This dairy free banana bread recipe is soft, fluffy and delicious! It takes only 10 minutes of prep time in one mixing bowl. This quick and easy bread has the perfect flavor and texture. You would never guess it is made without butter. Great for a grab and go breakfast, afternoon snack or healthy dessert. This is the best dairy free banana bread recipe ever!

Dairy free banana bread.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • This dairy free banana bread is easy and healthy.
  • It is naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and maple syrup or honey.
  • No dough chilling is required. Only one mixing bowl is needed.
  • It is made without butter, without sour cream, without yogurt and without dairy. Try this Healthy Banana Bread for another healthy option.
  • Only pantry staple ingredients are needed.
  • It is great for breakfast, snacks, or even dessert.
  • This recipe is gluten free friendly, dairy free, and refined sugar free.
  • Use gluten free flour for gluten free.
  • Use coconut milk or oat milk to keep this banana bread nut free.
  • Check out this Sugar Free Banana Bread for another great dairy free recipe!

Ingredients & Substitutions

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for dairy free banana bread. Scroll down to the recipe card for full ingredients list and instructions.

Melted coconut oil acts as the baking fat. Coconut oil is a heart healthy fat. In addition, it is naturally dairy free. Feel free to substitute melted dairy free butter if desired.

Maple syrup adds a great natural sweetness. Substitute honey or date syrup if needed.

Use ripe bananas for best results. They are naturally sweet and easily mashed. Since this is banana bread, there are no substitutes.

Any type of dairy free milk works well. For nut free, use oat milk or coconut milk.

The eggs help hold the bread together. Eggs are not considered dairy. For egg free banana bread, check out this Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Bread or this Eggless Banana Bread. Both are egg free banana bread recipes.

A teaspoon of vanilla extract adds a warmth of flavor.

Use gluten free 1 to 1 flour or all purpose flour. Both work well. Alternative flours such as almond, coconut, cassava or oat cannot be perfectly substituted.

Baking soda leavens this bread.

Feel free to add in some dairy free chocolate chips. Enjoy Life brand makes great dairy free chocolate chips.

Scroll down to the Flavor Variations & Add Ins section for more fun flavor ideas.

Coconut oil and other ingredients.

Dairy Free Baking

Although dairy free baking has its challenges, it is fairly easy to do!

Dairy free baking involves finding substitutes for dairy filled ingredients. Double check recipes to be sure these substitutes can be made.

In many cases, coconut oil is a great replacement for butter. In addition, dairy free butter is another great option. This banana bread is made without butter. Coconut oil replaces butter.

To replace milk, use dairy free milk. If a recipe calls for whole milk, use canned coconut milk. Otherwise, almond milk, cashew milk or oat milk are usually suitable. I like to use unsweetened almond milk in this recipe.

Chocolate and chocolate chips are typically made with cow’s milk or cream. Thankfully there are many great dairy free alternatives available. Hu Kitchen is my favorite brand of dairy free chocolate chips!

This dairy free banana bread does not taste dairy free. In fact, it tastes like a loaf of classic and cozy banana bread!

Check out these Dairy Free Cupcakes too!

Taste & Texture

This dairy free banana bread tastes exactly like classic banana bread! Bananas are the most intense flavor, with the chocolate chips being second. This recipe is sweet but not overly sweet.

The texture is soft, fluffy and moist. Not dry or bland. It tastes like classic banana bread.

How to Make

Step 1

First, preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a bread pan with parchment paper or generously spray with nonstick spray.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, add melted coconut oil, maple syrup, mashed bananas, milk, eggs and vanilla. Stir to combine.

Step 3

Then, add in flour and baking soda. Stir to combine.

Step 4

Fold in chocolate chips if desired.

Chocolate chip banana bread batter.

Step 5

Spread batter into lined bread pan. If desired, sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top.

Batter in loaf pan.

Step 6

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the bread comes out clean.

Golden brown banana bread in pan.

Step 7

Finally, allow this dairy free banana bread to fully cool in the bread pan before slicing and serving.

Expert Tips & Tricks

For best results, use ripe bananas. Look for bananas that are brown spotted but not yet fully brown or black. They are more soft and more naturally sweet.

Line the bread pan with parchment paper. Alternatively, spray generously with nonstick spray.

Use gluten free 1 to 1 flour or all purpose flour. I do not recommend any alternative flours in this recipe.

Bake this dairy free banana bread only until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. This banana bread bakes faster than traditional recipes. Mine was perfect at 48 minutes.

Thick slice of dairy free banana bread.

Flavor Variations & Add-Ins

Consider switching up the flavors of this dairy free banana bread.

Use mini chocolate chips as seen in these photos.

Use chopped chocolate or chocolate chunks.

Add in dairy free white chocolate chips.

Add in dried cranberries.

Sprinkle in a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg.

Create a swirled effect by adding in some melted chocolate. See these Gluten Free Banana Muffins as an example.

Add in crushed Oreos. Surprisingly, Oreos are dairy free!

How to Serve & Store

Serve this dairy free banana bread recipe once fully cooled and sliced.

Serve for breakfast with crispy bacon, eggs, and fruit.

Or, serve by itself. It is a delicious afternoon snack with coffee or oat milk hot chocolate!

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freeze individual dairy free banana bread slices for up to 1 month. This bread thaws well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are eggs considered dairy?

No, eggs are not considered dairy. Instead, eggs are considered a poultry product, not a dairy product. For an egg free version, check out this Eggless Banana Bread.

Can I make this recipe into muffins?

Sure! Fill muffin cavities almost to the top. Then, bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 15 minutes.

Can I freeze slices of bread?

Yes. Wrap individual slices. Store in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the fridge before eating.

Am I able to make it Vegan?

For egg free and Vegan, check out this Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.

Can I add nuts to this banana bread?

Sure! Feel free to sprinkle in some walnuts, pecans, or macadamia nuts before baking. This will give the bread some crunch.

Dairy free bread with chocolate chips.

You May Also Like

If you make this dairy free banana bread recipe, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on InstagramFacebook, and Pinterest. I would love for you to follow along!  For more ideas, check out these Dairy Free Recipes.

Dairy free banana bread.

Get the Recipe: Dairy Free Banana Bread

This dairy free banana bread is soft, fluffy and moist! It has the perfect flavor and texture. This banana bread recipe tastes like classic banana bread, but it is made without dairy!
5 from 26 votes

Ingredients

Instructions 

  • First, preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a bread loaf pan with parchment paper or generously spray with nonstick spray.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add melted coconut oil, maple syrup, mashed bananas, milk, eggs and vanilla. Stir to combine.
  • Then, add in flour and baking soda. Stir to combine.
  • If using, fold in chocolate chips.
  • Spread batter into the lined bread pan. If desired, sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top.
  • Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the bread comes out clean.
  • Finally, allow bread to fully cool in bread pan before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Use ripe bananas for best results.  About 2 large bananas is sufficient.
  • Replace melted dairy free butter for coconut oil if needed.
  • Any dairy free milk works.  For these photos, I used unsweetened almond milk.
  • Both gluten free 1 to 1 flour and all purpose flour work well.  I used gluten free 1 to 1.
  • Bake only until toothpick inserted comes out clean.  This recipe bakes faster than typical banana bread.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.
  • Or, store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Bread freezes and thaws well.  Slice into slices before freezing.
Calories: 339kcal, Carbohydrates: 47g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 41mg, Sodium: 158mg, Potassium: 212mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 20g, Vitamin A: 111IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 57mg, Iron: 3mg

Love this gluten free dairy free banana bread? You can sign up here to receive healthy meal plans, exclusive new recipes and updates!