5-Ingredient Vegan Banana Bread Recipe You’ll Love

This Easy 5 Ingredient Vegan Banana Bread is a simple, tasty option for breakfast or a sweet snack. It truly uses just five common ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.

finished banana bread overhead

If you enjoy quick breads, you might also like my Blackberry Lemon Bread or Homemade Pancakes From Scratch.

For something richer, try the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread or Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.

If you need gluten-free and dairy-free options, check out the Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Bars.

Table of Contents

  • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • How To Make 5 Ingredient Vegan Banana Bread
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Bread Recipes
  • Easy 5 Ingredient Vegan Banana Bread Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Just five ingredients
  • Egg- and dairy-free (vegan)
  • Very moist texture
  • Uses 2 cups of mashed overripe bananas for great banana flavor
  • Optional add-ins let you customize flavor and texture

Ingredients & Substitutions

overhead shot of ingredients
  • Brown sugar: The recipe is tested with brown sugar. Coconut sugar or white sugar may work, but results could vary.
  • Coconut oil: Vegetable oil or a mild-flavored olive oil can be used instead. Olive oil will impart a subtle flavor.

Complete ingredient amounts are listed on the recipe card below.

How To Make 5 Ingredient Vegan Banana Bread

Quick Overview

  • Combine wet ingredients.
  • Add dry ingredients and fold gently.
  • Transfer to a loaf pan, add topping, and bake.
  • Cool, slice, and serve.

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with a strip of parchment and lightly grease the pan.

Step 2: In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or with a handheld mixer and a medium bowl), beat the mashed overripe bananas and coconut oil on medium-high until combined.

steps 1 & 2

Step 3: Add the brown sugar and continue beating until incorporated.

Step 4: Add the all-purpose flour and baking soda in that order.

steps 3 & 4

TIP – Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula to ensure everything is well combined.

Step 5: Lightly mix the flour and baking soda together with a fork on top of the wet ingredients.

Step 6: Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture with a spatula until just combined. A few small pockets of flour are fine.

steps 5 & 6

TIP – Do not overmix. Overworking the batter makes the loaf dense and tough.

Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it into an even layer.

Step 8: Sprinkle the remaining brown sugar over the top of the batter and gently press it in with your hands.

steps 7 & 8

Step 9: Bake 50–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, loosely tent with foil for the remaining bake time. Cool on a wire rack for 1–2 hours before slicing.

Step 10: Lift the loaf from the pan using the parchment paper, slice, and enjoy.

steps 9 & 10

TIP – If the loaf is browning too much, loosely cover with foil until fully baked.

Expert Tips

  • Use overripe bananas. Brown, spotty bananas are sweeter and give the best texture and flavor.
  • Line with parchment. This makes removing the loaf effortless.
  • Measure accurately. For consistent results, use a kitchen scale when possible.
  • Spoon and level flour. Scoop flour into the measuring cup with a spoon, then level with a knife to avoid packed flour.
  • Fold gently. Overmixing the batter will produce a dense loaf.
  • Watch the top. Tent with foil if it browns too quickly.
straight on shot of finished bread

Recipe FAQs

How do you store banana bread?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1–2 days or refrigerate for up to a week. Reheat slices in the microwave for about 30 seconds for best texture.

Why does the loaf crack on top?

A crack is natural: the center bakes last and expands, causing the top to split. It doesn’t affect taste or quality.

Why did my bread not rise?

This quick bread relies on baking soda. Make sure your baking soda is fresh and measure accurately.

What can you add to banana bread?

Try cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit. Don’t add too much or the loaf may become heavy.

What makes bread moist and fluffy?

Fat (oil) keeps the loaf moist, while baking soda helps with lightness by creating air pockets.

More Bread Recipes

img 9067 9

Breakfast

Blueberry Coffee Cake with Greek Yogurt & Streusel

img 9067 10

Bread

Savory Pumpkin Muffins with Parmesan & Herbs

img 9067 11

Bread

Easy Cheddar Drop Biscuits

img 9067 12

Bread

Savory Zucchini Muffins with Cheddar Cheese

img 9067 13

Easy 5 Ingredient Vegan Banana Bread

This Easy 5 Ingredient Vegan Banana Bread is a perfect sweet snack or breakfast, made with just five ingredients commonly found in the kitchen.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (472g) mashed overripe bananas (4–5 large)
  • 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil
  • 2 cups (260g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

Topping

  • 1/3 cup (67g) brown sugar
  • optional add-ins: 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 3/4 cup chocolate chips or nuts

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350° F (175° C).
  • Line a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with parchment and lightly grease.
  • Beat mashed banana and oil until combined.
  • Add brown sugar and beat until incorporated.
  • Add flour and baking soda in that order.
  • Lightly mix the dry ingredients together on top of the wet ingredients.
  • Fold the flour and baking soda into the wet ingredients until just combined.
  • Pour batter into the loaf pan and spread evenly.
  • Sprinkle remaining brown sugar on top and press lightly.
  • Bake 50–55 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 1–2 hours before slicing.
  • Remove loaf with parchment, slice, and serve.
Did you make this recipe?Leave a comment below!

Notes

Brown sugar: I have only tested this with brown sugar; alternative sweeteners may change the texture.

Coconut oil: Vegetable oil or mild olive oil can substitute; olive oil adds more flavor.

Use overripe bananas. They provide sweetness and moisture.

Use parchment paper. It makes lifting the loaf from the pan easy.

Measure accurately. A kitchen scale yields the most consistent results.

Spoon and level flour. Prevents packed flour and dry, dense bread.

Do not overmix. Overmixing makes the loaf tough.

If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving
| Calories: 279 kcal
| Carbohydrates: 43 g
| Protein: 3 g
| Fat: 11 g

Nutrition information is an approximation.