Gluten Free Protein Banana Nut Bread

Banana bread is such a classic, and I personally love banana bread with nuts and chocolate, so I made this Gluten Free Protein Banana Nut Bread. It is way better than normal banana bread because I have transformed a traditional banana treat into a macro friendly snack (or dessert). The combination of almond flour, cassava flour, and ultra smooth whipped cottage cheese creates a perfectly moist and tender crumb. Top it off with a rich Caramelized Banana Cream Cheese Frosting, and you get a decadent slice of moist banana bread that actually fuels your day.

I have always been completely obsessed with banana bread (banana anything, if we are going to be honest). There is just nothing better than having a thick slice of warm banana bread on the counter waiting for you when you pour your afternoon coffee. I decided it was time to create a gluten free banana nut bread that actually brings some nutritional value to the table so we could enjoy it guilt free at any time of the day.

But a good loaf of banana bread needs an even greater topping. If you have been reading the blog for a while, you probably already know about my caramelized banana syrup . It is officially the second most popular recipe on the site (and for good reason too). I keep a jar in the fridge at all times to stir into my morning coffee or drizzle over weekend desserts. I just knew that blending that rich, sweet syrup into a tangy cream cheese frosting would take this protein banana nut bread recipe to an entirely new level.

If you have baked my gluten free protein carrot cake or my gluten free protein lemon cake, this frosting recipe is going to look very familiar to you. I used that same high protein cream cheese base that you all love so much, but adding the banana syrup gives it an incredible depth of flavor. It perfectly complements the warm cinnamon and crunchy walnuts in the loaf. You get a slice that feels like an indulgent bakery trip, but it fits perfectly into our high protein and gluten free lifestyle. Let me know if you end up making this protein banana nut bread, I want to know how much you loved it too!

Please note this post contains affiliate links.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It's packed with protein. Made with whipped cottage cheese, eggs, almond flour, greek yogurt, and protein powder, it's a great option for anyone trying to increase their protein intake without giving up a sweet treat.
• It works for every occasion. An easy snack to enjoy with friends and family, Sunday meal prep, or just to satisfy that sweet tooth craving. No special occasion required.
• It is packed with banana flavor. This has fresh bananas, banana protein powder, and caramelized banana syrup. You will get a punch of banana flavor with every bite.

Banana Nut Bread Ingredients (and Substitutions)

For the Banana Bread:

• Ripe Fresh Bananas. The riper the better for the sweetest, most banana-forward flavor.
• Almond Flour & Cassava Flour: The almond flour provides moisture, while the cassava gives it that classic cake structure you know and love.
• Vanilla Protein Powder: Adds sweetness and a major protein boost. Banana protein powder would work beautifully here to boost that banana bread flavor, too! My favorite brands of protein powder to use are Equip Foods or Devotion Nutrition. PRETTYDELISH will help you save at both brands.
• Whipped Cottage Cheese: The secret weapon for adding moisture and extra protein without drying out the crumb of the quick bread. Simply swap the cottage cheese in the banana bread batter for a thick dairy-free yogurt for a dairy-free bread result.
• Coconut Sugar: This recipe skips refined white sugar entirely by using coconut sugar, which adds a wonderful caramel-like depth that pairs perfectly with the spices.
• Avocado Oil: A light, neutral oil that keeps the crumb perfectly moist (especially with gluten-free flours). I do not recommend using extra-virgin olive oil as it will add a strong flavor to the cake that you don't want.
• Cinnamon: A perfect addition to any banana bread recipe! This high protein dessert or snack recipe has it all.
• Nuts & Chocolate Chips: These are the best add-ins to include inside the banana bread for flavor and texture.

For the Caramelized Banana Cream Cheese Frosting:

• Cream Cheese: Make sure it's softened and at room temperature before you start or it won't mix properly. If you need this to be a dairy-free cake, use dairy-free cream cheese.
• Plain Greek Yogurt or Skyr: Adds tanginess and helps thin the frosting while packing in even more protein. If you need this to be a dairy-free dessert, use coconut yogurt instead.
• Vanilla Protein Powder & Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting. The protein powder adds even more protein into this already delicious high protein dessert.
• Caramelized Banana Syrup & Cinnamon: For that perfect finishing touch of flavor to tie the frosting and cake together.

Banana Nut Bread Step by Step Instructions

1. Prep. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside until the batter is ready.

2. Peel & Mash Banana. Peel three very ripe bananas and add them to a large mixing bowl. Mash thoroughly with a fork until no large chunks remain and the bananas are mostly smooth. Set aside.

3. Whip Cottage Cheese. Put the cottage cheese in the food processor and blend until smooth and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Leave in the food processor until you are ready for it.

4. Mix Wet Ingredients. Add the eggs, vanilla, whipped cottage cheese, and coconut sugar to the bowl with the mashed bananas and whisk until fully incorporated. Whisk in the avocado oil until everything is combined.

5. Mix Dry Ingredients. Add the almond flour, cassava flour, vanilla protein powder or banana protein powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and all your spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom) to a separate medium mixing bowl. Whisk gently to combine.

6. Combine Dry & Wet Ingredients. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredient bowl and fold together using a silicone spatula until fully combined. Make sure there are no clumps of flour or protein powder.

7. Fold In Walnuts. Fold in the chopped walnuts (or pecans) until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

8. Pour Batter in Pan. Pour the batter into the prepared parchment-lined loaf pan and smooth it out evenly so no spots are thicker than others.

9. Bake. Bake for 45-55 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean when poked in the middle of the loaf.

10. Make the Frosting. While the loaf bakes, prepare the frosting. Add the softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt or skyr, protein powder, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon to a medium mixing bowl and whisk until smooth and combined. Fold in the caramelized banana syrup last, starting with 2 tablespoons and adding more to taste.

11. Frost the banana nut bread. Allow the loaf to fully cool before frosting. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.

12. Garnish. Garnish with additional chopped walnuts, banana slices, and banana syrup if desired.

Expert Tips & Tricks for Banana Nut Bread

• Store unfrosted banana nut bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to a month. Once frosted, keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days because of the cream cheese frosting.
• Don't over-mix the batter. Once the dry ingredients go into the wet ingredients, fold gently with a silicone spatula just until combined. Over-mixing leads to a tougher crumb.
• Room temperature cream cheese matters for the frosting. Cold cream cheese will be lumpy and hard to cream together with the other ingredients. Pull it from the fridge at least 30 to 45 minutes before you start. If you are in a rush, you can microwave the cream cheese in a microwave safe bowl in 10-15 second increments until softened.
• Let the cake cool completely before frosting. A warm banana bread melts the cream cheese frosting and you'll end up with a soup situation. Your patience may be tested at this point (I totally get it), but trust me, I've learned this the hard way.

Banana Nut Bread FAQs

Can I leave out the chocolate chips or nuts?

Absolutely. If you aren't a fan of chocolate chips or have a nut allergy, you don't have to include them. These ingredients add more flavor and crunch to the soft, moist banana bread recipe.

Can I use a different sweetener instead of coconut sugar?

If you want to keep this easy banana bread recipe entirely free from added sugars, you can swap the coconut sugar for an equal amount of granulated monkfruit. It bakes similarly and still gives you great results without the blood sugar spike. I wouldn't recommend liquid sweeteners like maple syrup, as it will change the ratio of wet to dry ingredients in the batter.

What if I don't have banana syrup made or don't want to make it just for this recipe?

The banana syrup is a simple syrup to make with the ingredients that you already have for the banana nut bread (bananas, coconut sugar, vanilla, and water), so you wouldn't have to go to the store again for the ingredients if you are up to make the syrup before or while the banana bread is baking. If you don't want to make it, that's okay, the syrup adds flavor and a bit of liquid to the cream cheese frosting so you will need to add a splash of dairy free milk to help thin the frosting out.

How do I store leftovers?

Because of the dairy in the banana nut bread (cottage cheese in the batter, and the cream cheese and yogurt in the frosting), keep this frosted bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Unfrosted banana bread can be wrapped in plastic wrap and stored at room temperature for 2 days or frozen for up to a month.

If You Liked This Recipe, You Might Also Enjoy These Other Banana Recipes:

• Easy Protein Banana Pudding
• Easy Caramelized Banana Simple Syrup
• Ninja Creami Peanut Butter Protein Ice Cream (with Banana Pudding Variation)
• Ninja Creami Kit Kat Banana Split McFlurry
• Banana Brownies with Walnuts
• 3 Ingredient Chocolate Banana Mug Cake
• Chocolate Chip Banana Protein Cookies
• Chunky Monkey Protein Banana Bread
• Paleo Gluten Free Chocolate Banana Bread

Did you have a chance to make this recipe? If so, please leave me a 5 star rating and review below. I always love and appreciate hearing from you!