This easy, healthy blueberry banana bread recipe is oil-free, super moist, and full of juicy blueberries. It’s made with almond flour, oat four, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. The perfect gluten-free breakfast, snack, or dessert!
Best healthy blueberry banana bread recipe
Banana bread is one of those baked goods that never gets old. We love this classic banana bread, this fun chocolate banana bread with hidden veggies, and these healthy banana crumb muffins. So, naturally, here is a blueberry version!
This healthy blueberry banana bread is so moist and fluffy that it’s shocking to know that it has no oil or butter. The secret? This banana bread recipe uses a mix of oat flour and almond flour to achieve a soft and moist texture. Almond flour is higher in natural fasts than other gluten-free flour, which allows us to skip the oils!
Best of all, this banana bread is healthy! This recipe has no random ingredients, oils, refined sugars, gluten, or butter. This blueberry banana bread is naturally sweetened with mashed bananas and a dash of pure maple syrup.
Honestly, this is the perfect healthy breakfast, snack, or dessert. It’s packed with juicy blueberries that burst in your mouth with every bite. Plus, you can use fresh or frozen blueberries so that you can enjoy this banana bread any time of year.
Why you’ll love this easy recipe:
- Bursting with blueberries: A classic healthy banana bread recipe packed with blueberries.
- No Oil or Butter: This banana bread is so moist, and it’s dairy-free.
- Frozen or Fresh Blueberries: So you can enjoy this bread all year long, even in the winter.
- Versatile: Such an easy snack, breakfast, or dessert.
- Gluten-Free: It’s naturally gluten-free since we use oat flour and almond flour.
- Naturally Sweetened: This banana bread has no refined sugars, only pure maple syrup!
- Kid-Approved: Kids love this recipe!
- Try these delicious gluten-free banana crumb muffins or these viral almond flour banana muffins next!
Ingredients needed
You only need a handful of wholesome and healthy ingredients to make this deliciously moist blueberry banana bread. It’s gluten-free, oil-free, refined sugar-free, and dairy-free. Here is a list of ingredients so you are prepared:
- Eggs: You’ll need 3 eggs for structure and protein.
- Spotty Bananas: The riper, the better for natural sweetness.
- Maple Syrup: This banana bread has no refined sugars, just natural sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract: Just a dash goes a long way flavor-wise.
- Almond Flour: Half almond flour for gluten-free moistness. I recommend using Bob’s Red Mill brand and avoiding the Trader Joe’s brand.
- Oat Flour: 1 cup of homemade or store-bought oat flour for fluffiness.
- Cinnamon: Just a dash for the best classic banana bread flavor.
- Baking Powder: To help this loaf rise.
- Baking Soda: Also to help this banana bread rise in the oven.
- Salt: A pinch for a sweet and salty twist.
- Blueberries: I love blueberries! You can use fresh or frozen blueberries. They become super juicy and sweet once baked.
Kitchen tools needed
You only need a few kitchen utensils to make this healthy blueberry banana bread. Here is a list:
- Two Mixing Bowls
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Bread Loaf Tin
- Parchment Paper
- Measuring Tools: 1/4 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1/4 cup, and 1 cup.
How to make healthy blueberry banana bread
Any level baker can make this easy and healthy blueberry banana bread. It comes together in a few steps with simple ingredients. Here are step-by-step directions and pictures for visual reference:
Step 1:
First, preheat the oven to 350°F. Line and grease a bread tin with parchment paper.
Step 2:
Then, if you are making your own homemade oat flour, add about 1.5 cups of rolled oats to a high-speed blender. Blend until the oats turn into fine flour, about 20 seconds to 1 minute, and then measure 1 cup of flour.
You can also use a store brand like Bob’s Red Mill.
Step 3:
Next, in a small mixing bowl, whisk together almond flour, oat flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Then, set it to the side.
Step 4:
Whisk eggs, mashed bananas, maple syrup, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl.
Step 5:
After that, add in the dry ingredients and mix until thoroughly combined. Fold in blueberries with a spatula and pour batter into the greased bread tin.
Step 6:
Bake for 50 – 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let your healthy blueberry banana bread completely cool before slicing and enjoying it!
Expert tips for moist gluten-free banana bread
- Measure your flour correctly. Use the spoon-and-level method to measure your flour accurately. Avoid packing it into the measuring cup to prevent a dry loaf.
- Avoid overmixing the batter. Be cautious not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can lead to a less fluffy loaf that doesn’t rise as much and may become dense.
- Frozen Blueberries: If you use frozen blueberries, add them directly to the batter without thawing. Thawed berries can make the banana bread soggy.
- Avoid Overbaking: Keep a close eye on your banana bread while it’s in the oven. Overbaking can result in a dry loaf. Remove it when it’s risen or passes the toothpick test. For reference, baking times may vary, but around 54 minutes worked for me.
- Let It Cool: Allow your blueberry banana bread to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack for further cooling. Since there is no oil or butter in this recipe, the bread needs time to cool and set.
Ingredient substitution suggestions:
I love healthy baking and have made this banana bread at least 20 times. Here is a list of the best ingredient substitutions. I recommend only swapping 1 or 2, so the entire recipe doesn’t change.
- Oat Flour: Replace with whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, or a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Maple Syrup: Swap for honey or agave nectar.
- Blueberries: Try raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries.
- Cinnamon: If you are not a fan of cinnamon, try pumpkin spice or 1/4 tsp of nutmeg.
- Blueberry lemon bread: Remove the cinnamon and add the 2 tsp of lemon zest instead for a blueberry lemon loaf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this blueberry banana bread gluten-free?
Yes, almond flour and oat flour are both gluten-free flour. Make sure you use gluten-free certified oats or oat flour.
Why is my banana bread dry?
Banana bread can be dry for a few reasons. The main two are (1) you overbaked the banana bread, or (2) you added too much flour. Keep an eye on your oven and measure your flour correctly (spoon and level). Also, do not substitute the almond flour in this recipe.
Can I use frozen blueberries?
Yes, you can use frozen blueberries in this banana bread recipe. Don’t allow them thaw; add them directly to the batter.
How is this banana bread moist without oil or butter?
Most oil-free and butter-free banana bread recipes are dry, but this one is not! This is one of the softest and most moist banana breads I have eaten. My trick to keeping it moist while omitting oil is using almond flour. Almond flour is naturally higher in fat and keeps the loaf moist.
Can I make the banana bread into muffins?
To make this recipe into muffins, line a cupcake tin and fill it with the banana bread batter. Top with extra blueberries and bake for 16 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean
Can you freeze banana bread?
Freeze baked banana bread by allowing it to cool to room temperature, then place individual slices in freezer-safe bags and freeze them for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, let it thaw overnight in the fridge or microwave them for 30 – 60 seconds until warm.
How to store blueberry banana bread:
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 – 5 days, or cover the original bread tin with aluminum foil. You can also store banana bread in the fridge.
Fun fact: banana bread is also taster and moister one day after you bake it!
If you loved this recipe, try these next!
- Starbucks Blueberry Scones
- Blueberry Pop Tarts
- Oatmeal Blueberry Banana Muffins
- Blueberry Crumble Bars
- Blueberry Banana Protein Smoothie
- Almond Flour Banana Muffins
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!
Healthy Blueberry Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup mashed overripe bananas, about 2 large bananas
- ¼ cup real maple syrup
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup almond flour, spooned & leveled
- 1 cup homemade oat flour*, spooned & leveled
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line and grease a bread tin with parchment paper.
- If you are making homemade oat flour: In a blender, add about 1.5 cups of rolled oats. Blend until the oats turn into a fine flour, about 20 seconds to 1 minute. Then measure 1 cup of flour.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together almond flour, oat flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set it to the side.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs, mashed bananas, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
- Add in the dry ingredients and mix until completely combined. Fold in blueberries with a spatula and pour batter into the greased bread tin.
- Bake for 50 – 60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let the bread completely cool before slicing and enjoying!
Notes
Nutrition
I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. In full disclosure, by purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. Thank you for supporting Healthful Blondie!
Abby Jones says
This bread was amazing!! The perfect combination of moist and fluffy. Super simple to make and you can easily sub in a flax egg if you don’t have a regular egg.
Tati Chermayeff says
I am SO HAPPY you loved this loaf. It is truly so fluffy and delicious 🙂
Dana Sultan says
My roommate and I made this last night and were SO happy with the result! It turned out perfectly moist and perfectly sweet. Love the idea of the crumble on top… works so well! Highly recommend!
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi Dana, YAY I am thrilled you and your roommate loved this loaf. It is addictive!
Kelley Acton says
This was amazing !!!! It was healthy but so delicious . My whole family was blown away and asking for seconds . Definitely going to be making again !
Riley Herbeck says
So good!
Tati Chermayeff says
Teaspoons 🙂 sorry!
Lauren says
Probably the best banana bread I’ve ever had. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to make a different recipe. So good!!
Tara says
Instead of eggs would applesauce work do you think? I need it to be dairy, gluten and egg free!
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi Tara, you can try 3 flax eggs instead of the eggs. If you do, let me know how it turns out 🙂 Thanks!
Margaret Stenger says
Love your recipes and that you list the calories and nutritional info. But some recipes like this one do not say how much a serving is.
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi! At the top of the recipe card, you can see the serving size, but I can add it to the bottom too! Thank you for pointing that out.
Darlene says
Do you think I could omit the blueberries and add chocolate chips? One of my family members does not like blueberries!
Tati Chermayeff says
Yes! You you can do that for sure. Let me know how it turns it out.
Ruth says
Delicious! I used 3 frozen bananas. Hubby loves it!
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi Ruth! So happy to hear that. Thanks for leaving such a kind review.
Emily says
This is delicious! Do you know why the middle of mine would still be undercooked but the ends and outer layer are nice and browned? Any tips to get the middle to cook? Ive extended the baking time but no luck. Thank you!
Sil says
Hi! I only have Trader Joe’s almond flour. Can I substitute for organic coconut flour?
Tati Chermayeff says
No – coconut flour will not work. The Trader Joe’s almond flour will work, the bread will just be a little softer.
Kellie says
This was a very easy gluten free blueberry banana bread to make its currently baking and smells amazing. I hope my guests love it!