This Chai Spiced Banana Bread is a wholesome twist on a classic comfort bake. It's soft, naturally sweet, and infused with warming cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, allspice, and nutmeg. Made entirely with plant-based ingredients, it's light yet satisfying, rich in fibre from oats and flaxseed, and perfect for any time of day. Whether served warm from the oven or toasted the next morning, each slice brings that cozy, feel-good aroma that makes a kitchen feel like home.
Recipe Index
Jump to:
- From Retreat Kitchens to Home Baking
- Why You'll Love This Chai Spiced Banana Bread
- Nutritional Benefits
- Ingredients You Will Need
- Equipment You Will Need
- How to Make Chai-Spiced Banana Bread
- What to Serve It With
- How to Store
- FAQ: Spiced Banana Bread
- More recipes to try
- Let's Get Baking
- 📋 Recipe
- Consult our AI Culinary Assistant
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
From Retreat Kitchens to Home Baking
There's something deeply comforting about the scent of chai spices filling a kitchen - that soothing blend of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice instantly sets a calm, grounding tone. It reminds me of quiet, zen mornings prepping in retreat kitchens.
Over the years, I've refined this chai-spiced banana bread recipe countless times, searching for the perfect balance of moist texture, aromatic spice, and natural sweetness. It has become one of my signature comfort bakes. It's light, wholesome, and infused with delicious spices.
Why You'll Love This Chai Spiced Banana Bread
This Spiced Banana Bread is a simple yet nourishing bake that celebrates the natural sweetness of ripe bananas combined with warming spices and hearty oats. It's:
- Quick and easy to prepare (15 minutes hands-on)
- 100% plant-based
- High in dietary fibre and heart-healthy fats
- Naturally sweetened with coconut sugar
- Perfect for snacks or coffee time
- Delicious warming spices
Nutritional Benefits
Each slice offers a gentle energy boost and plenty of nourishment:
- Bananas: rich in potassium, vitamin C, and fibre for steady energy
- Flaxseed: packed with omega-3 fats and plant protein for hormone balance and heart health
- Walnuts: provide brain-boosting omega-3s and anti-inflammatory benefits
- Oats: support digestive health and help you stay full longer
- Coconut oil: adds moisture and healthy fats
Ingredients You Will Need
Wet Ingredients
- 300 g ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
- 80 ml almond milk
- 10 ml apple cider vinegar
- 80 ml melted coconut oil
- 60 g coconut sugar
Dry Ingredients
- 150 g gluten-free flour blend
- 60 g walnuts, ground
- 20 g golden flaxseeds, ground
- 50 g oats
- 7 g baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
- ½ teaspoon ginger powder
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg powder
- ¼ teaspoon allspice powder
- Pinch of ground black pepper (optional)
- ½ teaspoon pink salt
Toppings (Before Baking)
- 1 banana, sliced lengthways
- 50 g walnuts, roughly chopped
- 10 g oats
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
Equipment You Will Need
- Weighing scales
- Mixing bowls
- Blender or spice grinder
- Fork and whisk
- Spatula
- Loaf tin (lined with parchment paper)
- Oven
- Cooling rack
How to Make Chai-Spiced Banana Bread
1. Preheat & Prepare
- Preheat oven to 180°C (fan) or 200°C (conventional).
- Line your loaf tin with parchment paper.
- Weigh and prepare all ingredients before starting.
2. Prepare the Dry Mix
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together: gluten-free flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, black pepper, and pink salt.
- Add the ground walnuts, flaxseeds, and oats, then mix gently to combine.
3. Prepare the Wet Mix
- In another bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth.
- Add almond milk, apple cider vinegar, melted coconut oil, and coconut sugar.
- Whisk together until well combined; the vinegar will react slightly with the baking powder later to give a light, fluffy texture.
4. Combine Wet & Dry Mixtures
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients.
- Fold together gently with a spatula until just combined - avoid overmixing, as this can make the loaf dense.
5. Assemble the Loaf
- Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf tin.
- Smooth the top, then gently press the sliced banana on top.
- Sprinkle with chopped walnuts, oats, and a dusting of cinnamon.
6. Bake
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
- If the top browns too quickly, cover lightly with foil for the final 10 minutes.
7. Cool & Serve
- Allow the loaf to cool in the tin for 20 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack.
- Let it cool completely before slicing.
- Enjoy warm or at room temperature with your favourite tea or chai latte.
What to Serve It With
Enjoy warm or at room temperature with:
- A drizzle of almond butter or tahini
- Coconut yogurt and berries
- A cup of chai latte, golden turmeric milk, or freshly brewed coffee
How to Store
- Room temperature: 2-3 days in an airtight container
- Fridge: up to 7 days
- Freezer: up to 3 months - slice before freezing for easy defrosting
FAQ: Spiced Banana Bread
Yes, if you use a gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free oats.
Yes, spelt or wholemeal flour works beautifully if gluten isn't a concern.
Substitute coconut oil with extra mashed banana or apple purée for a lighter version.
Absolutely; fold in 50-100 g dark chocolate chips, raisins, or chopped dates before baking.
Overmixing or using underripe bananas can cause density issues. Always mix lightly and use spotty, ripe bananas.
More recipes to try
Let's Get Baking
We hope you enjoy this delicious recipe. If you give it a try, let us know in the comments below - we love hearing your feedback and seeing your recreations.
📋 Recipe
Chai Spiced Banana Bread
Ingredients
Equipment
Consult our AI Culinary Assistant
Need help baking this recipe? Click the button below to chat with AI-powered kitchen support. You can ask for substitutions, serving ideas, or get step-by-step guidance as you prepare this dish.
BREDA says
Thank you for this nutritious recipe. Will make this. It also will make a good base for a pie minus the bananas😃🍌🍌