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.
sheila barnett
Please note the error in this recipe! Don’t put in 1 tablespoon of vanilla essence!! It will ruin your cake. The correct amount is ONE TEASPOON!
Camilla
Hi Sheila, thank you for your concern but there is no mistake here, this is Sophie Dahl’s recipe as stated.
Ellie
I’ve been looking for a good banana bread recipe, I will have to try this now, I think i’ll be having a baking weekend 🙂
bev
Looks delicious – pleased to see a review of spelt as I did wonder if it tasted any different.
rockychip
Not strictly gluten free but my sensitive tummy seems to tolerate spelt in small amounts. I made this today with half spelt and half gluten free flour and it was so yummy. Well done!
Camilla
Well we have to thank Sophi Dahl, I do love this recipe too:-)
Louise
I use honey instead of sugar for this recipe and it comes out fab and delicious every time! Each time people ask for the recipe 😉
Sarah
Hi Louise, can you tell me how much honey you used as I’d like to try this minus the refined sugar
Claire
I’ve just made this with ‘help’ from my three year old son Max. We have just finished our first slice and we love it…might be sneaking back to the kitchen for another slice. So tasty and very easy to make. This is going to be a family favourite.
Camilla
Fab, it’s one of my fav cakes too as well as my mum’s Banana Cake which I’ve also posted!
Lexi Davenport
This looks amazing! My mum loves banan bread so I’ll have to surprise her with this.
Camilla
Ooh it’s so good:-)
Paul Wilson
Spelt gives a nice texture.
Heather Haigh
Love banana bread and that’s one cute cat. 🙂
Camilla
Thank you, cat becoming a photo diva LOL:-)
Maya Russell
I wouldn’t have thought spelt flour would have made much of a difference, but it obviously does. Thanks for the recipe!