This Healthy Banana Cake is moist, dense, and sweet! It’s free of refined sugar, dairy, gluten, and flour—but still satisfying. Try it with cream cheese frosting!
Try some other cake recipes next like Gluten-Free Carrot Cake, Applesauce Cake, or Pistachio Cake.
The BEST Healthy Banana Cake Recipe!
These buttery Banana Cupcakes are a family favorite! The soft, sweet cake with cream cheese frosting is always a hit.
Every time I have ripe bananas, I make them—so I decided to turn those flavors into a treat without refined sugars that I could pass for a nutritious breakfast. This cake tastes just like the cupcakes but is packed with amazing ingredients:
- No flour: Uses whole oats instead.
- No refined sugar: Sweetened with banana and honey.
- 1 cup of mashed bananas: Full of fiber and vitamins.
- Almonds: Packed with healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.
- Protein: Comes from almonds and eggs.
- Coconut oil: Can help raise good cholesterol.
Quick Tip
If you’re looking for the reliable first birthday smash cake this is the one! I made it for my youngest kids first birthdays and it was a hit!
Let’s Chat Bananas
This moist Banana Cake recipe relies on overripe bananas. Here are a few tips:
- The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the cake! Wait until the skins are covered in brown spots.
- Use a hand mixer to mash bananas faster.
- No ripe bananas? Bake them at 350°F for 7-8 mins until the skins turn black. Let them cool, discard any liquid, and mash.
- For accurate measuring, mash first, then fill and level a measuring cup—too much banana can make the cake mushy.
Healthy Banana Cake Ingredients
Below are a few ingredient-specific notes:
| Ingredient | What it does / Tip |
|---|---|
| Honey | Naturally sweetens and helps keep the cake moist. |
| Almonds | Dry roasted, lightly salted almonds add great flavor. These are my go-to. |
| Old-fashioned oats | The best option. Other oats can make the cake dry. |
| Coconut oil | Some brands taste strong. LouAna has a mild, neutral flavor. |
| Cornstarch | Thickens the batter and helps hold the cake together instead of flour. |
Quick Tip
The ingredients in this Healthy Banana Cake are naturally gluten free, but make sure to check all your ingredient labels to be sure they weren’t processed in a facility with gluten.
How To Make Healthy Banana Cake
To make this Healthy Banana Cake, just use a good, powerful blender!
- Blend the batter in steps, stopping to scrape the sides so everything mixes well.
- Once smooth, pour into a baking pan and bake. While it bakes, mix the frosting (if using) and spread it on once the cake is cool.
Banana Cake Frosting Options
The skippable cream cheese frosting has sugar and dairy. If that’s not an issue, it’s a satisfying match!
For a simple topping, dust with powdered sugar or spread on roasted almond butter.
If using frosting, add chopped almonds (leftover from the cake) and press a banana chip into each slice. It is satisfying to Bare® baked banana chips—just bananas, no added oils or sugar! (Not sponsored.)
Recipe Tips
- Use a light-colored 8×8-inch pan lined with parchment for straightforward removal. A light pan helps the cake bake evenly.
- The cake is ready when the top looks dry, edges are firm and lightly browned, and a toothpick comes out clean or with a few crumbs.
- Lift the cake out with the parchment, then slice with a sharp knife. For clean cuts, rinse the knife under warm water, dry it, and repeat for each slice.
Storage
Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
For longer storage, wrap slices tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temp before serving.
More Healthy Banana Recipes:
Desserts
Peanut Butter Banana Bars
Desserts
Flourless Banana Muffins
Desserts
Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe
Pancakes And Waffles
Banana Waffle Recipe
