Easy Banana Bread Recipe without Baking Soda

It’s time for a fresh batch of banana bread, but you’re out of baking soda. Never fear! I’ve got just the thing! This banana bread recipe without baking soda is exactly what you need.

Banana Bread Without Baking Soda

Banana bread is one of my favorite ways to enjoy ripe bananas. Like most quick breads, it’s super easy to make and requires very few ingredients. Normally baking soda is used as a leavening agent. But a while back I was out of both and was determined to make banana bread anyway. I wondered if there was another way to make this quick bread rise. Turns out – there is!

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What happens if I leave out baking soda?

If you’re out of baking soda, fear not. Without a leavening agent like baking soda or baking powder, bread and cakes can still be made, they just won’t rise as well. This banana bread recipe without baking soda has baking powder instead of soda. It is a little denser than one that includes baking soda.

My banana bread recipe that I share here with you doesn’t require any baking soda AND it’s super easy too! And best of all, this loaf stays moist and soft for days after it’s baked – perfect if you need an emergency snack and don’t want to worry about spoilage. Just slice off a piece whenever you need one (and be sure to share!).

Over ripe banana are the best for this recipe

Bananas are best when they’ve got some brown spots on their skin, but not so much that they look like they’re rotting. Underripe (or green) bananas won’t mash well and will alter the texture of your bread.

Overripe bananas are perfect for making banana bread. When bananas start to look like the picture above, my kids won’t touch them. They’ll say, “Eeeww, they’re all soft and spotted.” That’s okay with me because I know that the brown spots just mean they will make a delicious loaf of quick bread. When my bananas get spotted and I’m not quite ready to use them, I freeze them for smoothies or baking later on.

 How Do You Freeze Bananas?

Before freezing bananas, make sure they are at their peak ripeness. Bananas that have some brown spots on them are perfect for baking with, but won’t make a good fresh fruit snack. Discard bananas with any bruises or splits.

To freeze bananas, peel the bananas and slice them into coin-sized pieces. Lay out your banana slices on a large cookie sheet or tray and freeze. Once they are frozen, place the banana slices into resealable storage bags (I love these Stasher silicone bags) and return to your freezer. They are good in the freezer for up to 3 months.

What you’ll Need for a Basic Banana Bread:

• 4 Very ripe bananas
• All-purpose flour
• Cane/white sugar 
• Baking powder (optional)
• Eggs  – I find it’s best to let your eggs come up to room temperature in baking recipes.
• Salt 
• Vanilla extract – I have been using this Mexican sourced vanilla I bought from Azure Standard. Azure is a family-owned company that delivers bulk and natural food orders to central locations across the country. I have two locations within 10 miles of me. This vanilla is aromatic and stronger than traditional vanillas I found in local grocery stores.
• Walnuts or other nuts (optional)

Quick banana bread substitutions and variations:

• Spiced Banana Bread (my favorite version) – Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon cardamom, and 1/8 teaspoon allspice to flour before adding in the wet ingredients.
• Vegan – This banana bread can be made vegan by using flax eggs and non-dairy milk instead of the eggs in this recipe.
• Chocolate Chip Banana Bread – Add a handful of dark or white chocolate chips for a sweet surprise in every bite.
• Pumpkin Banana Bread – Add 1 cup of pumpkin puree to the recipe for a moist pumpkin banana bread with a fall twist.
• Cinnamon Raisin Bread – Add 1/2 cup raisins and 1 tablespoon cinnamon to your batter.
• Add Icing – You can make basic icing with confectioners’ sugar, a little milk or non-dairy beverage, and a splash of vanilla (to taste). Beat together until smooth and pour over cooled quick bread.

Related – If you want to make muffins, check our my Banana applesauce muffins here.

How Do You Make Banana Bread Without Baking Soda

• Preheat oven to 350˚F.
• Grease one 8×4 inch loaf pan and set it aside. I like to use this non-stick silicone pan that doesn’t need to be greased.
• In a large bowl, sift together the flour and salt. You can add baking powder is using here as well, but it’s optional.
• In a separate bowl, mash the bananas and beat in the eggs and sugar. I like to use my stand electric mixer for this. But you can use a hand mixer or a whisk.
• Add the dry ingredients to the mashed banana mixture and mix until just combined. You don’t want to over mix.
• Fold in the chopped nuts if you are using them.
• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
• Bake at 350˚F for 55 to 65 minutes or until you can insert a toothpick into the bread and it comes out clean.
• Remove from oven and cool on a rack for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and cool completely.
• Slice and serve.

How Is The Best Way to Store Banana Bread?

The best way to store banana bread is in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. After the bread has completely cooled, wrap the bread in wax lined wrap or parchment paper and place in an airtight container to ensure it stays moist.

Can You Freeze Banana Bread?

Yes, you can freeze banana bread and most other quick bread recipes, To freeze, wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap then place it into a resealable freezer bag. It will keep up to 3 months in your freezer.

Continue to Content

Yield: 10

Simple Banana Bread (without Baking Soda)

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

A simple banana quick bread that doesn't have baking soda or baking powder.

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Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 4 ripe bananas, mashed
• 2 eggs
• ⅔ cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ½ cup chopped walnuts, optional

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350˚F.
2. Grease one 8x4 inch loaf pan and set it aside.
3. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. In a separate bowl, mash the bananas and beat in the eggs, sugar, and vanilla.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the mashed banana mixture and mix until just combined. You don't want to over mix.
6. Fold in the chopped nuts if you are using them.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
8. Bake at 350˚F for 55 to 65 minutes or until you can insert a toothpick into the bread and it comes out clean.
9. Remove from oven and cool on a rack for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and cool completely.
10. Slice and serve.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 240Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 170mgCarbohydrates: 44gFiber: 2gSugar: 19gProtein: 5g

Did you make this recipe?

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You are going to love this delicious banana bread. I hope you give it a try. After you do, I’d love for you to come back and tell me about how much you liked it and rate our recipe.

More delicious homemade recipes, check out these:

• Camping Banana Boats
• Healthy Recipe for Apple Muffins with Walnuts
• Snickerdoodle Muffins Recipe with Streusel Crumble Topping
• Soft Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies with Ginger & Molasses