This paleo almond coconut banana bread is incredibly moist and just slightly sweet without any traditional flours or sweetener.
I didn’t title it as such, but this is a paleo bread. At least I think it is.
Can we discuss this whole paleo thing for a moment? So, the premise is to eat “like a caveman would”. Ok, I get that. But I have a really hard time distinguishing between eating the foods a caveman would’ve been able to eat versus the methods a caveman would’ve had at his disposal.
Baking just seems completely counterintuitive to the whole paleo thing. I mean, did cavemen have ovens? Baking soda? No.
And then there’s the whole bean thing. Beans were definitely around back then, why aren’t they included on the “ok” list?
So, no beans, but bread’s ok.
Um, I can’t be the only one confused by this.
And let me just disclose that I’m totally no paleo expert (as if that weren’t already apparent). I’ve done a bit of online browsing and read a decent amount of other people’s posts on the diet. That’s it.
What I’ve basically realized after wasting my time reading far too many articles about it is that maple syrup falls in the (quite large) gray area.
This almond coconut banana bread has a tablespoon of it. I’ll leave the determination up to you.
I had no intention of specifically making a paleo bread, I just wanted a higher protein one with no traditional flours or sweetener.
Had I judged the outcome based on what the dough looked like, this would’ve been inedible. The dough was incredibly thick and I didn’t think there was any way it would rise at all or turn out to be anything other than rock hard.
I was totally wrong. One of the few times in life I’m happy about that.
It’s just perfectly sweet enough from the banana and it’s so incredibly moist. If I could describe my perfect bread texture, this would be it.
I was floored.
Maybe those cavemen were on to something. You know, with their ovens and all.
But not that jelly! That’s just me being controversial.
Looking for more banana bread recipes? Try one of these:
Pumpkin Banana Chocolate Chip Bread
Cinnamon Sugar Banana Pecan Bread with Raspberry Butter
Almond Coconut Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup coconut flour
- 1/4 cup flax seed meal
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 eggs
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large ripe banana, mashed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 small loaf pans (5 3/4" x 3 1/2").
- Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Combine wet ingredients in a small bowl and whisk together.
- Pour wet into dry ingredients and mix until fully incorporated.
- Divide evenly (dough will be thick) into loaf pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake for about 35 minutes.
- Remove loaves from oven, let cool in pans for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
Like 50% of my diet is beans, I would never survive as a paleo caveman.
I have everything to make this – sold! It looks delicious! It will be my first time baking with coconut flour! Happy weekend, girl :)
I love when recipes turn out, especially when they look like they’re going south.
I hate how all the good really healthy recipes have bananas in them! I’m allergic but sometimes I just give up and make a recipe with them anyway. This one looks like it’s worth trying!
I don’t get the Paleo thing either. I’ve been experimenting a lot with coconut and almond flour, so I come across lots of Paleo recipes, but… I don’t know. Different strokes for different folks and all that (that sounds so cheesy but it’s true!) :)
Haha, I imagine if I was allergic to banana, I’d feel the same way. Sorry! It’s just the perfect sweetener without having to use sugar :) In lieu of you having an allergic reaction, maybe try pumpkin and add some more maple syrup?
One other question: I don’t have mini loaf pans. What adjustments would you make if using a regular sized loaf pan? Thanks!!!
Hi Tamara- sorry for the delayed response, this one slipped through the cracks! If using a regular loaf pan, it’ll just come out flatter. The baking time will probably be about the same but check it after 20-25 mins since it will be flatter. I haven’t made it with a regular loaf pan so you’ll have to do some experimenting.
This looks amazing! I got some almond flour and coconut flour but haven’t made anything with them yet. Now I know what I’ll be trying first! I don’t have any flax meal on hand… is there a sub? I have hemp seeds, but that doesn’t seem like it would be the best sub. If not, I’ll pick up some flax and try this asap!
Sorry- should’ve answered this in the last question too. I’ve never used hemp seeds, but I don’t really think it would be a great sub. Wheat germ would probably work if you have that, otherwise just increase the almond flour. The flax definitely gives it another protein and health boost though :)
No worries, thanks a bunch for getting back to me! I’ll just wait until I can get the flax… and maybe I’ll pick up some small loaf pans, while I’m at it. They should come in handy! ;)
Hi may I know is it possible for me to substitute the almond and coconut flours with organic wholemeal wheat flour or all purpose flour?
Why wouldn’t you just look up a regular banana bread recipe?
I love this! I’ve never heard of this Paleo diet, but it’s an interesting concept. The bread looks fabulous though, whether or not the cavemen could make it. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe!
Anyone have the nutritional stats on this?
I don’t have it Heidi, but you can easily plug it into a nutritional calculator (I use the one on Sparkpeople) to find out what you’re looking for.
This bread looks fantastic! I’m definitely not on a paleo diet, but I love anything made with almond flour and coconut flour! I don’t like overly sweet breads, so this one sounds perfect! I would make it right now if my bananas were ripe.