The Best Gluten-Free Banana Bread: Moist, Tender & One-Bowl Easy

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By Check Gluten Team ★★★★★ Published May 7, 2026 · Last reviewed Apr 2026
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This is the gluten-free banana bread recipe you have been looking for. Incredibly moist, perfectly sweet, and made in one bowl with simple pantry ingredients. No one will believe it is gluten-free.

The Best Gluten-Free Banana Bread: Moist, Tender & One-Bowl Easy

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Why This Recipe Works


  • Impossibly moist — Extra ripe bananas + melted butter create a tender, moist crumb that stays soft for days
  • One bowl — No stand mixer needed. Mash, stir, pour, bake. That's it.
  • Foolproof — This recipe is incredibly forgiving. As long as your bananas are ripe, it works every single time.
  • Tastes better than wheat-based — The natural sweetness of ripe bananas combined with brown sugar notes creates a depth of flavor that wheat banana bread can't match.

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    Ingredients Explained


  • Very ripe bananas — The riper, the better. You want bananas that are heavily spotted brown, almost black. Unripe bananas won't give enough sweetness or moisture. Pro tip: freeze overripe bananas and thaw them — they become even sweeter and juicier.
  • Melted butter — Using melted (not softened) butter creates a denser, moister bread. You can substitute coconut oil for dairy-free.
  • GF 1-to-1 flourBob's Red Mill 1-to-1 or King Arthur Measure for Measure both work perfectly. Weigh your flour (210g) for the best results.
  • Baking soda — Not baking powder. Baking soda reacts with the acid in bananas for a proper rise without making the bread heavy.

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    How to Make GF Banana Bread (Step by Step)


    Step 1: Mash the Bananas

    Use a fork to mash 3 very ripe bananas in a large bowl. Leave some small lumps — they create pockets of banana flavor throughout the bread.


    Step 2: Mix in the Wet Ingredients

    Stir in the melted butter, sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla. It should look like a thick, smooth batter.


    Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients

    Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the wet mixture and stir. Then add the flour and xanthan gum. Fold gently until just combined. Overmixing GF batter makes the bread tough and gummy.


    Step 4: Pour and Bake

    Transfer to a greased USA Pan loaf pan and bake at 350°F for 55-65 minutes. The top will crack (that's perfect) and a toothpick should come out clean.


    Step 5: Cool Completely

    This is critical. GF banana bread is very fragile when hot. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then unmold onto a cooling rack. Wait until fully cool before slicing.


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    Expert Tips


    Use a Kitchen Scale

    GF banana bread is especially sensitive to flour amounts. Too much flour = dry and dense. Too little = gummy center. A digital kitchen scale eliminates guesswork.


    Test with a Toothpick

    GF banana bread can look done on the outside while the center is still raw. Always test with a toothpick at the 55-minute mark.


    Don't Open the Oven Early

    Opening the oven door before 45 minutes can cause the bread to sink in the center. Be patient.


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    🔄 Ingredient Swaps


  • Dairy-free — : Use coconut oil instead of butter (1:1 replacement)
  • Egg-free — : Use 1 flax egg or 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • Sugar-free — : Reduce sugar to 1/2 cup or substitute with coconut sugar — the ripe bananas provide plenty of natural sweetness
  • Add-in ideas — : Chocolate chips, walnuts, blueberries, cinnamon swirl, or a peanut butter drizzle

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    How to Store


  • Room temperature — : Wrapped tightly, 3-4 days
  • Refrigerator — : Up to 7 days (toast individual slices to reheat)
  • Freezer — : Slice first, then freeze in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Toast from frozen.

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    FAQs


    Why is my banana bread gummy in the middle?

    Either underbaked or overmixed. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, and fold the flour gently.


    Can I use green bananas?

    No. Unripe bananas lack the sugar and moisture needed. Wait until they're very spotted and soft.


    Can I make this in a muffin tin?

    Yes! Fill muffin cups 2/3 full and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes instead.


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    The Best Gluten-Free Banana Bread: Moist, Tender & One-Bowl Easy

    The Best Gluten-Free Banana Bread: Moist, Tender & One-Bowl Easy

    5 from 12 reviews

    This is the gluten-free banana bread recipe you have been looking for. Incredibly moist, perfectly sweet, and made in one bowl with simple pantry ingredients. No one will believe it is gluten-free.

    Pin Recipe
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time55 mins
    Total Time65 mins
    Yield1 loaf (10 slices)

    Ingredients

    • 3 very ripe bananas (about 1 cup mashed)
    • 1/3 cup (75g) melted butter or coconut oil
    • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
    • 1 large egg, beaten
    • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • 1 tsp baking soda
    • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
    • 1 1/2 cups (210g) gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour
    • 1/2 tsp xanthan gum (omit if flour contains it)
    • Optional: 1/2 cup chocolate chips or 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

    Instructions

    1

    Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5 loaf pan with butter or cooking spray.

    2

    In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth (a few lumps are fine).

    3

    Mix in the melted butter, sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla until well combined.

    4

    Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and stir in.

    5

    Add the GF flour and xanthan gum. Fold gently until just combined — do not overmix.

    6

    Fold in chocolate chips or walnuts if using.

    7

    Pour into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.

    8

    Bake for 55-65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

    9

    Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a cooling rack.

    10

    Let cool completely before slicing — GF banana bread is fragile when hot.

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 195 per slice | Carbs: 31g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g

    Nutrition information is an estimate provided by an online calculator.

    banana breadbakingrecipequick breadbreakfast

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    About the Author

    RL

    Rachel Lopez

    Recipe Developer & Certified Pastry Chef

    Rachel is a classically trained pastry chef who transitioned to gluten-free baking after her daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease. She develops and tests every recipe on Check Gluten, ensuring they work perfectly with GF ingredients.

    Meet our full team →

    Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or a registered dietitian before making dietary changes related to celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Read full disclaimer.

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