Spelt Banana Bread is deliciously moist and full of fibre so healthier than your average cake! It’s also the perfect way to use up 4 overripe bananas.
I was completely blown away by this Spelt Banana Bread today and have to say it’s the best Banana Bread I have ever tasted. I have never used spelt flour before and have heard so much about it and yet knew nothing about it until now.
Last weekend I read with great interest an article in the Daily Mail about Roger Saul, the founder of designer label Mulberry and his journey in setting up Sharpham Park. It is here that organic spelt is grown and turned into Bran Flakes, Pearled Spelt, Spelt Flours, Spelt Risottos, Cereal Bars and Artisan Pasta.
Spelt is a great source of fibre and therefore Sharpham Park decided it would be a great idea to work with Bowel Cancer UK for their Bowel Cancer Awareness Month (April).
The British Medical Journal has published research which shows that an increase in fibre, especially cereal fibre and whole grains can help to prevent bowel cancer.
By adding 3 servings (90g) of whole grains into your daily diet you can cut your risk of bowel cancer by about 20%.
To promote their joint message they have collected some tasty high fibre recipes from 30 famous culinary friends which have been published online as “Great British Spelt Recipes”.
This Spelt Banana Bread is from Miss Dahl’s Voluptuous Delights by Sophie Dahl (Harper Collins).
After today’s resounding success I can’t wait to try some more recipes out, I think spelt has put a spell on me! Not only is spelt high in fibre but it also contains plenty of iron, potassium, zinc, riboflavin and other vitamins and minerals.
Also because of its unique gluten structure, it is far easier to digest than its distant cousin wheat and therefore great for people with wheat intolerance.
For more information on Bowel Cancer UK visit www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk or free phone 0800 8403540.
More recipes using Spelt Flour
- Spelt Banoffee Flapjacks with Dark Chocolate
- Apple & Chocolate Spelt Swiss Roll
- Quick Spelt Butternut Squash Cake
- Spelt Danish Apple Ring
- Spelt & Wholemeal No Knead Loaf
- Spelt & Chia Fishtail Plait
- Apple & Pear Cider Spelt Soda Bread
More Banana Recipes
Can you use different flour to spelt flour in this banana bread?
Yes, I have made it with ordinary plain flour but would recommend using wholemeal as it adds a nuttiness similar to that of spelt flour or use a combination of the two. I have also used a mixture of strong plain flour and self-raising flour when that’s all I had and that worked fine too. This is a very forgiving recipe!
I do hope you try this Banana Bread as it’s a great way to use up 4 ripe or over-ripe bananas!
I’m sure you’ll love this quick banana bread so please leave a comment and rating when you make it! If you’re on social media you can also share a photo by tagging @FabFood4All as I love seeing my recipes come to life!
Pin this easy banana bread for later!
Thank you to Sharpham Park for my gifted spelt flour and pearled spelt.
Spelt Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 75 g soft butter plus extra for greasing and serving
- 4 ripe bananas (medium sized) mashed up
- 200 g soft brown sugar
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- 1 pinch salt
- 170 g spelt flour (see notes for alternatives)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/Gas 4. Grease a 13 x 23-cm/ 9 x 5 inch bread tin. (I used my largest loaf tin).
- Pour the mashed bananas into a big mixing bowl. Mix in the butter, sugar, egg and vanilla extract.
- Add the bicarbonate of soda and salt and mix in the flour last. Pour into the prepared tin.
- Bake for 1 hour, remove and cool, then serve in slices with a little butter.
Ursula Hunt
I have been looking for a good banana bread recipe so will give this a try – thank you
Claire Toplis
I am only just getting into baking and cooking really.
This looks such a simple dish that I am even sure I could manage it.
Camilla
Exacty – report back one you’ve made it, I’d love to see – oh and cat has to be in pic:-)
Chris
Did the cat enjoy eating that lovely bread? Might need to give it a go one day …
Lisa Williams
Looks so delicious and the picture with kitty is brilliant 🙂
Camilla
Aah thank you:-)
The Kitchenmaid
I have four bananas and a bag of spelt – I’m in! I I haven’t had much luck making actual (that’s is, yeasted) bread with spelt flour, but baking with it seems really easy. And it’s nice to feel like you’re doing good while eating what is essentially cake, isn’t it?! Thanks so much for the recipe.
Camilla
Thank you and as cakes go this one is quite healthy as most of the fat is provided by the bananas and with all the extra vitamins and minerals in the spelt it’s even better:-)
Elizabeth
Sounds lovely! I’ve never used spelt flour before either. I looked for it my supermarket the other day but I didn’t see it. Please do share your recipe with the No Waste Food Challenge this month!
Camilla
You can get Sharpham Park products in Waitrose and I’ve heard Sainsbury’s do spelt too, not sure about the other supermarkets! This banana loaf is going to be made by me forever it’s a real winner:-)
tinkertink2010
That looks yummy – great way to use up bananas which we always have excess of! xoxo
Laura Loves Cakes
That’s quite an endorsement if this is the best banana bread you’ve ever tasted…may have to keep this recipe for future use! The cat does indeed look impressed too! 🙂
Camilla
Well I’m careful with my words as my mum’s Banana Cake is still the best cake, but this bread is the best bread I’ve ever tasted. Have made many different ones over the years but these two are the keepers!The best thing about this recipe is that it uses lots of bananas up and its a doddle to make:-) I’m sure my cat would indeed have liked a nibble:-)
Fiona Maclean
Cats need to be in ALL food photography from now on;)
It does look good. I’m still procrastinating here on what to make with my spelt!
Camilla
You’re right Fiona but as cats have very much a mind of their own we’ll have to leave it to them to decide eh! Good luck with your spelt baking:-)
Jacqueline @How to be a Gourmand
Oh Camilla – your cat’s face says it all – so funny! I agree spelt flour seems to be trending at the moment. Glad you could put it to good use in this delicious looking banana bread.
Camilla
Thanks Jacqueline I have well and truly been initiated and am excited to see what else I can make with spelt:-) My cat is funny and I’m sure she’d have had a nibble if I’d let her!