Beautiful Bread · · · Quick Breads
This easy recipe for gluten-free banana bread has a delicious moist, light and tender crumb. A touch of cardamom adds a fresh citrusy note, and the chocolate chips are optional – but are they really?
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FAQ added 1/31/23.
I’m completely in love with banana bread. Maybe not as much as my kids, one of whom was crying with happiness when it came out of the oven. But I like it a whole lot. I haven’t made it since my celiac diagnoses in September for a couple of reasons, the first being that everybody kept eating all the bananas I bought (so none were left to ripen into the mushy, black-mottled mess that makes the perfect bread). The second reason was that I was scared it wouldn’t taste as good. I worried that it would be dense, chewy and gritty, as gluten-free baked goods often are. Thus we’ve gone without a favorite snack for a very long time. But blessedly, I discovered that my old recipe converted perfectly and that gluten-free chocolate chip banana bread could be ours – and just as scrumptious as ever!
Happily my first try with this recipe for gluten-free banana bread was perfect. Really, unbelievably perfect. I used Cup4Cup flour and I was so pleased with the results! Short of a side-by-side comparison, it tasted exactly like I remembered. Actually, it was better, because it didn’t make me sick. The kids could hardly contain themselves and made me slice it when it was still piping hot from the oven. The crumb was light and tender and it rose high in the pan. Most gluten free breads are best when eaten the same day. I’d like to tell you that this bread is equally good the second day, but sadly, there won’t be any left.
Your questions about this Gluten Free Banana Bread Recipe – answered!
What is the trick to making good gluten free bread?
You probably know by now that it’s hard to make good gluten free bread. In my experience, it’s best to start with quick breads, like this gluten free banana bread recipe. The flour you use matters too. I like Cup4Cup or Bob’s Red Mill all purpose gluten free flour blends. It’s easier than mixing your own flours and already has ingredients that may be difficult for the average human to find (like xanthan gum). All purpose gluten free flour blends work best for cookies, muffins, cakes and quick breads. Unfortunately making yeasted breads is a lot more complicated (and we’ll go into that another time).
How do you make gluten free bread more moist?
Gluten free bread can sometimes be dry and crumbly. The best way to avoid this is to slice it and store it in the freezer. The refrigerator can sometimes dry out gluten free bread. In quick breads, you can add an extra egg, or a bit more fat or dairy to ensure a moist product. In this gluten free banana bread recipe, the mashed bananas and sour cream help keep the bread moist.
Why did my gluten free banana bread not rise?
If your gluten free bread didn’t rise, it’s important to check that your leavening ingredients (baking power and baking soda) are fresh. If you are converting a regular recipe to be gluten free, sometimes it’s necessary to add an extra egg, and/or reduce the amount of baking soda. Finally, it’s important to make sure that your eggs are at room temperature.
What is the number one mistake made when making banana bread?
Making banana bread is pretty easy but there are a few things you can do to make sure that it turns out perfectly ever time. Make sure you grease the pan well so it doesn’t stick. Make sure that your bananas are super ripe with brown spots, and making sure it’s cooked all the way through. It can take a long time to bake, especially gluten free loaves. Use a toothpick inserted in the center to test if it’s done. It should come out clean.
Recently, I added a touch of cardamom and cinnamon to this recipe. The cardamom adds a bright citrusy note, and the cinnamon a cozy one. Together, they elevate this gluten-free chocolate chip banana bread to new flavor heights. I can’t imagine making it any other way.
Love gluten free loaf cakes? Check out these other recipes!
- Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread
- Glazed Cranberry Bread
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Recipe for Gluten-Free Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips
Alison Needham
Thanks to a generous dollop of sour cream, this banana bread has a wonderfully moist and tender crumb. My kids love it with chocolate chips, but feel free to substitute chopped walnuts or leave it plain.
4.67 from 3 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Course Quick Bread
Cuisine American
Servings 12 slices
Calories 207 kcal
Equipment
Standard Loaf Pan (8-1/2 x 4-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches)
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter softened (one stick)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure gluten free vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all purpose gluten-free flour blend (such as Cup4Cup or Bob's Red Mill 1to1)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon xanthan gum omit if your flour blend contains it already
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas about 3 medium
- ½ cup sour cream plain or vanilla yogurt can be used as well
- ½-1 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a standard loaf pan.
Cream butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and beat until smooth.
Add the flour, baking soda, salt, xanthan (if using), cardamom, and cinnamon, and beat until just combined. Stir in the mashed banana and sour cream and mix until completely incorporated. Carefully fold in the chocolate chips.
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for about one hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a cooling rack to finish cooling completely.
Nutrition
Serving: 1sliceCalories: 207kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 4gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 327mgPotassium: 101mgFiber: 1gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 141IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
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