If you have come this far, you are looking for a substitute for banana in baking. The good news is that you can find hundreds of substitutes that will give the same effect to your recipes. Whether it’s because you don’t have this ingredient on hand or you don’t like its flavor or texture, we bring you many options.
The banana is the best-known fruit worldwide. It has high vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that benefit the body and improve health. In addition, it is the protagonist in many sweet and savory dishes that we all love.
However, we often want to vary the flavors, and we want to do without the banana. But to maintain the proper flavor and texture of your recipes, you’ll need to choose a substitute that works best for you. So if you have wondered what can I substitute for banana in baking, here is a list of the best ones.
10 best substitutes for banana in baking
Banana is an ingredient generally used as a substitute for other ingredients. But surely you are wondering what to substitute for banana in baking? If you have a new recipe in mind and want to try it, you’ll want to know more about other ingredients that will be perfect.
Now keep in mind that each substitute can vary the flavor, texture, and creaminess. However, many of the following substitutes don’t significantly affect the flavor, so it’s easy to choose. So before choosing the ideal substitute, evaluate the procedure and the final result of what your recipe should be and choose the best option.
- Ripe banana.
Believe it or not, a Ripe banana has a very different flavor than the average banana. However, their properties and texture are practically the same. The banana has a much saltier variant, ideal for frying and adding to savory dishes.
The main difference is that the ripe banana is used mainly for savory recipes and the typical banana for sweet recipes. However, being very similar, the ripe banana can be made into a sweet puree that will be perfect as a substitute.
If you want to avoid the taste of the banana, keep in mind that the ripe banana has a very different flavor. Also, the more mature it is, the more different the flavor will be. We recommend it, especially for sweets and sour autumn recipes.
- Avocado.
Believe it or not, avocado is a perfect option as a substitute for bananas. And it can be used in both savory and sweet recipes. What most assimilates them is their creamy and smooth texture. It has lots of healthy fats that provide moisture and a high heat point to your recipes.
In addition, with the avocado, you can make dressings, add them to salads, soups, and many more dishes. And when it comes to baking, thanks to its neutral flavor, it does not affect the original flavors of the recipe.
However, it’s much more tasteless than a banana. So you will have to adjust the amount of sugar in your recipe a bit. Also, you must remember that the riper the avocado, the softer it will be. So if you want a thick avocado cream, you should buy one at the exact point.
- Apple sauce.
Apple sauce is a suitable substitute that you can find in stores or prepare yourself at home. Also, this substitute’s advantage is that if you make it at home, you can control the thickness. Allowing you to have more control over the final texture of your recipe.
This sauce has a sweet and bitter taste at the same time, and even being a liquid sauce; it has a thick texture. If you decide to make it a little thicker, you will have applesauce that will serve as mashed bananas.
Apple sauce is ideal for cakes, pieces of bread, dressings, sauces, and any pastry recipe. Especially since its flavor is not that exaggerated, and it does not usually negatively or drastically affect the flavor of your final recipe. And finally, it adds a lot of moisture and creaminess to your dessert.
- Sweet potatoes.
Sweet potatoes are a favorite ingredient for many, especially as we head into the fall season. There are many recipes you can make with sweet potatoes, and it usually works as a substitute for squash as well.
You can prepare them however you want, baked, fried, boiled, or however you like. As a banana substitute, they will serve you baked or boiled so you can mash them up and add them to your recipe.
Despite being similar in nutritional content, their flavor is very different from bananas. But once you boil and mash them, the texture is very similar, and you can even add them to smoothies and shakes.
For sweet or savory dessert recipes, they will hit the spot by giving you a smooth, moist, creamy texture. In addition, they are trendy because they can give a bronze color to your final result that makes it look appetizing.
- Oatmeal.
If you are looking for a healthy substitute for banana in baking, oat flakes will be the best option for you. Especially if you are vegetarian, allergic to gluten, and lactose intolerant. Or if you are simply looking for the healthiest option to help level your metabolism.
This option offers you the opportunity to choose between large oat flakes or oatmeal. Both options are good, but keep in mind that you will have a paste or a liquid that you can control with the prepared oatmeal.
On the contrary, the rolled oats will have to be processed into powder. Otherwise, using the regular flakes will give your recipe a lot more texture, and since they don’t dissolve, you’ll feel the flakes with every bite.
However, oatmeal is an excellent source of vitamins and a good option as a substitute. Significantly since it doesn’t greatly alter the flavor of your recipes, it works like wheat flour or wholemeal flour.
- Mango.
Believe it or not, the mango is an excellent substitute for the banana. You just have to keep in mind that its flavors are very different, and it is a powerful fruit that will alter the flavors of your recipes.
This tropical fruit stands out for its sweet flavor when ripe, and bitter and salty flavor when green. You can even find mangoes of different sizes and colors, with a slight variation of flavors between each one.
Like the banana, it is a fruit used in savory and sweet dishes. You can see it in salads, curries, dressings, cakes, pies, or cupcakes. You just need to use your imagination and skills to integrate them correctly in your recipes.
- Chia seeds.
Chia seeds are trendy and used in gastronomy, thanks to their excellent properties, uses, and applications. If you want a healthy option, chia seeds will give you everything you need. Especially if you want to protect, improve or maintain your metabolism at its maximum.
The easiest way to use chia seeds as a substitute is to soak them in a water container for twelve hours. After this time, you will see how the seeds will have doubled in size and softened.
When the seeds are in that state, you can process them into a thick or runny paste, depending on how you want it. At this point, they are ready to be added to any recipe as a banana substitute.
It can also be used in its original form, but be aware that it will give a much more earthy texture than expected. When they are in their original form, we can find them in protein bars, energy drinks, salads, puddings, and cupcakes.
- Greek yogurt.
As one of the best substitute for banana in baking, greek yogurt is thicker, creamier, and more bitter than regular yogurt. It’s a creamy base for all the other ingredients, and it works for dressings, salads, and many baking recipes.
The main advantage that Greek yogurt gives you is that you can control the sweetness. In addition, being so thick, it resembles the texture of a banana. And in the same way, it adds moisture, softness, and creaminess to your recipes.
Keep in mind that depending on the brand of yogurt you choose, they may have extra components such as unflavored gelatin or sugar. Ideally, you should choose natural Greek yogurt to control the flavors of your recipe.
- Pumpkin.
You can choose from many types of pumpkins, all of which will have slightly different flavors from each other. However, if what you want is a substitute for use in pastries, we recommend that you use sweet pumpkins.
These are much smaller than the normal ones used for Halloween and have a more concentrated and sweeter flavor than the others. Also, they get creamier when boiled, softer and moister. Making them an excellent option for your recipes.
Although these types of pumpkins are sweet, keep in mind that bananas are much sweeter. So you will have to adjust the amount of sugar you add to your recipe to get the ideal flavor.
- Coconut cream.
Coconut cream is similar to coconut oil, but with the particularity of being much thicker and creamier. Especially since it has more fat, and it is mainly used to thicken various desserts, smoothies, and soups.
Keep in mind that this substitute has a much stronger flavor than oil, and can alter the original flavor of your recipes. However, if you decide to use it, it will add a creamy, moist, and smooth texture to your final product.