• About
  • Work with Me
    • Contact
  • Food Photography
  • Newsletter

Chef Janet

So good, they'll never know it's gluten-free.

  • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Baked Goods
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
    • Main Course
    • Salads
    • Sauces and Dressings
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
  • Cooking Basics
  • Gluten-Free Diet Tips
Home Β» Baked Goods Β» Healthy Banana Cupcakes with Almond Flour

January 7, 2021 (last updated October 19, 2022)

Healthy Banana Cupcakes with Almond Flour

No ratings yet
Janet Harlow
Leave a Comment Jump to Recipe

These healthy banana cupcakes are gluten-free, dairy free and sweetened only with agave. The recipe is even grain-free with the use of almond flour. Eggs, plenty of blueberries and 2 soft bananas are most of the rest of the ingredients. Yes, there is sweetener (agave), because these ARE cupcakes mind you. But these are cupcakes I can feel pretty good about eating.

Looking for more traditional cupcake recipes? Check out my gluten-free, dairy-free vanilla cupcakes or gluten-free ginger cupcakes.

healthy banana cupcake (gluten-free) on upside down white bowl. Banana and plate of cupcakes on plate in background

Ingredients

Almond flour– be sure to use almond flour – not almond meal. It is also known as blanched almond flour which removes the brown skin from the almonds before milling. Also a super fine flour will work best.

Bananas – As with banana bread, be sure that the bananas are very ripe – mostly brown. The more ripe the bananas the stronger the flavor. But there is an option if your bananas are not ripe enough. Peel off half of the peel (lengthwise) and place on a small plate, peel side down. Microwave for 30 seconds – 1 minute. Almost ripe enough will need around 30 seconds, barely brown 1 minute or more,

Blueberries – I know, blueberries are usually a muffin thing but the blueberries add nutrition as well as awesome flavor and natural sweetness to these “healthy” cupcakes. Fresh blueberries are my preference but frozen blueberries can be used too. Rinse the frozen blueberries in a strainer with cold water until the water runs almost clear. Dry the berries on an absorbent kitchen towel.

Agave nectar is the only sweetener in these cupcakes – no cane sugar. If you don’t have any agave, you can whip up this agave nectar substitute with just brown sugar and water.

Cupcake Toppings

healthy banana cupcakes with chocolate glaze on white plate on top of marble cake stand. Banana on left and cupcakes in lower right.

To be sure that these cannot be mistaken for muffins, I topped these cupcakes with a coating of chocolate ganache, which is simply chocolate melted with cream, coconut cream in this case. To keep it low-sugar I use Lakanto chocolate chips – monkfruit sweetened. Another option to keep it low sugar is with Ghirardelli 92% Bittersweet Chocolate or Lindt Excellence Bar 90%. The natural sweetness of the coconut cream will help to balance the bittersweet chocolate,

The white icing, instead of using powdered sugar, is made with coconut cream whipped with a tiny bit of agave. The coconut cream is naturally sweet so just teaspoon of sweetener does the trick to make these cupcakes beautiful & delicious. See my full post and video Icing without powdered sugar.

Want a more traditional icing? Check out my vanilla buttercream frosting, vegan chocolate frosting, or strawberry frosting (so great with banana).

overhead view od healthy banana cupcakes with chocolate ganache and white icing on marble plate. Whole banana an, blueberries and un-iced cupcakes around platet

Healthy Banana Cupcakes with Almond Flour

Author: Janet Harlow
Course: Baked Goods
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 cupcakes
These healthy banana cupcakes are gluten-free, dairy free and sweetened only with agave. They are grain free with a base of almond flour and topped with low sugar ganache and white icing.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 50 minutes mins

Recommended Products

  • Semi Sweet Sugar-Free Chocolate Chips

Ingredients
  

  • 2 very ripe bananas
  • 6 Tbsp maple syrup/agave agave syrup substitute
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cup super fine blanched almond flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 c blueberries fresh or frozen

Icing without Powdered Sugar

  • 1/4 c coconut cream canned, do not shake, stir or refrigerate
  • 1 tsp agave

Chocolate Ganache

  • 3/4 c chocolate chips or 6 oz chopped 90% bittersweet chocolate
  • 2 Tbsp coconut cream

Instructions
 

  • Pre-heat the oven to 350Β°F and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
  • If using frozen blueberries: Place the blueberries in a strainer and rinse under cold water until the water draining out runs almost clear. Place on a towel and dry them thoroughly. Place in the fridge on a dry towel until ready to use.
  • Mix the almond flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt together in a small bowl
  • Puree the banana with the agave/maple syrup in the blender or using an immersion blender so that there are no chunks. Add the eggs and vanilla and stir to combine.
  • Add the dry ingredients and stir until smooth.
  • Stir in the blueberries.
  • Fill the liners to 3/4 full.
  • Bake 22-25 minutes or until the top is set and bounces back from a gentle tap.
  • Cool in the cupcakes in the pan 5 minutes then cool on a wire rack.
  • While the cup cakes are cooling prepare the toppings.Make the Icing without Powdered Sugar
  • DO NOT SHAKE or stir the can of coconut milk. Scrape the thick, white cream off the top. There may or may not be coconut water underneath. Save the rest for the ganache.
  • There will likely be some chunks in the coconut cream. Puree in the blender or with an immersion blender to be sure it is smooth.
  • Stir in the sweetener. If it seems too thin, refrigerate 5 minutes and top just before serving.
  • For best results, place in a squeeze bottle. Shake before using.

Make the Chocolate Ganache

  • To keep it low sugar, use either Lakanto chocolate chips or a 90-92% bittersweet chocolate (Ghirardelli makes a great one).
  • Stir the coconut cream remaining in the can then spoon out the 2 Tbsp.
  • Place the chocolate chips or chopped chocolate and 2 Tbsp coconut cream in a microwave save bowl.
  • Heat in the microwave on high for 20 seconds. Stir.
  • Heat for an additional 20 seconds. The chocolate will not be completely melted – do not heat any further. Stir until the residual heat melts it.
  • Spread onto cooled cupcakes. Let it set for 15 minutes then drizzle on the icing using a squeeze bottle or spoon.
Did you make this recipe?Let me know how it was! Tag @chefjanetk on Instagram.

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email

Posted In: Baked Goods, Dessert · Tagged: banana, blueberries, cupcakes, dairy-free, grain free

Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe Cancel reply

If you love this recipe, please consider leaving a star rating and review when you post a comment. Star ratings help people discover my recipes online. Your support means a great deal to me.

Thank you!
Janet

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Me
Hi, Welcome! I'm Chef Janet and I create gluten-free recipes that everyone will love, gluten-free or not.

Set up a customized lesson with me to learn basic cooking techniques, gluten-free, menu planning and kitchen tips to make your life easier. Follow me on instagram to keep up with my latest and let me know how I can help.

Follow along on Instagram

This gluten-free blueberry crisp is made with fres This gluten-free blueberry crisp is made with fresh blueberries and topped with a cinnamon brown sugar topping with no oats. Oats can be tricky when you're gluten-free, so I prefer my crisp without them. Link to the recipe in my profile.
🫐🫐🫐
These buttery cookies are gluten-free and melt in These buttery cookies are gluten-free and melt in your mouth. Link to the recipe in my profile.
🧈πŸͺ🧈
#glutenfreecookies #glutenfreebuttercookies #danishbuttercookies #losangeleschef #glutenfreeblog #buttercookieshomemade #glutenfreelosangeles #glutenfreehomemade #cookiesfromscratch
This gluten-free strawberry sheet cake is filled w This gluten-free strawberry sheet cake is filled with fresh strawberries in a strawberry swirl. It's the perfect dessert for a crowd on a spring or summer day. Link to the recipe in my profile.
πŸ“πŸŽ‚πŸ“
Simply take some fresh strawberries and whirl them in the food processor until they're finely chopped. Mix some into the batter and spread the rest between layers of batter to create a pretty swirl when you cut into the cake. 
πŸŽ‚πŸ“πŸŽ‚
#glutenfreecake #strawberrycake #freshstrawberries #sheetcake #glutenfreedessert #berrydessert #strawberrydessert #glutenfreeblog #glutenfreelosangeles #strawberrydesserts #bbqdessert #memorialdaydessert
This Gluten-Free Lemon Bundt Cake is a dreamy good This Gluten-Free Lemon Bundt Cake is a dreamy good, sunny treat. Link to the recipe in my profile.
πŸ‹πŸŽ‚πŸ‹
#glutenfreebundtcake #glutenfreelemoncake #lemonbundtcake #losangeleschef #glutenfreelosangeles #glutenfreecake #lemondessert #glutenfreeblog #glutenfreedessert
This Gluten-Free Carrot Cake is fluffy, moist and This Gluten-Free Carrot Cake is fluffy, moist and packed with cinnamon spice goodness. Link to the recipe in my profile.
πŸ₯•πŸŽ‚πŸ₯•
I prefer my carrot cake with no crushed pineapple or nuts or raisins. I use a little applesauce to give it some fruity flavor but that's it. So if you're on team nut-free, raisin-free, this is the cake for you.
πŸ₯•πŸŽ‚πŸ₯•
#glutenfreecarrotcake #glutenfreecakes #glutenfreeeaster #losangeleschef #glutenfreelosangeles #glutenfreeblog #glutenfreedesserts #glutenfreebaking #glutenfreedessertrecipes #easterdesserts
Whether it's summer peach season or not you can ma Whether it's summer peach season or not you can make this gluten-free peach cobbler. The recipe includes instructions for fresh, frozen or canned peaches. Link to the recipe in my profile.
πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘
#glutenfreepeachcobbler #glutenfreecobbler #peachdessert #peachcobbler #losangeleschef #glutenfreeblog #glutenfreechef #glutenfreelosangeles #summerdesserts #glutenfreedesserts
This gluten-free chocolate mug cake is ready in ju This gluten-free chocolate mug cake is ready in just 5 minutes. When you want a cake just for yourself, it's the perfect recipe. Link to the recipe in my profile.
πŸŽ‚πŸ«πŸŽ‚πŸ«
#glutenfreecakes #chocolatemugcake #glutenfreemugcake #singleservedessert #glutenfreechocolatecake #glutenfreeblog #losangeleschef #glutenfreelosangeles #dessertforone #glutenfreedesserts #fastdessert
Do you need a cake or cupcakes for a gluten-free b Do you need a cake or cupcakes for a gluten-free birthday celebration? I've got you covered with a blog post with 16 ideas for fun,  festive & yummy cakes and cupcakes.
πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‚
All are gluten free and many can be made dairy-free as well. Most use Measure for Measure flour from @kingarthurbaking.
1. GF Carrot Cake
2. GF Funfetti Cupcakes
3. GF Red Velvet Cake
4. GF Lemon Cake
5. Grain-Free Vanilla Almond Flour Cake
6. GF Vanilla Cake
7. GF Mini Cupcakes in Choc & Vanilla
8. GF Vanilla Cupcakes
9. GF Coconut Layer Cake
πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‚
Not pictured: GF Chocolate Orange Loaf Cake,
GF Chocolate Cupcakes, GF Apple Pie Cupcakes, GF Butternut Squash Cake, Gf Chocolate Mug Cake, GF Vanilla Snack Cake, and GF Carrot Cake Cupcakes.
πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‚
#glutenfreebirthdaycake #glutenfreebirthday #losangeleschef #glutenfreebaking #glutenfreecake #glutenfreecupcakes #glutenfreecarrotcake #glutenfreevanillacake #glutenfreeredvelvet #glutenfreeblog #glutenfreelemoncake

Copyright © 2023 Chef Janet · Support by Foodie Digital · Privacy Policy · Accessibility Policy · Web Stories