Crunchy Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread
Crunchy Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread
Indulge in the mouthwatering delight of Crunchy Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread, a delightful twist on the classic recipe that will tantalize your taste buds. Bursting with juicy blueberries, this bread strikes the perfect balance between crunchy goodness and fluffy perfection. Whether you enjoy it for breakfast, as a quick snack, or as a satisfying dessert, this treat is guaranteed to satisfy your cravings.
With nourishing plant-based ingredients like almonds, blueberries, a hint of cinnamon spice, and plant-based milk, it's a guilt-free indulgence that will leave you craving more. All dairy-free + vegan ingredients, entirely kid-friendly, and a gluten-free + oil-free option is available.
I honestly can't stop eating this Crunchy Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread once it's made. This isn't my first time making banana bread and it won't be my last. I love this twist on my more classic recipes like Vegan Cinnamon Crunch Banana Bread and Healthy Banana Bread. Both are amazing but it just hits differently with the blueberries. With each bite, you are able to feel the blueberries just burst in your mouth and send a load of flavor your way. YUM!
By far this is my go-to healthy vegan recipe whenever I'm in the mood for an easy sweet treat. This is one of those perfect vegan recipes for nonvegans that everyone will enjoy. My kid and hubby LOVE to have Maple Brown Butter Walnut Ice Cream on top as a special extra sweet dessert.
Jump to:
- How to Make Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread
- Why Should I Make This Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread?
- Why Make The Top Crunchy?
- How Ripe Should Bananas Be for Banana Bread?
- How to Ripen Bananas for Banana Bread
- How to Serve Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread
- WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE
- Can I Use Another Plant-Based Milk for Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread?
- Can I Make Gluten-Free Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread?
- Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread Q + A's
- More Delicious Banana Recipes
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Blueberry Banana Bread with Crumb Topping
How to Make Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread
This is a simple recipe to make when it comes to this healthy vegan banana bread. And chances are you probably already have the ingredients on hand. Here’s what you need to know about the ingredients.
Ingredients
Here's what you need for this crumble-topped blueberry banana bread:
- Bananas. Use sweet, soft, and brown bananas for the best flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour. I use organic flour from Bob's Red Mill.
- Spices. This banana crunch bread gets its warming flavor from cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Vanilla. Use pure vanilla extract if you can.
- Almond milk. Make your own almond milk using my no-soak method.
- Apple cider vinegar. This is the key to making dairy-free buttermilk for a bit of tang.
- Oil. You can use canola, avocado, or melted coconut oil. [Use apple sauce for oil-free]
- Maple syrup. Use the pure stuff for the best flavor. Otherwise, agave or honey (if you're not vegan) will work.
- Brown sugar. You can also use coconut sugar if you prefer.
- Almonds. These add a nice buttery crunch to the bread. If you prefer one nut over the other, feel free to use pecans or walnuts.
- Vegan butter. I like Earth Balance buttery sticks for baking.
Why Should I Make This Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread?
Honestly, homemade breakfast breads are SUPER easy to whip together. I really love creating various flavors of sweet breads like this Roasted Blueberry Lemon Olive Oil Bread and it's usually just ONE BOWL REQUIRED!
The final moments of baking this Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread are pure bliss as the sweet aroma fills the air. And when it's finally done, what emerges from the oven is nothing short of over-the-top deliciousness. And guess what? It happens to be completely Plant-based and Vegan! And can be easily made Gluten-free + Oil-free too without compromising on taste! It's a Win-Win!
Why Make The Top Crunchy?
Now, let's talk about the game-changer: the crunchy top. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision that completely transformed the banana bread. I'm telling you, without it, this bread wouldn't have reached the mind-blowing levels of AMAZINGness that it did. The combination of cinnamon's warm embrace and the delightful nuttiness from the toasted almonds created a heavenly symphony of flavors that danced on the palate with each bite.
Trust me, the boldness of the bananas and the magic of the crunchy top make this banana bread recipe an absolute winner. Prepare to be amazed!
How Ripe Should Bananas Be for Banana Bread?
When it comes to making banana bread, the level of ripeness of your bananas matters. I've made my banana bread with both types of bananas and to be honest, the VERY ripe bananas have made the BEST banana breads.
Very ripe bananas make for a sweeter and more moist bread and the mashing is also a lot easier.
How to Ripen Bananas for Banana Bread
Have you ever had bananas that weren't fully ripe, but you were dying to make banana bread? Well, I totally understand. I've definitely been there. Luckily, I've come across a few hacks to help you ripen your bananas if you're in a pinch, and here's what you can do:
- Keep the banana bunches together to avoid the ripening process from stalling.
- Store your bananas in a warm place like near a heater or atop your refrigerator. This helps them to ripen faster.
- Using a paper bag, add your bananas inside and fold it over to close it. The gases from inside the bag once shut tight will ripen the bananas within 24-36 hours.
If you're looking to ripe your bananas more quickly for baking purposes then you can do one of the following:
- Oven Method: Preheat the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit and place bananas (with peels on) unto a baking sheet and let them bake for 15-20 minutes or until skins are black. The bananas at this point should be soft and sweet.
- Microwave Method: Poke holes into the peel bananas (all around) and microwave for 30 seconds at a time until the bananas are soft enough.
How to Serve Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread
This sweet treat has a place at breakfast, brunch, or tea time. But it doesn't stop there.
Here are a few more creative ideas on how to enjoy this vegan banana bread-
Warm and Fresh: Enjoy a slice while it's still warm from the oven. The crunchy top and soft, moist interior make for a heavenly combination. You can savor it as is or add a pat of vegan butter or a drizzle of maple syrup for extra indulgence.
Toasted and Topped: Toast a slice of banana bread to add a delightful crunch to the already delicious crunchy topping. Once toasted, you can spread a layer of your favorite vegan cream cheese, nut butter, or even homemade fruit compote on top for a decadent twist.
Pair with a Beverage: Banana bread pairs beautifully with a hot or iced coffee like this Iced Caramel Latte or a breakfast smoothie like this Mango Chia Seed Smoothie or this Cashew Date Morning Smoothie
Ice Cream Sandwich: Get creative and turn your vegan banana bread into a delightful ice cream sandwich. Slice the bread, scoop your favorite vegan ice cream like this Caramel Ice Cream or Butter Pecan Ice Cream in the middle, and enjoy a warm + cold creamy treat.
Breakfast or Brunch Spread: Serve slices of Blueberry Banana Bread as part of a breakfast or brunch spread. Pair it with fresh fruits, yogurt, or a variety of spreads like vegan cream cheese, nut butter, or jam.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE
TASTE - Bananas + bursting blueberries, almonds, and cinnamon make for a sweet and soothing flavor melody
TEXTURE - This is a rich, moist bread that is the perfect amount of crunchy + crumbly on the outside and smooth on the inside!
TIME - Easy + simple, uncomplicated steps to follow.
FAMILY FRIENDLY - The whole family is sure to LOVE baking + eating this recipe together!
SO VERSATILE - Mix and match ingredients depending on your dietary needs and the flavors you love!
Can I Use Another Plant-Based Milk for Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread?
Yes, you can use any dairy-free milk you like to make this vegan banana bread. Here are some easy recipes to make your own milk that’s cheaper and so easy!
- Quinoa Milk
- Coconut Milk
- Easy Homemade Creamy Cashew Milk
- How to Make Potato Milk
- Ultra Creamy Homemade Oat Milk
- Cauliflower Milk
Can I Make Gluten-Free Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread?
Usually, when turning my bread into gluten-free bread, I simply swap regular all-purpose flour for gluten-free all-purpose flour or 1-to-1 baking flour from Bob’s Red Mill. I recommend using a GF Flour Blend (Bob’s Red Mills has a great version!) for greater ease. However, if using only GF All-purpose flour, be sure to add Xanthan Gum so that it acts as regular flour would.
Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread Q + A's
Absolutely! You can always use frozen bananas in your Vegan Chia Seed Maple Banana Bread, however, you'll need to thaw them out at room temperature and then drain off any excess liquid before mashing them and adding them to the mix.
Refrigerate leftover blueberry banana bread by tightly wrapping it in foil paper or keeping it fully covered in a cake stand—lasts up to a week. Can also be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days.
You can freeze leftovers by wrapping the whole loaf in aluminum foil. Store it in a zip-top bag. Squeeze as much air out as you can without smooshing the bread.
Absolutely. Just use applesauce instead oil.
More Delicious Banana Recipes
Love this Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread Recipe? Try these banana-infused recipes next!
- Classic Southern Banana Pudding
- Vegan Banana Cake with Maple Buttercream
- Jamaican-inspired Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal
- Banana Cupcakes + Maple Buttercream
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you make this Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread, tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea!
Blueberry Banana Bread with Crumb Topping
Ingredients
BREAD:
- 3 very ripe Bananas, mashed
- 2 cups organic all-purpose flour
- ½ cup organic brown sugar
- 2 tsps baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tsps ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¾ cup Almond milk (You can use your fave plant-based milk)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup coconut oil, melted (See Notes!)
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen (Be sure to toss blueberries lightly in 1 tablespoon flour before adding them to recipe)
CRUMB TOPPING:
- 1 cup sliced Almonds, toasted
- ½ cup organic all-purpose flour
- ½ cup organic brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup vegan butter, partially melted
Instructions
MAKE THE DAIRY-FREE 'BUTTERMILK':
- In a bowl, whisk together the milk and apple cider vinegar and set aside for 5-10 minutes until everything "activates" to create the dairy-free "buttermilk".
TO MAKE THE BREAD:
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a standard bread pan using vegan butter or coconut oil and line with parchment paper, leaving a hanging over on the sides for an easy "pull-out".
- In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, oil, maple syrup, almond extract, vanilla, and 'buttermilk' mixture, whisking them together until combined.
- Next, add in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. NOTE: DO NOT OVER-MIX!
- Fold in the blueberries until they're incorporated.
- Pour batter in the prepared loaf pan and evenly spread it out.
TO MAKE THE CRUMB TOPPING:
- In a bowl, add the flour, brown sugar, almonds, and cinnamon, stirring them together until combined. Using a pastry blender, blend everything together until ingredients are broken down into smaller pieces. Add the partially melted vegan butter and using a spatula, mix until combined and mixture looks "crumbly-like' and can be easily pressed together with your fingers.
- Now, evenly sprinkle the crumb topping atop your batter until fully covered and Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick or knife that is inserted in the middle comes out clean. NOTE: Midway, I like to poke VERY SMALL holes all over the bread to allow heat to penetrate through and to ensure it cooks through so that the centers aren't uncooked.
- Once done, remove bread from oven and let it cool for 25-30 minutes before gently removing it from loaf pan to cool completely.
- Once cooled, slice and enjoy!
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Refrigerate leftover bread by tightly wrapping it in foil paper or keeping it fully covered in a cake stand—lasts up to a week. Can also be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- SWEETENER: If you choose to opt out of maple syrup, you can always substitute with raw honey or Date syrup as well.
- GLUTEN-FREE VERSION: To make this bread GF, I recommend using a GF Flour Blend (Bob’s Red Mills has a great version!). NOTE: If the bread mixture is too ‘thin + runny’, simply add additional GF flour, ¼ cup at a time.
- OIL: Instead of coconut oil, you can also use vegetable oil or melted vegan butter, if preferred.
- OIL-FREE: Instead of using oil, you can substitute with apple sauce.
Nutrition
DID YOU MAKE THIS recipe?
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LOVE THIS RECIPE?
LET US KNOW!
This is my new banana bread recipe! It is heartier and more filling than traditional. And the topping!! thank you for this recipe! I made it just as you wrote it and it's delightful!
Hi Catherine! Wow---that makes me so happy to hear that you enjoyed this! It's definitely one of my fave ways to make banana bread! Thanks so much for choosing to try my recipe! 🙂
Yum!! This looks super delicious!! And healthy 🙂 🙂
Thanks so much Sophie! It was really delicious!
This looks amazing! I just printed out the recipe and am going to see for myself how it tastes! Thank you.
Thanks so much Autumn! Be sure to let me know how it tastes once you give it a try! It really is delicious!
This looks like it could be a great option for my kids at breakfast! Thanks for sharing.
Yes, my little guy loved this as well! I hope that your little ones enjoy it!
This is a recipe my boys would love! And we all love just about anything with blueberries! We are absolutely going to try this one! Thank you!
Haha! My little guy and big guy (my husband) LOVED this bread too, so I think you may just have a winner with your boys!
I love banana bread. I make it very often but I am so excited to see this recipe with the crunchy nut topping. It must really take the flavour to a whole different level. I must try this.
Yes, the crunch really does take it to a whole other level, Nayantara! I definitely hope that you enjoy it as much as I did!
Ohhh, I love the idea of having a crunchy topping! We love making banana bread, and I'll have to make your version.
Thanks so much Marysa! Yes, the extra crunch makes a world of a difference for sure!