This Coconut Banana Bread recipe is another great banana bread recipe to try!
If you’re looking for a banana bread with a bit of a tropical vibe, this one will do it for you. The added coconut in the recipe is not overwhelming at all. It just adds a little bit of coconut flavor and texture to an already delicious banana bread. The recipe makes two loaves, so you can eat one now and gift the other. Or freeze your second loaf to eat sometime later.
How to freeze banana bread:
For the freshest banana bread to be eaten later, plan on freezing it! Wrap your banana bread loaf several times in plastic wrap. Then put it into a large freezer zip baggie and store it in the freezer until ready to eat. It should stay just fine in the freezer for up to 4 months.
About Unsweetened Coconut:
Dried, shredded, unsweetened coconut is what you need for this recipe. Sometimes it’s hard to find unsweetened coconut in a regular grocery store. I recommend you go to a market that sells dried fruits and nuts in bulk. They will most likely have this type of unsweetened coconut, and then you can scoop out exactly what you need for the recipe (2/3 cup) and just purchase that. No leftovers will be sitting in your cupboard!
While you’re at that bulk bin market, you might as well pick up the nuts you need for the recipe too. Walnuts or macadamia nuts are suggested. You’ll need 2/3 cup of those as well.
About Coconut Oil:
Coconut oil is the second element of coconut flavor in this banana bread. If you’re not familiar with coconut oil, it’s oil that has been extracted from the meaty part of a coconut. You will find it next to the other oils in your market. It’s usually in solid form since the melting point for coconut is 76 degrees. If it’s very warm in your house, it may begin to liquify! You do need coconut oil in liquid form for this recipe. I just stick mine in the microwave for a bit to warm it enough to turn it into liquid.
If you’re one who likes using up ripe bananas to make banana bread quite often, you may wish to shove your classic banana bread recipe aside for now and try this Coconut Banana Bread. It’s always fun to try a new variety!
Here are a few more recipes for coconut lovers that you might wish to check out:
- Coconut Buttercream Frosting
- Overnight Oats with Toasted Coconut and Blueberries
- Chewy Coconut Bars
- Thai Coconut Chicken Soup
- Coconut Shrimp with Mango Coconut Dipping Sauce
- The Most Amazing Coconut Cake
- Toasted Coconut Frozen Yogurt
- Creamy Coconut Polenta
Coconut Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup dried, shredded unsweetened coconut
- 6 tablespoons dark rum or orange juice
- 4 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons Jamaican allspice (or regular ground allspice)
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 3 cups mashed ripe bananas
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup liquified coconut oil
- 1 1/3 cups lightly packed dark brown sugar
- 2/3 cup chopped and lightly toasted walnuts or macadamia nuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray two 9x5-inch loaf pans with nonstick spray, then line with parchment paper that comes up the two longer sides of the loaf pans. Spray the parchment paper too.
- On a baking sheet, arrange the coconut in an even layer. Toast it in the oven for 2 to 3 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally. Be sure to keep an eye on your coconut because it can burn quickly. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Place the rum in a small saucepan and set over medium heat. Bring to a simmer then toss in the coconut flakes and turn off the heat. Cover the pot and set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, allspice and salt. In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas with the vanilla, using the back of a fork, leaving the mixture slightly chunky. Stir in the eggs, coconut oil and brown sugar. Add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture, then add the coconut and rum. Stir until just combined. Gently fold in the nuts.
- Divide the mixture between the prepared pans and bake for about 45 minutes until a cake tester or wooden skewer comes out clean. Set the pan on a wire rack, and turn out the loaf onto a rack when the pan is cool enough to handle. The bread will keep in the freezer wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 1 month.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Yum yum Lori you are amazing 🙂 Why wasn’t I born in your household?
This recipe is so delicious and moist inside! And the coconut is just perfect!
This was an amazing banana bread recipe! I can’t wait to try it again!
Coconut + banana bread is my new FAVORITE combination! This is genius and sooo delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Loved the addition of coconut!
Amazing flavor combos in this bread with coconut and banana, so delicious~
Yum! I love this take on banana bread! I’m always looking to change up my banana bread recipe and this sounds incredible!