Warm cinnamon spice combined with sweet banana goodness and a swirl of cottage cheese cream. This flourless cinnamon swirl banana bread is gluten-free, soy-free, and high in protein (11g to be exact!).

If you have some ripe bananas waiting for you in your kitchen, this is the sign that you should be making a delicious banana bread.

A bunch of my flourless desserts went viral, and I simply knew I had to keep on going. Here is my latest cinnamon swirl-inspired banana bread.

But this isn’t your ordinary banana bread.  It’s packed with protein (11 grams per serving) and gluten-free, making it a healthier option than traditional banana bread.

I used cottage cheese to bump up the protein. But here’s the thing: with that vanilla icing, you’d never guess you’re eating a high-protein treat.

Especially if you’re a cinnamon swirl fan like me. I think you’ll

Ingredients and Substitutes

Ripe bananas, mashed (3) –If you don’t have ripe bananas (or don’t like them), you can replace them with unsweetened applesauce or pumpkin puree.

Almond butter (1 cup) – If you are not a fan of almond butter, you can use peanut butter or cashew butter.

Baking powder (1 tsp)

Eggs (2) – Swap with flaxseed eggs (1 tbsp of flaxseed meal + 2.5 tbsp of water) if you want to avoid eggs.

CINNAMON SWIRL

Cottage cheese, low-fat, smooth (1/2 cup) – Greek yogurt is a great substitute if you prefer a tangier option. And, if you want to make a vegan banana bread, you can use plant-based cottage cheese.

Egg (1)

Maple syrup (1 tbsp) – Feel free to substitute with honey or sugar-free syrup for a lower-carb option.

Cornstarch (2 tbsp) – Arrowroot is a great alternative that is still gluten-free.

Cinnamon (1 tbsp)

VANILLA ICING

Powdered sugar (1/2 cup) – You can use a low-carb powdered sweetener like erythritol.

Butter, melted (1/2 tbsp) – Try using ghee for a richer and creamier option.

Vanilla extract (1/2 tsp)

Milk (1 tbsp) – You can use non-dairy milk like almond, coconut, or oat milk.

How to Make Flourless Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a loaf pan by lining it with parchment paper or spraying it with oil. Grab a medium bowl, and add the bananas to mash them.

Step 2. Add the almond butter, eggs, and baking powder.

Step 3. Give the ingredients a good stir.

Step 4. In another bowl, add the cottage cheese.

Step 5. Now add the egg, maple syrup, cornstarch, and cinnamon.

Step 6. Mix all the ingredients well.

Step 7. Pour half the banana batter into the loaf pan. Level it out using a spatula.

Step 8. Add the cinnamon swirl layer on top and level it out.

Step 9. Add the rest of the banana batter. Grab a knife and pass it through the middle of the batter a couple of times.

This is going to combine the middle layer of the delicious cinnamon swirl with the banana batter. Make sure you level the top layer again.

Step 10. Place the banana in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. Remove from the oven, cover with foil, and bake for another 20-25 minutes.

Step 11. While the banana bread is baking, combine all the vanilla icing ingredients in a bowl.

Step 12. Remove the banana bread from the oven and let it cool down. Once it’s cool, drizzle it with the vanilla icing.

My Tips & Tricks

1. Don’t Skip The Foil: Make sure you don’t skip that step, since it prevents the top from burning while it still cooks on the inside.
2. Cool Before Icing: Be patient and allow the bread to cool completely before adding the vanilla icing, or it will melt right off.
3. Use Very Ripe Bananas: The sweeter and riper the bananas, the better the banana bread is going to turn out.

My Storage Tips

This banana bread is delicious fresh out of the oven, but it’s also great to have later in the week if you store it properly.

Wrap the sliced bread in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. If you want to keep it for longer, place it in the fridge for up to 7-8 days.

Make sure the container is sealed to prevent it from drying out.

If you want to make a large batch to keep for a long time, slice the bread and freeze it in individual portions. Wrap each portion and place it in a freezer-safe container.

When you are craving some banana bread, you can reheat it in the microwave or toaster for a quick treat.

My Other Flourless Desserts

• Flourless Matcha Banana Bread
• Flourless Pumpkin Bars
• Flourless Cottage Cheese Cake
• Flourless Banana Bread