Fluffy, moist, super tender, and wildly delicious! This Maple Pecan Banana Nut Bread is the best banana nut bread you will ever try - and, it's vegan and gluten-free friendly! It's secretly healthy, ridiculously easy, and so delicious that no one will believe it's plant-based! No eggs or dairy necessary.
Why This Recipe is the Best
This banana nut bread stands out for its simplicity, versatility, and decadence. It's quick and simple to make and tastes like the perfect classic banana bread recipe! The overripe bananas ensure a wholesome sweet and moist loaf, while maple syrup and a touch of cinnamon add depth of flavor. The chopped pecans provide the perfect texture for this delicious maple pecan banana bread. Whether you enjoy it plain or with the optional cinnamon cream cheese frosting, this banana bread is easy to make and customizable for vegan or gluten-free preferences.
Moist Maple Pecan Banana Bread Ingredients
- Overripe Bananas: Overripe bananas (brown and spotty bananas) are essential for any good banana bread. The more brown and spotty the bananas are, the more natural sweetness and moister they will add to the bread.
- Milk: Use any plant-based milk to keep this recipe vegan. Almond or oat milk are popular. If you are not vegan or dairy-free, you can use regular milk.
- Butter: Use any melted butter to keep this banana nut bread recipe vegan. If you are not vegan or dairy-free, you can use regular butter.
- Sugar and Maple Syrup: We use both maple syrup and sugar to naturally sweeten this banana nut bread.
- Vanilla and Cinnamon: Two classic banana nut bread flavors.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Baking powder and baking soda help the banana nut bread rise and get super fluffy.
- Flour: We use regular all purpose flour in this banana nut bread recipe. To make gluten-free banana nut bread, you may use gluten-free all purpose flour or you may use 2 cups of oat flour in place of the 1 ½ cups of regular flour.
- Nuts: Use crushed walnuts or pecans.
How To Make Homemade Banana Nut Bread
Step 1: Preheat the oven and then spray a metal loaf pan with non-stick spray.
Step 2: Use a fork to mash the bananas in the mixing bowl, then add the milk, butter, sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, baking powder and baking soda. Mix, then mix in the flour. Once a batter forms, fold in the nuts and transfer the batter into the greased loaf pan.
Step 3: Bake until golden. Serve warm, spread with vegan butter and or drizzled with maple syrup.
Banana Bread Expert Baking Tips
- Don't over-mix the batter. This can make the banana bread become tough.
- Don't over-bake the banana nut bread. This can make the banana nut bread dry.
- Use a metal loaf pan as opposed to a ceramic or glass loaf pan. Metal conducts heat more evenly than glass or ceramic so the result will be a more evenly cooked banana bread.
- Test the center for doneness with a toothpick. Insert a toothpick into the center of the banana nut bread. If it comes out clean, you will know it's done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Simply microwave the frozen bananas until they are completely defrosted (about 1 minute) and then use your fork to mash them.
Using enough banana, butter, and maple syrup will ensure that this banana bread does not get dry.
Walnuts or pecans are my favorite nuts to use in banana nut bread because they are tender and buttery in texture.
I do not recommend storing banana nut bread in the fridge. Refrigeration tends to dry out homemade baked goods. Store this banana nut bread at room temperature wrapped in plastic or covered tightly with aluminum foil.
Other Bread Recipes
- Gluten Free Banana Bread
- Best Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread
- Quick Vegan Apple Bread Recipe
- One Bowl Vegan Chocolate Pumpkin Bread
- Vegan Chocolate Banana Bread
Maple Pecan Banana Bread
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- fork
- 9x5 metal loaf pan
- non-stick spray
Ingredients
Maple Pecan Banana Nut Bread Ingredients
- 3 overripe mashed bananas
- 1 cup milk regular or non-dairy
- ½ cup melted butter regular or non-dairy
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup cane sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 cups regular or gluten-free all purpose flour
- 1 cup crushed walnuts or pecans
Cinnamon Banana Bread Frosting (optional)
- 2 tablespoon soft butter regular or vegan
- 2 oz cream cheese regular or vegan
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
Instructions for Maple Pecan Banana Bread
- Preheat the oven to 375. Spray a metal loaf pan with nonstick baking spray.
- In the mixing bowl, use a fork to mash the overripe bananas. Add the milk, butter, sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon and mix. Then, add the flour and mix until a batter is formed. Fold in the crushed walnuts or pecans.
- Transfer the batter into the metal loaf pan. Sprinkle the top of the banana bread with more nuts and oats for decoration. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the banana bread is golden brown and completely done in the center.
- Enjoy warm spread with butter and drizzled with maple syrup or make our easy homemade cinnamon cream cheese frosting to glaze on top of this banana nut bread (instructions below).
- To make the cinnamon cream cheese frosting, use a whisk or electric hand mixer to mix the soft butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and cinnamon together. Spread this over your loaf once it has cooled and enjoy.
Mathilde says
This banana nut bread is sooo delicious.
Jillian says
So happy you enjoyed!!
Sierra says
I’ve made this multiple times and my husband and I loooove it!
Is there a way to make it into muffins?
Jillian says
Yum! So happy you and your husband have been enjoying this recipe! Yes, I'd just bake the batter in lined muffin molds instead of in a loaf pan on a slightly lower temp (350). They will probably only need to bake for about 30 minutes. enjoy!
Teresa McCullough says
Can coconut flour be used in place of the all purpose?
Jillian Glenn says
Coconut flour isn't a one-to-one substitute for all purpose flour unfortunately. If you want to make this gluten-free I recommend using gluten-free all purpose flour. You might also try my Cinnamon Donut Banana Bread recipe that incorporates coconut flour.
Jessica Medina says
In the ingredients you never mention when to add the cane sugar. I almost forgot to add it but I just threw it in at the end when I panicked… I read the recipe several times and you don’t mention the cane sugar being added at any time. When do you add the cane sugar?
Jillian Glenn says
Thank you for catching that! I've added the sugar to the instructions.
Jackie murphy says
Can u omit the cane sugar?
Jillian Glenn says
Sure but personally I would recommend adding something else in its place to sweeten your bread.
Anirah Wright says
Delicious and easy! My favorite!
Tracye says
Looks delicious! Think it would work with almond flour?
Jillian Glenn says
Hello! Almond flour is not a 1-1 substitute for all purpose flour. You might try my Healthy Banana Bread Recipe instead!
Donna says
No eggs?
Kristen Leon says
Do you use softened butter?
Jillian Glenn says
Melted!