If you’re looking for a quick bread to make with your kids, you’ve come to the right place with this Gluten-Free Oatmeal Banana Bread!
Banana bread is a classic, and it is one of the easiest breads to make. It is the perfect starting place for kids to learn how to make bread. Here we’ve taken a spin on the classic banana bread recipe and whipped up a startling twist by mixing in chocolate chips, a walnut topping and making it gluten-free!
I love baking with my kids, but baking without gluten is no easy task. Having read a story or two about the challenges of gluten-free baking, I was pretty intimidated when I set out to make this Gluten-Free Oatmeal Banana Bread. But, the idea of oatmeal banana bread sounded so good that I just couldn’t resist it!
Now, I know some will say that oatmeal is not gluten free… and to be completely honest with you, some oatmeal is not gluten free. And here’s why: oatmeal that is processed in a plant that processes gluten products could have gluten byproducts in it. You can buy oatmeal that specifically states that it is gluten free, like Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Rolled Oats. Simple as that. Oatmeal.
I’m new to gluten-free baking, and actually a complete newbie to gluten-free cooking in general. I’ve read that ADHD symptoms can be reduced with a gluten-free diet. Since my son has ADHD and has been struggling with getting assignments in on time and staying organized, I thought that giving a gluten-free diet a chance would definitely be worth it. I’ve made a few gluten-free recipes so far, like Fruity Parfaits and Shrimp Dip. But, I was amazed to learn how many things I cook from scratch already are gluten-free or could be with one or two minor adjustments. The big change will be school lunches.
Gluten-Free Oatmeal Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips and Walnut Topping
What better way to try out gluten-free baking than by making a twist on a family-favorite bread and letting the kids help? One of my favorite things about making banana bread is that I can let my kids put the bananas in a bag and squish them all up. By smashing up the bananas, they work alongside me in the kitchen and learn how to bake.
- 3 cups gluten-free oatmeal flour (you can make your own by processing oatmeal in a blender)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 bananas, mashed
- ⅓ cup Stonyfield Organic Greek vanilla yogurt (or other gluten-free yogurt)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup chocolate chips divided (reserve ¼ cup for topping)
- ¼ cup walnut pieces, reserved for topping
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix dry ingredients together.
- Put bananas in a plastic zipper bag and squish them up. (This is the perfect job for a child!)
- In a mixing bowl, combine bananas, yogurt, oil, eggs and vanilla. Add in sugars and peanut butter and mix on low speed until nicely combined.
- Add dry ingredients and stir together until just incorporated. Mix in ¾ cup of chocolate chips.
- Spray standard size bread pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
- Pour banana bread batter into pan and top with walnut pieces and chocolate chips.
- Bake for 60 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool for 30 minutes to an hour and slice.
