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fork taking a bite out of a slice of gluten-free almond flour banana cake

Gluten-Free Almond Flour Banana Cake

4.84 from 50 votes
Emily Dixon, One Lovely Life
The fluffy texture, fresh banana flavor, and simple prep make this easy gluten-free banana cake recipe perfect for a special occasion!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
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Servings: 1 (8x8") cake - (12-16 pieces)
Calories: 346kcal

Ingredients

FOR THE GLUTEN-FREE BANANA CAKE:

  • 1 cup mashed bananas 3 medium bananas or 2 large bananas (225 grams)
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract optional
  • 2 1/2 cups blanched almond flour (280 grams)
  • 1/2 cup arrowroot (72 grams) can sub cornstarch or tapioca starch
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

FOR THE CHOCOLATE GANACHE:

  • 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (255 grams)--dairy-free, as needed
  • 1/2 cup milk (120 ml) I use unsweetened almond milk

Instructions

FOR THE BANANA CAKE:

  • Preheat & Prep. To start, preheat oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Line a metal 8×8″ baking dish with parchment paper.
  • Combine Wet Ingredients. In a food processor or blender combine bananas, eggs, syrup, vanilla, and almond extract. Blend until smooth (you want the bananas very smooth for this cake).
  • Add Dry Ingredients. Scrape down the sides of the food processor and add the dry ingredients--almond flour, arrowroot, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Pulse until just combined.
  • Transfer. Scrape down the sides of the food processor again, then pour the batter into your prepared baking dish. Smooth into an even layer.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F. for 28-30 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
  • Cool Before Frosting. Place cake pan on a wire rack and let the cake cool completely before adding the chocolate ganache. (You can put it in the refrigerator to speed up this process, if desired.)

TO MAKE THE GANACHE:

  • Melt. In a microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and milk. Microwave the chocolate in 20-30 second intervals, stopping to stir the chocolate thoroughly between intervals, until the ganache is completely smooth. (This will likely only take you 40-60 seconds. Don’t let it burn!) Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate and milk together over low heat in a saucepan on the stove.
  • Frost The Cake. Pour the ganache over your cooled banana cake and use an offset spatula to spread the chocolate ganache evenly over the cake.
  • Chill to Set. Place the cake in the refrigerator to allow the ganache to set.
  • Slice the cake into 12-16 slices and enjoy! Feel free to garnish with banana slices, chopped nuts, or shaved chocolate right before serving. Store leftover banana cake covered at room temperature 2-3 days or chill in the refrigerator 2-3 days. Cake can also be frozen up to 2 months.

Notes

  • Turn them into cupcakes! This recipe can also be made into cupcakes. Just divide the batter into 12 muffin cups (I love this nonstick muffin pan that doesn't even need liners), and bake for 17-20 minutes or so instead of the 30-35 minutes an 8x8 cake requires.
  • Paleo friends - For strictly paleo folks, you'll need to use paleo-approved/grain-free baking powder. You can make your own out of baking soda, cream of tartar, and arrowroot.
  • Don't Have a Food Processor? A blender also works, or you can mash the banana finely and use a large mixing bowl and handheld electric mixer or stand mixer instead. 
  • The Pan Material Matters! If you bake your cake in a glass or ceramic pan, you'll likely need an extra few minutes and the cake may not bake as flat and evenly as in a metal pan. 

Video

Course: Cake
Cuisine: American
Keyword: almond flour banana cake, almond flour cake, banana cake, gluten-free banana cake, paleo banana cake

Nutrition

Serving: 1Slice (1/12 recipe) | Calories: 346kcal | Carbohydrates: 38.3g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 18.6g | Saturated Fat: 6.3g | Cholesterol: 46.5mg | Sodium: 180.3mg | Potassium: 185mg | Fiber: 5.5g | Sugar: 23.6g | Vitamin C: 2.6mg | Calcium: 105.4mg

Nutrition facts are an estimate only and will vary based on brands and amounts used.