This low carb and keto banana bread is truly incredible (at 2g net carbs a slice!)!! Totally flavorful and moist, you’ll surely be hard-pressed to notice the actual lack of bananas.
The Incredible Keto Banana Bread
Completely Sugar-Free & Banana-less!
Just like our ‘apple’ muffins (and pie!), this keto banana bread is bound to fool everyone! Super moist and bursting with an incredible banana flavor, its dense yet cakey texture is truly spot on.
So whip it up as a loaf or make as muffins (and of course, cupcakes!). Make solo or add pecans, walnuts or chocolate chunks(!!). I’m thinking a pat of butter and drizzle of our keto salted caramel will go nicely too ;)!
Honestly, truly incredible at just 2g net carbs a slice!
The Banana Extract
A high quality banana extract is an absolute must! Out of the handful I’ve tried, the Pure Banana extract from Olive Nation is the one I’ve liked best (not sponsored!).
It simply tastes like ripe bananas (ideal!) and is completely sugar-free and nil carbs (super ideal!). But if you’ve tried other good ones, be sure to drop them in the comments (always love your recs!)
The Sweetener
You’ve got good options here! Allulose is my favorite for best texture and no aftertaste now (you do need to add 30% more though), Lakanto Golden (baked goods with erythritol can have a slight hard texture, still not big deal here though), xylitol (non-corn though to avoid tummy troubles!).
Pyure (an erythritol and stevia blend) is also a good one for muffins and quick breads, particularly if you’re trying to limit your sugar alcohol consumption (it’s added stevia makes it twice as sweet as sugar… i.e. you add half!).
Oh, and if not restricted by sugars, simply sub 1-to-1 with coconut or regular sugar.
Also note that adding a teaspoon of blackstrap molasses adds that brown sugar kick (i.e. a tonne of umami and improves browning!). Keep in mind that blackstrap molasses is considered a low glycemic sugar. One teaspoon (7g) adds 5g net carbs, so just 0.4g net carbs a slice (i.e. half the sugar of a strawberry!). But carbs aside, it’s also known to be a nutritional powerhouse rich in vital vitamins and minerals; such as iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin B6, and selenium.
Fun fact: Molasses contain high amounts of chromium, which has been studied to increase glucose tolerance levels.
But if it’s still not your thing, just leave it out or do a brown sugar sub (such as Lakanto Golden!)!
And if using xylitol, make sure to be careful if you have a pup (or kitty!) around the house, as it’s highly toxic to the little guys! 
The Flours
I like a mixture of super fine almond flour, psyllium husk, coconut flour and golden flaxseed meal best. (Click through for the exact brands I use).
Just keep in mind that for best texture and rise, you’ll always want to regrind your flaxseed meal in a dry blender or bullet. And be sure you’re either using either very finely ground psyllium powder or to regrind your husks!
The Incredible Keto Banana Bread
This low carb and keto banana bread is truly incredible (at 2g net carbs a slice!)!! Totally flavorful and moist, you'll surely be hard-pressed to notice the actual lack of bananas.
Oh, and if baking with cups rather than grams is your thing, just click on US Cups for an instant conversion.
Ingredients
- 114 g grass-fed unsalted butter
- 128 g almond flour
- 46 g golden flaxseed meal finely ground*
- 18 g psyllium husk finely ground*
- 14 g coconut flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 eggs
- 2/3-1 cup golden erythritol allulose, xylitol or coconut sugar, to taste (I use 3/4 cup)**
- 1 teaspoon blackstrap molasses totally optional!
- 2-3 teaspoons banana extract I use 3 tsp***
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 90 g full fat Greek-style yogurt or sour cream
- 2/3-1 cup roughy chopped pecans or walnuts optional
Instructions
Heat up the butter in a small saucepan over medium/low heat. Continue to simmer the butter, stirring once in a while, until fully browned (about 4-6 minutes). Set aside to cool slightly while you prepare the rest. Note: browning the butter is totally optional, but it does add a tonne of flavor so it comes highly suggested!
Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C. Line (or grease and flour with coconut flour) a 8.5x4.5" or 5x9" loaf pan. I used the smaller size, but the larger one will work just as well (just expect a shorter bread!).
Whisk together in a medium bowl almond flour, golden flaxseed meal, psyllium husk, coconut flour, baking powder, xanthan gum and salt. Set aside.
Add eggs, sweetener and molasses (optional) to a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer for 3-5 minutes until airy and lighter in color. With the mixer on, add in the banana and vanilla extracts, apple cider vinegar and browned butter.
Add in the dry flour mixture in two parts, alternating with the yogurt. Mix for 2 to 3 minutes until fully incorporated and elastic, the batter will thicken as you mix (think cookie dough!). Fold in the nuts (optional).
Distribute batter evenly into pan, smoothing out the top with a wet spatula. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, until deep golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Check in on the bread after minute 15, and cover with aluminum foil as soon as it begins to turn golden (about minute 20 for me). Alternatively, feel free to make 12 muffins out of a batch (bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean).
Allow to cool for 15 minutes in the pan before removing, and cool completely in a rack before glazing or cutting. Keep in mind that your banana bread will continue to cook while it cools, so don't slice it before!
Recipe Notes
*For best texture and rise, always regrind your psyllium husk (or powder) and flax meal in a dry blender or bullet.
**The perception of sweetness changes for all of us while on a keto diet, which is why I always like to give you a range for the sweetener (i.e. so you can adjust it to your new taste buds!). The higher amount will give you equivalent sweetness of traditional baked goods, while the lower the least amount of sweetener you can get away with (at least imo!).
***A high quality banana extract is an absolute must! Out of the handful I’ve tried, the Pure Banana extract from Olive Nation is the one I’ve liked best (not sponsored!). It simply tastes like ripe bananas (ideal!) and is completely sugar-free and nil carbs (super ideal!). Also note that you can add it to taste: with 2 tsp giving you a mild banana flavor and 3 tsp a more intense one (my pick!).
Please note that nutrition facts were estimated per slice, assuming a yield of 12 (2g net carbs!).
My instant conversion button is not working and has not been working… 🙁
I love you and your recipes so much and you are so brave.
Paola – just discovered your site a few weeks ago and your recipes are amazing. We have been LCHF/Keto since 2010 and have a running joke in our house when I say “it tastes just like ….” and my husband responds – “you do not remember what that tastes like!”
Made this one over the weekend and cannot believe how much it take like the real thing…. even hubby approved. Thank you for all you do!
It takes a rocket scientist to follow you’re recipe.
I have made this recipe several different times. I just can’t get enough of it! I added 1/2 tsp of cinnamon and made them into 8 mini loafs. I’m writing this review right now and shoving banana bread in my mouth at the same time.
Ok kids, you got to try this ALMOND poppy seeds muffins. I used exactly the same recipe. The only changes I made was no molasses, 2 tbls lemon extract and 7 drops of lemon essential oil . I added 1/ cup sliced toasted almonds and sprinkled a few on top. Also 2 tbls of poppy seeds. Really you could add them or not. They do have under 1 carb per tbls. After
you minus the fiber . Anyway you are going to love them I promise. Next try 2 tbls orange extract 7 drops of orange essential oil ( only oil that can be consumed internally, I use doterra.) Maybe almonds, or not.
Ok kids, you got to try this ALMOND poppy seeds muffins. I used exactly the same recipe. The only changes I made was no molasses, 2 tbls lemon extract and 7 drops of lemon essential oil . I added 1/ cup sliced toasted almonds and sprinkled a few on top. Also 2 tbls of poppy seeds. Really you could add them or not. They do have under 1 carb per tbls. After you minus the fiber . Anyway you are going to love them I promise. Next try 2 tbls orange extract 7 drops of orange essential oil ( only oil that can be consumed internally, I use doterra.) Maybe almonds, or not.
This was Simply Delicious and what I’ve been missing on a Keto diet!! Made mine into muffins as you suggested too. Soooooo Yummy!!! One question, in your Nutrition Facts, are you counting in the ‘optional’ nuts? Love Love your recipes!!
YOU ARE A FREAKING LOW CARB DESSERT GENIUS! I have made quite a few of your recipes (all amazing) and just made this ‘banana’ bread for my mom’s birthday. I was the only person there on the keto diet, yet everyone devoured this bread. The only things I did differently was add a tsp of cinnamon and subbed the nuts for Lilly’s sugar free chocolate chips. I will absolutely be making this again! Thank you!!!
My pleasure Courtney, how wonderful to hear ;)!!
Is that you Courtney Labelle ?
lol!
Delicious banana bread. Keep making it over and over. Always have some individuality frozen in the freezer. Think we could do a lemon bread exactly as per recipe but switching lemon extract for the banana extract. Good job Paola. Your the best
This is truly an exceptional recipe. The texture was spot on. Everyone that has tried this can not believe it’s A. Sugar free and B. Not made with flour. The browned butter does make the flavor. The only thing I will do differently is toast the nuts prior to baking. Thanks and keep your excellent recipes coming. I am a huge fan.
It’s so funny right Gina?! My friends who tried it were also like whaaaaaat?!
And great tip on toasting the nuts before baking, I’m definitely doing that too in the future 😉
I made 12 muffins and the entire family loved them. A truly incredible recipe!
Wow…this banana bread is “AMAZING”!!! and you have no idea the misery I had to go through to make it!!! My fault not yours at all!!! I did not read the first paragraph of your description nor did it register through the ingredients that there were absolutely no bananas in it, or that Keto will not let me have bananas! I won’t go into the lengthy day I had trying to figure out what to do with the entire bunch of bananas I mashed up (was going to make multiple loaves and freeze) before I even found a recipe to make banana bread. I am just so more than thankful it turned out as AWESOME as it did. I did add some bananas to it thinking it was going to be way to gooey but it wasn’t, well just a tad, and I can’t wait to make it again without them.