How to Make Keto Banana Bread : Easy Low Carb Recipe (2024)

Learn how to make Keto Banana Bread that is moist and flavorful. This has the perfect secret ingredient to give you the banana flavor you know and love. This easy low carb banana bread recipe has only 3.7 net carbs and is also gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, and Trim Healthy Mama friendly.

When I started eating low carb food, I was terrified that I would never get to taste my scrumptious banana bread again. Or banana anything for that matter. Great news! You don’t have to give up the sweet, yummy flavor of bananas after all. Yes, bananas still aren’t low carb, but with my special secret ingredient, you can enjoy all sorts of banana-flavored baked goods. Any guesses what it could be? Yep...good old-fashioned banana extract.

Now you can enjoy keto banana bread and everything else banana! From sugar free banana cake, low carb banana muffins, low carb keto banana pudding, and this lovely sugar free banana bread without worry. I can’t tell you how happy some banana extract has made me. This quick low carb bread is so easy to make and only needs 11 ingredients. The first taste is pure heaven when you bite into it.

Ingredients

Cream Cheese - Cream cheese works well in this to create a flavorful sweet bread.

Butter - I use salted butter to balance the sweetness in baked goods. If you only have unsalted butter make sure to add a pinch of salt

Sweetener - I use my blend of xylitol (or allulose), erythritol, and stevia.

Eggs - Large eggs are the binder in this recipe. I have not tried egg substitutes.

Almond Flour - Almond flour has a mild flavor and gives baked goods a great texture. I think almond meal could work in this as well.

Coconut Flour - I use coconut flour along with almond flour to balance the natural oiliness of the almond.

Baking Powder - Check the date to make sure it is fresh.

Coconut or Almond Milk - Either carton coconut milk or almond milk work well in this recipe. Make sure to choose one without added sugar.

Banana Extract - The secret ingredient in making keto friendly banana recipes.

Cinnamon - We like cinnamon in our banana bread but you can swap for vanilla extract, pumpkin spice, or ginger.

Pecans - The pecans are optional, you can sub in another nut like chopped walnuts, go for chocolate chips instead, or leave out the mix-ins entirely.

How To Make Keto Banana Bread

This almond flour banana bread is perfect for all occasions, but I especially enjoy making it for friends and family over the holidays. They don’t even notice the difference between low-carb banana bread and the real thing.

First Step: Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F.

Second Step: Use a standard loaf pan and line it with parchment paper. Grease it with some cooking spray.

Third Step: Using your stand mixer, combine the cream cheese, butter, and sweetener until it’s smooth and creamy. Next, add in the flour, eggs, baking powder, banana extract, and cinnamon and mix until combined. Pour in the pecans and mix well.

Expert Tip: You can also use a large mixing bowl and an electric mixer.

Fourth Step: Add the banana bread batter to the loaf pan.

Fifth Step: Bake for 55-65 minutes until the center is firm. The edges should be a dark golden brown color.

Sixth Step: Cool completely, remove from pan and enjoy!

Variations

The best keto banana bread is the one you love! Feel free to customize this recipe to your preferences.

Chocolate Chips - you can add sugar free chocolate chips to this bread in addition to the pecans or in place of them.

Walnuts - prefer walnuts to pecans? Go ahead and swap them out. You can even use macadamia nuts or sliced almonds.

Nut-Free - if you need this keto bread to be nut-free the best sub for almond flour is sunflower-seed flour. And then just leave out the pecans or replace them with chocolate chips or sugar free dried cranberries.

Dairy-Free - I have not tested this but I think subbing in coconut oil for the butter and coconut cream for the cream cheese would work. If you try this variation please let me know how it turns out!

Common Questions

Can I add a fresh banana?

That is completely up to you. I chose not to since bananas are not a ketogenic diet food. If you want to add a mashed banana I would recommend cutting back on some of the almond milk.

Is Banana Bread Keto?

Traditional banana bread is definitely not keto or suitable for a keto diet. Real banana bread typically has wheat flour, cane sugar, and plenty of mashed bananas. There are 51 grams of carbs in 1 cup of mashed bananas. None of those ingredients are keto friendly. That is why I take my favorite classic recipes and turn them into low carb recipes for both myself and my readers. I don't like missing out on old favorites any more than you do.

How Can You Tell When Banana Bread Is Done?

This keto banana bread recipe will have a dark golden color along the edges when it’s done. Additionally, the center should be firm and not jiggle when you lightly shake the loaf pan.

One way you can check is by inserting a toothpick in the center. If you notice batter on it when you take it out, then it’s not done baking yet — Cook for a few more minutes.

You can also lightly take your finger and touch the top of the bread. If it sinks in or leaves an indent, it’s not done. If it bounces right back up, then it’s good to go.

The edges of the bread will pull away from the sides of the loaf pan too. These are all indicators that the banana bread is done.

Can I Make This Into Muffins?

Yes, absolutely!

How to make keto banana bread muffins: You’ll need to follow the recipe, except use a muffin tin instead. You can use liners or grease the muffin pan. I prefer to use liners and spray them with nonstick cooking spray. It’s important to note that the time to bake is much less when you are making keto banana muffins. Start by baking them for 15-18 minutes then check to see if they are done. Bake longer as needed.

Muffins are great for a quick breakfast on the go or an afternoon snack.

Does Banana Extract Taste Good?

Yes! Using banana extract is an excellent alternative to using real bananas in low carb baking. The flavor is pretty authentic to real bananas and equally delicious. Try it in my keto banana bread and see for yourself, because you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

How Do You Store Keto Banana Bread?

Low carb banana bread should always be allowed to cool to room temperature before storing it. Otherwise, you’ll figure out that condensation builds up and what was once a perfect keto banana bread becomes wet and soggy. Wrap the keto bread in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then put it in a ziplock bag or container. No matter how you store it, it needs to be airtight.

Never store gluten free bread (of any kind) in direct sunlight, near heat, or by steam. All of the things will damage it and cause it to go bad quicker.

Can You Freeze Banana Bread?

Yes, this low carb banana nut bread can easily be frozen and makes a great snack later. Wrap the loaf as a whole or cut it into individual pieces. Use plastic wrap or aluminum foil to tightly wrap the bread. Place the pieces of bread in a freezer-safe bag. It will last around 2 months in the freezer. I find having treats made ahead makes living on a low carb diet so much easier. If you prefer to store it in airtight container you can but it will not last as long.

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Try these other sweet breads and pastries next:

• Almond Flour Cornbread
• Chocolate Chip Keto Zucchini Muffins
• Keto Zucchini Bread
• Blueberry Turnovers with Lemon Icing

Originally Published December 19, 2019. Revised and Republished June 4. 2023.