Best banana bread ever, vegan or not!

This isn’t just the best vegan banana bread. It’s the best banana bread recipe, period.

It’s been on this site since 2003 and in that time approximately everyone has made it, messed with it, reported back, and made it again. The comments are a whole archive of banana bread experimentation and the verdict is pretty consistent: this recipe is basically unfazeable. People have swapped the fat, changed the milk, added chocolate chips, walnuts, blueberries. It holds up every time.

The secret is three very ripe bananas and not overthinking it. The brown sugar and white sugar together give you a caramel depth that one sugar alone doesn’t. The cinnamon and allspice are quiet but present. And that banana laid across the top raw? It caramelizes in the oven into something almost jammy, and looks like you did something really special. But truthfully you could skip the theatrics, leave it off and be plenty happy.

BEST BANANA BREAD EVER FAQ

Why two kinds of sugar? The brown sugar adds a caramel depth that white sugar alone doesn’t give you. Together they’re better than either one on its own.

Can i reduce the sugar? I did reduce the sugar from the original recipes (that people complained had too much sugar) HOWEVER, yes, you can reduce it further. Some people reduced it by half and lived to tell. So if you want a less cake-like banana bread, by all mean, reduce the sugar.

Can I use oil instead of vegan butter? Yup. Use ¼ cup olive oil plus ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce and you won’t miss the butter at all. The applesauce keeps it moist.

My bananas aren’t very ripe. Can I still make this? Not really, no. The riper the banana the sweeter and more flavorful the bread.

Can I add mix-ins to the best banana bread recipe? Hells yeah. Chocolate chips, walnuts, blueberries, coconut — people have thrown everything at this recipe and it holds up. Fold in about ¾ cup of whatever you like.

Do I have to put the banana on top? Nope. But it caramelizes in the oven into something almost jammy and looks stunning, so why wouldn’t you.

Can I make muffins instead? For sure. Fill a lined muffin tin about ¾ full and bake at 350°F for 22 to 25 minutes.

How do I store it? Wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze individual slices for up to 3 months. If the banana is baked into the top, you’ll have to refrigerate it.

How did I end up here? You were probably searching for “best banana bread recipe,” “vegan banana bread,” or “easy banana bread.” This recipe has been on theppk.com since 2005 and it has never let anyone down. No eggs, no dairy, just a really good loaf. So here we are, hi!

The best banana bread ever, vegan or not

Best Banana Bread Ever

Isa Chandra
The best banana bread ever, period! It's been on the site for over two decades. Everyone loves it, give it a try.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 1 loaf

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • ½ cup vegan butter at room temperature (see FAQ for oil option)
  • 3 very ripe bananas mashed well
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ cup vanilla soy milk mixed with 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 a large banana split lengthwise, for the top (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray an 8×4 loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray or lightly coat with vegan butter.
  • Sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and allspice.
  • In a large bowl, cream together the vegan butter and sugars. Add the mashed bananas, soy milk mixture, and vanilla and mix well.
  • Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until just combined — don’t overmix.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan. If using, lay the halved banana cut-side up across the top. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning out.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!