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Oat Flour Banana Bread Recipe

5 from 9 votes

Modified: by · This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

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This oat flour banana bread is soft, fluffy, and genuinely melts in your mouth - no dense, gummy gluten-free texture here. It's made in one bowl with oat flour, ripe bananas, coconut oil, and maple syrup, making it naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free.

Super moist oat flour banana bread with mini chocolate chips.

A Quick Look: Oat Flour Banana Bread

  • ✅ Recipe Name: Oat Flour Banana Bread Recipe
  • 🕒 Ready In: 1 hour (10 min prep + 50 min bake)
  • 👪 Serves: 12 slices
  • 🍽 Calories: ~282 per slice
  • 🥣 Main Ingredients: Oat flour, ripe bananas, coconut oil, maple syrup, coconut sugar, eggs
  • 📖 Dietary Info: Gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free
  • ⭐ Why You'll Love It: The kind of banana bread you can eat for breakfast without feeling like dessert, pack in a lunchbox, or slice thick and toast with almond butter. Freezes beautifully for meal prep.

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I am obsessed with baking with oat flour. It gives baked goods the softest, most tender crumb - it's what makes my fluffy buttermilk oat flour pancakes so fluffy and my oat flour chocolate chip cookies so soft in the middle. It's also higher in fiber than all-purpose, and because it's just ground-up oats, it's naturally gluten-free when you use certified gluten-free oats.

So when I set out to develop the best oat flour banana bread I possibly could, I was determined not to settle. It took a few test loaves to get there - oat flour behaves differently than wheat flour, and the first versions were either too dense or too gummy. But once I figured out the right ratios and the one small step most recipes skip (letting the batter rest - more on that below), this became the banana bread I make on repeat.

It's soft, moist, melts in your mouth, and comes together in one bowl with wholesome pantry staples: oat flour, coconut oil, ripe bananas, maple syrup, and coconut sugar. You'd never guess it's gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free. That's the whole point.

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This recipe is so quick and easy, but it is seriously the best banana bread I have ever made. I swapped honey for maple syrup, and it worked really well. The bread didn't even make it to the next morning; my husband and kids couldn't keep their hands off.

- Kyla

Why Oat Flour Is My Favorite Flour for Banana Bread

If you've only ever baked with all-purpose flour, oat flour is going to surprise you. Here's why it's become my go-to flour for quick breads - especially banana bread.

  • It's naturally gluten-free. Oat flour is made from nothing but ground oats, so as long as you use certified gluten-free oats, the entire loaf is gluten-free. No blends, no xanthan gum, no guesswork.
  • It's higher in fiber. A cup of oat flour has roughly 8 grams of fiber, compared to about 3 grams in all-purpose flour. That means every slice of this banana bread does a little more for you nutritionally without sacrificing a thing on flavor.
  • It bakes up unbelievably tender. Oat flour soaks up moisture slowly, which is why letting the batter rest for 5 minutes matters so much. Once it hydrates, it creates the softest, most cake-like crumb - closer to bakery-style banana bread than you'd expect from a gluten-free loaf.
  • It's easy to make at home. If you have rolled oats and a blender, you have oat flour. I walk through the exact method in the FAQ below.

Ingredients You'll Need

This oat flour banana bread is made with wholesome, gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free ingredients. Here's what goes in and why each one earns its spot:

Ingredients for oat flour banana bread labeled in bowls: oat flour, mashed banana, coconut sugar, maple syrup, coconut oil, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, and chocolate chips.
  • Oat flour - the star of the show. It's naturally gluten-free (when certified), higher in fiber than all-purpose, and gives baked goods the softest, most tender crumb. It's the same flour I use in my oat flour pumpkin bread, and it works beautifully here.
  • Ripe bananas - use very ripe, spotty bananas. The darker the peel, the sweeter and moister your bread will be. If yours aren't quite there yet, check the tip in the FAQ below. f you don't have 3 ripe bananas, you can still satisfy the craving - try my healthy single-serve banana bread instead. Same flavor, same flour, made with just half a banana.
  • Eggs - give the bread structure and help it rise. Two large eggs at room temperature.
  • Coconut oil - adds moisture and keeps this recipe dairy-free. Melted butter or a neutral vegetable oil also works.
  • Maple syrup - a natural, refined-sugar-free sweetener that adds warm, caramel-y depth. Honey or agave works as a 1:1 swap.
  • Coconut sugar - subtle caramel flavor, still refined-sugar-free. Light or dark brown sugar works if it's what you have.
  • Vanilla extract - rounds out the flavor and brings warmth. Don't skip it.
  • Baking soda and baking powder - both are essential. Oat flour doesn't rise the same way wheat flour does, so it needs the double lift to stay fluffy.
  • Salt - balances the sweetness and makes every other flavor pop.
  • Cinnamon - warm, cozy, and non-negotiable in banana bread.
  • Chocolate chips (optional) - highly recommended for pockets of melty chocolate in every slice. Sub in chopped walnuts, pecans, or dried fruit.

Scroll to recipe card for quantities!

Easy Ingredient Substitutions

  • Oat Flour: If you don't have store-bought oat flour on hand, blend rolled or quick oats in a high-speed blender or food processor until fine and powdery, then spoon and level to measure. Prefer a nuttier, lower-carb flour? Try my almond flour banana muffins instead.
  • Coconut oil: Swap 1:1 with melted butter, vegan butter, or a neutral oil like avocado or light olive oil.
  • Maple Syrup: Honey or agave nectar works 1:1.
  • Coconut Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar is a perfect swap.
  • Mini chocolate chips: Regular chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, pecans, almonds, or dried fruit all work.

How to Make Oat Flour Banana Bread (Step-by-Step)

Whisked wet ingredients for oat flour banana bread in a white mixing bowl.
  1. Step 1: Mix the wet ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, mashed bananas, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
Stirring dry ingredients into the wet banana bread batter with a spatula.
  1. Step 2: Add the dry ingredients. Add the oat flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon directly to the wet mixture. Stir until no streaks of flour remain.
Folding chocolate chips into oat flour banana bread batter.
  1. Step 3: Let the batter rest. Fold in chocolate chips or walnuts if using, then let the batter sit for 5 minutes. This is the step most oat flour recipes skip - it lets the flour fully hydrate and prevents a gummy texture.
Oat flour banana bread batter in a loaf pan topped with mini chocolate chips before baking.
  1. Step 4: Pour into the pan. Transfer the batter into a greased or parchment-lined 9x5-inch loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle with extra chocolate chips or walnuts if you want.
Freshly baked oat flour banana bread in a loaf pan with a cracked golden top.
  1. Step 5: Bake. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50-60 minutes. If the top is browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil after 35 minutes. The loaf is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Video Tutorial (Step-by-Step)

My Best Tips for Moist Oat Flour Banana Bread

After dozens of loaves, these are the tips that make the biggest difference.

  1. Weigh your oat flour. Two cups should weigh 240 grams. Oat flour is easy to over-pack, and even ¼ cup too much will dry out your loaf. If you don't have a scale, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off - never scoop directly from the bag.
  2. Rescue under-ripe bananas. If yours aren't spotty enough, place unpeeled bananas on a sheet pan and roast at 300°F for 15-20 minutes until the skins blacken. They'll soften and sweeten dramatically.
  3. Bake on the middle rack. Baking too close to the bottom element sets the bottom before the middle catches up, resulting in a dense base and a raw center. The middle rack cooks evenly from all sides.
  4. Cool fully before slicing. I know it's hard. But slicing a hot loaf releases steam and collapses the structure - that "doughy" texture is usually just a loaf that was cut too early. Rest in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for at least 30 more before cutting.
  5. Don't skip the 5-minute batter rest. Worth repeating because it's the one step that matters most - oat flour needs that time to fully hydrate before it hits the oven.
Sliced oat flour banana bread showing the moist, tender crumb inside.

Banana Bread Variations

Once you've made the base recipe, this loaf is a blank canvas. These are the flavor twists I keep going back to.

  • Chocolate Chip: Add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the batter.
  • Nutty: Mix in ½ cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds.
  • Cinnamon Streusel: Top with a streusel made from ¼ cup coconut sugar, ¼ cup oat flour, 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
  • Blueberry: Fold in ½ cup of fresh or frozen blueberries.
  • Cinnamon Swirl: Swirl cinnamon sugar into the batter before baking.
  • Coconut: Add ⅓ cup of shredded coconut.
  • Banana Pumpkin: Swap the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice.
  • Maple Pecan: Use all maple syrup (skip the coconut sugar) and fold in ½ cup chopped pecans.
  • Chai Spice: Replace the cinnamon with a chai spice blend.
  • Apple Cinnamon: Add ½ cup diced or shredded apple (pat it dry so it doesn't sink).
  • Carrot Cake: Mix in ½ cup grated carrots, ¼ cup raisins, and ½ teaspoon nutmeg.
  • Espresso Walnut: Add 2 tablespoons espresso powder and fold in ½ cup chopped walnuts.

Troubleshooting Oat Flour Banana Bread

Here's what to check if your loaf doesn't turn out right.

  • Gummy or dense in the middle? You likely skipped the 5-minute batter rest or underbaked. Oat flour needs that time to hydrate - without it fully, the liquid settles, creating a wet, doughy center.
  • Dry or crumbly? Almost always too much oat flour. It's easy to over-pack - spoon and level, or weigh it at 240 grams per 2 cups. Overbaking and underripe bananas can also draw moisture out of the loaf.
  • Didn't rise? Your baking soda or baking powder is probably past its prime. Leaveners lose potency after about 6 months, and oat flour needs the double lift from both.
  • Top burned but middle raw? Tent the loaf loosely with foil after 35 minutes. The inside keeps baking while the top stops browning.
Whole loaf of oat flour banana bread on a wooden cutting board topped with chocolate chips.

How to store and freeze

  • Countertop: Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • Refrigerator: For longer freshness, store wrapped in the fridge for up to 1 week. Let slices come to room temperature before eating, or warm them for a few seconds.
  • Freezer: Slice the fully cooled loaf, place a piece of parchment paper between each slice, and freeze in a zip-top bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. You can also freeze the whole loaf wrapped in plastic wrap and a layer of foil.
  • Reheating: Microwave individual slices for 10-15 seconds, or warm in a toaster oven for 2-3 minutes until heated through. Frozen slices can go straight into the microwave for 20-30 seconds.

Frequently Asked Recipe Questions

Is oat flour banana bread gluten-free?

Yes - oat flour banana bread is naturally gluten-free as long as you use certified gluten-free oat flour. Oats themselves don't contain gluten, but they're often processed in facilities that also handle wheat, which causes cross-contamination. If you're celiac or gluten-sensitive, check the package for a certified gluten-free label. Every other ingredient in this recipe is naturally gluten-free.

Why did my oat flour banana bread turn out gummy?

Gummy texture is the most common oat flour mistake, and it has one fix: let the batter rest for 5 minutes before baking. Oat flour absorbs moisture more slowly than wheat flour, so if you pour the batter into the pan immediately, the liquid settles during baking, creating a dense, wet crumb. A 5-minute rest lets the oat flour fully hydrate so the loaf bakes evenly.

Can I use homemade oat flour?

Absolutely - homemade is what I use most of the time. Add rolled oats or quick oats to a high-speed blender or food processor and blend for 30-60 seconds, until the mixture resembles fine, powdery flour. Spoon and level to measure - 2 cups of oat flour should weigh about 240 grams. If your homemade oat flour is too coarse, the loaf will turn out gritty, so keep blending until it's truly fine.

Can I add Greek yogurt to oat flour banana bread?

Yes, and it's one of my favorite swaps. Replace the ½ cup of coconut oil with ½ cup of plain whole-milk Greek yogurt. The yogurt adds moisture, a little protein, and a subtle tang that makes the banana flavor pop. The loaf turns out extra tender. Don't use non-fat Greek yogurt - you need the fat for a proper crumb.

Can I substitute oat flour for all-purpose flour in any banana bread recipe?

Not as a 1:1 swap, unfortunately. Oat flour is lighter, more absorbent, and less structured than all-purpose flour, so swapping it directly into a wheat-flour recipe usually gives you a dense, gummy, or crumbly loaf. This recipe was built specifically around oat flour - the ratios of eggs, leavener, and liquid are all dialed in to work with it. Try my dairy-free banana bread if you want to bake with all-purpose flour.

Slice of gluten-free oat flour banana bread on a plate to show moist, soft crumb.

More Oat Flour recipes to try

If you loved this moist oat flour banana bread, here are a few more recipes to try next:

Did you make this recipe?

If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don't forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!

📖 Recipe

Super moist, healthy oat flour banana bread with mini chocolate chips.

Oat Flour Banana Bread Recipe

By: Tati Chermayeff
This oat flour banana bread is soft, fluffy, and genuinely melts in your mouth - no dense, gummy gluten-free texture here. It's made in one bowl with oat flour, ripe bananas, coconut oil, and maple syrup, making it naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free.
5 from 9 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Serving 12 servings

Ingredients
 

  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup mashed banana, (extra spotty, brown), about 2 or 3 bananas
  • ½ cup coconut oil, melted
  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • ½ cup coconut sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups oat flour, 240g, spooned & leveled
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ cup chocolate chips, I love mini size

Instructions

  • Preheat and prep the pan. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper or grease it well.
  • Whisk the wet ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, mashed banana, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  • Add the dry ingredients. Add the oat flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon directly to the wet ingredients. Stir with a rubber spatula until no streaks of flour remain, then fold in chocolate chips or walnuts if using.
  • Rest the batter for 5 minutes. This is the most important step - oat flour needs time to fully hydrate, or the loaf will turn out gummy.
  • Pour into the pan. Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle with extra mini chocolate chips or walnuts if desired.
  • Bake for 50-60 minutes. Bake until the top has a nice crack in the middle and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top is browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil after 35 minutes.
  • Cool before slicing. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Video

Notes

Don't skip the 5-minute rest. Letting the batter sit before baking is the single most important step. Oat flour absorbs moisture slowly, and skipping this is the #1 reason oat flour banana bread turns out gummy.
Cover with foil if browning too fast. If the top is darkening before the inside is done, loosely tent with aluminum foil after 35 minutes. The bread keeps baking — you're just protecting the crust.
Expect a darker loaf. Coconut sugar and maple syrup give this bread a richer color than traditional banana bread. It's not overbaked — it's the sweeteners.
Substitutions: Swap coconut oil for melted butter, vegan butter, or a neutral oil. Maple syrup, honey, agave, or brown rice syrup all work 1:1. Coconut sugar swaps 1:1 with light or dark brown sugar. Chocolate chips can be replaced with chopped walnuts, pecans, or dried fruit.
Storage: Wrap in plastic or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the fridge for longer.
Freezing: Freezes up to 3 months. Wrap in plastic and foil, or slice first with parchment between slices for grab-and-go.
Reheating: Microwave individual slices for 10–15 seconds, or warm in a toaster oven for 2–3 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 slice | Calories: 282kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 250mg | Potassium: 184mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 74IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 1mg
Course Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine American
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Please leave a comment and star rating on this post and tag @HealthfulBlondie on Instagram & hashtag it #healthfulblondie!

Recipe tested and developed by Tati Chermayeff, creator of Healthful Blondie - where classic comfort foods get a wholesome, everyday twist. A former collegiate athlete and recipe developer, Tati is known for turning classic desserts into balanced, feel-good favorites.

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Comments

    5 from 9 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Abbie says

    5 stars
    Excellent!

    Reply

  2. Stacey L Hertel says

    5 stars
    I can't wait to make this tonight! Can I make these into muffins instead of bread? If, yes, then what is the temperature and time?

    Reply

    • Tati Chermayeff says

      Hi Stacey! Yes, you can 🙂 I would bake them at 350°F for 18 – 22 minutes OR until a toothpick comes out clean. You don't want to over-bake them, so keep an eye out that they dome up and a toothpick is clean. LMK what you think!

      Reply

  3. Jaz says

    5 stars
    WOW!! So yummy. I added lilys chocolate chips for a lower sugar option and then topped my slice with peanut butter, will be my go to banana bread recipe from now on 🙂

    Reply

    • Tati Chermayeff says

      Hi Jaz, SO happy to hear that. Thank you for leaving a 5 star review and comment. Means a lot to me and it is very kind!

      Reply

  4. Hadley says

    5 stars
    SO SO SO GOOD!!!

    Reply

  5. Kyla Long-Berry says

    5 stars
    This recipe is so quick and easy but is seriously the best banana bread I have ever made. I swapped honey for maple syrup and it worked really well. The bread didn’t even make it to the next morning, my husband and kids couldn’t keep their hands off.

    Reply

    • Tati Chermayeff says

      YAY! Thank you for this kind review 🙂

      Reply

  6. Julie says

    What can I use in place of maple syrup

    Reply

    • Tati Chermayeff says

      honey!

      Reply