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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    The Best Gluten-Free & Paleo Carrot Cake Banana Bread

    Modified: Apr 20, 2025 • Published: Mar 9, 2022 by Dr. Erin Carter • This post may contain affiliate links • 14 Comments

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    You are going to love this gluten-free carrot cake banana bread recipe. It's so easy to make, is super moist, and has the best flavour. This healthy bread is high in protein and has the most amazing dairy free cashew cream cheese frosting to top it off.

    A loaf of paleo carrot cake banana bread topped with fresh blueberries and raspberries.

    Almond flour recipes like almond flour and banana pancakes and no added sugar banana bread are some of my all time favourite which is why I am so excited for you to try this carrot banana bread recipe!

    Table of Contents
    • Why you will love this recipe:
    • Ingredients and substitutions:
    • How to make:
    • Top Tips:
    • Variations and add ins: 
    • How to serve:
    • How to store:
    • Frequently asked questions: 
    • Other recipes that you'll love: 
    • Recipe

    Why you will love this recipe:

    • This healthy carrot cake banana bread has the best flavour! It's a fun twist on traditional banana bread and is perfectly spiced with both cinnamon and nutmeg and is then topped with the most delicious cashew cream cheese frosting.
    • This carrot cake banana bread is super moist and has the best texture, even though it's grain free, gluten-free, dairy free, and refined sugar-free recipe.
    • It's so quick and easy to make and only takes a few minutes to prepare. Just like my paleo sandwich bread.
    • This bread makes a great breakfast, snack or dessert. 
    • This banana bread recipe is high in protein with 14 grams of protein per slice!

    If you love carrot cake you will also love my healthy carrot cake donuts.

    Ingredients and substitutions:

    • Almond flour - almond flour is one of my favourite gluten-free flours to bake with. It helps give this bread the most perfect texture. You could swap this for cashew flour. Do not try swapping this for other flours such as oat flour, whole wheat flour, all purpose flour or a gluten free flour blend.
    • Tapioca flour - this is used to give this bread a nice light and fluffy texture. Do not try swapping this for cassava flour as they are very different.  
    • Coconut flour - when combined with the other flours, coconut flour helps give this delicious bread the perfect texture. I don't recommend trying to swap this for any other flour. 
    • Eggs - eggs help add moisture to this bread and help the bread rise when it bakes. I have not tested this bread recipe with any egg substitutes such as a flax eggs and don't think any swaps would work out.
    • Bananas - it just wouldn't be banana bread without the bananas! Bananas help to give this bread the perfect amount of sweetness and moisture. Be sure to use ripe bananas or extra ripe bananas rather than green bananas. 
    • Coconut oil - coconut oil helps give this loaf the most tender texture. I do not recommend trying to swap this for any other fat or oil. 
    • Carrots - shredded carrots help give this bread the delicious taste of carrot cake! The carrots also provide moisture and natural sweetness.
    • Honey - one of my favorite natural sweeteners that helps give this bread the most delicious flavour! You could swap this for maple syrup instead. 
    • Coconut sugar - another one of my favourite natural sweeteners. You could easily swap this for brown sugar too. 
    • Spices - cinnamon, nutmeg and sea salt are the perfect warm spices to give this paleo carrot cake bread the most delicious flavour.
    • Vanilla extract - to help enhance all the delicious flavours of the bread and the icing.
    • Baking soda - this helps the bread rise when it bakes.
    • Cashews - raw cashews are used to make the dreamy cashew cream cheese icing that tops this bread. Be sure to use raw cashews and not roasted cashews.
    • Apple cider vinegar - to help give the frosting that perfect slightly tangy flavour, just like a classic cream cheese icing.
    • Coconut milk - to help give the icing the most smooth and creamy texture.
    • Maple syrup - this is used to naturally sweeten the cream cheese frosting.

    How to make:

    Step one:

    First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

    The ingredients for making carrot cake banana bread in a large bowl.

    Step two:

    Next, add all the bread ingredients to the bowl of your standing mixer and blend everything well until it's smooth.

    The batter for making carrot cake banana bread in a large bowl with a spoon in it.

    Step three:

    Then line a bread pan with parchment paper and transfer the dough to the loaf pan. Spread it into an even layer with a spoon or knife. Bake the bread for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted inside comes out clean.

    The batter for making carrot cake banana bread in a bread pan.

    Step four:

    While the bread is cooking you can make the icing by blending all the ingredients together in your food processor until they are smooth.

    Cashews and coconut milk in a food processor.

    Step five:

    When the bread is done cooking top it with the icing and allow the bread to cool. Then serve and enjoy!

    A piece of carrot cake banana bread with blueberries and raspberries on top.

    Top Tips:

    • Do not try swapping the flours in this carrot banana bread recipe. It won't turn out! 
    • Use room temperature eggs for best results. 
    • Be sure to use ripe bananas with black spots rather than green bananas.
    • Feel free to make a double batch and freeze one loaf for later. 
    • You can cool this bread in the loaf pan or cool it faster by transferring it to a wire rack or cooling rack.

    Variations and add ins: 

    • Feel free to top this bread with ingredients like fresh berries, chopped nuts or raisins. 
    • You could add in some chopped nuts or raisins to the bread recipe for even more texture. 
    • Feel free to add a bit of nutmeg or allspice to give this banana bread even more flavour. 

    How to serve:

    This gluten free bread is delicious served either warm or cold. Instead of the dairy-free cream cheese frosting you could also leave this bread plain or serve it with macadamia nut butter, blueberry chia seed jam, or even coconut whipped cream. It is delicious eaten for breakfast, as a healthy treat, afternoon snack, or for an after workout snack.

    How to store:

    Store this bread in the fridge in airtight container for up to 5 days.

    This bread also freezes really well. I recommend freezing it without the icing, and then adding that once it has thawed.

    A loaf of paleo carrot cake banana bread topped with blueberries and raspberries.

    Frequently asked questions: 

    Can I substitute the tapioca flour for cassava flour?

    Definitely not! Tapioca flour and cassava flour are very different flours and the bread will be a crumbly, dry mess if you try using cassava flour instead. 

    Can I swap the eggs in this recipe to make it vegan?

    I have not tried this recipe with any egg substitutes. I am not sure it would work out with egg substitutes but if you do try it please let me know how it goes. 

    Is this carrot cake banana bread vegan?

    No, this recipe is not vegan because it contains eggs. I do not recommend omitting the eggs or trying to replace them with any egg replacers.

    Other recipes that you'll love: 

    • Paleo Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
    • Paleo Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
    • Paleo Lemon Blueberry Muffins
    • Paleo Waffles

    Since you made it this far we are basically best friends so be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook where I share even more recipes and healthy living tips! And don’t forget to leave this recipe a star review before you go!

    Recipe

    A loaf of paleo carrot cake banana bread topped with raspberries and blueberries.

    Paleo Carrot Cake Banana Bread

    This paleo carrot cake banana bread is amazing! Perfectly spiced with the best cashew cream cheese frosting it makes a great breakfast or snack option.
    4.78 from 18 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Low Lactose
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 576kcal
    Author: Dr. Erin Carter

    Equipment

    • standing mixer
    • food processor

    Ingredients

    Bread Ingredients

    • 2 1/2 cups almond flour
    • 1/2 cup tapioca flour
    • 1/4 cup coconut flour
    • 2 tablespoon coconut sugar
    • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • pinch sea salt
    • 3 large eggs
    • 1 ripe banana
    • 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
    • 1/2 cup honey
    • 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Cashew Cream Cheese Icing Ingredients

    • 1 1/4 cup raw cashews
    • 1/4 cup maple syrup
    • 1/4 cup full fat coconut milk
    • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • pinch sea salt

    Instructions

    • Preheat your oven to 350F.
    • Add all the bread ingredients to the bowl of your standing mixer and blend well until smooth.
    • Line a bread pan with parchment paper and transfer the dough to the pan. Spread it into an even layer with a spoon or knife. Bake the bread for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted inside comes out clean.
    • While the bread is cooking make the icing by blending all the ingredients together in your food processor until they are smooth.
    • Once the bread is cooked top it with the icing and allow the bread to cool. Then serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    1. Do not try swapping the flours in this recipe. It won't turn out.
    2. Feel free to top the bread with fresh berries, chopped nuts or raisins.
    3. Store this bread in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 7 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 576kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 196mg | Potassium: 344mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 4111IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 123mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @pureandsimpleno or tag #pureandsimpleno!

     

    DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Pam

      September 17, 2021 at 10:44 am

      This is so so good!! Must try! Thank you for this recipe!5 stars

      Reply
      • Erin Carter

        October 19, 2021 at 12:14 pm

        Oh I am so happy you love it!!!!!

        Reply
    2. Kristie

      May 10, 2021 at 5:00 pm

      Soooo good!5 stars

      Reply
    3. Rayna

      March 24, 2020 at 4:28 pm

      I've subscribed. How do I get this recipe?

      Reply
      • Erin Carter

        March 30, 2020 at 3:48 pm

        It's in the dessert e-book that you get in your welcome email. Check your spam folder too. Sometimes the email ends up there.

        Reply
    4. Andrea

      October 25, 2019 at 9:19 pm

      Please send me your Paleo Carrot Banana Bread recipe

      Reply
      • Erin Carter

        November 08, 2019 at 2:45 pm

        Sign up for my newsletter and you will get it!

        Reply
    5. Mary

      October 11, 2019 at 8:23 pm

      Can’t seem to get the recipe...is it off of your website by now.? Thx 🙂

      Reply
      • Erin Carter

        October 12, 2019 at 4:50 pm

        As the post mentions you get the recipe if you sign up for the newsletter. I will then be emailed to you! I hope you love it!

        Reply
      • Michelle

        March 23, 2023 at 10:19 am

        So delicious, even without the frosting! I will be saving this recipe!5 stars

        Reply
        • Erin Carter

          April 03, 2023 at 5:50 am

          Oh I am so glad you love it!!!! thanks so much for commenting

          Reply
          • Michelle

            April 05, 2023 at 4:32 pm

            I made it 2 weeks in a row!

            Reply
    6. Colleen

      March 22, 2017 at 3:12 pm

      Thanks for the recipe, Erin. I made muffins instead of bread. Filled a 10 cup pan right full with batter and got awesome, crisp 'muffin tops'. First time that's happened since I stopped baking with wheat. Also the first time I've made grain free muffins that have the same texture as wheat flour muffins. It's that tender texture I really miss. Grain free muffins can be moist, but are usually heavy, almost 'gummy' and not light and fluffy like these were. Great flavor, too! Enjoy your holiday!

      Reply
      • Erin Carter

        March 23, 2017 at 1:17 am

        Colleen I'm so glad you liked it! How long did you cook them to make the muffins? I am sure I will have other people asking 🙂

        Reply

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    Hi everyone!

    My name is Dr. Erin Carter and I am so thrilled you are here. I am a physician with specialties in both internal medicine and rheumatology, and I believe that food and healthy living are forms of medicine. In my spare time I share health information and delicious, healthy recipes here on Pure and Simple Nourishment.

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