Most quick breads and loaf cakes depend on baking soda to rise, but heres a recipe for banana bread without baking soda, that relies on baking powder.
As a general rule, you can use either baking soda OR baking powder in banana bread – both ingredients will make your banana bread rise. While baking soda will react with acidic ingredients in the batter to raise your bread, baking powder can leaven banana bread without the addition of acidic ingredients.
Why bake banana bread without baking soda
I find baking soda, especially in some loaf cake recipes and quick breads, can provide too much flavour. While some tasters dont notice it, I find Im particularly sensitive to it, and the flavour in some instances can verge on soapy.
Baking soda versus baking powder in banana bread
Old-school banana bread recipes are usually made with baking soda only and without baking powder. I gather that there was a time when baking powder wasnt as readily available, but also that the consistency of baking powder sold in grocery stores varied. Baking powder wasnt the reliable chemical leavener it is today.
Remember that baking soda is sodium bicarbonate and requires acidic ingredients to react to form carbon dioxide. The acidity in banana bread could come from the mashed bananas, which have a pH that is between 4 and 5.
Baking powder is made from sodium bicarbonate, acid(s), and a drying agent (or anti-caking agent) like cornstarch. Its a complete leavening agent and all you have to do is wet it and apply a little heat to make it react.
BAKING SODA VS BAKING POWDER WHEN BAKING BANANA BREAD
FAQ
Is banana bread better with baking soda or baking powder?
Is baking powder good for baking bread?
What happens if you don’t put baking powder in bread?
What can I use instead of baking powder in banana bread?
Can I use baking soda instead of baking powder in banana bread?
If you do plan to substitute baking soda for baking powder, make sure to use three times the amount of baking powder than baking soda. What Happens if I Don’t Put Baking Soda in Banana Bread? Baking soda is an essential ingredient in banana bread. Its main use is in helping the loaf cake rise, but it does more than just this.
Is there sugar in plain bread?
There is some grams of sugar in one slices of any plain bread. Unless it is written sugar free. There are also different types of sugars like glucose which is mostly found in any wheat flours.
Can you over mix banana bread batter?
Do not over-mix the banana bread batter. When adding the eggs, don’t mix too long after each addition (mix just about 3 to 5 seconds in between each egg for a total mixing time of around 15 seconds).
Can You bake banana bread if it’s too hot?
As for baking the banana bread, if you still have several minutes of baking time left, but feel the top is browning too much, just place aluminum foil over the top. If your oven bakes hot you may also reduce the temperature by 15 to 25 degrees as well.