Baking without bananas? Sounds a bit off-track, right?
Here’s the kicker: Not having bananas on hand doesn’t mean your baking spree comes to a halt.
We’ve all been there, ready to whip up that quick banana bread or those moist muffins, only to find the fruit bowl glaringly banana-less.
No bananas, no problem! We dug deep and found five awesome substitutes that’ll save your bake.
And trust us, these tweaks might even lift your treats to a whole new level of yum.
Sure, bananas add that sweet, moist goodness to recipes.
Yet, there’s a whole lineup of alternatives raring to step in and shine.
These swaps not only mimic the texture and sweetness you aim for but also add their own unique twist to your baked goods.
So, buckle up and get ready to transform your baking woes into wins.
With these substitutes, you’re not just filling a gap; you’re upping your baking game.
Ready to turn that banana-less frown upside down?
What Does Banana Do in Baking?
Bananas are a popular ingredient used in baking due to their convenience, affordability, and versatility.
An unripe banana adds more starch to recipes making them thick and dense, while ripened bananas add moisture, sweetness, and flavor.
Of course, adding bananas has different results depending on the recipe; when added to cakes, they soften the texture, and when added to muffins, they create a moist crumb and give off a delicious aroma.
Using banana when baking is incredibly simple; mash until it becomes thin so that it’s easier to mix into dough-like ingredients or at the end of your mixing process for icings or frosting.
Additionally, adding mashed banana can help add texture or extra flavor to batters like brownies or pancakes.
Overall using bananas allows you to bake something perfectly delicious every time.
The 5 Best Substitutes for Bananas in Baking
If you’re looking for alternative ingredients to use in your baking recipes that call for bananas, there are several great options.
Here are five of the best substitutes for bananas in baking:
1 – Applesauce
Applesauce is so incredibly versatile; it can be a snack, breakfast, or even a topping for desserts.
It is made from cooked apples that are mashed or pureed into a sauce-like consistency and is often sweetened with sugar.
Applesauce has a soft and velvety texture which makes it great for baking as it adds moistness to cakes, muffins, and other treats.
If you don’t have any bananas at home but want to make banana bread, applesauce can be used as an alternative.
Applesauce will give the same moistness to the recipe but may leave a hint of apple flavor in the final result – and that’s nothing to scoff at.
2 – Canned Pumpkin
Canned pumpkin is a highly versatile ingredient and an excellent addition to any pantry.
Not only does it add rich flavor to sweet and savory dishes, but it’s also packed with health benefits thanks to its high nutritional value.
Pumpkin puree has a thick texture that makes it perfect for creating creamy soups and dips, but it also works well as an ingredient in baked goods like muffins and bread.
As an added bonus, it can be used to replace bananas when baking — simply substitute an equal amount of pumpkin puree for the amount of banana called for in the recipe.
3 – Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Mashed sweet potatoes are a delicious, nutritious, and versatile alternative to mashed potatoes or white rice.
The added bonus is that they’re low in fat, sugar, and calories.
Sweet Potatoes have an orangey-yellow hue and a naturally sweet flavor that brings out the sweetness in other ingredients.
In terms of texture, they are smooth yet creamy, which makes them ideal for putting in recipes like casseroles, smoothies, and even cakes instead of bananas.
To use them as a substitute for bananas in baking, you can mash the sweet potatoes until they become almost creamy and then add them to the recipe like normal.
You’ll add both flavor and texture to your finished product while still getting all the same benefits.
4 – Eggs or Egg White/Flax Combo
Egg yolk or a combination of egg white and flax are excellent substitutes for bananas in baking.
The egg-flax combo creates the same thick, moist texture that a banana provides while adding a slightly nutty flavor.
When using eggs as a substitute, it is best to use two eggs per banana called for and whisk them together until evenly combined.
To substitute with the flax and egg white combination, gently whisk together two tablespoons of ground flaxseed with six tablespoons of water, then add one egg white.
This mixture can be used to replace one banana in baking products like pancakes or muffins.
Additionally, using this combination eliminates the need to worry about adding too much moisture since the flax seed will absorb some of the work.
5 – Silken Tofu
Silken tofu is often used to replace eggs and dairy ingredients in vegan baking.
It has a smooth and creamy consistency, featuring neither salty nor sweet flavors, which makes it perfect for savory dishes as well as vegan desserts.
Many bakers find that it works wonders as a banana substitute in some recipes, such as bread, muffins, and cakes.
To use silken tofu for this purpose, blend the same quantity of silken tofu as bananas until the lumps are gone.
This blended form adds moistness and density to baked goods without a noticeable beany flavor.
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