Grain Free, Gluten Free, Paleo Banana Bread
I LOVE BANANAS! Sometimes I get a craving for them and I truly believe cravings are our body telling us what we need, which in this case would be potassium. Bananas also have magnesium, vitamin B-6, vitamin C (GREAT for your skin), dietary fiber, protein, and iron. Bananas are more than just potassium! They do also have tons of sugar and carbs so don’t go crazy. Once you really start making healthy choices with your food, your body will teach you what vitamins and minerals you need by cravings. When I’m craving meat or beans, I know I need protein. If I’m craving broccoli, oranges, or orange juice, I know I need vitamin C. You get the idea. Sometimes I crave a good old fashioned banana or a banana smoothie OOOORRRR.... BANANA BREAD!!!!! This recipe inspired this blog! I posted the picture on instagram and so many people asked me for the recipe and I said, “hm, I might be onto something here.” So here we are. I wanted banana bread, but I wanted to be able to eat it without feeling yucky or getting super bloated or feeling too guilty.
DISCLAIMER: just because something says “paleo” or ESPECIALLY “gluten free” that does not, I repeat, DOES NOT, mean it is healthy! I define healthy as food you can eat without guilt. Food that is good for your body in every way. This banana bread is much better than regular banana bread because it is not filled with chemicals and gluten and preservatives, but it does have a healthy amount of carbs and fat... and deliciousness!
There are a few ingredients that are interchangeable in this recipe. First, paleo flour. I found this at Whole Foods and was so excited! You could use regular flour, almond flour, or coconut flour. This paleo flour is from Bob’s Red Mill and is a combination of almond flour, arrowroot powder, coconut flour, and tapioca flour- all great refined flour alternatives!
Next on the list, ghee. GHEE, oh how I love thee! Ghee is a gift from the heavens. Ghee is butter that has been clarified. If you don’t want to pay $10,000 for ghee you can make your own. It’s simple! Just boil butter and skim the froth that rises to the top and strain the sediment that appears on the bottom of the pan. Kind of gross that all that funky stuff is in our butter. This process removes the milk and water solids which means you can have it if you’re dairy free! You could also use coconut oil but I don’t love the flavor so that’s why I chose ghee. Fourth and Heart ghee is my favorite. I found this cute little silicone butter mold that I pour the ghee into so it makes it much easier for measuring!
Coconut sugar is paleo and it is delicious! If you are worried about a coconut flavor (honestly I was too) don't be! It tastes very similar to brown sugar. So good! It is a perfect, natural substitute and doesn't have that funny artificial, chemical flavor of some sugar substitutes.
Arrowroot powder is a substitute for baking powder. Baking powder isn't paleo so I use arrowroot powder. This helps the banana bread to be fluffy. I found it in the spice area of Kroger and the baking area of Whole Foods. Arrowroot powder can also be used as a thickener in chilis or marinades. It's a paleo wonder!
Last but certainly not least is the dairy free sour cream. I chose dairy free because my mom is allergic to dairy so I try to keep it out of most things I cook. My husband is sensitive to it as well and sometimes I wonder if I am too. So that’s why I went dairy free. You could certainly use dairy sour cream but dairy free tastes just as good!
First, preheat the oven to 350 F and grease a bundt pan using melted ghee or spray. Mash your bananas in a little bowl and make sure your ghee and eggs are at room temperature. Using a standing mixer, cream the ghee and sugar. After it is creamed, it will look like this.
Next, add the eggs one at a time and mix completely after each addition. Then add the mashed bananas.
Now add all the dry ingredients together (flour, arrowroot powder, and baking soda) in a separate bowl. While mixing on low (or else it will all blow up into your face... ask me how I know) add the dry ingredients and sour cream alternately ending with flour mixture.
Mix in chocolate chips.
Pour into bundt and bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes. Cool on a rack. Invert on a plate. Enjoy!!
I hope you love this banana bread as much as I do! I love having it as dessert after a good, healthy day! Or breakfast of course. Send me pictures if you make it!
- 16 tablespoons ghee
- 1 3/4 cup coconut sugar
- 3 eggs, at room temperature
- 3 very ripe bananas
- 1 pound bag Bob's Red Mill Paleo Flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoon arrowroot powder
- 1 1/2 cup dairy free sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 bag Enjoy Life dark chocolate chips