Wondering what to do with those over-ripe bananas? Why not whip up this gluten-free banana bread?! Your tastebuds will go bananas over this simple, healthy recipe that will fill make your home smell like a slice of heaven.
Can we talk for a second about how excited I am that it’s cool enough outside for me to use my oven?! All summer long, turning the oven on was taboo. I suppose that’s what happens when you don’t have central air. Well, Fall has arrived in NYC and that means the oven is back in action and baking is back to Fitful Focus. Woot!
I was trying to decide what to bake for my oven’s comeback when I realized we had some bananas that were just about to turn. I took that as a plea from the baking heavens to make a delicious Fall favorite: banana bread. Of course, I didn’t just make any banana bread; I made Gluten-Free Banana Bread!
So moist. So delicious. Oh, and healthy, too! The addition of unsweetened apple sauce helps to create a lightened up version of this usually not-so-healthy treat.
Whip up the batter in a matter of minutes, toss it in the oven and relax as your home fills up with the amazing scent of fresh baked goods. Heavenly. Will and I almost couldn’t wait for it to cool before we dug in. Slice it up and freeze in individual baggies for an on the go breakfast, or reheat for a healthy post-dinner dessert. I also crumbled a slice on top of some strawberry banana “nice” cream. Perfection.
- 3 1/2 ripe medium bananas (lots of brown spots), mashed
- 1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 1 1/4 cups gluten free flour (I used Bob's Redmill all purpose)
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp margarine, softened (I used Earth Balance Olive Oil Spread)
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar (unpacked)
- 2 large egg whites
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a loaf pans with baking spray (I used an 8 x 3 3/4 pan).
- In a medium bowl, whist together the flour, baking soda and salt.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer (or in a large bowl with a hand mixer), cream the butter and sugar together. Add egg whites, bananas, apple sauce and vanilla. Beat at medium speed until thick, scraping down the sides as necessary.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients and continue to beat until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool, slice and enjoy!
What’s you favorite type of bread?
Is your oven back in gear after the summer swelter?
This post is linked up with Meatless Mondays.
I used my oven for the month of September, and now it is time to get back after it again! The only thing that is a bit hard for me is that I like zucchini in everything that I make!
Looks delicious! I’m definitely going to have to give this a try!
Michelle recently posted…5 Favorite Fall Activities
I hope you do! Let me know how it turns out.
YUM! Looks so good.
Lora @ Crazy Running Girl recently posted…Marathon #20 is on the calendar!
Thank you!
Banana bread will forever be one of my favorite breads. No matter how many different types/flavors/kinds of quick breads I make, I will always go back to a good banana bread!
Kat recently posted…Banana’s Foster Waffles with Paleo Caramel Sauce
Agreed! So good!
We are all about banana bread in our house as well. I like the apple sauce in there and also like that you left in the brown sugar. In my opinion it really needs a little. Thanks for linking up today!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Southwestern Spaghetti Squash Boats
You can’t leave out the brown sugar!
I’m not a fan of bananas but my boys are! They would love this!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…MCM Training REcap–Week 12 & #BOSUChallenge Week 3
I hope they like it if you make it!
I actually adore banana bread despite the fact that I am not supposed to have bananas…so yummy!
Annmarie recently posted…Meatless Monday: Edamame Wasabi Dip
I couldn’t live without bananas! nom nom nom
Why yes, actually I was wondering what to do with our ripe bananas, I made banana bread with last weeks ripe bananas, but I shall think of something to do with these ones and then come back to your recipe. Love that you made it gluten free, nice and easy too! Thanks for sharing!
Tina muir recently posted…Meatless Monday- Taco Salad Bowls
Thanks, Tina!
I’m a big proponent of banana bread. 🙂 Thanks for linking up with Annmarie and me for Meatless Mondays!
Rachel recently posted…Meatless Monday: Eggplant Parmesan
Thank YOU for the link up 🙂
That banana bread looks so yummy and good! Do you delver? 🙂
Margo recently posted…Brooklyn Fit Chick Notes: “Like Water for Chocolate” 6 Bad Habits Fitness Instructors Want Students to Drop NOw
haha no delivery, but can stop by for a slice any time! 🙂
I’m on a baking kick, and this is perfect because I always have a few bananas that don’t make it…
Cristina recently posted…Review: PUMA IgniteXT and Gear
YES! Save the bananas! haha
I do like banana bread, but I put chocolate chips in mine! What can I say?
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Marathon week 10: Run this Town
oooo that would be a great addition. Chocolate chips or walnuts!
Yum! This looks great, I made some pumpkin chocolate chip bread and it’s almost gone, so this could be next. I have been meaning to try the adding applesauce thing!
Becki S recently posted…Product Review: Journal Menu and Giveaway
YUM! that sounds delicious!
We love banana bread, and this one looks super moist! This looks like a great gluten free option. And we always have overripe bananas! This would be great for banana muffins too. I love the idea of freezing it in baggies!
Amy @ Will Run For Ice Cream recently posted…Jogging Strollers Freedom And Fresh Air
oo yes these would make great muffins, too! Great idea!
I was just thinking about banana bread this morning when I spotted my loaf pans in the cabinet. Love me some banana bread….with chocolate chips. Wendy and I need to get together!
Marcia recently posted…Taper Violations and a Miracle…Maybe
I love banana bread. Haven’t turned my oven on yet this season but I just had some over ripe bananas I mushed up and added to some Kodiak Cake mix for some yummy protein pancakes. Love bananas!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Milwaukee Half Training Week 4
oooo yum!! Can’t go wrong with banana pancakes!
OMG thank you so much for posting these recipes! So convenient with my busy schedule!I really appreciate what you do here. I would love your feedback on our blog and activewear line. I think it would resonate with you. Keep up the good work! <3
Thanks, Giovanna!
This looks delicious, and a great alternative to the everything-pumpkin craze right now.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon Training Log – Week 3
Thank you! I do love pumpkin, but bananas are an all-year-long staple 🙂
I am so ready for some banana bread. Love this recipe!
Emily @Sinful Nutrition recently posted…Cheddar & Herb Savory Overnight Oats
Woohoo! thank you, Emily!
Banana bread is definitely a favorite! This sounds delicious!
Jenn recently posted…week in review: 9.20 â 9.26
Thanks, Jenn!
I’m actually allergic to bananas but only raw. so i can totally eat banana bread! yum!
courtney @ eat pray run dc recently posted…Clarendon Day 10K Race Recap
Oh yey! I’m so glad you can have it!
This looks amazing. I think I want someone to make this and bring me a piece… because a whole loaf would not last in my house for a day. I am a sucker for an late afternoon snack like this with a cup of coffee… YUM!
Hollie recently posted…Fort 4 Fitness {Half Marathon Race Recap}
haha yea it was a struggle to not eat it all in one sitting!
Ooo this looks simple and delicious! I always shy away from gluten-free baking because mine turns out SO dry, but I bet the applesauce helps with that a lot. I’m definitely going to try this recipe the next time I have a hankering for banana bread 🙂
Ariana recently posted…Review of Vima Running App
oh really?! This is n’t dry at all! So moist and yummy!
I’ve been thinking about banana bread a lot lately. Time to bake. I love the way the house smells when it’s baking.
jill conyers recently posted…Nourishing Nut & Seed Bars
YES! Like heaven!
We love banana bread and zucchini bread. YUM!
MCM Mama Runs recently posted…TOTR: Running must haves
oooo yum!!
Looks delicious! I love banana bread, my favorite way to use overripe bananas!
toni recently posted…Running with Hemp Heart Bites #HHBites
Agreed!
We love banana bread!! Totally trying this.. and I might even add some chocolate chips for a little extra deliciousness 🙂
Liz @ The Clean Eating Couple Blog recently posted…Sweet Roasted Plantain Chip Recipe
great idea!
Breads like this are totally dangerous in my house – I will eat them all in one sitting! LOL!
GiGi Eats recently posted…A Pie That Will Make You Cream
#nojudgement #totallydothat
yum! I have never actually made banana bread but keep hearing about how the ripe bananas are perfect for baking. Will need to try it because whenever I buy a bunch of bananas, some of them end up getting over-ripe and aren’t eaten…oops 🙂
Patty @ Reach Your Peak recently posted…When I Feel Most Confident
oh no!! Either bake with them or freeze them for smoothies before they go bad!