Coffee Banana Bread | The Rustic Foodie® (2024)

This gluten free Coffee Banana Bread recipe is moist and easy to make! It's flavored with ripe bananas, cinnamon, and toasted walnuts.

This Banana Bread recipe is infused with everyone's favorite legal addictive stimulant. That's right, Coffee!

Who doesn't love banana bread? It's a classic. There are tons of quick breads out there; Zucchini, poppy seed, pumpkin and they're all delicious. Banana bread may be the most ubiquitous among them.

It might have something to do with all of those half-bundles of bananas that end up overripening on our countertops at some point or another.

We notice them sitting there, pick them up, stare at them, and then ask ourselves that most existential of questions, 'Do I toss them or do I make some banana bread? Maybe some muffins?'

If there are brown and spotty bananas sitting on your countertop right now, I encourage you to do the right thing - Turn on your oven, grab a bowl, and get ready to turn them into bread.

How To Add Flavor To Banana Bread

There are a million different varieties of banana bread and each one is tasty in its own way. There is really no 'wrong way' to make it. You can add everything from chocolate chips to dried fruits to assorted nuts to a batch of banana bread.

Banana is the overarching flavor in banana bread and it's important that anything else added to the batter complements the natural flavor of the banana, without overpowering it.

My favorite ingredients to complement the natural banana flavor of the bread are cinnamon and walnuts. Cinnamon is the perfect warming spice to pair with bananas and walnuts are a classic addition to this popular bread.

I love to toast the walnuts before adding them to the batter, because it helps to release the natural oils in the nuts, creating a richer flavor overall. The addition of walnuts adds a crunchy texture as well.

The twist I like to make is to add a cup of strong coffee to the batter.

Why Add Coffee To Banana Bread?

I'm not sure where or how I learned about the addition of coffee to banana bread, but I tried it once and have never turned back. The flavors just 'go together'.

The coffee flavor is not in your face; It subtly rounds out the banana and adds this toasty element I find pretty irresistible. So, brew yourself a pot of coffee and get ready to bake.

Ingredients For Coffee Banana Bread

Here's what you'll need to make it.

• ¾ cup Unsalted Butter (softened) (equals 1 ½ sticks butter)
• 1 ½ packed cups Dark Brown Sugar (can use light brown sugar)
• 3 Overripe Bananas
• 2 Eggs
• 1 tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract
• 2 ¾ cups Gluten Free Flour Blend (can use AP flour if not gluten free)
• 1 tsp. Baking Soda
• ¼ tsp. Kosher Salt
• ¾ cup Strong Coffee
• 1 tsp. Cinnamon
• ½ cup Chopped Walnuts (unsalted)

How To Make Coffee Banana Bread

The first step is to prepare the coffee. You can use any variety of coffee you like when making this bread. I recommend a strong variety of brewed coffee or espresso.

You can also use Instant coffee if that's what you have on hand.

The important thing is to allow the coffee to come to room temperature before adding it to the batter. Hot coffee will cook the eggs, so it's best to allow the coffee to cool or to use a cup of cold brew coffee.

Feel free to use a cup of Homemade Cold Brew Coffee, or any variety of store-bought cold brew.

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Generously grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan with butter.
3. Prepare ¾ cup of coffee or espresso and allow it to come to room temperature.
4. Pour ½ cup chopped walnuts into a small cast iron skillet and heat it to medium-low on the stove top for 5 minutes or so. Stir the walnuts occasionally to prevent burning. Remove from heat and set aside.
5. The next step is to cream the butter and sugar. Combine ¾ cup (equals 1 ½ sticks) of softened (but not melted) unsalted butter and 1 ½ cups packed dark brown sugar (can use light brown sugar) in a mixing bowl.
6. Cream the softened butter and brown sugar together with a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
7. The bananas are then mashed in a separate bowl. Grab 3 over-ripe bananas and mash them with a fork or a mashing tool.

What Is The Best Flour For Banana Bread?

This recipe was first posted to The Rustic Foodie years ago and has recently been updated to reflect the gluten free direction of the site.

It was created using All Purpose flour and can absolutely be made with that if gluten is not an issue for you.

My flour of choice these days is a gluten free flour blend that acts much like AP flour. I love Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Flour, because it requires no complicated substitutions or hard-to-locate ingredients. It's available in most grocery stores or can be purchased online.

You can use any variety of gluten free flour blend you like, but I find the one from Bob's Red Mill to be the best.

The texture of gluten free flour is slightly different than that of AP flour. Quick breads like this Coffee Banana Bread are slightly more dense in texture than if using AP flour.

1. Add 2 eggs to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, along with 1 tsp. vanilla extract. Mix all of these ingredients together until completely combined.
2. Add the mashed bananas to the wet ingredients and mix it all together with a hand mixer.
3. In a separate bowl add 2 ¾ cups gluten free flour blend (or AP flour if not gluten free), 1 tsp. baking soda, and ¼ tsp. salt. Mix together until combined.
4. The next step is to combine the wet and dry ingredients, alternately with the cooled coffee.
5. Add half of the flour mixture to the wet and combine. Add half of the coffee and combine.
6. Now repeat with the second half of the flour and the remaining coffee. Stir until combined.

Add The Cinnamon and Walnuts

Once the batter is combined, it's time to add the cinnamon and toasted walnuts.

1. Add 1 tsp. cinnamon and the ½ cup of toasted chopped walnuts to the bowl and fold the ingredients in until completely combined.

It's important not to overmix the batter, as this can result in bread that is tough. This is more important if using AP flour. As a general rule, though, it's best not to overmix a batter like this one.

How Long Does Banana Bread Take To Bake?

This recipe makes a hefty loaf of banana bread and takes 1 hour and 10-15 minutes to bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

I find that a metal loaf pan yields the best results when making quick breads. Glass loaf pans will work as well, but baking times may vary slightly.

I recommend using a 9x5 inch metal loaf pan. An 8 ½ inch loaf pan may be too small for this recipe. If your loaf pan is too small, pour the extra batter into some greased muffin tins and bake it as muffins.

It's important to remember that baking times may vary.

How To Tell When Banana Bread Is Done?

The bread should get nice and golden as it bakes. The top gets a little crusty and the inside is moist.

The outer edges of the bread will become golden brown and the top should spring back to the touch when finished baking.

You can test it by poking the middle of the bread with a toothpick. The toothpick should come out clean if the bread is done.

If the bread is still soggy after the recommended baking time, simply bake for a few minutes more. Continue until a toothpick stuck into the middle of the bread comes out clean.

I'm sure you're all well aware that banana bread smells amazing as it bakes.

Love desserts? Check out these recipes!

• Baked Lemon Doughnuts
• Bailey's Irish Cream Doughnuts
• Scandinavian Almond Cake
• Italian Chocolate Hazelnut Cake
• Pumpkin Streusel Coffee Cake
• Pumpkin Bread Pudding
• Pumpkin Scones with Maple Glaze

What To Serve With Banana Bread

Once the bread is finished baking, it's best to allow it to cool a bit before serving. Cooling the bread will make it easier to cut into slices. Cutting into hot banana bread can result in crumbly (albeit delicious) slices.

I love a warm slice of banana bread with some butter and, of course, a cup of coffee. Although, it's perfectly tasty on its own.

The flavor of this banana bread is rich and decadent. The dark brown sugar adds a slight molasses flavor, the toasted walnuts add some depth, and the coffee amplifies all of the other ingredients.

The color and flavor is a bit darker than other banana breads that I have tried throughout the years.

FAQ

How Long Does Banana Bread Last?

This banana bread should last 3-4 days stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

Feel free to heat it up in the microwave if you like.

Can It Be Frozen?

Yes!

Banana bread may be frozen and enjoyed at a later time.

How To Freeze

1. Prepare the bread as directed and allow to cool completely before freezing.
2. Wrap the bread tightly with aluminum foil and place in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Press any extra air out of the bag and seal. Label with the date and store up to 3 months.

How To Thaw

1. Remove the wrapped bread from the bag and place on the counter to thaw for a few hours.
2. Enjoy as you normally would once thawed.

Love old fashioned treats? Check out these recipes!

• Cinnamon Streusel Rhubarb Muffins
• Pumpkin Waffles
• Buttermilk Rhubarb Cake
• Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake
• Apple Streusel Muffins
• Blueberry Buckle Coffee Cake

Love quick breads? Check out these recipes!

• Roasted Banana Bread
• Rhubarb Streusel Bread

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