How do you make banana bread without any of the high-carb bananas? Pure keto magic! One bite and you will swear you are eating the real deal. It tastes just like it, smells just like it, and has the same wonderful moist texture.
It took me a while to perfect this Keto Banana Bread, but it was definitely worth the effort. After all, banana bread is very possibly the most comforting of baked goods. Who among us hasn’t had a grandmother or caring friend make us a loaf as a sign of their deepest affection?
Making this low carb sweet bread is definitely an act of love. All the more so because it won’t raise the blood sugar of you or your loved ones. Along with recipes like keto chocolate chip cookies and sugar free hot chocolate mix, baking up some Keto Banana Bread shows just how wonderful and caring you are.
Even if you plan to keep it all for yourself. After all, self-care is extremely important!
What readers are saying
“Made this yesterday and, WOW, I love it!! I followed the recipe exactly and am so happy with the flavor and texture, especially the outside has a bit of a sweeter taste and crust. Thanks, Carolyn!” — Karen
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Updated recipe! I created a low carb banana bread recipe back in 2014. But this updated version is easier to make and even lower in carbs.
- Classic flavor: A little banana extract gives this bread just the right flavor.
- Perfect texture: I have a special trick that adds the same moisture and tenderness as real bananas!
- Make ahead recipe: You can make a loaf or two and freeze for later.
- Keto and gluten-free: Made with almond flour and coconut flour, it’s grain-free and keto-friendly.
Ingredient Notes
- Chia seed: This is the magic ingredient that gives the bread the ideal banana bread texture.
- Keto flours: I use a combination of almond flour and coconut flour to keep the carbs low.
- Sweetener: I recommend a brown sugar replacement for classic banana bread flavor. See the Tips for Success for more information about sweeteners.
- Protein powder: The addition of a dry protein like whey protein powder helps keto baked goods rise properly and hold their shape. You can also use egg white protein powder.
- Banana flavor: I recommend a natural banana extract rather than an imitation flavoring.
- Chocolate chips: I love the addition of keto chocolate chips in my banana bread but you can also mix in chopped walnuts, shredded coconut or blueberries.
- Pantry staples: Baking powder, vanilla extract and salt.
How to Make Keto Banana Bread
- Prepare the chia seeds: Grind in a coffee grinder or food processor, then stir in the water.
- Combine the dry ingredients: Whisk together the almond flour, sweetener, protein powder, coconut flour, baking powder and salt.
- Add the wet ingredients: Stir in the eggs, melted butter, chia seed mixture, banana extract, and vanilla extract. Stir in the water to thin the mixture to a scoopable consistency.
- Add the mix-ins: Stir in the chocolate chips or nuts, if using. Reserve some for the top of the bread.
- Bake the bread: Spread the batter in a loaf pan and bake until golden brown and just firm to the touch. Let cool in the pan.
Tips for Success
There really is no good substitute for the chia seed. You can omit it but you will need to add additional liquid to the batter and the texture of the bread won’t be the same.
How much additional liquid you need depends on the chia gel, as well as other ingredients like the coconut flour. If the batter is overly thick, add water a little at a time until it has a scoopable consistency. It should not be pourable.
Brands of banana extract differ in strength. I like the Native Vanilla brand and find 1 1/2 teaspoons to be right for a good banana flavor. Some baking emulsions or artificial flavors may be stronger, so stick with about 1 teaspoon.
Sweetener Options:
This keto banana bread recipe works best with erythritol-based sweeteners. Allulose tends to brown very quickly and cause the parts of the bread against the hot pan to become very dark and taste burnt. If you can’t tolerate erythritol, you could try this in a silicone loaf pan, but the baking time may change.
You could also try a mix of sweeteners, such as erythritol and some liquid stevia or monk fruit extract. That can help reduce the erythritol and minimize any aftertaste you may experience from either sweetener.
Keto Banana Bread Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (42.5 g) chia seed
- 2/3 cup (157.73 g) water
- 1 3/4 cups (175 g) almond flour
- 2/3 cup (121.33 g) Swerve Sweetener
- 1/3 cup (36 g) unflavoured whey protein powder
- 1/4 cup (27 g) coconut flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (113.5 g) melted butter
- 1 1/2 tsp banana extract, (imitation would also be fine)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (118.29 g) water
- 1/3 cup (60 g) dark chocolate chips, sugar-free
Instructions
Banana Bread:
- Preheat oven to 350F and grease an 8×4 inch loaf pan very well (you can also use 9×5 but your bread will bake faster). If your pan isn't very non-stick, you may want to line the pan with parchment, and grease the parchment.
- Grind the chia seed in a coffee grinder or food processor. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the water. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, sweetener, protein powder, coconut flour, baking powder and salt.
- Stir in the eggs, melted butter, chia seed mixture, banana extract, and vanilla extract, until thoroughly combined. Stir in the water to thin the mixture to a scoopable consistency. If it's still very thick, add more water, 1 tbsp at a time.
- Stir in the chocolate chips, if using, saving a few for the top of the bread. Spread the batter in the prepared pan and sprinkle the top with the remaining chocolate chips.
- Bake 60 to 75 minutes or until golden brown and the top is just firm to the touch. Let cool in pan 20 minutes, then run a sharp knife around the edges to loosen. Continue to let it sit in the pan until cool, about 20 minutes more.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
While real bananas are not recommended on keto, you can still enjoy some treats and baked goods that have the same flavor. This keto banana bread recipe uses chia seed for texture and banana extract for flavor. And many readers swear you can’t tell it’s not the real thing.
Conventional banana bread recipes can have upwards of 40g per slice. But this keto banana bread has only 7g of carbs and 4.5g of fiber per serving. That comes to 3.5g net carbs per slice.
This delicious bread freezes very well. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil . You can also leave it on the counter, covered or wrapped up, for 3 days. Refrigerate if you think it will be around longer.
Nutritional Disclaimer
Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.
Free Bonus: Secrets to Keto Baking!
Sign up for your favorite recipes delivered straight to your inbox plus get our FREE bonus: Secrets to Keto Baking!
I’m eager to make this, but a bit confused—is it 12 or 16 servings?
It’s 12… fixing the recipe now…
A question. What do you use to grease the pans in your recipes.
Usually butter and coconut oil spray. Butter first, worked into the pan, then spray after.
Thank you for including the nutritional info without the chocolate chips. I was going to ask for the info. Then I saw that it was included.
I recently purchased Banana extract, so this came at the perfect time.
Carolyn, is it 1/4 cup chia seeds ground or 1/4 cup ground chia seeds? Thanks.
You will see in the video… it’s whole chia, and then you grind it.
Hi Carolyn, I want to try this recipe today! I have already ground chia seeds. How much of that do you suggest I use? I feel like if I were to grind a 1/.4 c of seeds, the amount of ground would be less.
You can use the full 1/4 cup. It works out about the same and you can always add a bit more water if your paste is too thick.
So good. I didn’t have Carmel extract so I used a bit of almond and banana flavoring in the frosting. Served with keto chili. Big thumbs up from family. My son asked if it was one of my keto desserts and when I said yes he said it’s the best one yet. I don’t know. I’ve used so many of your recipes in the last 1.5 years and there’s so many good ones! I always come here for recipes. I know they will be good.
Thanks, Amy!
Loved this recipe!! Kept tasting it until it had the right banana flavor. The kid said he liked the texture but not the flavor. Any suggestions on how to adapt this recipe if I wanted to use actual bananas instead? Most banana bread recipes use 3 bananas, maybe half or all 3. He’s not low carb. Everything else I love, the chia seeds definitely made the bread!!
I am sure you can use 1 or 2 bananas and then cut back the liquids.
I absolutely LOVE this recipe!! My hubby has a sensitivity to almonds so I subbed out the almond flour for an additional 1/2 cup of coconut flour and added an extra egg. I also used maple extract in the frosting because I was out of caramel. It was amazing!! Hubby loved it, I loved it and my hardcore keto bestie loved it. A keeper for sure!
Hello…
What would be a good substitute for the whey protein powder?
Thank you!
Any protein powder would be fine (hemp or egg white protein). But it helps the bread rise and hold its shape so don’t leave it out altogether.
Can chia seeds be ground in a Nutribullet or food processor? I don’t have a coffee grinder.
Yes, but they don’t always get ground that finely.
This was excellent! After cooling slightly, I wrapped my loaf while still a little warm. That pulled the moisture in and the next day I was really impressed with the texture and taste! It was good on day 1, but excellent on day 2. Next time I think I will add an extra tsp of banana extract. For the frosting, I actually put all the ingredients in a blender and then saved it to use as a “spread” for the banana bread the next day, (instead of only putting it on the top). Very good!
4 years after this post and I still love this recipe and so many more. Thank you Carolyn!
Can I use gelatin instead of chia seeds???
Noooo! It makes it really gummy and it’s gross. I tried.
The recipe is fantastic, the bread is delicious! Thank you so much for sharing.
I want to make this recipe, but am not sure if either of the banana flavorings that are available to me would make a good loaf. I can either use McCormick that I can get at Winco or Watkins which is avaiable at WalMart.
I used Watkins and it turned out find. I am going to use a little more than the 1 tsp called for next time.
So I made this recipe today. Looks like banana bread, but didn’t smell like it. BUT THE TASTE! Banana bread…I love you again! Now to try it with the frosting. Lol I admit, I couldn’t wait. Had to cut it while it was hot & slather with butter!
Glad it satisfied!
I love this recipe. I made it twice in about ten days. I want to make it again. I am out of chia seeds. Wgat do you think about psyllium husk powder to repkace it?
I honestly don’t think it would be very good, they get very gummy.
Haha youre right…i went out to get chia…i am addicted to this one.