EASY VEGAN CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD

There’s something about banana bread that makes everything alright. I love everything about it, from the smell throughout the house, to the warm, comforting feeling you get when you eat it. This EASY VEGAN CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD is a sure fire way to get all the feels!

I always like making my banana bread using oat flour (which is a fancy term for powdered oats). I think the consistency you get from oat flour is a bit less dry, plus it’s added protein, fiber and minerals so... win!

Also, since oatmeal is naturally gluten-free, you don’t have to worry about over-mixing your batter and gluten developing, which can lead to a tough banana bread. On the other hand, the absence of gluten will not cause your bread to rise as much as when you use baking or whole wheat flour. But, to me, the taste and added nutrition make up for a not-so-tall banana bread!

I also combine coconut sugar and raw cane sugar for a couple of reasons. I use coconut sugar because it has a lower glycemic index than cane sugar. I also use cane sugar because, in addition to providing sweetness and flavor, cane sugar helps create structure, moistness, and chewiness. It helps baked goods come out tender and less likely to dry out.

This recipe is also great because it only calls for two ripe bananas. Most recipes out there require three bananas and, I don’t know about you, but I rarely have bananas lying around too long at home. So, this recipe is perfect!

EASY VEGAN CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

• 2 Tbsp ground flaxseed

• 5 Tbsp water

• 2 large ripe bananas, about 1 cup mashed

• 1/3 Cup unsweetened applesauce

• 1/3 Cup coconut sugar

• 1/3 Cup raw cane sugar

• 1/4 Cup unsweetened non-dairy milk

• 2 Cups oatmeal flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

• 3/4 Cup non-dairy chocolate chips

• Melted vegan butter to brush over loaf

HOW TO MAKE IT:

1. Preheat the oven to 350° F and grease a loaf pan.

2. In a small bowl, make your ‘flax egg’ by combining the ground flaxseed and water. Set aside to thicken.

3. In a large bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until smooth. Stir the applesauce.

4. Now add the coconut and cane sugar, almond milk and flax egg. Mix well to combine.

5. Add the oat flour. Then, add the baking soda, salt and nutmeg on top of the flour. Stir until just combined.

6. Fold in the chocolate chips. Pour into the prepared loaf pan, and bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

7. Ten minutes before the end of the cook time, brush some melted vegan butter on the top of the loaf. This step is optional, but it adds texture and flavor.

8. Let it cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer the loaf to parchment paper or a cooling rack. Let cool completely before slicing.