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This moist gluten free paleo tahini banana bread is made with almond flour, tahini, maple syrup, and only a few other simple ingredients. It is the best healthy banana bread and is so easy to make!
What is it about paleo banana bread that I just can’t get enough of? I think it has to do with the subtle sweetness from the ripe bananas, the softness from the grain-free flours, or maybe it’s the abundance of warm and melty chocolate chips.
I think its partially because I’m a sucker for baking anything made with real ingredients, made from whole foods without any weird preservatives or ingredients I can’t pronounce.
Banana bread is supposed to be a comfort food. It’s not supposed to leave you wishing that you never ate it in the first place, so that’s why I’m here to help you create one that leaves you feeling refreshed.
Plus this recipe is really as easy as mixing everything together and baking it in the oven, no fancy steps required.
If you love bananas, you should check out my Banana Chocolate Chip Oat Muffins and S’mores Banana Bread recipes too.
What makes this paleo banana bread so good?
This tahini banana bread is one of the best banana breads I’ve ever made. It’s completely paleo, which means it is gluten free and dairy free, but trust me when I tell you that it still comes out fluffy and perfectly moist.
Serving a piece to my non-paleo dessert friends was entertaining because no one could believe it was made without gluten.
The tahini is key for creating moisture and keeping it soft. You can easily sub in any nut butter for tahini, but I love adding it the nutty sesame spread.
Key Ingredients for Tahini Banana Bread
Almond Flour – my favorite paleo flour to bake with, provides a moist and dense texture while still being fluffy and light. Linking my favorite almond flour here.
Tahini – ground sesame seeds, replaces the need for any oil in this recipe. My favorite brand is Soom tahini because it is rich, so creamy, and very smooth. It adds a slightly nutty flavor to the bread without any actual nuts.
Maple Syrup – one of my favorite sweeteners to use, natural and provides a delicious sweet flavor.
Egg – two eggs will do the trick! I haven’t tried with a flax egg or chia egg because the eggs really help give the bread the right texture, but you are more than welcome to try!
Chocolate Chips or Chunks – I love to add a mixture of both, but really love to make sure I add extra on top, that way when you bite into the bread you get a smidge of chocolate in every bite.
How to make tahini banana bread
It’s easy! Seriously, a simple two bowl and bake kind of dish. All you need to do is place your very ripe bananas in a bowl and mash them up well!
Two pro tips for the bananas – mash them up with a potato masher! Also, if your bananas aren’t quite ripe enough (but not green – this won’t work if they are green!) stick them in the oven at 350 for about ten minutes, or until completely brown!
Once you’ve mashed up your bananas, add in tahini, maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla. Set aside.
Combine your dry ingredients and gradually add into wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
This is a great place to add your favorite paleo chocolate chips or any nuts!
Transfer batter to a prepared loaf pan and bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
If you loved this bread, definitely try making my Healthy Pumpkin Bread, Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bread and Coffee Cake Banana Bread too!
Tahini Chocolate Chip Banana Bread (Gluten-free, dairy-free)
This moist gluten free paleo tahini banana bread is made with almond flour, tahini, maple syrup, and only a few other simple ingredients. It is the best healthy banana bread and is so easy to make!
Ingredients
- 2 large overripe bananas, mashed (or 3 medium)
- 1/3 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (I used enjoy-life dairy-free)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350F and prepare a loaf pan with either parchment paper or nonstick spray.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together mashed bananas, tahini, maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla.
3. Stir in almond flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until completely combined.
4. Fold in chocolate chips. Pour into loaf pan and place in oven.
5. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Store on counter for up to 5 days or freeze.
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Meg says
This is the best banana bread EVER. I made it a goal to try all different banana bread recipes in lockdown and this was the very best one. Tahini is key don’t sub! ❤️
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Meg, I am thrilled you love it so much! 🙂
Rachel s says
Omg so moist and delicious! Have made several times and is a winner every time. This past batch I added chopped walnuts, which added a nice texture.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Rachel, so glad you love the bread!!
Jordana says
I love this recipe! Made it 4-5 times already
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Jordana, thanks for sharing! I am so happy you love it!
raquel says
My husband claims he is not a “dessert person”–well he had a slice of this off the cooling rack and then sat down with a plate of it at the table. But isnt that what a healthier recipe is all about: enjoying the flavors without overwhelming sweetness or heaviness. Terrific recipe!
PS the new website is FANTASTIC
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Raquel, ah I am so happy to hear that and thank you so much! 🙂
alyssa says
this is my favorite banana bread EVER!!!! i make it far too frequently, but i’m pretty sure that’s a good thing??! so moist, so decadent, so delicious! i love to spread some peanut butter onto it then warm it up for a nice breakfast or snack 🙂
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Alyssa, I am so happy you enjoy it and yum with peanut butter! Thanks for sharing!
B. Dave says
This was my first time baking with Tahini, turned out perfect!!!
Thank you so much!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi! I love hearing that! Thanks for sharing!
Sara says
I love every single one of Erin’s recipes and this one is no exception! Super delicious and simple ingredients that i always have on hand. This is in heavy rotation in our house!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sara, thank you so much for your kind words! So happy you love the bread!
Ally says
This recipe is amazing and so easy to follow. Also, I’m obsessed with the new layout of your website. I came into the kitchen and realized I needed to use both bananas and my jar of tahini. Literally just typed them both into the search and bam, found this paleo banana bread recipe. I love the combo of the tahini with the sweetness of the bananas.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Ally, thank you so much for your kind words! I am so happy you love the website too!!
Emily says
My go-to banana bread recipe – the ingredients are simple, and it tastes DELISH!!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Emily, I am so happy to hear that. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Summer S Youdall says
Success! This is very good, it rivals my traditional butter, flour, sugar recipe that I loved as a kid! Thank you!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Summer, I am so happy you enjoyed it!!
Yas says
Hello Erin, baked this last night and it was absolutely divine!! Substituted the flour with hommemade oat flour instead, googled the weight of 1 cup approx for ratio. Crumbly, nutty, moist with a crispy top. My 1 year old loved it. Thank you for the recipe, it’s gonna be a go to favorite.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Yas, thanks for sharing! I am glad you made them your own and you both liked them! 🙂
Lauren says
New favorite banana bread! I was skeptic after trying the batter because I tasted the tahini a little too much, but any of that bitterness I tasted from the batter bakes away when you taste the loaf. So incredibly gooey and moist with so much sweet banana flavor and a crispy top. I added a heaped half cup choc chips into the batter then maybe a third cup on top as well because duh ;))) it didn’t seem to cook all the way through even though I think it was in the oven for 55 minutes… I don’t care it made it extra gooey!! Love love how quick this was and definitely will make again (esp because I have it memorized after making this simple recipe once haha)
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Lauren, thank you so much for your kind words! I am so happy you enjoyed the bread and always better with chocolate chips!
Linda says
Just made this recipe and it is delicious! Thanks!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Linda, I am so happy you enjoyed the bread!!
Kendall says
Can you swap a GF flour blend for almond flour?
Christiana says
I made this recipe today because I had overripe bananas, tahini, and almond flour. SO easy to make and absolutely DELICIOUS. It almost tastes like a banana bread version of a fudge brownie. It was so good. Highly recommend!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Christina, I am so happy you enjoyed the bread!! 🙂
Molly says
This is my all time favorite banana bread recipe. The tahini makes is so moist and unique tasting. I follow the recipe exactly every time – no need to make substitutes, it’s perfect the way it is!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Molly, thank you so much for your kind words! I am thrilled you love the bread!
Nicole says
I love this recipe I make it all the time and it’s a huge hit. I use honey instead of maple syrup, because I don’t always have it. I also use 1 cup almond flour and 1 cup gluten free flour instead of the 2 cups of almond flour. Mostly because of the price of almond flour. I’ve made it with the chocolate chips, without sometimes I put walnuts on top. But I just made it into muffins instead of a loaf and it might be even better! I cooked them for about 20 minutes (rotating the tin half way). The plan was the muffins would last longer than the loaf (they usually make it to the freezer) but now I doubting that idea.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Nicole, thank you so much for your kind words and love that you made it your own! Happy to hear the muffins didn’t last long! 🙂
Lori says
Can I use coconut flour instead of almond flour?
Erin says
Hi Lori! Yes you can substitute a different flour. Before you bake just check the ratio because not all flours are 1:1. Let me know which you wind up using and how it comes out!
Maura B-D says
So perfectly warm and comforting, and healthy!! Loved making this; easy, good ingredients, and so delicious! So appreciate Erin always producing healthier versions that taste wholesome and yummy.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Maura, thank you so much for your kind words! I am so happy you enjoy my recipes! 🙂
Penny Stein says
I love baking with tahini. Your banana recipe is delicious and so easy to make!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Penny! Thank you so much for the kind words! So happy you enjoyed it!