Amazing Banana Bread without Baking Soda

Don’t have baking soda in your pantry? Not a problem at all, you can still make the best dessert thanks to this epic banana bread without baking soda! It’s a simple recipe ready in under an hour that only needs 6 main ingredients and relies on baking powder for the rise.

Is there anything better than the smell of freshly baked banana bread filling your house and knowing that at any minute you’ll be able to enjoy a slice that’s still warm from the oven? I really don’t think anything beats it! But maybe while you’re dreaming of your fresh baked loaf, you find out you don’t have all the ingredients, don’t worry though, I got you covered.

This banana bread without baking soda is a SUPER easy recipe that only has a few simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. With just overripe bananas, oil, honey, eggs, flour, baking powder, and a few spices you can make the best banana bread recipe!

It’s an easy recipe that anyone can make. This is also a great recipe to make with kids because it is made in one bowl, takes less than 10 minutes to prepare, and bakes in under 50 minutes. That’s right, there’s less than an hour from start to finish, meaning you can have a warm slice of fresh baked banana bread in no time.

Feel free to click the button above to jump straight to the recipe, but I recommend reading the post because I have lots of helpful tips and tricks to that YOU can make the absolute best loaf possible. Hope you enjoy!

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T PUT BAKING SODA IN BANANA BREAD?

If you don’t put baking soda into your banana bread, it simply won’t rise well because the baking soda acts as the leavening agent. The baking soda helps the loaf to rise, but it also increases the PH level in the batter by reacting with the acidic ingredients in the recipe and leads to a darker crumb. However, that is not all that baking soda does; it also adds flavor and helps to tenderize the banana bread by reducing the formation of gluten.

So, while you can’t just take the baking soda out of an original recipe, you CAN make a recipe like this one that’s designed to give you a tender, moist banana bread without baking soda.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

• Super easy recipe
• Only one bowl is needed
• Made with simple ingredients & NO baking soda
• Refined sugar free and dairy free
• Ready in under 1 hour
• Delicious fresh out of the oven, but also freezes great

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE BANANA BREAD WITHOUT BAKING SODA

Equipment:

• Mixing bowl
• 8.5×4.5 loaf pan

Ingredients:

• Coconut oil: I like to use organic coconut oil, and find the best prices at wholesale stores like Costco or BJ’s
• Mashed bananas: Use overripe bananas for the most banana flavor
• Honey: I used honey because I wanted it to be refined sugar free
• Eggs: Always use large eggs unless a recipe stated otherwise
• Flour: I use King Arthur’s all purpose flour every time I bake
• Baking powder: This replaces the baking soda and allows the bread to rise and be fluffy
• Spices: Salt, cinnamon, and vanilla extract

HOW TO MAKE DELICIOUS BANANA BREAD WITHOUT BAKING SODA

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and spray an 8.5×4.5 loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray
2. In a large bowl, mash bananas, then add in melted coconut oil, honey, eggs, and vanilla
3. Stir the wet ingredients well, then add in the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt
4. Use a wooden spoon to gently fold in the dry ingredients until just combined
5. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread into an even layer
6. Place pan into the preheated oven and bake for 43-48 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean
7. Once cooked, let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before dumping it out onto a wire rack to cool completely

INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS AND VARIATIONS

Substitutions:

• Coconut oil: Substitute with avocado oil, vegetable oil, or melted butter. You *could* use olive oil in a pinch, but I don’t suggest it because it has a stronger flavor

• Honey: You can use an equal amount of maple syrup or make it with 1 cup of sugar

• Flour: Try substituting with a 1:1 gluten free flour blend, but please know there will be texture differences

Banana Bread Variations:

• Chocolate chip banana bread: Add 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips into the batter

• Blueberry banana bread: Mix 2/3 cup of fresh blueberries with 1 tablespoon of flour, then gently fold them into the batter

• Coffee cake banana bread: Make a crumb topping with brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter, then sprinkle on top of the loaf before baking

• Banana nut bread: Mix in 1/2 cup of toasted, chopped walnuts or pecans

• Banana bread muffins: Line muffin tins with paper liners, fill them with batter, then bake at 350 F for 15-18 minutes

STORING AND FREEZING HOMEMADE BANANA BREAD

You can store banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Additionally, you can freeze cooked banana bread for up to three months. To freeze it, you want your cooked loaf to be fully cooled. Once cooled, wrap the whole loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil, and finally, place into a freezer safe bag. Pop it into the freezer and it’ll be good for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat it, just pull it out of the freezer, let it defrost fully, and enjoy!

HOW TO QUICKLY RIPEN BANANAS IN THE OVEN

If you want to make banana bread, but don’t have ripe banana, the best way to fix that is to actually bake them! By baking at 300 degrees F for 30-40 minutes, you can quickly turn unripe bananas into the perfect ripe, soft bananas. The peels will be very black, but don’t worry, that is supposed to happen! I do suggest baking them on parchment paper for easy clean up of any sugars or juices that may leak out.

-Once they’re blackened and ripe, let the bananas cool before mashing them.

FAQs

How do you freeze bananas?

I like to peel my bananas before freezing them so that way they’re ready to go for any recipe. I use frozen bananas all the time in smoothies, milkshakes, or nice cream.

Can I use frozen bananas for banana bread without baking soda?

You can, but let them come to room temperature before using them.

What can I use instead of baking soda?

I used baking powder as the leavening agent in this easy banana bread recipe. It works just as well and leaves you with a fluffy, moist bread.

Can I make this gluten free?

You could try making it with a 1:1 gluten free flour blend, but I haven’t tested it.

EXPERT TIPS FOR THE BEST BANANA BREAD WITHOUT BAKING SODA

• Use really overripe bananas
• Replace the honey with maple syrup or 1 cup sugar
• Don’t overmix the batter
• Bake time will vary by oven, so just watch it once you hit the 40 minute mark
• Once cooked, let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container or wrapped in aluminum foil for up to 5 days
• You can also freeze leftovers and have fresh banana bread whenever

MORE QUICK BREADS YOU MIGHT LIKE

• Blueberry zucchini bread
• Healthy pumpkin bread
• 5 Ingredient banana muffins
• Vegan cornbread muffins

Did you make my epic banana bread without baking soda? If you did, I would greatly appreciate you leaving a comment and star rating down below. Additionally, you can follow me on Instagram and tag me if you make this or any other of my easy, delicious recipes.

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