Vegan Buckwheat Flour Banana Bread (gluten-free)

Vegan buckwheat flour banana bread may soon be your favorite of all banana breads! It is naturally gluten-free, egg-free, and dairy-free, as well as low in added sugar.

Vegan & Gluten Free Banana Bread Made with Buckwheat Flour

My whole grain flour obsession du jour is buckwheat. I have been using buckwheat flour in combination with wheat flour for years, but now I’m learning to savor it solo.

Sweet-tooth me, a cake-y banana bread seemed a great place to start. Hello, Vegan Buckwheat Banana Bread!

What is Buckwheat?

Buckwheat is one of the oldest crops in the world and is naturally gluten-free. Despite the misleading name, buckwheat has no relationship to wheat at all; it’s actually a fruit seed (related to rhubarb—who would have thunk?), not a grain. 

You may already have an affection for buckwheat, too without having thought about it much: think savory French crepes  with melting Gruyere (the ultimate street food IMHO) or a big bowl of earthy Japanese soba noodles. But if baking with buckwheat is unfamiliar terrain, then it’s time to explore.

Why Should I Bake with Buckwheat Flour?

When buckwheat is milled, buckwheat produces a flour that is light and fine-textured. It is a very absorbent—more so than wheat flour—and  works wonders in baked goods. Think crisp cookies and tender as can be breads, cakes and muffins.

And the flavor! Buckwheat flour gives baked goods a rich, earthy  flavor akin to nuts (walnuts and pecans come to mind in particular).

Is Buckwheat Flour Nutritious?

Buckwheat (whole, or milled into flour) is very nutritious indeed!

If you need further incentive to give buckwheat flour a try, with this bread or in another recipe, consider this: buckwheat, like quinoa, contains a full spectrum of essential amino acids, making it one of the few vegetable sources of complete protein that equals the protein of fish or meat in quality. Perhaps I should rename this “power banana bread?”

Which brings me back to my vegan buckwheat banana bread.

Benefits of Vegan Buckwheat Flour Banana Bread

• Vegan (egg-free, dairy-free)
• Gluten-free
• Nut-free
• High in fiber
• No refined sugars
• Quick and easy to make (one bowl!)

Ingredients

The exact amounts of each ingredient are indicated in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Step by Step Instructions

Note that the complete directions are also in the recipe card below.

• Preheat oven to 350°F (180C). Lightly spray a 9×5-inch (22.5 x12.5 cm) loaf  with nonstick cooking spray (or line with parchment paper).
• In a large bowl, whisk together the bananas, coconut sugar, oil and vanilla until blended.
• Add the buckwheat flour, flaxseed meal, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until blended.
• Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached.
• Let cool 20 minutes in pan on a wire rack. Remove loaf and cool completely before slicing.

Happy baking!

More Great GF & Vegan Buckwheat Recipes:

• Buckwheat Flour Carrot Muffins (Vegan, Oil-Free, GF)
• Gluten-Free Buckwheat Sandwich Bread {vegan, no yeast}
• 4-Ingredient Buckwheat Flax Chia Bread {vegan, GF, oil-free}
• Healthy No-Bake Buckwheat Granola Bars {vegan, gluten-free}
• Oil-Free Vegan Buckwheat Banana Bread (GF)