Easy Vegan Banana Bread (With Applesauce)

This vegan banana bread recipe comes from the Plant-Based on a Budget cookbook.

Dairy-free, egg-free, easy vegan banana bread with applesauce is tender, fluffy, and not too sweet—perfect for customizing (with your favorite mix-ins/toppings) as a crowd-pleasing, diet-friendly addition to breakfast, brunch, lunchboxes, or dessert!

Light, Fluffy Vegan Banana Bread with Applesauce

Whether you’re a complete novice at baking, love to whip up something delicious for special occasions, or spend most of your time in the kitchen, banana bread is one of those special bakes loved by all (admittedly not banana-hating fans, though).

It’s wholesome, comforting, and delicious, and now we’re sharing an easy vegan banana bread recipe (with thanks to our friend Aaron’s grandma!) that’s tender, fluffy, and a kid-friendly, crowd-pleasing favorite!

With just 8 inexpensive pantry-friendly ingredients and a few minutes of prep, this simple vegan banana bread is not only super simple to prepare but uses applesauce in place of egg, for extra moisture without any added fat. It’s also really easy to customize to your dietary and flavor preferences, making it super easy to further lighten up.

For example, you can use regular or whole wheat flour, swap out the sugar for an unrefined sugar or sweetener, reduce the amount of sugar, and experiment with different mix-ins and toppings that can add texture and flavor, as well as nutrients (like nuts!) – All in pursuit of your perfect loaf! Did we mention you can turn it into muffins or mini loaves, too?!

Got extra bananas to use up? You might also enjoy these banana pancakes, vegan banana blueberry muffins, or banana zucchini cookies!

The Ingredients

• Banana: Use soft, overripe bananas (look out for ones with plenty of brown spots on the peel) for the best flavor and sweetness.
• Vegan butter: Use your favorite brand—Miyoko’s, Earth Balance, etc.
• Flour: Use all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, or a 50/50 combination of both.  
• Sugar: We use regular granulated white sugar, but unrefined options, like coconut sugar or date sugar, will also work. If preferred, you can slightly reduce the amount of sugar or substitute it with a sweetener (like erythritol).
• Leavening agents: You’ll need baking powder and baking soda to provide this egg-free banana bread with fluffy lift and texture.  
• Applesauce: Unsweetened applesauce is an accessible substitute for eggs and fats, adding moisture and a little natural sweetness.
• Salt: To enhance the flavors of this plant-based banana bread.   

How To Ripen Banana Quickly?

If you have a day or two, you can place them in a paper bag with ethylene-producing fruits (like apples). If you need them immediately, bake them in the oven at 300F/148C for 15-20 minutes or until the peel has completely blackened, and the inside is soft.

What Else Could I Add To A Vegan Banana Loaf?

This vegan banana bread recipe is the perfect blank canvas for tons of textural and flavor-based mix-ins (and toppings). Some of our favorites include:

Mix-Ins

• Vanilla: 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or paste will add subtle depth and dessert-like flavor to the plant-based banana bread.
• Cinnamon: About 1 teaspoon of this warming spice (nutmeg, too) pairs wonderfully with banana.
• Berries: Use about 1 cup fresh or frozen (no need to thaw) blueberries, raspberries, finely chopped strawberries, etc.
• Dried fruit: Like raisins, cranberries, or apricots, etc.
• Orange: Add the zest of one orange for a subtle citrusy flavor.
• Vegan chocolate: Who wouldn’t love vegan chocolate chip banana bread? Use chips or chunks and start with ¼ cup, increasing to preference.
• Chopped nuts: Add ¼-⅓ cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios, etc. Sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds also work.
• Shredded coconut: Add a few tablespoons of unsweetened shredded coconut for subtle flavor and extra texture. This pairs well with fruits and vegan chocolate, too.

No matter which mix-ins you choose, fold them into the batter just before transferring it to the loaf tin. Keep some aside to sprinkle over the top.

Toppings

• Coarse sugar (for extra crunch)
• Streusel topping (sweet and decadent)
• Vegan cream cheese frosting
• Peanut butter (swirled into the batter before baking)
• Strawberry or raspberry jam (ditto above)

How to Make Vegan Banana Bread?

• 1) First, preheat the oven to 350F/175C and lightly grease a loaf pan.
• 2) Then, in a mixing bowl, cream the vegan butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Also, mash the bananas in a separate small bowl.

• 3) Next, mix in the leavening agents, salt, and apple sauce.

• 4) Add the flour and bananas alternating between the two, ½ cup of flour and ¼ cup of banana at a time (starting with the flour), mixing between each addition.

We’ve found this method makes it easier to avoid over-mixing the gluten in the flour. It just needs a little mix between each addition—a few lumps are fine.

Alternatively, make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, add the wet ones, and use a spatula to fold them in until ‘just’ mixed.

• 5) Transfer the batter to the loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (or with a few crumbs).

Then, allow the vegan banana bread to sit in the pan for at least 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire cooling rack to cool further. Enjoy!

FAQs

Top Recipe Tips and Notes

• Measure the flour correctly: Spoon it into the measuring cup and level it with a knife rather than scooping it directly from the flour bag. Too much flour leads to denser bakes.
• Don’t over-mix the batter: You could overwork the gluten in the flour and bake a dense, dry, vegan banana bread. Lumps in the batter are fine.
• Use fresh leavening agents: Otherwise, the egg-free banana bread won’t rise properly. Make sure they’re within date.
• Experiment with add–ins: With so many options, have fun experimenting to find your favorite flavor combinations.
• To make mini loaves: Divide the mixture into the pans and reduce the baking time accordingly until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The baking time will vary depending on the pan size used.
• The batter consistency: If the batter seems far too thick, add some plant-based milk, one spoonful at a time, to the correct consistency.

Storage Instructions

Once baked, store the vegan applesauce banana bread loosely covered on the countertop for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.

You can also freeze it for up to 3 months, either whole or sliced with parchment paper between the slices. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in a Ziplock/Stasher bag to avoid freezer burn.

Then, either leave it to thaw at room temperature or thaw/heat a slice directly from frozen in a toaster or microwave.

How to Serve?

Enjoy a slice of this easy vegan banana bread warm or at room temperature, alone or with:

• A generous spread of vegan butter
• Peanut butter or your favorite seed/nut butter
• With a fruit jam, jelly, or preserve
• Warm with a scoop of vegan ice cream (or nice cream)
• Vegan chocolate spread
• A dollop of vegan yogurt (and an optional sprinkle of nuts)

It’s also perfect for serving as part of a larger brunch spread alongside muffins, pancakes, granola, fruit, cereal, etc.