Irresistible Gluten-Free Vegan Peanut Butter Banana Cupcakes

Servings: 12 Total Time: 40 mins Difficulty: Beginner
A mouthwatering photo of two perfectly baked Gluten-Free Vegan Peanut Butter Banana Cupcakes topped with swirls of fluffy Peanut Butter Cocowhip Frosting. The cupcakes are golden brown and slightly glistening, sitting on a rustic wooden board with scattered banana slices and chopped peanuts. Natural light illuminates the scene, highlighting the texture and color of the cupcakes. pinit View Gallery 1 photo

Looking for a delicious and allergy-friendly treat? These gluten-free and vegan peanut butter banana cupcakes are soft, moist, and bursting with flavor! The perfect treat for any celebration and for anyone following a gluten-free or vegan diet.

Out of applesauce (or your common egg replacer)? Don’t worry! Our Gluten-Free Vegan Baking Substitutions Guide has great alternatives for baking.

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3.3 from 3 votes

Irresistible Gluten-Free Vegan Peanut Butter Banana Cupcakes

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These Gluten-Free Vegan Peanut Butter Banana Cupcakes are moist, flavorful, and easy to make, these cupcakes are a delightful combination of sweet banana, creamy peanut butter, and a light and airy Peanut Butter Cocowhip Frosting.

Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 20 mins Rest Time 10 mins Total Time 40 mins Difficulty: Beginner Servings: 12 Dietary:

For the Cupcakes:

Cooking Mode Disabled

For the Frosting:

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Position a rack in the center of the oven.
  2. Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer or a whisk, cream together the softened vegan butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the Just Egg until well combined, then stir in the mashed ripe bananas and plant-based milk.
  3. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until there are no lumps.
  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or by hand until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Stir in the creamy peanut butter until evenly distributed.
  5. Fill muffin tin: Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. Fill each liner about 2/3 full with the cupcake batter.
  6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
  7. Cool: Remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the cupcakes cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
  8. Make the frosting: In a medium bowl, combine the Mrs. Jones Vanilla Frosting, Cocowhip, and peanut butter. Use an electric mixer to beat the ingredients together until smooth and creamy.
  9. Frost: Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost them with the Peanut Butter Cocowhip Frosting. You can use a knife, spatula, or piping bag to frost the cupcakes.
  10. Enjoy: Enjoy your delicious homemade gluten-free vegan peanut butter banana cupcakes!

Nutrition Facts

368.82kcal
Calories
5.85g
Protein
44.8g
Carbs
20.09g
Fat
2.78g
Fiber
28.75g
Sugar

Nutrition Facts

Servings 12


Amount Per Serving
Calories 368.82kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 20.09g31%
Saturated Fat 10.7g54%
Trans Fat 0.03g
Cholesterol 37.66mg13%
Sodium 239.57mg10%
Potassium 162.14mg5%
Total Carbohydrate 44.8g15%
Dietary Fiber 2.78g12%
Sugars 28.75g
Protein 5.85g12%

Vitamin A 18.05 IU
Vitamin C 1.63 mg
Calcium 72.19 mg
Iron 1.21 mg
Vitamin D 0.2 IU
Vitamin E 2.1 IU
Vitamin K 4.9 mcg
Thiamin 0.03 mg
Riboflavin 0.14 mg
Niacin 1.76 mg
Vitamin B6 0.14 mg
Folate 20.96 mcg
Vitamin B12 0.09 mcg
Phosphorus 110.56 mg
Magnesium 27.62 mg
Zinc 0.49 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Recipe Notes/Tips:

  • Measuring Flour: When measuring gluten-free flour, it's best to use the 'spoon and level' method. Lightly spoon the flour into your measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. Avoid scooping directly from the bag, as this can compact the flour and result in a denser cupcake.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature ingredients, especially the vegan butter and Just Egg, helps them combine more easily and creates a smoother batter.
  • Don't Overmix: Be careful not to overmix the batter once you add the dry ingredients. Overmixing can develop the gluten (even in gluten-free flour), resulting in tough cupcakes.
  • Ripe Bananas: Use very ripe bananas (with lots of brown spots) for the best flavor and moisture in your cupcakes. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful they'll be.
  • Just Egg: Just Egg is a great vegan egg substitute that provides moisture and binding. If you don't have Just Egg, you can try other egg replacers like flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg) or applesauce (1/4 cup per egg), but the texture may be slightly different.
  • Frosting Consistency: The frosting should be light and airy. If it seems too thick, you can add a tablespoon or two of plant-based milk to thin it out. If it's too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
  • Peanut Butter Variations: For a different flavor, you can use crunchy peanut butter or even a flavored peanut butter like honey peanut butter (if not vegan). You can also add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for a warmer flavor profile.
  • Storage: Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
  • Garnish: Garnish your cupcakes with sliced bananas, chopped peanuts, or a drizzle of melted peanut butter for an extra touch.
  • Serving Suggestions: These cupcakes are delicious on their own, but they also pair well with a scoop of vegan ice cream or a glass of plant-based milk.
Keywords: Gluten-free vegan cupcakes, peanut butter banana cupcakes, vegan cupcakes recipe, gluten-free cupcakes, easy vegan cupcakes, peanut butter banana desserts
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Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All:
Can I use a different type of nut butter?

Yes, you can substitute the peanut butter with almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter if you have allergies or prefer a different flavor. Keep in mind that the taste will vary slightly depending on the nut butter you choose.  

Can I make these without bananas?

Bananas are a key ingredient in these cupcakes, providing moisture, sweetness, and a unique flavor. Substituting them would significantly alter the recipe and likely not produce the desired results.

How ripe should the bananas be?

The riper the bananas, the better! Ripe bananas are sweeter and easier to mash, giving the cupcakes a more intense banana flavor. Look for bananas with brown spots on the peel.  

Can I freeze these cupcakes?

Yes! Let the cupcakes cool completely before wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

How do I store leftover cupcakes?

Store leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cupcakes ahead of time and store them at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Frost them just before serving for the best texture and appearance.  

How do I get a smooth frosting?

Make sure your vegan butter is softened to room temperature before making the frosting. Beat the frosting for several minutes until it's light and fluffy. If it's too thick, add a tablespoon or two of plant-based milk to thin it out.

Can I add chocolate chips to the batter?

Absolutely! Chocolate chips would be a delicious addition to these cupcakes. Fold them into the batter along with the peanut butter.

What kind of gluten-free flour should I use?

For best results, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend that contains xanthan gum. This type of flour is specifically formulated to replace wheat flour in baking recipes.

Can I make these without the frosting?

Yes, these cupcakes are delicious even without the frosting! They're a great snack or breakfast option on their own. You could also dust them with powdered sugar for a simple touch.

User Reviews

3.3 out of 5
Based on 3 ratings
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  1. Asja
    Made this recipe

    I decided to make these, because I work for a small company and we had a co-worker food festival. After finishing them I didn’t try them because I wanted to be surprised at the festival. I finally tried them at the festival and thought they were good. Well, turns out all my co-workers hated them. I don’t know if my co-workers are just lying or they are actually that bad.

    Quick and Easy Budget-Friendly
    • A Moss

      Hi Asja,

      thanks for sharing your feedback on the cupcakes! We’re sorry to hear that your coworkers didn’t enjoy them. We’re always striving to improve our recipes, and we appreciate your honesty. Vegan and gluten-free baking can sometimes yield results that are different in texture and taste from traditional baked goods, and it can take some getting used to. Could you tell us a little more about what your coworkers didn’t like? Was it the texture, flavor, or something else? Any details you can provide would be really helpful as we consider future recipe development. We’re glad you personally found them good, and we hope to create recipes that everyone can enjoy!

  2. S.
    Made this recipe Recommends this recipe

    Too hard but otherwise great.

    Snackable
    • A Moss

      Hi,
      Thank you for your review! We’re happy you thought the cupcakes tasted great. We want to make our recipes as accessible as possible, so we’re concerned to hear you found them too hard to make. We’ll review the recipe instructions to see if there are any areas we can improve for clarity. Perhaps adding more step-by-step photos or clearer explanations would be helpful. Thanks for pointing this out!

  3. José Juan García Rodríguez
    Made this recipe Recommends this recipe

    Muy bueno. Le agregué menos azúcar y quedó perfecto.

    Sweet
    • A Moss

      Thanks so much! We’re thrilled you enjoyed it!

    Min

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