First thing's first: fire up your oven! Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). This step prepares the oven for the bread, ensuring it bakes evenly.

Grab a loaf pan and grease it lightly. You can also line it with parchment paper for easy removal later. It’s a small step, but it will make your life much easier when it’s time to slice and serve.

In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas well. You’ll want them smooth with minimal lumps. Using a fork or potato masher works like a charm. The more ripe your bananas, the sweeter the bread will be!

In another bowl, whisk together the chickpea flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ground flaxseed. This ensures that the baking soda is evenly distributed throughout the flour, which is crucial for a consistent rise.

Add the coconut sugar, vanilla extract, and orange zest to the mashed bananas. Stir until combined. The flavor from the orange zest brightens the bread in a magical way.

Slowly fold the dry mixture into the wet banana mixture. It's important to mix gently. You want to combine them without overworking the batter. Overmixing can lead to dense bread.

Once combined, gently stir in the toasted walnuts. These add not just flavor, but a nice texture that complements the softness of the bread.

Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top. Tap the pan lightly on the counter to release any air bubbles.

Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Your kitchen should smell heavenly by now, and that’s always a good sign!

Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. This will prevent it from becoming soggy.