Flourless Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Layer the Batter: Pour half of the banana batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan and level the surface with a spatula.
- Add Cinnamon Swirl Layer: Spread the cinnamon swirl mixture evenly over the banana batter layer in the pan, smoothing it out carefully.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
