When I have lots of very ripe bananas, I usually freeze them to use them in smoothies and ice cream, but sometimes, to treat my husband, I use them to make delicious loaves of banana bread. When I was a child, I loved to experiment in the kitchen with my friends (this still applies today!). I remember one time we did a twist on a banana bread recipe by adding dates and I have never gone back! Dates in a banana bread are simply amazing and in my household, they are now just another popular item that always come in a pair. Dates and bananas go together like peanut butter and jelly, crepes and maple syrup, milk and chocolate…. you get the analogy!

In this gluten-free recipe, the banana bread is very moist thanks to the addition of chia seeds and dates. It is also nutritious as it contains coconut oil, it is low in sugar and it is made with healthy gluten-free flours. I love to add my homemade vanilla extract, which is so flavourful!

Chia and Date Banana Bread {Gluten-Free, Vegan}

 

Print

Prep time

15 mins

Cook time

40 mins

Total time

55 mins

 

This gluten-free and vegan banana bread is very moist and nutritious with added chia seeds and dates.

Author: Homemade Hearts

Serves: 2 loaves

Ingredients

• ¼ cup almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 3 cups ripe bananas, mashed (approximately 5 large bananas)
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil
• ½ cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
• 1 teaspoon homemade vanilla extract
• ¾ cup brown rice flour
• ¼ cup rolled oats, processed into flour
• ¾ cup tapioca starch
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon xantham gum
• 2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 8 Medjool dates, chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat oven at 375 degrees F.
2. Grease two loaf molds with coconut oil.
3. In a small bowl, mix milk with chia seeds. Set aside for approximately 5 minutes until it thickens and becomes like a gel or pudding.
4. In a large bowl, beat together coconut oil, sugar and vanilla extract.
5. Incorporate almond milk with chia seeds, and mashed bananas. Mix well.
6. In a separate bowl, mix together rice flour, tapioca starch, baking soda, xantham gum, cinnamon, cocoa and salt.
7. Incorporate the flour mix into the wet mixture slowly while mixing well.
8. Fold in dates.
9. Pour the batter in the two greased loaf pans.
10. Bake in pre-heated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a fork inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean.

3.2.2708