This hearty, healthy, tasty banana bread is made with buckwheat flour, is egg free, sweetened only with honey, and 100% kid approved! I was surprised by how much my two little ones liked this healthier take on banana bread, but since it was such a hit I knew I had to share it with you!
Why buckwheat banana bread?
Buckwheat flour is actually not in the wheat family at all, so it’s gluten free. It’s a superfood in many ways. It has a low glycemic index (raises blood sugar much less than normal white flour). It has antioxidants, and is rich in vegetarian protein and fiber. It’s so good for you, and has this earthy, hearty flavor that lends itself so well to things like banana bread. I have another healthy banana bread recipe that’s a go to, but this time I had some buckwheat flour in my pantry, and I just knew it would pair well with the ripe bananas on my counter, so I did a little research and came across this recipe by Lazy Cat Kitchen.
Buckwheat banana bread ingredients:
For the wet ingredients you need:
Mashed OVERRIPE bananas (the riper, the sweeter!) I like using a potato masher to give them a good mashing.
Coconut oil or olive oil: I had melted coconut oil ready, so that’s what I used but would definitely try it out with a mild olive oil for a change.
Almond milk or regular if not keeping things dairy free. I had regular milk on hand so that’s what I used.
Lemon juice (just a couple teaspoons)
Honey to sweeten. Can sub same amount in coconut or brown sugar.
For the dry ingredients you need:
Buckwheat flour
Baking powder
Baking Soda
Cinnamon
Try these for sprinkling on top or mixing in:
Chocolate chips (personal favorite), toasted nuts like walnuts or pecans, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries.
This bread would be great spread with almond butter or peanut butter after baking!
How to make this:
No mixer required, and only two bowls. It’s as simple as stirring together the wet ingredients in a bowl. Stir the dry ingredients in another bowl. The dry ingredients are added in three batches to the wet, combining well after each batch. This batter gets poured into the parchment paper lined loaf pan and baked until toothpick comes out clean or mostly clean.
Storing leftover banana bread:
Banana bread will last a couple days well wrapped at cool room temperature, or up to one week in the fridge. It freezes beautifully. Just wrap the loaf or slices tightly, and freeze for 2-3 months. Slices will thaw quickly, a whole loaf needs a few hours to thaw. Then just reheat in toaster, oven or microwave before eating.
Buckwheat Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups buckwheat flour 180g
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1.5 cups mashed overripe banana (about 3 medium, or 550g)
- 1/4 cup coconut oil or olive oil 60 ml
- 1/3 cup almond milk or milk of choice 80 ml
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 125 g honey
- handful chocolate chips or nuts if desired
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180 C (350 F). Grease and line a 9×5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Place oven rack slightly lower than the middle of the oven.
- In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, oil, milk, lemon juice and honey. Stir well.
- In a smaller bowl, combine all the dry ingredients.
- Add the dry ingredients to the banana in three batches, mixing well after each addition. Mix until well combined.
- Transfer the banana bread batter to the prepared pan. If desired, sprinkle the top with chocolate chips and or nuts. Bake for around 50-55 minutes or until the bread has turned golden brown, the top springs back when you prod it, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out pretty clean. It's a moist bread so there may be a few crumbs.
Notes
Nutrition
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Did you make this? Tag @everylittlecrumb or hashtag #everylittlecrumb and I’ll share your images!
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
Farah Abumaizar says
A good few days at room temperature, and freezes very well too!! You can slice and freeze it then thaw individual slices whenever the craving hits
Suzanne says
This looks so good! What a great way to still enjoy a banana bread with less gluten!
Farah Abumaizar says
Thanks so much Suzanne!
Lucy says
This is my favourite buckwheat banana bread recipe now! I’ve just made a second loaf. Perfect served warm with macadamia butter 👌
Farah Abumaizar says
Omg macadamia butter sounds wonderful! What a pairing- thanks Lucy for taking the time to comment !
Louisa Mills-Phillips says
Thank you for this recipe 🙂 I didn’t have enough bananas but didn’t want to wait so substituted with apple and pear purée. The batter is really runny – is it supposed to be or have I messed it up, please?
Farah Abumaizar says
It’s usually a thick cake batter like consistency – not sure if the purées may have affected the texture! How did it bake up?
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! I love those mix in options too!
Farah Abumaizar says
Thanks so much Vanessa!
Suzanne says
This looks so good! What a great way to still enjoy banana bread while being gluten free!
Farah Abumaizar says
Truly!! Even people who have gluten all the time love this banana bread. Hope you try it Suzanne!
Peta says
Just made this banana cake. It’s a super recipe.
I didn’t have honey used soft brown sugar. Didn’t have lemons so used a tablespoon of orange marmalade and used butter instead of oil. Thank you.
Farah Abumaizar says
Thanks so much for the tips on substitutions! So glad it worked out for you!
Lisa says
Beautiful texture, taste and density. I didn’t do chocolate but added walnuts at the end – worked great 🙂
Farah Abumaizar says
Thanks for the comment Lisa! So glad you enjoyed the recipe 😍
April says
This was amazing. Great blend of flavors and a wonderful crumble texture of a quick bread. I’m so glad I found your blog and am really looking forward to trying some new things. Thanks for a fantastic recipe!
Farah Abumaizar says
April thanks so much for such a kind comment! Brought a smile to my face. So glad you liked the recipe and hope you try and love many more!
Pepper says
Wondering if you have ever doubled this recipe and baked the banana bread in a 9 X 13 pan. If so, what is the baking time and how did it come out? Also, I’d love to see more of your Middle Eastern recipes. Yummy!
Farah Abumaizar says
You know I haven’t, but I imagine it would come out really well. If you try it please do let me know Pepper! I would bake for probably about the same time but start checking earlier just in case .
I recommend subscribing because I have a lot of Middle Eastern recipes coming, and you can find a lot under the main meal and dessert section- you’ve inspired me to create a Middle Eastern category though which I’ll work on and which will be under the main Recipe page! Thank you !
Hala says
I ve just discovered this recipe and tried it. I put 0.5 cups of rice protein powder and 1 cup of buckwheat flower to have a protein rich snack. Delicious 👌
Farah Abumaizar says
Thanks for the great tip Hala!! I’ll try that one day!
Sophia says
This recipe turned out amazing despite having to use apple sauce in place of banana for a 1/2 cup. I also used almond flour instead of buckwheat flour. I also subbed agave for honey because I am vegan. Despite all of my substitutions, it looks and tastes amazing! Thank you!
Farah Abumaizar says
Love hearing about people’s substitutions! Thanks so much Sophia for getting back to me and so glad you enjoyed it!
Carina says
The flavor is amazing (I love buckwheat)! That said, I wasn’t able to get it to cook all the way through. After about an hour and 15 minutes in the oven, I covered it, baked for another 10, and gave up. The consistency was still sort of wet overall. Would love to know what I might be able to do to rectify that situation, since it came together easily, and it really is delicious (just not quite bread lol)!
Farah Abumaizar says
Hi Carina! So the only culprits I know of banana bread not baking though are:
Too much banana was used (so it seems like it’s raw but that’s just dense mushy banana)
Not enough flour was used or too much liquid added
Oven temp isn’t correct (do you have an oven temperature perhaps?) if it’s too hot then the outside will cook through and inside stays kinda raw, and if it’s too low, well it just won’t cook through properly
Honestly this want my experience making this so I’m very curious why this happened with you! Do let me know if you try again and hope it works out perfectly next time
julienne says
Hi! i just made this bread today but tweeked it using butter instead of oil and i put a whole envelope of baking powder instead of the one teaspoon which often does not work for the breads i have tried to make before…it came out delicious and i will be making it again! I must say though that i consider this more a cake because of its texture and crumbliness..But i am happy i found the recipe and tried it out. Thanks so much.
Farah Abumaizar says
So glad that you let me know!! I love knowing when substitutions work out – buckwheat banana cake I’m down for that! Really happy you liked it Julienne
Katerina says
You can’t ever have enough of good banana bread! Your photos are absolutely mouthwatering and I so love that this recipe features buckwheat flour (my favourite) and is refined sugar free. Thanks so much for sharing!
Farah Abumaizar says
Thank you so much Katerina! I’m so glad that you like the recipe and hope you try it and love it!
Danielle says
I have a weakness for banana bread. I ‘ve never cooked with buckwheat before – this looks incredible!
Farah Abumaizar says
I like trying so many different banana bread recipes, and the buckwheat worked so well! Thanks Danielle!
Amanda says
I’ve only used buckwheet in savoury dishes so this sounds really interesting. I love its nuttiness so I think this is a perfect combination in a loaf cake.
Farah Abumaizar says
It works very well! Thanks Amanda!
Lisa Huff says
Love the idea of using buckwheet flour. Great twist on traditional banana bread! And that chocolate on top, yum!
Farah Abumaizar says
Healthy and yummy! Thanks Lisa!
kim says
Love that this uses buckwheat! One of the best banana breads I’ve made. Thanks for the great recipe!
Farah Abumaizar says
Thanks Kim!!
Veena Azmanov says
This Buckwheat Banana Bread is made with amazing combinations and flavors. I would grab a slice with my cup of Tea. Look moist and delicious.
Farah Abumaizar says
Thanks Veena! It really is!