How to Make Banana Bread Without an Oven

What do you do when bananas start turning brown? You make banana bread, of course! First-time bakers learn how to make banana bread with an oven. It’s easy and fuss-free and takes mere minutes to finish. But what happens when that oven conks out or you find yourself in a kitchen without one? Thankfully, you can cook it in other ways.

The big surprise? These methods don’t require buying new tools or equipment. You'll be happy to find many of these cooking implements already in your home. And using them for bread making makes the task even more effortless. Don't believe it? Read on to find out what your alternatives are.

Learn How to Make Banana Bread: The No-Bake Method

These 3 common appliances should work fine when trying to learn how to bake banana bread without an oven.

1. Steamer

If your family often makes kakanin, leche flan, or embutido, the odds are you already own a steamer. Stovetop steamers are a go-to cooking appliance for bakers on a budget.

You heard right. You can take batter from a banana bread recipe and “bake” it in a steamer. Fill the bottom steamer pot halfway with water. Allow this to boil before placing the filled baking pan in a steaming basket. Cover the steamer and let the bread cook for 35 to 50 minutes. Don't forget to check on the water level, ensuring your pot has enough to steam the bread through. Check for doneness with a toothpick. Cool slightly before cutting slices.

Don’t have a steamer? Create a makeshift one by placing a wire rack inside a deep pot. Select one with a lid and ensure it has enough room for the baking pan to fit. You can also use a mug, bowl, or smaller pot for the cake pan to stand on. 

2. Air fryer

This handy cooking device lets users fry food without adding oil. Food comes out crispy and tender minus the fat. Other than frying, people have used this compact appliance to roast and even bake goodies.

It's the perfect kitchen gadget to use when making banana bread at home. Since an air fryer comes with a built-in timer and temperature control, bakers simply need to follow the instructions of a recipe. For instance, most banana bread tutorials require 20 to 30 minutes of baking in a preheated 330°F oven. Cool before slicing and enjoy with coffee or tea or crumbled over Selecta Super Thick Vanilla Ice Cream.

3. Rice cooker

Most Asian households are never without a rice cooker. Save for preparing rice, lots of cookers come with a steaming basket you can use to cook dumplings, fish, chicken, and veggies. And since most rice cookers are nonstick, even baking in them is possible.

Baking in a rice cooker requires vigilance and patience. The lack of a timer means you need to press the “cook” button multiple times. Unlike other methods, this one doesn’t call for a loaf or cake pan. Take banana bread ingredients and whip up a batter. Grease the rice cooker pot with butter or oil, then pour in the banana bread mixture. Cooking time will vary; it shouldn't take more than 90 minutes max. After every cooking cycle, routinely check doneness with a toothpick. Cool slightly before popping the bread out of the pot.

Fun Banana Bread Upgrades to Try

Now that you’ve learned how to bake banana bread without an oven, it’s time to have fun with a few upgrades. Some of these suggestions you can do before baking, others before serving. And some when you have leftovers. Enjoy! 

Add chocolate chips

The quickest way to liven up boring banana bread is to add some chocolate to it. Pick bittersweet chocolate chips and add them to your batter.

Bust out your favorite spread

Cover your banana bread with any spread of your choosing. Some fan favorites are cinnamon butter, hazelnut spread, cream cheese, and peanut butter.

Cover the loaf with a citrus glaze

Glazes are a combination of powdered sugar and milk. Jazz it up with lemon zest before pouring over your cooled loaf.

Make it à la mode

Heat a slice of banana bread and top off with Selecta Super Thick Vanilla Ice Cream for an àla mode experience. While at it, drizzle in some chocolate syrup for a decadent treat.

Turn it into French toast

Leftover banana bread looking a bit dry? Don't worry. You can still save this by turning it into French toast. Dip your slices in the usual egg-based mixture and fry until golden. When done, serve with powdered sugar or maple syrup.

Learning how to make banana bread without an oven is a game changer. Once you’ve mastered a banana bread recipe, you can move on to other no-bake desserts. Try out these oven-free techniques and see which one you like best.