4 Ingredient Banana Bread is the perfect minimalist snack. You only need ripe bananas, oil, sugar, and self-rising flour to make this simple and quick recipe. It's dairy free, vegan, and ready just 45 minutes.
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4 Ingredient Banana Bread has got to be one of my favorite, easy ways to use up overripe bananas. While I do like both my dairy free banana bread and banana bread without baking soda, there's just something about this minimal ingredient recipe that's special.
Whether I'm short on time, or I'm just not feeling like pulling out all kinds of ingredients, I just love to whip up a batch of this quick and easy bread.
It's healthy, naturally sweetened, and both dairy free and vegan. This quick bread makes a fantastic snack or healthy dessert, but sometimes I like to bake the batter into muffins for an easy breakfast on the go!
Why This Recipe Works
- You only need 4 ingredients:
- It's made in one bowl:
- The bread bakes in ___ minutes:
- This is a great way to reduce food waste:
- It's both kid and adult approved:
4 Ingredient Banana Bread Ingredients
*full ingredients list and measurements can be found in recipe card below*
- Bananas: When it comes to bananas, the riper the better. Once bananas ripen the starches convert to sugar and make the fruit more flavorful.
- Oil: This 4 ingredient banana bread will work with avocado oil, light olive oil, or melted coconut oil. If you're not dairy free, melted butter is another option.
- Coconut sugar: I prefer coconut sugar because it keeps the banana bread refined sugar free and adds a rich flavor. You could always use regular sugar or brown sugar if your prefer.
- Self-rising flour: Self-rising flour already contains baking powder and a touch of salt when you buy it from the store. If you can't find it at your local grocery store, it's just as easy to make it at home.
Optional Additions
If you'd like a few more than 4 ingredients, you should try one of these delicious add-ins!
- Vanilla extract
- Cinnamon
- Chocolate chips
- Chopped walnuts
- Dried fruit
- Toasted coconut
How To Make 4 Ingredient Banana Bread
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line an 8.5x4 inch loaf pan with a parchment paper sling
2. In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas, then stir oil and coconut sugar together. Add the self rising flour and mix until just combined
3. Pour the 4 ingredient banana bread batter into your prepared loaf pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs
4. Carefully take the loaf out of the oven and let it cool in the pan for 20 minutes, before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely
Expert Tips
- Use Ripe Bananas: As bananas ripen the starches in the fruit change over to sugars and will leave you with more flavor. If you've ever had a banana bread that doesn't take very 'bananaey' it's because the bananas weren't ripe enough
- Measure your flour correctly: Do not pack the flour into the measuring cup or you'll add too much and the bread will be dry. Instead, spoon it into the measuring cup so it's aerated.
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing will activate the gluten proteins in the flour and leave you with a tough, chewy banana bread. Try mixing just until there are no traces of flour
- Don't over bake: You'll want to take the bread out of the oven once a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. The residual heat will continue to cook the banana bread and you'll end up with a perfectly moist loaf.
Storing 4 Ingredient Banana Bread
- STORING: To keep leftover banana bread fresh, it's best to store it in an airtight container with a locking lid for up to 4 days. You can also place a napkin or paper towel in the container to absorb any excess moisture and keep the loaf from becoming soggy.
- FREEZING: 4 ingredient banana bread also freezes really well! Let the loaf cool completely, then wrap it tightly in a layer of plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil, and finally place the whole thing into a freezer safe bag. It will stay good for up to three months, just defrost overnight before enjoying.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you don't have self-rising flour you can make your own at home. All you need to do is add 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of all purpose flour.
For this 4 ingredient banana bread you'd need to add 3 teaspoons of baking powder and ½ teaspoon of salt.
There are 3 reasons your banana bread could be dry:
1. You overbaked it. You'll want to take the loaf out as soon as a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. The residual heat will continue cooking it.
2. The flour was measured wrong. If you pack the flour into the measuring cup you're putting too much flour into the batter. The best method of measuring flour is to spoon it into the measuring cup.
3.Your bananas weren't ripe. I know it's hard to wait, but the riper the bananas the better.
If you're desperate for banana bread you can ripen them quickly in the oven. Place your bananas on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 350F for 15 minutes. Let them cool completely before scooping out the soft banana pulp.
Yes! If I don't have time to bake banana bread I will always peel and freeze my bananas for later use. Just be sure to let them thaw completely before baking with them.
You can, but you'll need to make a homemade gluten free self rising flour. Unfortunately, there is currently no brand that makes ones you can buy at the store.
Did you make this recipe?
If so, I would appreciate you leaving a comment and star rating down below. Also, follow me on Instagram and tag me or use #incoleskitchen so I can see what you make and share it.
Print4 Ingredient Banana Bread
4 Ingredient Banana Bread is the perfect minimalist snack. You only need ripe bananas, oil, sugar, and self-rising flour to make this simple and quick recipe. It's dairy free, vegan, and ready just 45 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 Minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 10 Servings 1x
- Category: Quick Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 cups mashed banana
- ⅓ cup avocado oil (sub with melted coconut oil)
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- 2 cups self rising flour (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract- optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line an 8.5x4 inch loaf pan with a parchment paper sling
- In a large mixing bowl, stir mashed bananas, coconut sugar, avocado oil, and vanilla (if using) together
- Add the self-rising to the wet ingredients and gently fold it in until just combined
- Pour the 4 ingredient banana bread batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread it out into an even layer
- Bake at 350F for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean
- Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to finish cooling completely
Notes
- Makes 12 muffins- bake at 350F for 15-16 minutes
- Use Ripe Bananas: As bananas ripen the starches in the fruit change over to sugars and will leave you with more flavor. If you've ever had a banana bread that doesn't take very 'bananaey' it's because the bananas weren't ripe enough
- Measure your flour correctly: Do not pack the flour into the measuring cup or you'll add too much and the bread will be dry. Instead, spoon it into the measuring cup so it's aerated.
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing will activate the gluten proteins in the flour and leave you with a tough, chewy banana bread. Try mixing just until there are no traces of flour
- Don't over bake: You'll want to take the bread out of the oven once a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. The residual heat will continue to cook the banana bread and you'll end up with a perfectly moist loaf.
- Add a halved banana on top for decoration
- Storing leftovers: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 4 days
Keywords: 4 ingredients banana bread, vegan banana bread
Lauren says
Super easy to whip up & makes a quick, simple breakfast paired with some fresh fruit! The flavor is delicious, and I’m shocked it was that flavorful for only having a handful of ingredients. I decorated mine with sliced bananas like Nicole suggests, and it looked so fancy too!
★★★★★
Nicole Radcliffe says
I love banana bread for breakfast as well! Especially with all the citrus that's in season right now, it makes for a light and delicious meal:)