This Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread has all those cozy cinnamon roll flavors in an easy, one-bowl recipe that's perfect for breakfast, snack time, or adding to lunchboxes. It's made with simple ingredients like banana, almond butter, and almond flour, then topped with a buttery cinnamon crumble and a light Greek yogurt cream cheese drizzle that makes it feel like such a treat.
My family is obsessed with anything cinnamon roll flavor, so these were such a hit! Plus, I love how easy they are to let little ones dump, pour, and stir the ingredients in one bowl.
Why You'll Love This Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread
- Soft, moist banana bread with cinnamon roll flavor
- Naturally gluten-free with almond flour (or oat flour for school-friendly)
- Made in one bowl
- Easy enough for busy mornings
- Great for toddlers and the whole family
- Perfect for meal prep
- Freezer-friendly
If your family loves anything cinnamon roll, be sure to try out my yogurt cinnamon rolls, cinnamon roll "cheesecake" bake, and cinnamon roll muffins! SO many yummy, healthy breakfast ideas for your kids.
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Ingredients You'll Need
Here's what you'll need to make this cinnamon roll banana bread:
- mashed ripe banana - adds natural sweetness while keeping the banana bread soft and moist
- eggs - help bind everything together while adding protein
- almond butter (or sunflower seed butter for school-friendly) - creates a rich texture while adding healthy fats
- almond flour (or oat flour for school-friendly) - keeps the bread incredibly soft and tender
- ground cinnamon - the star ingredient that gives this banana bread its cinnamon roll flavor.
- vanilla extract - adds warmth and enhances the sweetness
- baking powder - provides just enough lift while maintaining a soft, dense crumb
- cinnamon crumble - butter, coconut or brown sugar, cinnamon, and hemp hearts create a simple buttery topping that bakes into every slice
- yogurt cream cheese drizzle - cream cheese, yogurt, vanilla, and optional maple syrup make a lighter frosting that's creamy without being overly sweet (can totally just top with plain yogurt for a no added sugar version!)
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Your Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or spray with oil. Add all the ingredients into the baking dish.
- Step 2: Whisk all the ingredients together until mixed well.
- Step 3: Spread the batter into the prepared pan. In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter or coconut oil, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and hemp hearts before sprinkling evenly over the top.
- Step 4: Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the center is set. Allow the banana bread to cool completely before drizzling with the yogurt cream cheese icing.
Hint for the Best Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread
For the softest, most flavorful banana bread, use a very ripe banana with lots of brown spots and avoid overbaking. The center should be just set with a few moist crumbs on a toothpick, it will continue to firm up as it cools. Let the banana bread cool completely before adding the Greek yogurt cream cheese drizzle so it stays thick and creamy instead of melting into the bread.
Substitutions
This cinnamon roll banana bread recipe is easy to customize based on your family's dietary needs!
- nut-free: swap the almond butter for sunflower seed butter and use oat flour in place of the almond flour (keep in mind the texture will be a bit different since almond flour adds extra moisture and richness)
- egg-free: sub out with flax eggs or your other favorite egg substitutes
- dairy-free: use dairy-free butter or coconut oil in the crumble and your favorite dairy-free cream cheese and yogurt for the drizzle
- gluten-free: this recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use certified gluten-free almond flour and other certified gluten-free ingredients
- low or no added sugar: omit the maple syrup in the drizzle or sweeten it with a mashed date instead, the banana adds plenty of natural sweetness to the bread itself
Variations
There are so many ways you can change up this cinnamon roll banana by adding different mix-ins:
- add mini chocolate chips or cacao nibs to the batter
- stir chopped pecans or walnuts into the crumble
- swap almond butter for cashew butter
- add pumpkin pie spice for a cozy fall twist
- skip the drizzle for an everyday breakfast or snack
Be sure to try these cinnamon roll muffins and yogurt cinnamon rolls for another nourishing breakfast!
Equipment
Just grab a mixing bowl, whisk, measuring cups and spoons, an 8x8-inch baking pan, parchment paper (for easy cleanup and lifting the bars out), and a small bowl for mixing together the cinnamon crumble and Greek yogurt cream cheese drizzle.
Storing Your Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread
Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freeze individual slices for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.
Toddler Dietitian Tiff's Tip
If your toddler is hesitant to try something new, serve a small slice alongside a food they already know and enjoy, like yogurt, berries, or scrambled eggs. There's no need to pressure them to take a bite, just keep offering it consistently! For a more balanced breakfast or snack, pair a slice with a protein-rich food like Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, or milk and some fresh fruit to help keep little bellies satisfied.
FAQ
Yes! Use dairy-free butter along with dairy-free cream cheese and yogurt for the drizzle.
Yes. Peanut butter works well, although it creates a slightly stronger peanut flavor.
Plan to bake it for 35-45 minutes, checking for doneness around the 35-minute mark. It's ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If the top starts browning too quickly, loosely tent it with foil for the remaining bake time.
Yes! These soft banana bread squares can be served to babies who are developmentally ready for soft finger foods (typically around 6 months), as long as they're cut into age-appropriate pieces. If serving to babies under 12 months, use maple syrup in the drizzle instead of honey or simply skip the drizzle altogether.
I'd sub out with ½ cup oat flour in place of the 1 cup almond flour if wanting to make a nut-free version for school or daycare.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this cinnamon roll banana bread:
Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread
Equipment
- 8x8 baking dish
Ingredients
- ½ cup mashed very ripe banana about 1 large banana
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup creamy almond butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- pinch of salt
cinnamon sugar topping
- 2 tablespoons butter or coconut oil melted
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons hemp hearts
yogurt cream cheese icing
- ¼ cup cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup optional
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 teaspoons milk as needed to thin
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Add all the ingredients into a mixing bowl or straight into the pan! Whisk and mix until well combined. Spread evenly in the baking dish.
- In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and hemp hearts. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the batter.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking to keep the banana bread soft and moist.
- Let the banana bread cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before adding the drizzle and slicing.
- Whisk together the softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, and vanilla. Add milk 1 teaspoon at a time until the drizzle reaches your desired consistency. Drizzle over the cooled banana bread, slice into squares, and serve.
Notes
- Use a very ripe banana with plenty of brown spots for the sweetest flavor and moistest texture
- Allow the banana bread to cool completely before adding the Greek yogurt cream cheese drizzle
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
- Freeze individual slices for up to 3 months
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