Do I need homemade plum jam or does store-bought work?

Both work. I had freshly made plum jam from a friend, but store-bought plum jam is just as good. The only thing that matters is that it is nice and thick so the layers hold their shape in the batter instead of running.

Which plums work best?

For the topping I like autumn Italian (prune) plums best. They are a little firmer, release less juice and keep their shape while baking. Ripe round plums work too – just bake the loaf a few minutes longer and use the skewer test.

Is the banana bread really sugar-free?

Yes, this version has no added sugar at all. The sweetness comes only from 2 ripe bananas, soft dates and the apple sauce. If you like it less sweet, leave out the chocolate; if you want it sweeter, add a few more dates.

How does the banana bread stay fluffy without eggs?

Instead of eggs I bind the batter with soaked flax flour (or ground flax seeds) and water. The apple sauce keeps the loaf moist, and the sparkling water plus baking soda, baking powder and a splash of apple cider vinegar make it rise and stay light.

How do I store the banana bread and can I freeze it?

Kept airtight, the banana bread stays fresh for 3–4 days and often tastes even better on the second day, once the plum and cinnamon have mingled. Sliced, it freezes beautifully for up to 3 months and you can thaw slices one at a time.

28 SEPTEMBER 2019

Banana bread with plums and hazelnuts

By Verena Frei

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This post is also available in: deutsch

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Last updated 5 July 2026

Prep: 20 min
Cook: 50 min
Total: 70 min
Servings: 1 cake

Hello lovelies, I have a slightly different version of the delicious banana bread for you today. It’s an autumnal banana bread with plums and hazelnuts. I just could not help adapting our favorite recipe a bit more seasonally. The result is this delicious variety with plum jam, roasted hazelnuts and cinnamon. You can probably imagine how the kitchen smelled, right?

I have also omitted sugar completely in this recipe. The banana bread contains only the natural sweetness of bananas, dates and applesauce. So delicious and with the addition of applesauce and sparkling water it still turns out super fluffy. The plum jam in the layers is just delicious and I was very happy that it worked so well. I got the freshly made plum jam from a dear friend of mine. Maybe you have already made some, otherwise you can of course also use a store bought one.

Banana bread with plums and hazelnuts beside a bouquet, from above

Recipe

And now here is the recipe for the banana bread with plums and hazelnuts:

Vegan banana bread with plums and hazelnuts

Banana bread with plums and hazelnuts, plated on a marble board

Since the banana bread isn‘t so sweet, you can also perfectly enjoy it for breakfast and if you like, coat it with some more plum jam, nut butter or chocolate cream. You can be sure that we have tried all 3 versions and liked them. At the moment, I really enjoy sweetening recipes with dates because they are not only delicious, but also healthy. They contain vitamins, minerals and are even full of antioxidants. They are also high in calories, but a good source of energy.

Sliced banana bread with plums and hazelnuts, close-up

I love this combination of warm and soft aromas, such as plum, cinnamon and crunchy nuts. Therefore, this banana bread is my favorite in autumn and winter. If you prefer the classics, then I already have a recipe on the blog here. This one is baked with walnuts and chocolate and no less delicious. And for the winter, when fresh cranberries are available again, of course I have the right version here.

Autumnal banana bread with plums and hazelnuts

The roasted hazelnuts are definitely the highlight of this banana bread with plums and hazelnuts. You can either roast them yourself, but you can get roasted hazelnuts more and more in the supermarkets and I can promise you, that really makes a big difference.

Slices of banana bread with plums served on a plate

Banana bread slices with hazelnuts and plums, from above

I hope I have inspired you to bake this delicious and autumnal banana bread with plums and hazelnuts. I am very excited about how you like it and look forward to your feedback.

If autumn baking makes you as happy as it makes me, you will probably want even more plums: my juicy plum cake with healthy crumbles is the cake version with a crunchy streusel topping. For cooler days, my pear spice cake warms you from the inside with cinnamon and warming spices, and if you love nuts folded right into the batter, you will enjoy my zucchini hazelnut cake. That way you have something lovely to bake all through autumn and winter.

If you have Pinterest you can find me here and tag this pic if you like:

banana bread with plums and hazelnuts

Yours, Verena

TIPS

Verena's notes

Tip from my kitchen: this banana bread often tastes even better on the second day, once the plum and cinnamon flavours have really mingled – kept airtight it stays fresh for 3–4 days. Sliced, it freezes beautifully for up to 3 months and you can thaw slices one at a time. Instead of spelt flour, plain wheat or wholemeal flour works too; for a gluten-free version use a good flour blend. If you like it more chocolatey, add a few more vegan chocolate drops – and for breakfast a slice is lovely with a little nut butter or extra plum jam.

4.7 from 3 votes

Banana bread with plums and hazelnuts

Banana bread with plums and hazelnuts. The delicious, vegan and autumnal version of the classic with plum jam, roasted hazelnuts and cinnamon!

Course:Breakfast, Frühstück, Kuchen, Süsses, Cake
Prep:20 min
Cook:50 min
Servings:1 cake

Vegan

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EQUIPMENT

Baking oven

INGREDIENTS

2ripebananas
2Tbspflax flour or ground flax seeds + 5 Tbsp water (egg replacement)
80gr (3 oz.)soft dates e.g. Medjoul
100gr (3.5 oz.)apple sauce
100ml (1/2 cup)plant-based milk e.g. oat or soy
100ml (1/2 cup)sparkling water
300gr (2 1/3 cup)spelt flour
1tspbaking soda
1tspbaking powder
2tspcinnamon
1pinchsalt
1Tbspapple cider vinegar
50gr (1.8 oz.)roasted hazelnuts
50gr (1.8 oz.)vegan chocolate or chocolate drops
4-5Tbspplum jam
5-6freshplums

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix flax flour or ground flax seeds with water and let it soak for about 5-10 minutes (you can use Chia seeds as well)
Mash the bananas, put them in a mixer or food processor along with water, pitted dates, apple sauce and milk and mix well.
Now add the soaked flax seeds and mix well
Mix all dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt) in a bowl and then add them to the moist ingredients
Mix well until the dough is smooth and add the apple cider vinegar at the very end
Roughly chop hazelnuts and chocolate and add them to the dough
Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F)
Grease and flour a loaf pan (25-30 cm/10-12“)
Put the first layer of dough into the loaf pan, place 1-2 Tbsp plum jam on top. Then add a 2nd layer of dough and once again place plum jam on top, finish up with a layer of dough
Coat it with fresh plums, hazelnuts and chocolate and bake for 45-50 minutes – check with stick if well done
Let it cool off and enjoy it

Calories: 210 kcal

GOOD TO KNOW

Frequently asked questions

Both work. I had freshly made plum jam from a friend, but store-bought plum jam is just as good. The only thing that matters is that it is nice and thick so the layers hold their shape in the batter instead of running.
For the topping I like autumn Italian (prune) plums best. They are a little firmer, release less juice and keep their shape while baking. Ripe round plums work too – just bake the loaf a few minutes longer and use the skewer test.
Yes, this version has no added sugar at all. The sweetness comes only from 2 ripe bananas, soft dates and the apple sauce. If you like it less sweet, leave out the chocolate; if you want it sweeter, add a few more dates.
Instead of eggs I bind the batter with soaked flax flour (or ground flax seeds) and water. The apple sauce keeps the loaf moist, and the sparkling water plus baking soda, baking powder and a splash of apple cider vinegar make it rise and stay light.
Kept airtight, the banana bread stays fresh for 3–4 days and often tastes even better on the second day, once the plum and cinnamon have mingled. Sliced, it freezes beautifully for up to 3 months and you can thaw slices one at a time.

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