This tasty vegan banana bread uses only 5 basic ingredients! It’s delicious, simple to make and creates a fluffy-yet-firm loaf that’s loaded with banana flavor. As a bonus, you’ll only need one bowl to make it in!
Feel free to add more ingredients to make a more well-rounded banana bread. This is delicious as-is, but I love to serve slices with some peanut butter spread across them!
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5 Ingredients for Easy Banana Bread
With just 5 basic ingredients you can easily create a delicious banana bread. There aren’t many substitutions possible, but you can add ingredients to take this loaf to the next level!
- Banana: Of course, you’ll need to start this recipe with lots of banana! Choose very ripe bananas for the best flavor and sweetness. If using frozen banana, thaw to room temperature before using (cold banana makes for cold batter which bakes slower).
- Brown sugar: For the perfect sweetness and flavor, brown sugar works great in this banana bread. I haven’t tested the recipe with other types of sugar, sugar alternatives or sweeteners.
- Vegetable oil: Some oil adds needed moisture to this loaf. Choose any neutral flavored vegetable oil you like; I don’t recommend coconut oil.
- All-purpose flour: Using all-purpose flour helps the loaf stay softer with few ingredients. Its gluten holds the loaf together without traditional binding ingredients. I haven’t tested this recipe with other types of flour.
- Baking powder: This essential ingredient helps the banana bread rise, creating a nicely fluffy loaf!
Additional Ingredients (Optional)
- Vanilla extract: I don’t usually like recipes with few ingredients because they often leave out flavor enhancers like vanilla extract. If you have vanilla extract on hand, I highly recommend adding 1-2 teaspoons to the batter.
- Salt: There’s a reason why almost every baking recipe calls for a pinch (or more) of salt. It helps enhance all the other flavors. If you have salt on hand, a pinch (up to ⅛ teaspoon) can work wonders in giving this loaf extra banana flavor!
- Add-ins: Chocolate chips, nuts, seeds or dried fruits can take a basic banana bread to the next level. Adding whatever you like (or have on hand) can make endless, fun variations on a basic recipe.
How to Make 5 Ingredient Vegan Banana Bread
With just 3 easy steps and one bowl, you’ll enjoy this tasty banana bread in no time!
Step 1: Prepare Wet Ingredients
Start by mashing banana in a large mixing bowl using a fork or potato masher.
If you have a scale, weigh the right amount of banana before mashing. Otherwise, mash the banana BEFORE measuring the correct amount.
Add brown sugar and vegetable oil to the bowl. Whisk until the ingredients are evenly mixed and no clumps of brown sugar remain.
Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients
When you’ve mixed the wet ingredients, add flour and baking powder.
Stir the batter with a large mixing spoon until everything is just combined. This means stop stirring when there are no dry clumps of flour left (the batter may look clumpy though).
Step 3: Bake and Serve
Preheat your oven to 350 °F and grease a loaf pan using vegan butter (or margarine) or a non-stick cooking spray.
Pour the banana bread batter into your loaf pan. If possible, use a spatula to spread it out into an even layer.
Place your loaf pan onto the oven’s middle rack and bake for 45 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean). The top should be a nice golden-brown color when done.
Once out of the oven, let the loaf sit for a minute or two before carefully removing from its pan. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and cool to room temperature, then slice and serve!
Banana Bread Variations
This is the most basic way to prepare a vegan banana bread. While it’s a tasty loaf, there are additional ingredients and add-ins that can make this simple recipe next-level.
As noted above, adding vanilla extract and/or salt can enhance the flavor of this banana bread. You can also toss in up to ½ cup of add-ins like chocolate chips or walnuts.
If you’re looking for a classic banana bread, check out my recipe for chocolate chip banana bread! You can leave out the chocolate chips for a super classic loaf that tastes just like what I grew up eating.
The classic banana bread recipe has a soft and delicate texture, whereas this 5-ingredient loaf is fluffy but with a firm texture that doesn’t crumble. I think there are advantages to both options, but if you’re looking for a loaf to pack for work, school or other travel, this 5-ingredient loaf is my top choice!
You can also get creative with how you serve banana bread. Warming it for a few seconds in the microwave, then melting on some peanut butter (or regular vegan butter/ margarine) is my favorite option!
How to Refrigerate and Freeze this Banana Bread
Once you’ve cooled the banana bread to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container. Store on a countertop for 2 days (maybe up to 3 days in cooler weather) or refrigerate for up to a week.
You can also freeze this recipe in any freezer-safe container or bag for a few months. When you’re ready to eat a slice, thaw the loaf in your fridge overnight or defrost in a microwave.
If you make this recipe, please rate and comment below to help others benefit from your experience!
5 Ingredient Vegan Banana Bread
Equipment
- Potato masher (or fork)
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Non-stick cooking spray , to grease pan (or vegan butter/ margarine)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups banana , mashed then measured (385 g)
- ½ cup brown sugar , packed (110 g)
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil (70 g/ 80 mL)
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (260 g)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
Flavor Boosters (Optional)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (10 mL)
- 1 pinch salt
- cinnamon , to taste (1-2 teaspoons)
- ½ cup flavor boosters (chocolate chips, crushed walnuts, etc.)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Wet Ingredients
- Mash banana in a large mixing bowl with a fork or potato masher. Weigh the whole banana then mash, OR mash then measure it.1 ½ cups banana
- Add brown sugar and vegetable oil to the banana and whisk to combine, making sure there are no clumps of brown sugar.½ cup brown sugar, ⅓ cup vegetable oil
Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients
- Add flour and baking powder to the wet ingredients.1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder
- If using optional flavor-boosting ingredients, add those now.2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 pinch salt, cinnamon, ½ cup flavor boosters
- Stir everything together until it’s just combined (stop when there are no clumps of flour left).
Step 3: Bake and Serve
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F.
- Grease a loaf pan with vegan butter/ margarine or non-stick cooking spray.
- Pour the batter into your greased loaf pan and spread it into a flat layer (this is a thick batter).
- Bake on the center rack for 45 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted into the loaf comes out clean). The top should be golden brown when baked.
- Let the loaf sit for 1-2 minutes before carefully removing from its pan. Place onto a wire cooling rack and cool entirely before storing in an airtight container.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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About Nicole Stevens
Nicole is a vegan Registered Dietitian (RD) and founder of Lettuce Veg Out.
She helps people thrive on a vegan diet with balanced recipes and easy-to-understand nutrition science.
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