Buckwheat Banana Bread
This tasty buckwheat banana bread is simple to make with just 10 basic ingredients. It’s naturally vegan and gluten-free, perfect for a healthy snack or breakfast on the go!
Why I Love This Recipe
I had a reader request a recipe using buckwheat flour, so I started playing around with it, and I loved how it has a naturally nutty flavor that lends itself well to tasty banana bread. Buckwheat flour is easy to bake with, and it’s a great way to add some extra nutrients to a recipe like this one. The flavor is somewhat similar to a bread made with whole wheat flour. It has a slightly nutty taste and a hearty texutre. This might become your new favorite banana bread!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Banana– Ripe bananas provide moisture, natural sweetness, and flavor to the banana bread. Be sure the bananas are very ripe or even overripe. They should be very spotted, almost entirely brown.
- Oil– You can use vegetable oil or melted coconut oil in this recipe. The oil helps to make the bread moist and tender.
- Sugar– Brown sugar adds sweetness to the banana bread. It also contributes to the bread’s moistness and texture. You can use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar. You could substitute with coconut sugar if you wanted to use a less refined sweetener.
- Milk– Almond milk adds liquid to the batter, helping to achieve the desired consistency. It also contributes to the bread’s moisture. You could substitute for oat milk or any other milk you prefer.
- Vanilla– Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the banana bread, giving it a richer and more complex taste.
- Buckwheat flour– Buckwheat flour is the main flour used in this recipe. It provides structure to the banana bread and adds a unique nutty flavor.
- Baking powder– Baking powder is necessary for the banana bread to rise properly.
- Salt– A dash of salt enhances the flavor of the banana bread and helps to balance the sweetness of the other ingredients.
- Mix-ins– Walnuts or dark chocolate chips add texture and additional flavor to the banana bread. If using chocolate, be sure to use vegan chocolate if you want to keep this recipe dairy-free.
What is Buckwheat Flour?
Buckwheat flour is a type of flour made from ground buckwheat groats. Despite its name, buckwheat is not related to wheat, and buckwheat is gluten-free. This nutritious flour has a slightly nutty taste and a grayish color. You can use it in everything from pancakes, noodles, crepes, and baked goods such as bread and muffins. If you’ve ever had traditional soba noodles, you’ve had buckwheat flour! You can find buckwheat flour in the natural food section of most large grocery stores, but you can also buy it online from Amazon!
Benefits of Buckwheat Flour
Buckwheat is naturally gluten-free and rich in fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. It’s also a good source of magnesium, and iron. Additionally, buckwheat contains antioxidants such as rutin, which may reduce inflammation and lower the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. It’s a good source of plant-based protein and because it is low-glycemic, it helps to regulate blood sugar levels.
How to Make Buckwheat Banana Bread
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is buckwheat keto? Buckwheat is not considered a keto-friendly food as it contains a relatively high amount of carbohydrates. While it is a nutritious whole grain with several health benefits, including being a good source of protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals, it’s not suitable for a ketogenic diet due to its carbohydrate content.
- What are buckwheat groats? Buckwheat groats are the hulled seeds of the buckwheat plant. They are the whole, raw form of buckwheat before it’s processed into flour.
How to Store Leftovers
To store leftover banana bread, allow it to cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss. Place the wrapped bread in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag and store it in a cool, dry place at room temperature or in the refrigerator for extended shelf life. For longer storage, slice and freeze the wrapped bread in a freezer-safe container or bag. When ready to enjoy, thaw frozen bread in the microwave for 15-30 seconds.
Other Quick Bread Recipes
If you love this recipe, try my other quick bread recipes! This vegan banana bread is also easy to make and perfect if you’re looking for a more traditional recipe. This apple cinnamon bread is a family favorite and it’s sweet enough to enjoy for dessert! If you’re looking for a way to use up some zucchini, my healthy zucchini bread is a great one!
Print
Vegan Buckwheat Banana Bread
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 10 slices 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This tasty buckwheat banana bread is simple to make with just 10 basic ingredients. It’s naturally vegan and gluten-free, perfect for a healthy snack or breakfast on the go!
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups (325g) mashed banana (from three very ripe bananas)
- 1/3 cup melted coconut oil or vegetable oil
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups buckwheat flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (vegan)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and line a 5” x 9” loaf pan with parchment paper or spray with non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, combine mashed banana, oil, and brown sugar. Whisk until smooth. Some lumps of banana may remain.
- Add the almond milk and vanilla, then whisk to combine.
- Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir until smooth and no lumps remain.
- Allow to sit for 5 minutes for the flour to absorb the liquid, otherwise the loaf will be very gritty.
- Fold in the chopped walnuts and chocolate chips.
- Scrape into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 55-65 minutes until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
- Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before moving to a cooling rack.
