Indulge in a truly delightful and guilt-free treat with this Healthy Banana Cake. This recipe delivers an exceptionally moist, dense, and perfectly sweet cake that will satisfy your cravings without any refined sugars, dairy, gluten, or traditional flour. Despite its wholesome ingredients, this banana cake remains incredibly delicious and pairs wonderfully with an optional, luscious cream cheese frosting.

Looking for more healthy and delicious cake options? Explore our other popular recipes like the Gluten-Free Carrot Cake, our comforting Applesauce Cake, or the uniquely flavored Pistachio Cake.

The Ultimate Healthy Banana Cake Recipe for All Occasions!

There’s nothing quite like the comforting taste of homemade banana treats. Our Banana Cupcakes have long been a family favorite, known for their soft, sweet crumb and irresistible cream cheese frosting. Inspired by these beloved cupcakes, we set out to create an equally delicious yet significantly healthier version – a cake that could even pass for a nutritious breakfast!

This Healthy Banana Cake captures all the deliciousness of those classic cupcakes but is crafted with a careful selection of wholesome ingredients, making it a fantastic choice for anyone seeking a more mindful indulgence. It’s an excellent way to use up those ripe bananas and create something truly special and nutritious. Here’s what makes this cake so remarkable:

• No Traditional Flour: We creatively use whole rolled oats instead of refined flour, which not only makes the cake gluten-free but also adds dietary fiber and a wonderfully unique texture.
• Naturally Sweetened: Say goodbye to refined sugars! This cake gets its delightful sweetness primarily from ripe mashed bananas and a touch of natural honey, offering a more balanced glycemic impact.
• Abundant in Bananas: With a full cup of mashed bananas, this cake is bursting with natural flavor, potassium, and essential vitamins, contributing to its incredible moisture.
• Rich in Almonds: Packed with healthy fats, protein, vitamin E, and various minerals, almonds add a beautiful nutty flavor and a satisfying density to the cake.
• Protein-Powered: Thanks to the combination of nutrient-dense almonds and eggs, this cake offers a good source of protein, helping you feel fuller and more satisfied.
• Heart-Healthy Coconut Oil: Used as the primary fat, coconut oil can contribute to raising good cholesterol levels, making this a healthier alternative to butter in traditional recipes.

Unlocking Flavor: The Importance of Ripe Bananas

The secret to this incredibly moist and flavorful Banana Cake recipe lies entirely in the use of overripe bananas. Their natural sweetness and soft texture are essential for the cake’s success. Here are some invaluable tips to ensure you get the most out of your bananas:

• The Ripening Advantage: The riper your bananas are, the sweeter and more intensely flavorful your cake will be. Aim for bananas whose skins are heavily covered in brown spots, almost entirely black. This indicates that their starches have fully converted to sugars, enhancing both taste and moisture.
• Effortless Mashing: While a fork works fine, using a hand mixer to mash your bananas will achieve a smoother, more consistent puree much faster, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
• No Ripe Bananas? No Problem!: Don’t have overripe bananas on hand? You can quickly ripen them by baking them! Place unpeeled bananas on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 7-10 minutes, or until their skins turn completely black. Let them cool thoroughly, discard any liquid that pools, and then mash.
• Precise Measurement is Key: For the most accurate results, always mash your bananas first, then fill and level your measuring cup. Too much banana can introduce excess moisture, leading to a mushy or overly dense cake, while too little might result in a dry texture.

Essential Ingredients for Your Healthy Banana Cake

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect texture, flavor, and nutritional profile. Here’s a closer look at some key components and what to keep in mind when selecting them:

• Honey: Beyond its natural sweetness, honey acts as a humectant, meaning it helps to retain moisture, ensuring your cake stays wonderfully moist and tender for longer. You can also experiment with maple syrup for a different flavor profile, though honey offers a unique richness.
• Almonds: We recommend using dry roasted, lightly salted almonds. The dry roasting process enhances their nutty flavor, which beautifully complements the banana, while a hint of salt helps to balance the sweetness. (These Great Value almonds are a personal favorite for their consistent quality and taste!)
• Old-Fashioned Oats: This is a non-negotiable ingredient. While all oats are technically blended in this recipe, old-fashioned (rolled) oats provide the ideal density and absorbency. Quick oats are too fine and can lead to a dry cake, while steel-cut oats are too coarse and won’t blend smoothly enough, potentially making the cake dense and gritty.
• Coconut Oil: The quality of coconut oil can significantly impact the final flavor. Some brands have a very strong coconut taste that can overpower the banana. For a mild, neutral flavor that allows the banana to shine, we highly recommend LouAna® Pure Coconut Oil. Ensure it’s melted before measuring.
• Cornstarch: Since this recipe is flourless, cornstarch is absolutely vital. It acts as a binding and thickening agent, providing the necessary structure and stability to the cake, preventing it from crumbling. Without it, the cake would be too fragile and lack its characteristic density.

Simple Steps to Baking Your Healthy Banana Cake

Making this Healthy Banana Cake is surprisingly straightforward, thanks to one key piece of equipment: a good, powerful blender! This recipe truly simplifies the baking process, transforming raw ingredients into a smooth, luscious batter with minimal effort.

1. Initial Blend: Begin by adding the wet ingredients along with the almonds and oats to your blender. Process them in stages, stopping periodically to scrape down the sides of the blender jar. This ensures all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated and prevents any dry pockets or unblended pieces. Continue until the mixture is relatively smooth.
2. Final Blend & Bake: Once the initial mixture is smooth, add the remaining dry ingredients (baking powder, baking soda, spices). Continue blending until the batter is completely smooth and creamy. A powerful blender will create a beautifully consistent batter. Pour this rich batter into your prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. While the cake cools, prepare your chosen frosting (if using) and spread it generously once the cake has reached room temperature.

Delicious Frosting and Topping Ideas for Your Banana Cake

While the Healthy Banana Cake is incredibly delicious on its own, a touch of frosting can elevate it to a true dessert masterpiece. We offer a classic, optional cream cheese frosting for those who don’t mind a bit of traditional indulgence. This frosting does contain sugar and dairy, offering a delightful contrast to the healthier cake base.

If you prefer to keep your cake entirely refined sugar-free and dairy-free, there are plenty of fantastic alternatives:

• Simple Powdered Sugar Dusting: A light dusting of powdered sugar (or a healthier alternative like powdered erythritol) offers a subtle sweetness and elegant finish.
• Nut Butter Spread: For a protein-packed and naturally sweet option, spread a layer of roasted almond butter or even peanut butter on top. You can thin it slightly with a touch of maple syrup or honey for easier spreading.
• Coconut Cream Frosting: For a dairy-free and naturally sweet frosting, whip a can of chilled full-fat coconut cream (just the thick cream, not the liquid) with a touch of sweetener and vanilla extract until fluffy.
• Greek Yogurt Frosting: If dairy isn’t an issue but you want less sugar, mix plain Greek yogurt with a little honey or maple syrup and vanilla extract. Chill before spreading for a thicker consistency.

To further enhance the presentation and add extra texture, consider these delightful toppings: If using frosting, sprinkle leftover chopped almonds (from the cake batter) over the top. For a charming touch, gently press a Bare® baked banana chip into each slice. We love Bare® chips because they’re made simply from bananas with no added oils or sugar, perfectly complementing the cake’s wholesome profile (not a sponsored recommendation, just a genuine favorite!).

Expert Baking Tips for Your Perfect Banana Cake

Achieving the perfect Healthy Banana Cake is easy with these helpful tips:

• Choose the Right Pan: We highly recommend using a light-colored 8×8-inch baking pan. Light-colored pans distribute heat more evenly, preventing over-browning on the edges and ensuring the cake bakes uniformly. Always line your pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This creates “handles” that make lifting the cooled cake out of the pan incredibly easy and mess-free.
• Testing for Doneness: Knowing when your cake is perfectly baked is crucial. The cake is ready when the top appears dry and set, the edges are firm and have a light golden-brown hue, and a toothpick inserted into the very center comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs attached. Avoid overbaking, as this can lead to a dry cake.
• Effortless Slicing: Once the cake has cooled completely, lift it out of the pan using the parchment paper handles. For beautifully clean and precise slices, use a sharp, non-serrated knife. For an extra clean cut, rinse your knife under warm water, wipe it dry, and repeat this process before each slice. This technique prevents crumbs from sticking and dragging.

Explore More Healthy Banana Delights:

If you love the taste of bananas and are looking for more wholesome ways to enjoy them, try these fantastic recipes:

• Peanut Butter Banana Bars that taste just like rich blondies, but healthier!
• Flourless Banana Muffins studded with mini chocolate chips for a delightful bite.
• Chocolate Banana Muffins made moist and tender with Greek yogurt.
• Gluten-Free Banana Pancakes, a perfect stack of goodness made with wholesome oats.
• Healthy Banana Muffins, naturally sweetened with honey for a pure, delicious flavor.

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5 from 1 vote

Healthy Banana Cake

By Chelsea Lords

This Healthy Banana Cake is ultra moist, dense, and perfectly sweet! This cake is free of refined sugars, dairy, gluten, and flour—but trust me, you won’t be missing anything in this delectable cake. Plus, I include a recipe for cream cheese frosting!

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 16 slices

Video

Equipment

• Blender (see note 1, powerful type like Blend-tec/Vitamix recommended)
• 8 x 8-inch baking pan
• Parchment paper
• Hand mixer (for optional frosting)

Ingredients

Banana Cake

• 1 cup dry roasted and lightly salted almonds
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats (see note 2)
• 1/3 cup melted coconut oil
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup mashed banana (see note 3)
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (see note 4)

Optional Cream Cheese Frosting

• 4 ounces cream cheese (reduced-fat or regular, softened to room temperature)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (at room temperature)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
• banana chips (optional, for topping)
• Coarsely chopped almonds (optional, for topping)

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C). Prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on all sides for easy removal, and lightly greasing it with cooking spray. Set aside. To mash bananas: remove their skin and place them in a bowl. Mash thoroughly with a fork until you achieve a smooth consistency. Spoon the mashed banana into a measuring cup, ensuring it’s filled to the top and leveled off for an accurate measurement.
• Into a large, powerful blender (such as a Blend-tec or Vitamix), add the dry roasted almonds, old-fashioned oats, melted coconut oil, honey, and your precisely measured mashed bananas. Pulse and blend these ingredients until they are fairly smooth, which usually takes about 60 seconds. Next, add the remaining cake ingredients: baking powder, baking soda, vanilla extract, salt, ground cinnamon, and cornstarch. Blend again until the batter is completely smooth and creamy, typically 60–120 seconds. Remember to stop and scrape down the edges of the blender jar as needed to ensure everything is thoroughly combined. Pour the finished batter into your prepared baking pan, using a spatula to ensure every bit of batter is transferred.
• Gently smooth the top of the batter with the spatula. Bake for 33–38 minutes, or until the cake is lightly browned around the edges and set firmly in the middle. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; it should come out clean. In most ovens, 35 minutes yields a perfect result.
• Optional Frosting: While the cake is baking and cooling, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with the room-temperature unsalted butter. Using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter together until the mixture is smooth and light. Add the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt, mixing again until well combined and smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating thoroughly between each addition, until the frosting reaches your desired smooth and creamy consistency.
• Once the cake has completely cooled (this is crucial for proper frosting application), spread your desired amount of frosting over the top. This frosting recipe makes a generous amount; you can use it all for a richly frosted cake, or if you prefer a lighter layer, you might have about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of extra frosting remaining (which is delicious saved for pancakes or waffles!). If desired, finish by topping the frosting with coarsely chopped almonds and pressing a banana chip into each individual slice for an extra touch of flavor and texture.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: A high-quality, powerful blender (such as a Blendtec® or Vitamix®) is essential for this recipe. It’s needed to efficiently break down the almonds and oats into a fine consistency without causing the machine to overheat, ensuring a smooth cake batter.

Note 2: It may seem logical that any type of oats would work since they are blended. However, it is critical to use old-fashioned (rolled) oats to ensure accurate measurements and the correct cake texture. Both quick oats and steel-cut oats are smaller, denser, and more compact, which would result in an incorrect measurement and ultimately a dry, crumbly cake.

Note 3: One cup of mashed banana typically equates to approximately 2–3 large bananas. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your cake will be. We recommend waiting until the banana skins are significantly spotty and speckled, indicating peak ripeness and sweetness.

Note 4: Cornstarch is a non-negotiable ingredient in this flourless cake. It provides essential thickening and structural support, acting as a binder to hold the cake together in the absence of traditional flour.

Nutrition Note: The provided nutrition information is calculated for the cake without frosting. If the optional cream cheese frosting is included, each serving will be approximately 221 calories.

Storage: Store any leftover banana cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain its freshness. If you have frosted the cake, place small pieces of parchment paper between individual slices to prevent the frosting from sticking as they are stored. For longer preservation, wrap individual slices tightly and freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen slices in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 67kcal | Carbohydrates: 16.2g | Protein: 0.8g | Sodium: 0.7mg | Fiber: 0.9g | Sugar: 10.4g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation only.

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