Flourless Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread Recipe

Introduction

This Flourless Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread is a moist and flavorful treat perfect for breakfast or a snack. Made without flour and featuring a warm cinnamon swirl, it’s naturally gluten-free and deliciously satisfying.

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed (or unsweetened applesauce or pumpkin puree)
• 1 cup almond butter (or peanut butter or cashew butter)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 eggs (or flaxseed eggs: 1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 2.5 tbsp water)

• Cinnamon Swirl:
• 1/2 cup low-fat smooth cottage cheese (or Greek yogurt or plant-based cottage cheese)
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp maple syrup (or honey or sugar-free syrup)
• 2 tbsp cornstarch (or arrowroot)
• 1 tbsp cinnamon

• Vanilla Icing:
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (or low-carb powdered sweetener like erythritol)
• 1/2 tbsp butter, melted (or ghee)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp milk (or almond, coconut, or oat milk)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a loaf pan by lining it with parchment paper or spraying it with oil. In a medium bowl, mash the bananas.
2. Step 2: Add the almond butter, eggs, and baking powder to the mashed bananas.
3. Step 3: Stir all the ingredients together until well combined.
4. Step 4: In another bowl, add the cottage cheese.
5. Step 5: Add the egg, maple syrup, cornstarch, and cinnamon to the cottage cheese.
6. Step 6: Mix the cinnamon swirl ingredients thoroughly.
7. Step 7: Pour half of the banana batter into the prepared loaf pan and level it with a spatula.
8. Step 8: Spread the cinnamon swirl mixture evenly over the banana batter layer and level it out.
9. Step 9: Add the remaining banana batter on top. Run a knife through the batter a few times to create a swirl effect and level the top.
10. Step 10: Bake for 45-50 minutes, then remove from the oven and cover with foil. Continue baking for another 20-25 minutes.
11. Step 11: While the bread is baking, combine all the vanilla icing ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
12. Step 12: Once the bread is baked and cooled, drizzle the vanilla icing over the top before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use ripe, spotted bananas for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
• For a vegan version, substitute eggs with flaxseed eggs and use plant-based cottage cheese.
• Try adding chopped nuts or dark chocolate chips to the batter for added texture.
• Arrowroot starch can be used instead of cornstarch to keep the recipe gluten-free.
• Swap almond butter with peanut or cashew butter to change the flavor profile.
• For a lower-carb icing, use powdered erythritol instead of powdered sugar.

Storage

Store the banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat slices gently in the microwave or oven before serving. Drizzle additional icing after reheating if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular flour instead of almond butter?

This recipe is designed to be flourless and uses almond butter for moisture and structure. Using regular flour would change the texture and may require adjusting the wet ingredients.

How do I make flaxseed eggs?

To make one flaxseed egg, mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 2.5 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it thickens to a gel-like consistency before using in the recipe.

Flourless Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread Recipe

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 75 reviews

This Flourless Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread is a moist, gluten-free loaf that combines the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with a rich almond butter base and a luscious cinnamon swirl layer. Perfectly topped with a smooth vanilla icing, this bread is an irresistible treat for breakfast or an afternoon snack, especially for those seeking a grain-free, gluten-free option with wholesome ingredients.

• Author: nova
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf (approximately 8 slices) 1x
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Banana Bread Batter

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 cup almond butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp baking powder

Cinnamon Swirl

• 1/2 cup low-fat smooth cottage cheese
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp cinnamon

Vanilla Icing

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp milk (dairy or non-dairy)

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a loaf pan with parchment paper or lightly spray it with oil to prevent sticking.
2. Mash Bananas and Combine Batter: In a medium bowl, mash the ripe bananas thoroughly. Add 1 cup almond butter, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon of baking powder. Stir everything together until well combined and smooth.
3. Prepare Cinnamon Swirl Mixture: In a separate bowl, add 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese. To this, add 1 egg, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, and 1 tablespoon cinnamon. Mix all these ingredients well until smooth and fully blended.
4. Layer the Batter: Pour half of the banana batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan and level the surface with a spatula.
5. Add Cinnamon Swirl Layer: Spread the cinnamon swirl mixture evenly over the banana batter layer in the pan, smoothing it out carefully.
6. Top with Remaining Batter: Pour the remaining banana batter on top of the cinnamon swirl layer and smooth out the surface. Using a knife, gently swirl by passing it through the batter a couple of times to create a marbled effect, then level the top again.
7. Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. After this initial baking, remove the bread and cover it loosely with foil. Return it to the oven and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes to ensure thorough cooking without over-browning the top.
8. Prepare Vanilla Icing: While the banana bread is baking, combine 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 tablespoon melted butter, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon milk in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and set aside.
9. Cool and Glaze: Remove the banana bread from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, drizzle the prepared vanilla icing over the top for a sweet finishing touch.

Notes

• For a vegan version, use flax eggs in place of the eggs and plant-based cottage cheese for the cinnamon swirl.
• If ripe bananas are unavailable or not preferred, mashed unsweetened applesauce or pumpkin puree can be used instead.
• Maple syrup in the cinnamon swirl can be substituted with honey or sugar-free syrup for a lower-carb option.
• Arrowroot powder can replace cornstarch to maintain a gluten-free status.
• Non-dairy milks like almond, coconut, or oat milk work well in the vanilla icing for a lactose-free alternative.
• Ensure the bread is completely cool before adding the icing to prevent it from melting and running off.

Keywords: flourless banana bread, cinnamon swirl banana bread, gluten free banana bread, almond butter banana bread, healthy banana bread, no flour banana bread, vegan banana bread option