Beet Banana Nut Bread — A Unique Banana Bread Recipe

If you're craving a banana bread recipe that is just a bit extra, this beet banana nut bread is for you. This spin on banana bread is moist, nutty, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and packed with vibrant color, without any food coloring.

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If you are looking for unique banana bread recipes that will make your guests stop and say, "Wait, what's in this?", you've found it. The earthy sweetness of the beets perfectly complements the overripe bananas. If you have "beet-haters" in your house, don't worry-the bananas totally drown out the beet taste. They'll think they're eating a super-moist, colorful (food coloring-free) treat!

This beet-infused treat elevates the classic banana bread recipe into a breakfast, snack, or dessert that's perfect for Valentine's Day or cozy weekend brunches.

Why You'll Love This Beet Banana Nut Bread

• Unforgettable flavor: Ripe bananas + beets = a moist, subtly sweet loaf.
• Eye-catching color: The beets add a ruby-hued twist, making this perfect for Valentine's Day or special occasions.
• Gluten-free & Refined sugar-free: This recipe can be adapted to fit dietary needs.
• Easy: Simple ingredients and easy steps make this a breeze for all bakers.
• Creative and unique: If you're tired of the same old banana loaves, this is the fun and flavorful twist you need.

Ingredients for Your Ruby Banana Bread

• Overripe Bananas: The spottier, the better! They release more natural sugar as they ripen. I used 2 large bananas in this.
• Beets: There are two ways to incorporate beets into this delicious recipe. One (the easier, quicker method) is to grate the beets into a blender with the rest of the ingredients. Another method is to roast the beets and puree them ahead of time (I usually keep a jar in the fridge with roasted and pureed beets).
• Gluten-Free Oats: I toss some certified GF rolled oats into my blender to make oat flour.
• Sweetener: I use a monkfruit sweetener in this recipe as I wanted to keep the refined sugar content of this recipe low. Brown sugar could be used instead. A sweetener is totally optional if your bananas are super ripe and sweet.
• Walnuts: For extra texture. Pecans or pistachios can be used instead of the walnuts.
• Eggs: Are the binder in this recipe.
• Baking powder: Without baking powder, this would be a very dense banana bread.
• Flavorings: Pure vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt-because it wouldn't be a Savory Spin recipe without a little aromatic magic!

How to Make This Unique Banana Bread

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a loaf pan with parchment.
• Using a microplane grater, grate the beets.
• Add the oats to a blender and blend until they are a flour-like consistency. Then, add in the other dry ingredients (cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, salt, and sweetener) to the blender along with the wet ingredients (eggs, grated beets, bananas, pure vanilla extract). Blend all the ingredients until smooth.
• After the beet banana bread batter is well blended, use a spatula and stir in the walnuts.
• Then, using the same spatula, scrape out the batter into a parchment-lined loaf pan and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Cool completely, then slice, serve, and enjoy!

No blender? No problem!

If you do not have a blender, then I would strongly suggest you use oat flour or another gluten-free flour. If you are not following a gluten-free diet, then feel free to use all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, or a mixture of both.

Add the dry ingredients (specified in the recipe card) to a mixing bowl. Mash the bananas in another bowl and add them to the dry ingredients. Then, add in the grated beets (or pureed beets), eggs, vanilla extract, and mix well with a whisk or a hand-held electric mixer set to medium-high speed. Then add the batter to a loaf pan and bake as specified.

If using pureed beets...

Rinse the beetroot well. Then wrap the beets in aluminum foil. Place them in an oven that has been preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Let them bake for 45-55 minutes or until tender when squeezed (with an oven mitt on).

Let cool until easy to handle. Then, unwrap the beetroot, peel off the skin, and toss the beet into a blender or food processor. Blend (or process) until smooth. Then, this can be used in baked goods like this, doughnuts, pizza, and flaxseed crackers.

Tips for Ultimate Flavor

Use bananas that are super ripe: they add natural sweetness and deep banana flavor.

Roast your beets first: roasting brings out their sweetness and vibrant color more than using grated raw beets.

Add fun mix-ins: If you want to make this even more indulgent for Valentine's Day (or any day), add some semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter and sprinkle some on top before baking. Chocolate and beets are a match made in heaven! You could also add some fresh blueberries to make this a fruit and veggie-packed banana bread recipe.

Serve with toppings: a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of maple syrup, or a light glaze made with icing sugar and lemon juice or brown butter. To amp up the flavor, make a glaze with powdered sugar and bourbon for a boozy spin. I usually love a slice of this beet banana bread slathered with some peanut butter or Greek yogurt and honey. My guy usually likes a slice or two of this, slathered generously with butter.

Why This Beet Banana Nut Bread Recipe Is a Must-Try

The vibrant color, moist crumb, and rich flavor make this beet banana bread recipe unique among banana bread recipes.

Whether you're making a Galentine's brunch or a sweet breakfast-in-bed for your significant other, this bread looks like love on a plate without all the artificial food coloring. It's nutritious, budget-friendly, and feels just a little bit fancy.

Here is a collection of more unique naturally red-hued recipes to make for Valentine's Day for all those you hold close to your heart:

• Red Velvet Overnight Oats - so delicious and decadent, yet nourishing
• Pink Chia Pudding
• Pink Mocha
• Easy Pink Cookies (Refined sugar-free)
• Beet Crepes
• Beet Waffles
• Beet Tortillas
• Beet Bars
• Beet Onion  Jam ~ delicious with a burger or with crackers and cheese
• Beet Chocolate Oatmeal Cake 
• Beet and Bean Burgers
• Beet and Flaxseed Crackers
• Beet Chocolate Cookies
• Beet Deviled Eggs
• Red Velvet Dessert Pizza
• Beet Crust Pizza
• Oven Roasted Beets
• Beet Hot Chocolate

Thanks so much for stopping by. If you make this recipe, please let me know in the comments below what you think of it, or tag your creation on social media with @savoryspin or #savoryspin.
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