I can’t believe I never posted a bread recipe before!
This banana bread is soft, moist, loaded with banana flavor and perfectly spiced! The cheesecake filling takes it to the next level by adding creaminess and a bit of tanginess. Still not convinced? This banana bread is also healthy(ish) as it’s refined sugar-free and gluten-free!
This recipe comes together quickly. You start by making the “cheesecake” filling which consists of cashews, tofu, lemon juice, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt. The combination of tofu with soaked cashews yields a texture that is very similar to a cheesecake once baked. It’s creamy and soft yet it keeps its shape when you cut a slice.
The banana bread batter is made using a base of three flours: oat, rice, and almond. Almond flour gives the bread a super tender texture while the mashed bananas add moisture. I went with a full cup of mashed bananas so I can safely say you are not going to miss the banana flavor! Oat flour makes the cake suitable for breakfast, at least that’s what I like to think.
For additional flavor, I used cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Cardamom would be a great addition for a chai-spiced banana bread.
Once your banana bread batter and cream cheese are ready, just divide half of the batter into two mini pans, top with the cream cheese, and finally top with the remaining batter. I used two mini loaf pans for mini banana loaves just because it’s cuter. But you can use one large if you prefer, just increase the baking time to 45-50 minutes.
A few chocolate chips on top for the look, and because chocolate makes everything better, and it goes straight to the oven.
What I like about this banana bread is the contrast of the tender cake with the creamy and slightly sharp vanilla cream cheese. And this banana bread stays moist and soft for days!
If you are looking for another delicious dessert packed with banana, check out this Self Saucing Banana Pudding.
Let me know in the comments if you try this recipe!
Vegan Cream Cheese Banana Bread (GF)
Super tender and moist banana bread with a sweet vanilla cream cheese filling. Refined sugar-free, gluten-free, and vegan, this banana bread is packed with banana flavor and spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg!
- Yield: 2 mini loaves (or 1 large) 1x
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Filling
- 3/4 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight
- 4.5 ounces (125g) firm tofu
- 1/4 cup (60ml) almond milk
- 2 tbsp (30ml) maple syrup
- 1 tbsp (15ml) lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp salt
Banana Bread
- 2/3 cup (60g) oat flour
- 2/3 cup (64g) almond flour
- 2/3 cup (100g) white rice flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 cup (140g) coconut sugar
- 1 cup mashed bananas (about 3 bananas)
- 2 tbsp (30ml) melted coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (60ml) almond milk
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips for topping (optional)
Instructions
Cream Cheese Filling
- Drain the cashews and place them in a blender. Add the firm tofu, almond milk, maple syrup, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and salt. Blend on high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. The cream should have the consistency of cream cheese. Set aside while you prepare the banana bread batter.
Banana Bread
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the oat flour, almond flour, rice flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In another bowl, mix together the coconut sugar with the mashed bananas, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and milk. For the mashed bananas, I usually just put them in the blender and blend until smooth. If you prefer a banana bread with small chunks of bananas, mash them using a fork.
- Pour the banana mixture into the dry ingredients bowl. Mix using a wooden spoon until fully combined. The batter is quite thick, this is normal. At this point, you can taste the batter and adjust the spices to your liking.
- Line two small 5.75×3-inch mini loaf pans with parchment paper. Divide half of the batter into the pans. Top about 1/2 inch of cream cheese and spread it evenly. Finally, top the cream cheese with the remaining banana bread batter and smooth the top using a spoon. Top with chocolate chips if you want.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean. Allow the banana loaves to cool completely before slicing.
- Banana bread will keep for up to 3 days at room temperature or 5 days in the refrigerator. Be aware that banana bread is a bit firmer if stored in the refrigerator.
Notes
If you have cream cheese leftover, spread it on a slice of banana bread for extra cream!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slice (of 16)
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 12.6g
- Fat: 5.7g
- Carbohydrates: 24.6g
- Fiber: 1.6g
- Protein: 3.1g
I just made a list of ingredients I need cause I am definitely making this deliciousness!!
Awesome! 🙂
You’re a genius. I’m definitely making this!
★★★★★
Hope you will like it!
Thank you Thomas for another tasty treat. One question regarding the type of tofu. Is the tofu solken or regular firm tofu? I look forward to trying this soon.
★★★★★
I made this recipe a couple hours ago and used regular firm tofu. It was delicious!
★★★★★
Thanks for the feedback Stephanie!
Hi Renée,
You’re welcome! It’s regular firm tofu.
Thank you for getting back to me. One of the reasons I love your blog so much is because you and your followers will answer questions. I will let you know how it comes out when I have time to bake it this week.
Have an amazing day.
Thomas, you’ve done it again! This recipe was delicious. I especially like the texture that comes from using the three different flours. Thanks for another tasty recipe. I look forward to seeing more bread recipes on your blog. 🙂
★★★★★
So happy to hear you liked the banana bread Stephanie 😉
Thanks again for the rating!
I think I will try this recipe for banana bread without the cream cheese. Do you know another flour I can substitute for the rice flour?
Maybe try millet or brown rice flour.
If you have a powerful blender like Vitamix, you can grind your own rice into flour in it. Very easy.
My husband has an allergy to almonds. I have made banana bread in the past with just oat flour. The measurements are even between the 3 flours you use. Could I just use oat flour? Have you tried that?
I haven’t tried using only oat flour but I doubt you will get the same texture, plus you would have to adjust the amount of liquid.
Almond flour gives it a soft and moist texture, maybe you could use another nut flour like cashew flour?
hi Thomas , can I use the cream cheese to bake cheesecake? 🙂
Hi Fiozznah, I’m afraid it won’t work!
Hi Thomas! This looks fantastic! I have a question: Can I replace tofu with something else? I don’t find it easily where I live 🙁
Hi Camila,
If you can find vegan cream cheese then it would make a great substitute, otherwise, it will be difficult.
Hi
I am making this recipe today.
I found a Bourbon infused maple syrup for the filling and I am using coconut flour instead of almond, I have increased the banana a bit and coconut milk to enhance the moisture as coconut flour requires this.
Thank you for the basics of your recipe.
Thanks for sharing your tweaks Kimberly! 🙂
Below post should say hummus!
But I do know that some of my best friends are dessert humans!
★★★★★
Ahhh I understand now 🙂 Yes I tried chocolate hummus, it’s good! 🙂
Turned out great Thomas.
Coconut flour at 1/2cup increased banana by one and increased the coconut milk a bit too. ( A few splashes).
Thanks again, I think I will use the remaining filling in tartlets,
Or dessert egg rolls!
Have you tried chocolate dessert humans? When you combine the two in a egg roll both chocolate and almond cream cheese filling… I bet it will be great.
Thank you again.
★★★★★
Awesome! Thanks for your feedback Kimberly!
Finally got around to making this! Delicious! Thank you.
★★★★★
Thanks for the feedback Sylvia!
Could I use this cream cheese recipe to make cream cheese frosting?
Looks awesome! I will try this week!
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I think that would work!
I made this bread yesterday, I live with 4 non-vegans and they all loved it (I never say that my bakings are vegan before they taste them, but I guess they know by now, especially because I eat them as well ). I halved the amount of coconut sugar in the dough, though, because 1 cup seemed enormous. For me/us, it was sweet enough, especially with the nice sweet cream in it. Thanks for the great recipes, Thomas.
Happy to hear all your family liked the banana bread 😉
Thanks for your feedback Tinne!
I don’t have mini loaf pans, just regular size ones. I wish you gave the amount for that also. I have no clue how to adjust two mini loafs to two regular loafs, or is it one regular loaf?
What sizes are regular ones? I think you can simply prepare the same amount and use a “regular” loaf pan instead of two small ones with no issue.