Spelt Banana Bread with Toasted Walnuts

  • Prep-time: / Ready In:
  • Makes 4 mini loaves
  • Print/save recipe

These adorable mini loaves of banana-walnut bread are just right for healthy snacking or a warm breakfast treat. Spelt flour lends a mild nutty flavor to the loaf, while caramel-like dates add a natural sweetness that doesn’t taste too sugary. Feel free to swap out the walnuts for pecans or Brazil nuts if you like those better. Happy baking!

By Katie Simmons,

Ingredients

  • ½ cup chopped walnuts
  • 1½ cups mashed ripe banana
  • ¾ cup pitted dates
  • ¾ cup unsweetened, unflavored almond milk
  • ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup spelt flour
  • 1 cup brown rice flour
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1½ teaspoons regular or sodium-free baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line four mini (5½ x 3½-inch) loaf pans with parchment paper. Spread walnuts in a shallow baking pan and bake 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant. Let cool.
  • In a blender combine the next five ingredients (through vanilla). Cover and blend until smooth. In a large bowl whisk together the remaining ingredients. Add banana mixture to flour mixture. Stir to combine. Fold in all but 2 tablespoons of the walnuts. Divide batter among prepared loaf pans. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of walnuts.
  • Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely in pans on a wire rack.

Comments (10)

(5 from 5 votes)

Recipe Rating

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Lisa

Super easy recipe and came out great! I used half oat and half sorghum flour (that's all I had in pantry!), doubled the recipe and did half cinnamon and half cardamom. I used a loaf pan and a muffin pan because I do not have mini loaf pans. The muffins were done in about 25 minutes, the loaf 35-40. Very delicious and appreciate it sweetened with dates and bananas! I will definitely make this again (and again :)

Jenny C

Made these using oat and almond flour in place of Spelt. Really love how rich and moist these are. A perfect breakfast on the go.

Roberta RJ

Please include nutrition information for my patients with diabetes, and thank you!

Allison

You can get the whisk app. Copy and paste the recipe ingredients. It will tell you the nutritional information.

Kinjal Shah

Can you use Whole wheat flour in place of Spelt flour? Also, I do not have Brown rice flour so can I sub it with white rice flour?

J

What adjustments are necessary to make this in one bigger loaf pan?

Jayne

Can’t stop eating this! I have celiac disease so I have to eat gluten free. I subbed 1/2 cup sorghum flour and 1/2 cup oat flour for the spelt, and it was great. I will be making this again.

Stacey

Did you try using all oat flour?

Nancy

Dear friend, I see this delicious looking recipe calls for Spelt flour. I am wondering what to use as a substitute as this has gluten. Not good for anyone with Celiac Disease or a gluten allergy. Thank you so much.

Jayne

Nancy, I’m a celiac and I plan to sub oat flour for the spelt. Wish me luck!

About the Author

Headshot of Katie Simmons

About the Author

Katie Simmons

Chef Katie Simmons is a personal chef based in Chicago. She specializes in creating delicious, healthy recipes for those with special concerns including gluten-free, oil-free, plant-based, and low-residue diets. Outside of the kitchen, she is a fitness instructor for Equinox, with over 13 years experience in the fitness industry. Learn more at her Plants-Rule website, and follow her on Instagram and Facebook for updates.
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