Gluten Free Banana Cake Recipe (Paleo)
This Gluten Free Banana Cake recipe is the easiest and most delicious cake you’ll ever bake! It is like a cross between a vanilla cake and banana bread. This dairy free gluten free cake is light, fluffy and soft! The homemade Vegan Vanilla frosting is extra smooth and creamy!
My love for bananas runs deep. Easy enough for any day, healthy enough for breakfast, and sweet enough for dessert. This dairy free gluten free cake does it all!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This gluten free banana cake recipe yields a perfectly moist cake bursting with fresh banana flavor! Here are the reasons it’s my go to for any occasion:
- This is truly the EASIEST cake!
- Only one mixing bowl and one baking pan are required.
- This cake has healthy ingredients and is naturally sweetened.
- No multiple layers, multiple pans, or tricky assembling.
- Unlike most gluten free cakes, this recipe does not require any xantham gum!
Recipe Steps
Step 1
First, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line an 8 inch by 8 inch pan with parchment paper.
Step 2
Add all dry ingredients to a mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
Step 3
Then, add eggs and stir. Add remaining cake ingredients and stir to combine.
Step 4
Pour cake batter into lined baking pan. Bake for 33 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes in clean.
Step 5
Remove cake from oven and cool in pan until completely cool.
Step 6
Once cake has cooled, make Vegan Vanilla frosting. Add hardened part of coconut milk, maple syrup and vanilla extract to a mixing stand. Whip for 1 to 2 minutes until fluffy.
Step 7
Finally, frost cooled cake and slice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between banana bread and banana cake?
Banana cake is slightly lighter and less dense than banana bread. In addition, cake is baked in a cake pan and banana bread is baked in a bread pan. My Paleo chocolate chip banana bread is a great option too!
How can I make my gluten free cake more moist?
To make a gluten free more moist, don’t over bake. Once a toothpick inserted comes out clean, remove from oven. In addition, don’t over mix the batter.
What is the difference between sheet cake and regular cake?
A sheet cake is a one layer cake baked in a square or rectangular pan. A regular cake is usually at least two layers.
Can I substitute for the tapioca flour?
Arrowroot starch can be used in place of tapioca flour. Cornstarch also works well for a gluten free (but not Paleo) option.
Can I substitute for the coconut oil?
Grass fed butter or ghee can be used in place of coconut oil.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If it’s summertime or humid out, I recommended storing in the fridge.
Expert Tips for the Best Gluten Free Banana Cake
Here is how to make the perfect moist gluten free banana cake:
- Don’t over mix the cake batter. A few clumps of banana are fine! (See photo above)
- Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Baking too long makes cake dry.
- Use EXTRA ripe bananas for a more naturally sweet cake.
- Use a large sheet of parchment paper so that the sides of it hang over the edges of the pan. This allows you to easily remove the cake once it is cooled. (See photo above)
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If you make this recipe, I would love to see it! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I would love for you to follow along!
Get the Recipe: Gluten Free Banana Cake Recipe (Paleo)
Ingredients
Gluten Free Banana Cake
- 2 1/4 cups almond flour
- 1/4 cup tapioca flour
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar, or maple sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup mashed banana
- 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Vegan Vanilla Frosting
- 1 can coconut milk, chilled
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- First, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line an 8 inch by 8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, add almond flour, tapioca flour, coconut sugar, baking soda, and cinnamon. Stir to combine.
- Next, add eggs and stir.
- Then, add remaining cake ingredients. Stir until combined.
- Pour cake batter into lined baking pan. Bake for 33 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Remove cake from oven. Allow cake to cool in the baking pan completely.
- Once completely cool, make frosting.
- Scoop out hardened part of coconut milk (the thick part on top) and set aside liquid part.
- Add hardened coconut milk, maple syrup and vanilla extract to a stand mixer. Whip for 1 to 2 minutes or until frosting is thick.
- Finally, frost cake and slice into pieces.
Notes
- Cake batter should be smooth except for some small clumps of mashed banana.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Do not bake too long.
- Use ONLY the thick part of coconut milk for the frosting. I love adding the liquid part to smoothies or soups and sauces.
- Whip frosting until thick.
- Allow cake to cool completely before frosting.
- See my recipe for Vegan Vanilla Frosting for more tips and tricks.
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20 Comments on “Gluten Free Banana Cake Recipe (Paleo)”
I love this square shape of banana bread, it gets off the way from the classic. Another thing, it’s gluten-free, I’ll try it but omit the eggs, I hope it will hold well.
This cake is so delicious! Love that it is gluten-free and paleo!
Perfect banana cake and it’s gluten-free which is even better 🙂
Oh my gosh, Addison, how do you always come up with the best and yummiest recipes. This was delicious!
Cannot wait to try this and love that it is Gluten Free!
Love the ingredients you have in this banana cake. And coconut oil/coconut milk is a game changer!
Such a great looking banana cake recipe. I love that it’s gluten free.
No doubt, my sons will love this!
This was delicious. I will definitely make this again.
Wow this banana cake is pure magic! No one could believe it was gluten free and naturally sweetened! Thanks for the awesome recipe
Gosh, I have so many distressed bananas…now I know what to do with them! Perfect recipe Addison.
Looks delicous love this gluten free banana cake.
I was just looking at my ripe bananas sitting all sad on my counter earlier haha. I wanted to make pancakes but this cake looks so good I have to make it tomorrow!
I’m always looking for new ways to use bananas and this cake is a new favorite! This cake was so delicious and I love that it’s gluten free!!
I love banana cakes! Plus, this recipe is healthy, which makes it even better and I can have an extra slice!
I needed a simple, gluten-free and not-too-sweet dessert to take to my daughter-in-law’s house and since I had all the ingredients, this fit the bill perfectly. And that frosting is going to be handy for all kinds of desserts, I can tell.
This is one delicious cake that I haven’t had a chance to cook lately, but oh wow – that banana flavor must go through the roof!
wow, I need a slice of this banana cake I have all ingredients will be making it next week in time for my husband’s arrival from a trip.
This cake looks tasty and easy to make and I really appreciate that it happens to be paleo and gluten free as well. Thanks!
Absolutely delicious! My husband didn’t even guess that it was made with almond flour! So moist!