Vegan Banana Bread

Vegan banana bread is a classic and comforting treat made without any dairy or eggs. It's a delicious way to use overripe bananas and can be customized with various add-ins like nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit. Here's a simple recipe for vegan banana bread:

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Ingredients

• 3 large ripe bananas (the riper, the better)
• 1/3 cup melted coconut oil or vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup sugar (or other sweeteners like maple syrup or agave syrup)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (replaces eggs)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Optional add-ins: chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans), vegan chocolate chips, or dried fruit (like raisins or cranberries)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

2. Mash the Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth. A few lumps are okay.

3. Mix the Wet Ingredients: Add the melted coconut oil, sugar, applesauce, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Stir to combine.

4. Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir to mix evenly.

5. Mix the Batter: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can lead to a dense bread.

6. Add Optional Ingredients: If desired, fold in chopped nuts, vegan chocolate chips, or dried fruit.

7. Bake the Banana Bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil.

8. Cool and Serve: Let the banana bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before removing it. Allow it to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Tips for Success

• Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be.
• Mixing: Be careful not to over-mix the batter, as this can affect the texture.
• Storage: Store banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze slices for longer storage.

Enjoy your vegan banana bread! This recipe is versatile and can be customized with various add-ins to suit your taste.