Kirbie's Cravings

3 Ingredient Banana Bread (No Butter, Oil, Eggs or Refined Sugar)

This easy banana bread is just 3 ingredients and produces a quick bread full of banana flavor. This bread has a similar texture to bread made with yeast but doesn’t require any yeast. This bread also does not contain any butter, oil, eggs, or refined sugar.
sliced banana bread.

This bread wasn’t what I originally intended on making, but I am very happy with the result. I was trying to make a quick cake bread, but instead ended up with a bread that is like yeast bread but without any yeast. This bread recipe is perfect for when you’re low on ingredients or time. It takes just a few minutes to make the batter and then it’s ready to go in the oven.

Ingredients

  • Bananas
  • Self-Rising Flour (you can also make your own with all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt)
  • Milk (or milk substitute)

Very Ripe Bananas

This recipe requires very ripe or overripe bananas. They are much easier to mash, contain more liquid and are sweeter.

Self-Rising Flour

If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can easily make your own with all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt. I provide the exact amounts needed in the recipe box at the end of the post. I have not tested this recipe with whole wheat flour. I think it would work, but it will make the bread drier. If you want to try making it with whole wheat, I recommend only substituting half of the flour with whole wheat. You will also need baking powder and salt.

Milk

This recipe requires whole milk. You can also substitute with milk alternatives like soy milk or almond milk.
three slices of banana bread.

Pureed Bananas

The bananas are pureed in a blender or food processor until they become a liquid consistency.

Pureeing the bananas in the food processor does a few things for the recipe:

  • It gives the bread batter enough liquid to come together. This recipe does not contain a lot of liquid so it does use the liquid from the bananas.
  • It ensures that your bananas are evenly mixed throughout the bread batter. When bananas are only mashed you end up with little pieces of banana that will end up in some sections in the bread and not in others.
  • It breaks down the pulp fibers of the banana so you don’t see the dark specks like you usually see in banana bread.

While you can still make this recipe without a food processor or blender, it is a little harder. You can mash the bananas by hand but you will want very ripe bananas that are easy to break down. You will also have to mash quite a while to eliminate all the bananas lumps. I usually start with a fork and spoon and then switch to a whisk to break down the banana pieces. Your banana bread will also still have the dark specks from the pulp fibers.

Bread Texture

Most banana breads have a cake-like texture. This banana bread does not. Instead, it is more like traditional bread that is made with a leavening agent instead of yeast, similar to Irish soda bread.

This bread is also not sweetened. However, you can easily sweeten this bread by adding a few tablespoons of maple syrup or sugar to the batter.
overhead shot of the bread.

More Easy Bread Recipes

3 Ingredient Banana Bread

Servings: 12 slices
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
This easy banana bread tastes like a traditional yeast bread but without any yeast. It also doesn't contain any butter, oil, eggs or refined sugar!
5 from 19 votes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup + 2 tbsp (279 grams) very ripe bananas, pureed (see note)
  • 2 cups (250 grams) self-rising flour or combine 2 cups all purpose flour + 1 tbsp baking powder + ½ tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup (4 oz) whole milk

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8 x 4 inch baking loaf pan with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and whisk until smooth. Batter will be very thick. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Because this batter is thick and sticky, make sure to use a spatula to scrape the edges of the bowl to get all of the batter into the pan.
  • Bake for about 45-50 minutes or until top of the bread is browned and toothpick inserted comes out clean. When you apply pressure to the surface of the bread, it should bounce back instead of sinking in. Let bread cool fully before cutting and serving. To let the banana flavor develop even more fully, leave the bread until the next day to consume.

Notes

  • The bananas should be pureed in a food processor or blender until they reach a liquid consistency. The 1 cup + 2 tbsp is measured after the bananas are pureed. See the post for details of why the bananas are pureed instead of mashed.
  • The recipe measurements are using US cups.
  • If you are making your own self-rising flour, add the flour, baking powder and salt and whisk until combined before mixing with the other ingredients in the recipe.
  • Whole milk can be replaced with milk alternatives like almond milk or soy milk.
  • This is not a sweet banana bread. You can make it a sweet bread by adding a few tablespoons of maple syrup or sugar to the batter. Adding sugar may increase baking time.
  • This is also not a cake bread that you often find for banana bread. The bread is more like a yeast bread but made with a leavening agent instead of yeast.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice, Calories: 102kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 5mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, NET CARBS: 20

The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.

Did you make this recipe?I'd love to see it! Mention @KirbieCravings and tag #kirbiecravings!

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Recipe Rating




138 comments on “3 Ingredient Banana Bread (No Butter, Oil, Eggs or Refined Sugar)”

  1. I made my own self-rising flour and used oat milk and (a bit brown) peeled bananas from yesterday, so I’m not surprised it didn’t turn out as bread-textured as I thought it would – but OH MY GOD it’s soooo goood!!! I had to hold myself from finishing the whole loaf in one sitting. Glad I did because it was even better the morning after – lightly toasted with a bit of butter!

  2. Hi Kirbie, I use the water to replace the milk and use the cupcake cups instead. A big success. Do you think if I add some Hershey cocoa powder, will it work and would you please tell the measurement of both the cocoa powder and the self raising flour in gram? Thank you.

  3. Hi Kirbie, could I replace the milk with the same amount of water and thank you?

    • We haven’t tried it with water and can’t say how that will turn out. You can use milk alternatives, if that helps.

  4. This recipe is excellent on its own and also good as a base for trying some other things. It’s very good with added cranberries. I probably will make it every week.

  5. Just joined WW hope these will provide me some dessert options

  6. 2nd time I make it….I love it. The only difference is I add walnuts. The following day I warm it up, about 15 seconds per slice.

  7. Thank you for this easy recipe. I followed your directions (except I used Blue Diamond Vanilla Almond Milk with a hint of honey). It came out great!
    I plan on adding peanut butter or chocolate chips next time.
    (The texture is similar to the raisin bread you purchase at the grocery store.)
    Thank you

  8. I cannot rate because your not included Quantities of ingredients

  9. I tried following the recipe very closely and probably baked it for even longer. But my bread turned out soggy on the inside a bit like raw dough, and it didn’t rise at all. What could be the issue?:(

    • Did you use self-rising flour or mix your own? There might have been a problem with the baking powder depending on which one you used – if it was old or expired it might not work right.

  10. About how many bananas make up 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons ?

  11. Can i add penutbutter to 3 ingteadent bananas bread?

  12. Can i add peanut butter to the 3 ingredient bana cake

  13. I haven t tried this yet but was wondering if I could add peanut butter to this recipe?

  14. Can’t wait to try this recipe! Do you have a similar three or four ingredient for carrot cake? I used to have a recipe using crushed pineapple and the juice and a couple other ingredients but can’t find it.

  15. I’m going to try these.looked at some recipes I’m going to try them too.thanks for the ideas.

  16. Can i substitute the flour to almond flour?

  17. Is it possible to make this with low fat milk? We always have 1% in our house.

    • We’ve only made it with whole milk. You need the fat from the milk for the best texture and flavor for the bed. Using 1% could change those things, but let us know if you tried it.

    • Hi! I’m not an expert and I just bake random things but I regularly substitute whole milk for 1% and a Little bit of sour cream, I hope this helps with future baking. 🙂

  18. I can’t believe how easy and delicious this bread turned out. I took a slice soon after it was done and it really is like a yeast bread! It’s great straight from the oven and a few days later too. I made it again using white whole wheat flour. I highly recommend this recipe.

  19. Can I substitute cream cheese for milk?

  20. Can you substitute Besan, Oat or Quinoa flour for the self rising flour?

  21. One word….AWESOME!! I will definitely make it again and again.
    Thank you for this lovely, easy, cost effective recipe.

  22. Made a similar recipe which was quite good.
    Used 5 overripe bananas, 1 can of condensed milk and
    21/2 cups self rising flour.
    Line large loaf pan with parchment paper.
    Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Cool in pan for 1 hour.
    Also added some cinnamon.
    Found this version on YouTube also!

  23. Great bread . I didn’t have whole milk so I ADDED 1/2 tsp oil . It was great. Thx.

  24. Love the dialog so will try the recipe thanks.

  25. This is perfect. I have a state fair winner recipe I usually make. But this recipe is much healthier. Much. Thank you. Where can I find your other recipes?

  26. I didn’t have self rising flour to make it, so I used the alternative method for self rising flour, but I didn’t mix the flour, baking powder, and salt before the other ingredients? I’m wondering if the bread will come out ok. I made it one other time with self rising flour, and it was fantastic. But, I decided to try it with regular flour instead. 

  27. Absolutely delicious ,u r a star

  28. I made this gluten-free, and it was fantastic! I used PC all-purpose gf flour with 1 tsp baking powder and 1/2 tsp salt. Let it sit for 20 mins (always with any gf baking it helps get rid of the grit feeling). This cooks amazIng, tastes great! I have had it for 2 days now, toasted once with peanut butter (OMG!) and once with Cinnimon sugar… so good.

  29. Thank you for sharing your ideas.

  30. Could Honey be used to sweeten the bread some more if needed?

  31. It’s banana bread not banana ?.
    And it’s five-star not 5?

  32. I tried the banana ? and It was delicious.
    Please send more recipe my email.
    Thank you very much ?????.
    Oh and before I go my rating is 5 ?

  33. I love banana bread, i can’t wait to make this!

  34. Can we substitute oats flour for all purpose flour?

  35. Love banana breá but I use with with tidbits walnuts and more tasty

  36. Hi! Just wondering about a substitution, since I never have milk in my house, but I do always have cream. I understand that would add fat, but I’m more concerned about sugar in recipes. Do you think it would work to substitute cream for the milk? Thank you.

  37. I must put this on my grocery list!!$$$!!

  38. Thank you for this recipe…??????

  39. Can you substitute water instead of using milk in this recipe?

  40. Thank you

  41. I am going to bake this banana bread my husband I vegan so I’m always looking for eggless recipes instead of hold milk can I use a plant base milk

  42. Was really curious about this recipe. Tried today and was really impressed. Bread is lighter, but taste is very good. We’re watching our calories, and I like my breads. This was a win! Thank you 

  43. Could almond flour be substituted?

  44. Cam I make this with oat flour?

  45. Do you have a whole wheat or other whole grain conversion?

  46. Can this bread be made with a non gluten flour? I really hope so!

  47. I was wondering if the banana bread can be made from frozen bananas?
    And then after there defrosted put in a blender and weigh.
    Frozen bananas make a lot of liquid.

    • frozen bananas would definitely be trickier because they have so much liquid. You would have to remove a lot of the moisture in addition to defrosting them

  48. All your recipes look and should be a welcome taste for me since I am looking for new ways to make my food more nutritious. Thanks!

  49. Wo?uld gluten-free self raising flour work?

  50. I’m glad I found your website. 99% of baking recipes online contain an unacceptable amount of sugar. Finally I can find some recipes for human consumption here. Could you please let me know how, and how long I can store this bread on the counter, in the fridge/freezer? Thank you.

    • I stored mine on the counter for 2 days and put it in the fridge after that. I haven’t tried freezing but I think it should freeze well

  51. Please I still want to understand the measurement for the flour!
    Is it going to be 250g Flour x 2cups
    Or
    Will it be just 250g Flour (1cup)flour?

    • Sorry I’m not understanding your question. It is 2 cups self-rising flour which is 250 grams if you are using a scale instead of using US measuring cups.

  52. I’m grateful for such recipe. I didn’t know that you could bake without butter o r oil. Wonderful

  53. I am delighted to try this. Simple enough?

  54. This is funny…. glad you mistakes comes out to benefit us… lovely…

  55. How long does this bread keep, and can it be frozen?

  56. Can I use any keto friendly flour like coconut or almond flour?

  57. Have you tried this in a bread machine? Any idea which program would be best?

  58. Easy n wonderful Recipe

  59. Can you use almond flout or coconut flour?

  60. Hi,
    I was wondering if this could be made with gluten free flour using the same additional ingredients as for non self raising flour?

  61. Since this is more of the consistency of a yeast bread, can this banana bread be toasted??

  62. Will this work with a bread making machine?

  63. I love these recipes!

  64. I love your easy recipes

  65. I really appreciate this

  66. Thanks for making life easier

  67. I notice it says 1 cup + 1 tbsp for the banana this is (279g) yet the flour says 2 cups (250g) should this be (500g)?