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Best Keto Banana Nut Bread (Without Any Bananas!)

This keto banana bread has all the flavor of traditional banana bread minus all the high carbs.

It’s moist, flavorful, and completely sugar-free!

Made without any real bananas, just a natural banana extract, this low-carb banana bread is perfect for a quick breakfast or afternoon snack.

So good, you’ll have a hard time believing it’s keto!

The banana extract gives it that authentic, ripe banana flavor without all the sugar and gluten.

Plus, it’s easy to make! So, if you’re in the mood for some banana bread but don’t want to cheat on your keto diet, try this recipe. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

This may be a loaf of keto-friendly mock banana bread, but your taste buds will say otherwise. Winning!

One bite of this moist, low-carb banana bread, and you’ll have a hard time believing there are zero bananas in it.

The best part is that it’s also a dairy-free banana bread recipe, so it’s a recipe that more people can embrace.

There is no need to worry if this sugarless banana nut bread fits your macros because it does.

As a fan of quick bread, check out our entire collection of keto bread recipes for more delicious options.

Keto Banana Bread

Keto Banana Bread
Keto Banana Bread

For a while, my daughter had been asking for a keto version of my banana bread. “Mom, can’t you just add one green banana to the batter?” “I mean, how bad can one banana be?”  And each time, I would tell her, No, it’s impossible.

I’ll admit it. I wasn’t sure I could create a mock banana bread that could fool people’s taste buds. 

After I went keto, I thought I would never enjoy a slice of banana bread again, which was sad considering it used to be a staple in our home.

Unfortunately, I learned years ago that the secret to moist banana bread is the use of really ripe bananas. That was just out of the question for this keto recipe developer.

Look, I know some recipes out there that add some banana to the batter and still call it keto, but I couldn’t see myself doing this. Some of us really can’t afford the extra carbs.

Are Bananas Keto?

a slice of keto banana bread sliced and served on a vintage plate
a slice of keto banana bread sliced and served on a vintage plate

If you’re wondering if you can eat bananas on a keto diet, the correct answer is no.

One medium banana has 27 grams of carbs and 3 grams of dietary fiber, for a total of 24 net carbs.

Bananas are just too high in carbs and sugar in the form of fructose and, therefore, too high in carbs.

And that’s not even a ripe banana needed for a banana bread recipe.

But don’t let that steer you away. This low-carb banana bread recipe delivers both flavor and texture.

Keto Banana Bread, Low Carb Ingredients

keto banana bread Ingredients
keto banana bread Ingredients

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

The following are the ingredients you’ll need to make keto-friendly banana bread.

The full printable recipe card, along with the nutritional facts, is at the bottom of the page.

Best Banana Extracts

sliced keto banana bread ready to serve
sliced keto banana bread, ready to serve

Right about now, you may be wondering how you can achieve a banana recipe using mashed bananas.

Well, that’s where using a high-quality banana extract is the only way to gain flavor without the carbs.

It’s perfect for anyone on a low-carb diet.

Clocking in at only 2 grams of net carbs per serving, the carb count makes it the best keto banana bread when doing a ketogenic diet.

I promise you won’t miss the ripe bananas.

A high-quality banana extract is keto-friendly and can fit into your macros easily. And since a little goes a long way, it’s an excellent option for anyone doing a keto diet who is missing the flavor of ripe bananas.

Not all banana extracts are the same, so choose wisely. You want an extract that has a ripe banana flavor. This, of course, is my personal preference.

 OliveNation Pure Banana Extract works well in giving that rich banana taste without it tasting fake.  

Another great option is OOOFLAVORS banana nut bread extract. I knew it would work because their extract does not taste like the artificial banana flavor you find in candies—their extract tastes like ripe bananas.

If you go the route of OOOFLAVORS, you’ll only use four drops, whereas OliveNation Pure Banana Extract requires a full teaspoon, but they both work well in this recipe.

How To Make Keto Banana Nut Bread 

keto banana bread process pictures
keto banana bread process pictures

Miriam’s banana bread is a legend in our family. It’s the one recipe she knows she will always get requests for.

But alas, for us, this side of the family needed an alternative if we were ever going to enjoy banana bread again.

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But her recipe had me on a quest for the right texture and flavor for this keto mock banana nut bread. So, although it’s not exactly like her bread, missing her bread is what inspired us to give it a try. 

Making this mock banana bread is pretty straightforward. You’ll start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees and then greasing and lining an 8×4 inch loaf pan with parchment paper.

Then, in a large mixing bowl, you’ll combine all the dry ingredients: almond flour, coconut flour, golden flax meal, psyllium powder, spices, salt, and baking powder.

Next, in a medium-sized bowl, you’ll melt the coconut oil and allow it to cool before using an electric mixer to combine the brown sugar substitute, maple sugar-free syrup, banana extract, and vanilla extract.

Then, you’ll beat the eggs individually and add the wet and dry ingredients.

Add the almond or coconut milk to the batter and stir in the chopped walnuts. Then, you’ll add the batter to the prepared loaf pan.

Then, wet your hands and tap the entire surface of the bread to help smooth out the top of the batter.

Next, using a finger, run it across the middle of the bread length-wise to create a small dent in the entire length of the bread.

This will give the bread a place to accept the melted butter topping once baked and make for a lovely presentation.

The added tablespoons of melted butter are optional, but they add extra flavor and moistness to the bread.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 35–40 minutes, or until it passes the toothpick test when an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

The Flours

I’m a big fan of sneaking more fiber into my recipes. Frankly, I feel that most people doing keto are not getting enough fiber in their diet.

That’s why I added psyllium husk powder, a secret ingredient that adds extra fiber to this low-carb bread recipe.

I also used a combination of golden flax meal, coconut flour, and almond flour, which are naturally high in fiber.

Fiber is essential for our good gut bacteria to flourish. So, trust me when I tell you, it’s a good thing that this is a high-fiber keto banana bread option.

If you are a fan of adding more fiber to your keto diet, you should also check out our collection of keto high-fiber recipes.

Spices

When it came to getting the right flavor for this keto mock banana bread, I knew that in addition to an excellent banana extract, it also needed both ground cinnamon and nutmeg.

I know that not everyone adds these warm spices to their banana bread, but I disagree because it enhances the flavor and makes it taste like the real thing.

Of course, make sure that your spices are fresh. This is important since stale spices have zero value and can affect the overall flavor. I make it a point to replace my spices every season to ensure quality. 

The Sugar Substitute

It’s important to note that this recipe calls for a substitute for brown sugar. When I used to make my original recipe for banana bread, I always used brown sugar.

It’s what I learned from Miriam, the banana bread expert.

So, I knew that using a brown sugar substitute was a must. My two favorite brands are Swerve brown sugar and Surkin Gold.

I also added a couple of tablespoons of sugar-free maple syrup to further mimic the flavor of brown sugar in this recipe.

My favorites are Lakanto Maple Syrup and Choczero Honest Maple Syrup. They both work perfectly in this recipe.

Keep in mind that you can increase the sugar substitute by 1/4 cup for a sweeter banana bread option.

How To Store Keto Banana Bread?

Once your keto banana nut bread has come out of the oven and has been allowed to cool thoroughly on a wire rack, you can wrap it in cling wrap and store it in your refrigerator in an airtight container for up to five days.

Alternatively, freeze your banana bread loaf whole or in slices. Then allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge or place it in a 300-degree oven for 20–25 minutes until it’s hot and defrosted.

Tag Us

I sure hope you will give this recipe for gluten-free banana bread a try. Once you do, remember to tag us on Instagram and Facebook.

Do you know what accompanies this recipe beautifully? My favorite turmeric milk supplement tastes like a snickerdoodle.

Do remember to also check out our Amazon Store for recommendations. You might be surprised by how many great keto options are at your disposal.

Grab Our Books & Keto App

In case you don’t know, we have authored two books for you, Essential Keto Bread and Essential Keto Desserts, both inspired by your requests over the years.

I pray these keto cookbooks will help make keto a delicious breeze for you.

Gain access to simple and delicious recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and even desserts with our FITTOSERVEGROUP APP.

Join Our Jesus And Keto Movement 

Are you looking for an online support system to help you stay on keto? As a family, we came to the keto diet, looking at it from a Christian perspective. As believers, we live our lives supported by God’s grace.

Knowing firsthand the benefits of this decision, we have created a closed Christian group using the keto diet to transform their lives.

We invite you to join our Private Facebook Group and see if it’s not the key you’ve been missing.

Be sure to request our FREE Jesus and Keto E-Book (First 7 Days). We hope it blesses you.

keto banana nut bread recipe card image

Keto Banana Nut Bread (Gluten-Free)

Yield: 12
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Keto Banana Nut Bread is a mock banana bread that is low in carbs and keto friendly. The recipe uses banana extract rather than bananas. This low carb banana bread is sugar-free, grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free. Get all the flavor and texture of banana bread minus the high carbs.

Ingredients

Keto Banana Nut Bread

Optional Butter Or Ghee Topping

  • 2 tablespoons of melted butter or ghee

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Grease and line with parchment paper an 8x4 inch loaf pan. Leave an overhang of parchment paper, about 2 inches, to be able to lift the loaf out of the pan once fully baked.
  3. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the following dry ingredients: almond flour, coconut flour, salt, baking powder, psyllium powder, flax meal, and spices. Set it aside.
  4. Melt the coconut oil and allow it to cool.
  5. Combine the coconut oil with the sugar substitute, maple syrup, banana extract, and vanilla extract.
  6. Next, beat the eggs one at a time. Mix until thoroughly combined.
  7. Then add to the wet batter the mixed dry ingredients and beat at low-medium speed until well incorporated. 
  8. Add ½ cup of almond or coconut milk and continue to mix.
  9. Next, stir in the walnuts, reserving a couple of tablespoons to add to the top of the banana loaf as garnish.
  10. Place the batter into the prepared pan.
  11. Then wet your hands and tap the entire surface of the bread to help smooth out the top of the batter.
  12. Next, using a finger, run it across the middle of the bread length-wise to create a small dent in the entire length of the bread.
  13. This will give the bread a place to accept the melted butter topping once baked and makes for a lovely presentation. The added tablespoons of melted butter or ghee are optional.
  14. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
  15. Add the melted butter or ghee to the top of the bread if doing so now while the bread is still warm.
  16. Allow the bread to cool fully on a wire rack before slicing it.
  17. Store in refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 weeks.

Notes

Best Banana Extract


OliveNation Pure Banana Extract works well in giving that rich banana taste without it tasting fake.  

Another great option is OOOFLAVORS' banana nut bread extract.

If you go the route of OOOFLAVORS you'll only use four drops, whereas OliveNation Pure Banana Extract requires a full teaspoon, but they both work well.

For A Sweeter Banana Bread

You can increase the sugar substitute by 1/4 cup for a total of 1 cup for a sweeter banana bread option.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 258Total Fat: 24.2gSaturated Fat: 11.2gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 26mgCarbohydrates: 6.8gNet Carbohydrates: 2.3gFiber: 4.5gSugar: 0.9gProtein: 7.3g

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