Blackberry Banana Bread {Gluten Free}

This blackberry bread recipe is gluten-free and is perfect as a breakfast option or a midday snack. Made with Bob's red mill gluten-free flour, it’s incredibly delicious, moist and packed with the goodness of ripe bananas and fresh blackberries. It’s simple and easy recipe that will definitely become a family favorite!

I love making my Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, but sometimes I like to switch it up, especially in the spring when I have access to fresh blackberries.  These blackberries were super fresh and added a nice pop of sweetness in each bite.  

I love experimenting with different quick breads and they are always a hit with the family. I mean come on, it's basically CAKE!  Try the popular Gluten Free Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips and this Gluten Free Zucchini Bread. 

This blackberry bread stands out from the other gluten-free recipes due to its balance. The ripe bananas add a natural sweetness, while the blackberries provide a tart contrast. Plus, it is not just gluten-free; you can easily make it vegan by substituting vegan butter and using egg replacers for the eggs.

What’s more is that it’s incredibly versatile! You can enjoy it as a dessert with a lemon or vanilla glaze. The best part? This bread can be stored on the counter wrapped in foil for a few days, making it a convenient option for busy mornings or when you’re looking for a delicious, homemade snack.

Why You’ll Love This Blackberry Bread

• Quick and easy: This blackberry bread recipe is super easy to make. With a prep time of just 10 minutes and a straightforward process, you'll have a delicious homemade loaf ready in just over an hour.
• Gluten-free: Using Bob's red mill gluten-free flour, this recipe is perfect for those with gluten sensitivities or anyone looking to cut down on gluten. It’s a tasty treat that everyone can enjoy.
• Simple ingredients: With everyday ingredients like bananas, blackberries, and basic baking essentials, this blackberry bread is simple yet flavorful. You probably have most of these ingredients in your pantry already!
• Family-friendly: This bread is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Its sweet, indulgent taste appeals to both kids and adults alike, making it a perfect treat for family gatherings or a simple afternoon snack.
• Perfect for beginner bakers: With its easy-to-follow instructions and simple ingredients, this recipe is ideal for beginners.
• Variety and versatility: This blackberry bread is not just a snack. Serve it as a breakfast treat or dessert, add a lemon or vanilla glaze for an extra touch, or even substitute vegan butter and egg replacer to make it vegan. The possibilities are endless!
• If you love blackberries, also try this Vegan Blackberry Crumble.

Ingredients

The ingredients for this blackberry bread are straightforward and easy to find. You might already have some of them in your pantry, and the rest can be swiftly picked up from your local grocery store!

• Gluten Free Flour: This flour is perfect to use instead of regular flour for gluten-free recipes. It makes sure that your bread has a great texture, and is just as fluffy and delicious as bread made with regular flour. I have only tried Bob's Red Mill, but feel free to use other gluten free flour blends that you're comfortable with.
• Baking Soda: A crucial ingredient that helps your bread rise and gives it that lovely, light texture. It interacts with acidic ingredients in our recipe (aka the blackberries!) and produces carbon dioxide gas, which helps fluff things up nicely.
• Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients, making the sweetness of the blackberries and bananas pop even more.
• Sugar: It contributes to the sweet indulgence of your bread, making it a perfect snack or breakfast treat.
• Unsalted Butter: It adds a rich, creamy taste to your bread. If you want to make this bread vegan, you can easily substitute it with vegan butter.
• Large Eggs: Eggs act as a binding agent, keeping all your ingredients together. They also contribute to the bread's moistness. For a vegan version, use an egg replacer such as flax eggs.
• Vanilla Extract: A dash of vanilla extract adds a lovely, subtle aroma that compliments the sweetness of the blackberries and bananas.
• Ripe Bananas: The mashed bananas lend a natural sweetness and moisture to your bread, making it deliciously soft and flavorful.
• Fresh Blackberries: These add a delightful burst of fruity flavor to your bread. Cutting them in half makes them distribute evenly throughout the bread.

How to Make Blackberry Bread

Who said gluten-free can't be delicious? Here's how to whip up a tasty gluten-free blackberry bread! For a more detailed guide and nutrition facts, see the recipe card at the end of this post.

Step 1.  

Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to a toasty temperature of 350 degrees. Next, take a loaf pan and spray it evenly with your favorite cooking spray to prevent the bread from sticking.

Step 2. 

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine your dry ingredients. This includes whisking together the flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar until they are well mixed.

Step 3.

Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix all the wet ingredients together. Remember to let the butter cool down before adding it to avoid prematurely cooking other ingredients.

Step 4.

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Next, create a well in the center of your dry ingredients. Pour the wet ingredients into this well and mix until just combined. Avoid over-mixing to keep the bread light and fluffy.

Step 5. 

Bake the Bread: Pour your batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for approximately 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 6.

Allow it to Cool: Allow your blackberry bread to cool before slicing into it. This will make it easier to cut and prevent it from crumbling. Enjoy your homemade, gluten-free treat!

Variations

• Blueberry Version: Swap out your blackberries for blueberries. The slight tartness of the blueberries pairs beautifully with the sweet bananas, creating a delicious balance of flavors. Just replace the cup of blackberries with a cup of fresh or frozen blueberries.
• Chocolate Chips: If you have a sweet tooth, try adding half a cup of gluten-free chocolate chips to the batter before baking. The chocolate chips will melt slightly, creating gooey pockets of chocolate throughout the bread.
• Zesty Orange: For a citrusy variation, add the zest of one orange to the wet ingredients. The orange zest will infuse the bread with a bright, fresh flavor that perfectly compliments the sweet bananas and tart blackberries.
• Add Nuts: To add a bit of crunch and extra protein, stir in a half cup of chopped walnuts or pecans. The nuts will toast as the bread bakes, enhancing their flavor and adding a delightful crunch to each bite.

Helpful Tips

Baking a loaf of gluten-free blackberry banana bread can be a breeze with the right tips and tricks. Here are some baking tips to help you make this delicious treat perfectly every time.

• Preheat the oven: Preheating your oven to the right temperature is crucial for even baking. Make sure you preheat your oven to the recommended temperature for about 10-15 minutes before you start baking. Also, position the rack in the center for even baking.
• Use a well-balanced gluten-free flour: For this recipe, I recommend Bob's Red Mill gluten-free flour as it provides a balanced blend of flours, starches, and gums, making your bread moist and fluffy.
• Blend your dry and wet ingredients properly: Create a well in the center of your dry ingredients and pour your wet mix in. This method guarantees that the ingredients are combined evenly without overmixing.
• Test for doneness: To check if your bread is fully baked, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, your bread is ready. If not, bake for a few more minutes and test again.

Dietary Substitutions

This blackberry bread recipe is already gluten-free, thanks to the use of Bob's red mill gluten-free flour. However, there are a few modifications needed to make it suitable for other dietary preferences.

• To Make This Recipe Vegan and Dairy-Free: The recipe calls for unsalted butter and large eggs. For a vegan and dairy-free version, replace the unsalted butter with a vegan butter or coconut oil. The eggs can be substituted with flax eggs (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with three tablespoons of water per egg) or your favorite egg replacement.
• To Make This Recipe Paleo and Whole30 Compatible: To make this recipe Paleo and Whole30 compliant, substitute the sugar with a natural sweetener like raw honey or pure maple syrup. Also, replace the gluten-free flour with almond flour or coconut flour. Please note that these flours have different baking properties, so you may need to adjust the amount used.
• To Make This Recipe Keto-Friendly: For a keto-friendly version, replace the sugar with a low-carb sweetener like erythritol or stevia. Also, use almond flour instead of the gluten-free flour. Keep in mind that bananas are not keto-friendly due to their high sugar content, so you may want to omit them or replace them with lower-carb fruit like other berries.

Storage Instructions

• To Refrigerate: If you have any leftover blackberry bread, wrap it well in foil and store it in the refrigerator. It will maintain its delicious taste and moist texture for several days.
• To Freeze: Unfortunately, due to the moist nature of the blackberry bread, it may not freeze well as it could become soggy when thawed. It’s best to enjoy this bread fresh or refrigerated.
• To Reheat: When you're ready to enjoy your refrigerated blackberry bread, you can warm it up in a preheated oven for a few minutes. Position your bread on the center rack for the most even heating. Be sure to monitor it closely to prevent over-browning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Serving Suggestions

Our blackberry bread is a versatile treat that can be enjoyed in many ways. Here are some of our favorite serving suggestions that can enhance your meals:

• Breakfast: Kickstart your day by pairing this blackberry bread with a bowl of Greek yogurt topped with fresh fruits and a drizzle of honey. It also goes well with easy smoothies or a cup of your favorite tea or coffee. Go for a blackberry smoothie for a double smoothie kick!
• Brunch: Serve this bread as a sweet addition to your brunch spread. It pairs perfectly with savory dishes like bacon and egg cups, baked egg casserole, or mini sausage and egg casseroles.
• Snack: Enjoy a slice of this blackberry bread for a mid-morning or afternoon snack. Pair it with a glass of oat milk or a cup of herbal tea for a healthy and satisfying break.
• Dessert: Serve this blackberry bread as a dessert after a hearty meal. Top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a sweet finish.
• Coffee or Tea Time: This bread makes for a perfect companion for your coffee or tea time. Serve it with a cup of chamomile or green tea, or your favorite coffee for a tasty afternoon treat on a busy work day. It’s the perfect pick me up!
• Picnics: Pack this blackberry bread for your outdoor picnic. It pairs well with sandwiches, salads, and refreshing drinks.

Recipe

Blackberry Banana Bread {Gluten Free}

Try this Gluten Free Blackberry Banana Bread for a moist and delicious snack or breakfast.  It's sweet, indulgent and so easy to make.

4.60 from 10 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Keyword: blackberry banana bread

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 10

Calories: 251kcal

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled
• 2 large eggs room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 ripe bananas mashed well
• 1 cup fresh blackberries cut in half

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray.
• Whisk flour, baking soda, salt and sugar in a medium bowl.
• In another bowl mix all wet ingredients together.  Make sure butter has cooled before adding it. 
• Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the wet ingredients in.  Mix until combined.
• Pour into prepared baking pan.  Bake for about 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Let cool before slicing.

Notes

Do not use frozen blackberries as they will release too much liquid.

Nutrition

Calories: 251kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 257mg | Potassium: 162mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 385IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

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