Easy Buckwheat Banana Bread (Vegan & Gluten Free)

This easy buckwheat banana bread is soft, tender and sweet – made with just 10 ingredients, one bowl and 5 minutes of prep. If you’ve struggled with gluten-free bakes, this one might just change your mind!

We make banana bread almost weekly in our house.

It’s become such a ritual that whenever I say, “shall we do some baking?”, my 3 year old daughter immediately asks, “can I mash the bananas?!”, as if all cakes contain banana!

Banana bread is one of those magical bakes – one bowl, 5 minutes of prep, and it stays moist for days (if it lasts that long).

I wanted to create a wholesome version – a vegan buckwheat banana bread without oil that’s soft and satisfying, not dense or dry.

The secret is a couple of simple tweaks that keep the crumb tender (check out our ingredients section for more info on that!), and it’s even better on day two – soft, sticky and delicious.

Happy cooking, Tara x

Looking for recipes like this delivered to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter here.

Quick links:

• Jump to Recipe
• Ingredients
• Step-by-Step Instructions (with Photos)
• Success Tips
• Serving Suggestions & Storage
• FAQs

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

• Quick and simple. 1 bowl, 5 minutes of prep, simple ingredients and no fuss (especially if you use a loaf tin liner – they’re a game changer!)
• Soft and tender (never dry). We’ve solved the common buckwheat issue of a dense and dry bake by using these two secret ingredients!
• Naturally sweetened. We use a blend of banana and maple syrup to create a sweet bake, with no refined sugar.
• Gluten free and oil free. Vegan banana bread often contains oil, but we’ve found a way around that by using a liquid sweetener to add moisture.

This recipe is great for kids (and making with kids), as well as for those looking for a slightly-healthier gluten free treat!

HOW TO MAKE BUCKWHEAT BANANA BREAD

Here’s a summary of the ingredients needed and steps involved in making this healthy buckwheat banana bread recipe.

Make sure to head to the recipe card below for the full recipe, ingredient quantities and detailed instructions.

INGREDIENTS FOR: BUCKWHEAT BANANA BREAD

• Ripe bananas: The riper the better, for optimal sweetness. Pick overripe bananas with a yellow skin speckled with brown spots (as pictured).
• Maple syrup (secret ingredient no.1!):  It adds unrefined sweetness and moisture, helping to create a soft texture without coconut oil or olive oil. I particularly like this A-Grade Biona Maple Syrup – it comes in a 1 litre tub and is organic.
• Dairy free milk: We have tested this recipe with almond milk, oat milk and soy milk – you can use whichever you have in your fridge.
• Vanilla extract: For flavour and natural sweetness.
• Buckwheat flour: A nutritious flour that’s naturally gluten free and rich in nutrients, with a slightly earthy flavour.
• Almond flour (secret ingredient no.2!): The secret ingredient to balance the buckwheat; helping to achieve a tender crumb and avoiding a dense or dry bake. This really does make the world of difference!
• Baking powder: Gives the loaf rise.
• Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth, flavour and balances the earthy flavour of the buckwheat.
• Salt
• Vegan chocolate chips: Optional, but delicious! We used dark chocolate chips but you could also use vegan milk chocolate chips.

HOW TO MAKE THIS BUCKWHEAT BANANA BREAD

1. Mash the bananas with a fork or potato masher in a large bowl.

2. Mix the wet ingredients. Stir in the maple syrup, milk and vanilla.

3. Add the dry ingredients. Gently stir in the flours, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.

4. Stir in any extras. Fold in the chocolate chips, or any other add-ins (nuts, sultanas etc) that you fancy.

5. Bake. Add the batter to a 2lb loaf tin lined with baking paper (or one of these loaf tin liners) and bake for 50 minutes, or until cooked through.

6. Cool fully on a wire rack before slicing.

Looking for recipes like this delivered to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter here.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

I use a Masterclass 2lb loaf tin for making banana bread – I’ve had it for years and it’s a breeze to clean.

These loaf pan liners are a life changing (well, if you’re a baker they are, less so if you’re a taxi driver).

You’ll also need a large mixing bowl and spoon to make this gluten-free banana bread.

TIPS FOR MAKING BUCKWHEAT BANANA BREAD

Use very ripe bananas. Those with a yellow skin that is speckled with brown spots – essential for sweetness and texture.

Mix gently. Over-mixing can make a cake dense.  Want some extra guidance on the optimal consistency for banana bread batter?  Head over to our blog post How Thick Should Banana Bread Batter Be? it’s got lots of tips and photos to help you out. 

Don’t skip the almond flour. It transforms the texture of this loaf from dry to tender.

Let it cool fully before slicing. If you choose to ignore this tip (which I often do, let’s be honest), cut the loaf into squares rather than slices because it’ll be more crumbly when it’s still warm.

Not gluten free? Try our super-simple 5-Ingredient Vegan Banana Bread.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

• Serve warm with a cup of tea or coffee,
• toasted with a slick of vegan butter,
• topped with coconut yoghurt and berry compote (um, yes please), or
• serve it alongside my Chewy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies and Healthy Millionaire’s Shortbread for a healthy afternoon tea spread.

HOW TO STORE

At room temperature. For up to 3 days in an airtight container.

Freezer. Slice and place parchment paper in between each slice before placing it in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating. If you’d like to warm up a slice of this banana bread, microwave it for 10-15 seconds, or toast lightly.

HOW THIS RECIPE COMPARES TO OTHER COSY VEGAN BAKES

If you enjoy simple, wholesome baking, here’s how this buckwheat banana bread compares to some of my other favourites.

If you want a more indulgent GF banana bread

Try my Fully Loaded Banana Bread with pecans, sultanas and chocolate. This delicious banana bread is made with a gluten-free flour blend (not buckwheat flour) and is packed with extras – perfect for when you want something a little more decadent.

If you’re craving healthy(ish) cookies

My chewy dairy free oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips are a great option. They’re crispy on the edges and soft in the centre; deliciously comforting!

If you want a quick no-bake sweet treat

Go for these easy 3-ingredient Snickers Stuffed Dates (no bake, naturally sweet) – perfect when you want something sweet without turning on the oven.

If you need a sugar free breakfast

My Sugar Free Breakfast Muffins are naturally sweetened with banana and dried fruit (no added sugar at all) and are ideal for busy mornings.

HOW WE TESTED THIS BUCKWHEAT BANANA BREAD RECIPE

We tested multiple variations to ensure this buckwheat banana bread recipe was soft, balanced and reliable.

• Maple syrup vs coconut sugar vs no added sugar – maple syrup gave the best results, adding moisture and allowing us to omit the oil entirely.
• 100% buckwheat flour vs a flour blend – Using 100% buckwheat resulted in a denser, more earthy loaf, so we combined it with almond flour to create a lighter crumb and more balanced, naturally nutty flavor.
• Add ins and spice levels – Cinnamon helps enhance the sweetness and soften the buckwheat flavour, whilst chocolate chips add a delicious finish.

FAQs

Is this a moist buckwheat banana bread?

Yes! This buckwheat flour recipe is soft and tender rather than dry, thanks to the banana, maple syrup and addition of almond flour.

Is this buckwheat banana bread gluten free?

Yes, the ingredients are naturally gluten free, however always check the labels of any ingredients you purchase to make sure they’re certified gluten free (particularly for those with celiac disease).

Can I make banana bread with buckwheat flour only?

Yes, but it tends to be more dense. Combining buckwheat flour with almond flour gives the banana bread a lighter texture.

Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?

Absolutely – walnuts, pecans, or dried fruit all work well in this vegan buckwheat flour banana bread.

LOOKING FOR MORE HEALTHY VEGAN BAKES?

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

Tag @aveganvisit on Instagram so I can find you, I love seeing your recreations!

Instagram |  Pinterest |  Facebook |  TikTok | Youtube

Please leave us a comment and star rating

We’d love to hear what you think of the recipe!  Click the stars on the recipe card above, add a comment if you like and enter your email to verify you’re a human. Your email address will not be published.  Thank you ♡

Would you like delicious vegan recipes, delivered to your inbox? 

Sign up for our newsletter!