This cranberry quinoa banana bread is made with only healthy ingredients and is free from gluten, dairy, refined sugar and uses only one tablespoon of oil!
In the past few weeks I have two realizations about myself: 1) I've never baked with fresh cranberries and 2) I'm a sucker for a daily routine. Now it might seem like those two don't go hand-in-hand, but stick with me just a sec and I'll explain.
First, the routine. You see, I'm a major creature of habit. Like big time. Especially when it comes to food. When I find a meal that I enjoy (breakfast in particular), I literally make it over and over and over again until I finally find something new. Over the summer it was chocolate smoothie bowls, then it was avocado toast and now? It's my pumpkin spice matcha latte with two slices of a quinoa bread, slathered in peanut butter and sprinkled with hemp seeds.
Most recently, I've been munching on my Vegan Gingerbread Loaf, but with my new found discovery of fresh cranberries…it's cranberry quinoa banana bread errryday.
Yes, this is the first time I have ever put fresh cranberries in a baked good. Like ever. Why the heck has it taken me this long you may wonder? Um, yeah, no idea. But I'm totally digging it.
Especially when these little red berries are paired with bananas and honey. We're talking next level right here.
If you've been a longtime reader of SQ, and have made any of my quick bread recipes before, then you might recognize the base recipe we're working with. When I find something that works, I run with it.
Kind of like my quinoa breakfast cookie series, these quinoa bread recipes all start with a similar base, but then with just a few simple tweaks, we can turn them into something new entirely.
Last month, I shared a recipe for quinoa pumpkin bread. If you compare this recipe to that one, you'll see what I'm talking about. We…
- Swapped the fruit puree
- Changed the liquid sweetener
- Added different spices
- and stirred in cranberries
Similar yes, but completely different in terms of flavor and appearance.
This bread is a little sweeter thanks to the combination of coconut sugar, honey, and banana, but the cranberries add just a slight tang which makes it perfect for breakfast. It also toasts up beautifully and will make your house smell incredible every single morning.
What I like to do is make the loaf, then slice it up and freeze the individual slices. That way it's super fresh and all I have to do is toast it until golden. Oh yeah, and then peanut butter. Seems I can't properly start my day without some form of nut butter!
And on that note, I'm signing off for the next few days to spend Christmas with my family. I'll be bringing a loaf or two of this with me, but there won't be any new posts up in the next week or so.
Wishing you all a very happy holiday!!
xo Alyssa
More Bread Recipes to try:
- Vegan Gingerbread Loaf
- Gluten-Free + Vegan Pumpkin Bread
- Healthy Blueberry Banana Bread {gluten-free}
- Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
- Cinnamon Apple Banana Bread
- Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread
- High Protein Quinoa Bread
Cranberry Quinoa Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups blanched almond flour
- ½ cup quinoa flour
- 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
- 2 teaspoons coconut flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla powder
- 1 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup mashed banana
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or oil of choice
- 2 tablespoons honey or liquid sweetener of choice
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2/3 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar to garnish optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Add the dry ingredients to the bowl and whisk to combine. Add eggs, banana, oil, honey and vinegar and beat until smooth. Fold in cranberries.
- Transfer batter to prepared loaf tin, sprinkle with sugar and bake on the center rack for 40 - 45 minutes (mine took 45) until the top has turned golden brown and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before slicing.
Video
Nutrition
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Could you use dried cranberries instead of fresh ones?
Yes, dried cranberries will work 🙂
Think I could use apple sauce instead of banana?
I think so, yes!
It may be listed, but I just do not see it. How many servings is the given nutritional information? And, what size loaf pan do you use?
Thank you!
Loaf pan is 9×5 and nutrition is based on 1 slice 🙂 (should make about 14 slices)
Have you tried this as muffins? I need a new loaf pan but don’t want to wait to make these ???? thanks!
I haven’t, but I totally think that would work! I’d say bake for like 25 mins or so and see how they’re doing 🙂
would it still work if i replaced it with quinoa flour?
Replaced which flour?
Oh sorry, I meant if I replace the almond flour with quinoa flour?
I’m not quite sure about that one! Since almond and quinoa flours have a very different texture, I think you’ll have to make some other adjustments to the recipe like eggs, sugar, etc. Sorry about that!
Hi! What can be used instead of almond flour? I am allergic to all nuts except for peanuts. Will peanut flour work? Or can the proportion of coconut flour be increased to substitute the almond flour?
Hi there! Honestly, I haven’t tried making any substitutions for the almond flour. Since it’s the primary flour, I’m not sure what will work. You could totally try peanut flour, but coconut flour won’t work as it requires a way different liquid ratio. If you end up trying it with peanut flour, let me know how it turns out!! xo
Hi
I enjoy reading your blog… Thanks for all the inspiration.
Do you think the bread will bake well if I replace the eggs with Chia/ flax eggs?
Thanks
Akshaya
I haven’t tested it that way, sorry!
This cranberry banana bread looks amazing! I’ve never cooked with fresh cranberries either but I’d love to give it a try 🙂
It’s SOOO good!