looks so yummy!
It is great that you have such a nice taste tester. My husband is my taste tester, and he is not so kind. I have to give this recipe a try. We love banana bread, and I love to try new versions.
I love banana bread and a super plus that it’s gluten free. I like to have gluten free when I have company so I don’t have to worry what everyone can eat!
Finally a tasty GF dessert! I would love to try this sometime.
Funny story, the first time I ever ate gluten free banana bread, I was scared to ever eat it again. It was terrible! Tried it again a couple years later and loved it. This banana bread looks WAY better than any I’ve seen.
I am a huge lover of bread in general. Especially when it’s delicious bread like this banana bread!
That sounds like a lovely recipe for the kids, especially since it’s healthier than most of the banana bread recipes that I know. I would love to give this a try one of these days.
This sounds so so great! Especially now that it’s fall we’re baking a lot!