This Vegan Chia Seed Maple Banana Bread is super moist, tasty, packed with healthy nutrients including superfoods like Chia Seeds, and 100% delicious! It takes less than 10 minutes to whip together and makes for a great healthy alternative for a little sweetness in the morning for breakfast or even for dessert after dinner. All vegan ingredients, entirely kid-friendly, and a gluten-free option available.
Sponsored Post: This post is sponsored by Navitas Organics, but the content and opinions expressed are all based on my genuine love for this brand and are my own. Thanks so much for supporting the brands I love.
Now that the long Holiday weekend is over, I couldn’t be more excited to share another recipe in collaboration with Navitas Organics.
If you’ve been an avid follower of Orchids + Sweet Tea, then you’re aware that I chose my collaborations with brands VERY carefully, because I want to ensure that they represent this blog’s mission in every way possible.
Honestly, I’d rather turn down a company that doesn’t coincide with what I stand for and of course I often already use that company’s product so that I can ensure that you’ll love it too.
With that being said, I’m a huge fan of Navitas Organics and often use so much of their products. Navitas Organics has so many great options when it comes to eating healthy and this powder is just ONE of the amazing flavors available.
In case you aren’t too familiar, Navitas Organics has an array of options which include Cacao, Goji Berries, Maca Powder, Superfood blends, Turmeric, Chia Seeds, Mulberry Berries, and so much!
In addition, they have Latte mixes, Powder Boosts, Power Snacks, and more.
This Vegan Chocolate Cake + Chocolate Buttercream is a healthier option to the decadent classic—Chocolate Cake! Not only is it completely moist + fluffy, but it’s also filled with an airy Cacao buttercream that when paired with this velvety vegan chocolate (cacao) buttercream, they all work amazingly together. A definite crowd-pleasing cake for any occasion, celebration, or ‘treat yo’ self day!
These No-Bake Cacao Date Loaded Energy Bars are loaded with nutrient-dense ingredients like Cacao, Cacao Butter, Dates, Chia Seeds, Cashew Nuts, Coconut Flakes, Pumpkin Seeds, and Maple Syrup. They make for an awesome packable snack, breakfast replacement, or even dessert if you’re into something healthy as a sweet treat. Full of bold flavor, chewy, and super easy to make. Vegan and Gluten-Free.
These Vegan Blueberry Acai Mini Muffins are a great healthy option for the entire family. Loaded with nutrient dense ingredients, these mini muffins are the perfect little bites for breakfast, brunch, a quick packable snack, or sweet treat after dinner. Moist, fluffy, made in just 1 bowl, and in 25 minutes.
When it comes to Banana Bread, I’ve found a new love for it. Honestly, I never use to be a fan of it, especially the traditional way that it was often made when I was growing up.
However, since putting my own spin on things, I’ve realized just how delicious it can be and just how versatile it is as well.
Let’s take this Vegan Cinnamon Crunch Banana Bread for instance. It’s perfectly sweet and moist, is balanced between tender and crunchy (from the Walnuts + Pecan crumble), and 100% delicious!
Then there’s this Almond-Cinnamon Crunch Blueberry Banana Bread which is a fun balance between crunch and fluffiness. Best during breakfast, as a snack, or for dessert, this banana bread uses healthier ingredients which include a blend of whole wheat + all-purpose flour, toasted almond nuts, organic blueberries, coconut oil, and non-dairy milk. Plus, it’s completely dairy-free and vegan which is a real special sweet treat for those taste-buds!
And if you’re so into Banana Bread, BUT would need it to be more ‘on-the-go’, then these Vegan Cinnamon Banana Crumble Muffins are A MUST! They are literally hand held sized Banana Breads that can be packed away for your kid’s lunch or carried around with you on the move.
Either way—you’ll love all of the delicious options that Banana Bread has to offer!
The Best Healthy Sugar Alternatives + Substitutes list is all about finding better ways to enjoy your favorite sweets without compromising your healthy lifestyle. For those who follow a vegetarian and/or vegan lifestyle, this lists offers a few great ideas to incorporate healthy sweeteners into your diet.
OK, so did you know that Chia Seeds are considered a superfood? Yup. It is. For those of you who are wondering what a superfood is anyway—-whelp, it’s pretty simple. Superfoods are nutrient-rich foods that are considered to be especially beneficial to one’s health and well-being.
While there isn’t just one type of food that can fight away any one disease, etc.; having an array of good foods (including superfoods) and a well-balanced diet is the key to overall good health.
When it comes to Chia Seeds, this type of food falls under the ‘Nuts and Seeds’ category of superfoods. They are generally rich in fiber, vegetarian protein, and heart-healthy fats.
Research has indicated that eating nuts and seeds helps to protect us against heart disease.
While some nuts and seeds are dense in calories, Chia Seeds have very few calories which often makes it a great option when adding it to meals and drinks.
When it comes to both syrups, I often use them interchangeably, although I love to use pure maple syrup mostly. Agave is said to have a lower glycemic index, which makes it perfect for those with diabetes. On the other hand, pure Maple syrup has tons of antioxidants because it comes directly from a plant’s sap.
Navitas Organics Chia Seeds are virtually tasteless, making them super versatile. You can use them as a thickening agent in soups or smoothies, add to baked goods for a poppy-seed like crunch, or make chia pudding for a nutritious breakfast or snack. They are organic, No-GMOs, Kosher, Gluten-Free, and Vegan.
If you choose to make this Vegan Chia Seed Maple Banana Bread or any other recipe from us, be sure to tag us on Instagram at #Orchidsandsweettea so that we can share the love, rate, comment below, + share!
Now, let’s dig right into this recipe, shall we?
Begin by lining a loaf baking pan with parchment paper (leaving an end out on each side for an easy ‘pull-up’ and setting it aside. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit!
In a large bowl, add the mashed bananas, vegetable oil, maple syrup, and Almond milk and stir together until well combined.
Next, add in the flour, baking powder, organic brown sugar, cinnamon, chia seeds, and sea salt. Mix together until well incorporated. **NOTE: Try not to OVER-MIX.**
Carefully pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, evenly spreading it. Gently place the sliced banana slices on top of batter (lightly pressing them in so they stay in place) and sprinkle top with chia seeds.
Place your bread in the oven and bake for 55-60 minutes or until center is fully baked through (by testing center with a toothpick or knife and seeing if it comes out ‘clean’).
Once done, remove bread from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes or so.
Lifting the two sides of the parchment paper, gently remove bread from the loaf pan and onto a platter or dish.
Drizzle with maple syrup (on top) and slice and enjoy.
Bon Appetite!
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Vegan Chia Seed Maple Banana Bread.
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LET US KNOW!
Hi! I made 2 batches of this banana bread this weekend. One I made muffins out of and the other was a bread. The muffins came out perfectly! Even my 8 year old who isn’t much into banana bread loved it! My house smelled divine while these were cooking, too. However, like one reader commented, with the bread I had the issue of my bread burning, while the inside was undercooked. I feel I need to tweak the recipe for the bread, but they were ah-mazing as muffins!! I mean THEY. ARE. GOOD! I’ve definitely saved this to my “tried and true recipes” Pinterest board because I’ll be making these again and again. Thank you!
Hi Allen! I’m so happy to hear that you ad your family enjoyed this recipe! The trick to making the bread is to “poke small holes” in the center and around the top midway through baking to ensure that it cooks thoroughly and quickly before the outside gets too dark. Also, ensure that you are baking it on the top rack of your oven if you weren’t already doing so. I do hope that the bread turns out better for you the next time around! 🙂
Shanika, I’ll definitely try that next time! I finished my last muffin today. I’ve been really enjoying them for breakfast! I split mine in half, toast them, then spread on vegan cashew butter. 🥰 Again, thank you for this recipe! I’m glad I made a double batch and will be pulling the bread out of the freezer this weekend!
I forgot to correct the auto fill, so my husband name is what posted 😅 My name is Dana 👍
Haha! No worries at all, Dana! 🙂
This turned out so moist and tasty! Made it as is no alterations. Thank you for the recipe. Going to be making it more often 🙂
Hi Amanda! I’m so glad that everything turned out great and that you enjoyed it! It’s definitely one of my faves! 🙂
I was out of chia but I did have flax meal so I subbed that. I also added half of an uneaten dark chocolate bar shaved as a bonus (since the hubs wanted chocolate in it too). Very good!!
I’m so glad that you enjoyed it as much as I did! Chocolate + Banana Bread is a killer combo for sure! 🙂
I read the recipe and I thought I should try it asap. But I have to say, that it did not come out nice, it was in the oven for an hour and the outside was getting burnt while the inside was still not done at all. Not just moist, I mean just the same way it was before getting in the oven, all mash, not baked at all! I have baked many banana breads using a different recipe but this one was such a disappointment! Sorry for the negative comment, trust me I wanted this to work, but the comments I read below were from people that want to try it, so I am thinking maybe it was not my bad baking technique after all.
Hi! I’m so sorry to hear that your Bread didn’t come out great! When making it, was your batter on the thick side or very wet?
It was as thick as other batters I have made for a banana bread, however I do think that it needed a lot more flour added, judging from the result. Next time I may change the amount of flour, because I really like the recipe.Thank you for your reply.
Ok, got it! Yes, I definitely recommend trying to add more flour if needed. Also, I tend to lightly prick the bread using a knife at the centers once it’s halfway baked to help it thoroughly bake through. Hopefully this helps! 🙂
Oh my, I am making this over the weekend. Yummy! Cheers! and Bottoms up!
Absolutely love chia seeds! Just another way to add them into my daily life, to my hubby’s chagrin lol. Can’t wait to make this banana bread, girl. Pinning!
How you got the banana slices to Carmelita perfectly is amazing! Thanks for the recipe.
I have a bunch of chia seeds to use up, and this seems like the perfect recipe to do it in! This bread looks so flavorful and amazing – I can’t wait to try it out!
I always have a stash of overripe bananas just waiting to hop into a banana bread. And I love trying new banana bread recipes, especially one that’s on the healthier side with so many chia seeds. Perfect for breakfast tomorrow!
This banana bread looks so moist and delicious! It’s definitely calling my name. You can never have too many banana bread recipes!
I love chia seeds and use it often on my yogurt, cottage cheese and protein drinks but haven’t tried it in banana bread. I can’t wait to try yours!
Never thought to add chai seeds to banana bread before – must be so yummy! I need to try this asap! Thank you for the inspiration!
Love this vegan version of banana bread. So moist and delicious.
I love to use chia seeds in recipes, I hadn’t seen them used in baked fruit bread before but it looks amazing!
Banana bread is one of my favourite things to bake, I always save a bunch of bananas and keep them for few days just so they’re nice and ripe and ready to go into banana bread. I like added chia seeds for some extra texture and nutrition too!
Hmm yum! This Vegan Chia Seed Maple Banana Bread looks super delicious! I am sure my family will love this. Got to go to my kitchen!
This sounds great! Always love a new banana bread to try!
What a beautiful loaf of bread! I love the way you’ve arranged the sliced bananas on top.
I love that you used almond milk and maple syrup in this recipe. It sounds just incredible!
I love a good banana bread and love the idea of adding chia seeds in it to make it even healthier – and for the little crunch as a well! Have to try it asap
This banana bread looks so moist and hearty at the same time! I will definitely have to try this out thanks for the lovely recipe!
This looks amazing. I need to try adding chia seeds to my banana bread.