Banana Bread Recipe

This Banana Bread is everything you want in a classic recipe—moist, tender, comforting, and filled with the naturally sweet, intense flavor of overripe bananas. If ever there was a reason to save those spotty bananas, this delightfully easy bake is it. Just a few pantry staples and a handful of minutes will reward you with a kitchen that smells like a warm hug and slices of banana-rich perfection.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Incredible Banana Flavor: Using super ripe bananas guarantees every bite is bursting with deep, caramel-like banana richness.
  • Moist & Tender Crumb: Melted butter and just the right ratio of wet to dry ingredients make for a loaf that’s never dry or crumbly.
  • No Mixer Needed: You can make the whole batter with a fork and a spoon in a single bowl—minimal cleanup, maximum satisfaction.
  • Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you want a cozy breakfast, easy dessert, or an edible gift, this Banana Bread fits the bill beautifully.
Banana Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this classic Banana Bread is how it transforms such humble, everyday ingredients into something that feels special. Each one plays a key role: ripe bananas for sweetness, flour for structure, and a touch of vanilla to lift every bite. Simplicity never tasted so good!

  • Very ripe bananas (2 to 3 medium): The blacker the peel, the better for yielding moist, intensely flavored Banana Bread.
  • Unsalted or salted butter (melted): Melted butter soaks into the batter for incredible richness; you can use either type, just adjust the added salt to taste.
  • Baking soda: Essential for lift and tenderness; it reacts with the acidity of the bananas to create just the right crumb.
  • Pinch of salt: Balances the sweetness and deepens flavor—don’t skip it!
  • Sugar (3/4 cup, adjustable): Sweetens the loaf; you can dial it up or down depending on your bananas or your sweet tooth.
  • Large egg (beaten): Binds the bread and adds a bit of richness for a cohesive, lovely loaf.
  • Vanilla extract: Enhances all those cozy flavors and gives the Banana Bread its signature bakery aroma.
  • All-purpose flour: Provides the right structure while giving the loaf that tender, not-too-dense texture we all crave.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the pure joys of Banana Bread is just how easy it is to make your own. Feel free to mix, swap, or add ingredients based on what you love or what you have on hand—the possibilities for delicious twists are truly endless!

  • Nutty Banana Bread: Stir in a generous handful of chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch and a toasty, buttery undertone.
  • Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: Fold in chocolate chips or chunks to add gooey surprise bites—kids and adults both go wild for this version!
  • Whole Wheat Flour: Swap half the flour with whole wheat for a heartier, earthier loaf (or go 100% for a denser, more fiber-rich bread).
  • Dairy-Free/Vegan: Use coconut oil instead of butter and a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water) instead of egg for a plant-based treat.

How to Make Banana Bread

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven

Start by buttering your 8×4-inch loaf pan and preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your Banana Bread will have the perfect rise and won’t stick to the pan—a quick swipe of soft butter does the trick!

Step 2: Mash Bananas and Combine with Butter

In a mixing bowl, use a fork to mash your bananas until they’re completely smooth—lumps are okay if you like little bursts of banana. Pour in the melted butter and stir together so everything’s rich and velvety.

Step 3: Add Remaining Wet Ingredients

To the banana-butter mixture, add the baking soda and salt, followed by the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Mix well—at this stage, you want everything to feel thick and well combined, but not overmixed.

Step 4: Stir in the Flour

Gently fold in the all-purpose flour, mixing just until you don’t see any streaks left. Overmixing will make the loaf tough, so stop as soon as it’s incorporated for the most tender crumb.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few crumbs (not wet batter). If the top gets too brown before the center is baked, tent with foil and continue baking.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Let the Banana Bread cool in the pan for a few minutes before turning it out to cool completely on a rack. Slicing while still warm is extra tempting—just use a bread knife for clean, neat slices.

Pro Tips for Making Banana Bread

  • Banana Ripeness Matters: Don’t be afraid to let your bananas get ultra-speckled or even black—they’ll bring unmatched depth and natural sweetness to your loaf.
  • Gentle Folding: Stir the flour in gently and just until incorporated—overmixing is the enemy of a light, tender Banana Bread.
  • Oven Watch: Every oven runs a bit differently, so start checking your bread at the 55-minute mark for doneness; tent with foil if it browns too quickly.
  • Cool Before Slicing: Let your bread cool to room temperature for the cleanest cuts—slicing too soon can lead to crumbles and lost moisture.

How to Serve Banana Bread

Banana Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

Sometimes the simplest garnish is the best—try a pat of softened butter melting into a warm slice, or a drizzle of honey for added sweetness. For a fancier touch, dust the top with a bit of powdered sugar or sprinkle with toasted nuts just before serving.

Side Dishes

For a cozy breakfast, enjoy Banana Bread with a bowl of Greek yogurt and fresh berries, or pair it with crispy bacon and scrambled eggs for a hearty brunch. As a dessert, it’s lovely with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Creative Ways to Present

Try slicing your banana bread, toasting the pieces lightly, and serving with a slather of almond or peanut butter. For gatherings, cut the loaf into cubes to serve as sweet little bites or skewer them with strawberries for a cute party tray. You can even wrap slices individually for lunchboxes or on-the-go snacking.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap the banana bread tightly in plastic wrap or foil and keep it at room temperature for up to four days. It stays moist and delicious—just be sure to keep it well-sealed to prevent it from drying out.

Freezing

Banana Bread freezes beautifully! Slice the loaf, wrap individual pieces or the whole loaf in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to three months. This makes for super easy, anytime treats—just thaw slices at room temperature whenever a craving hits.

Reheating

For that “just baked” magic, reheat slices briefly in the microwave (about 10–15 seconds) or toast in a toaster oven. The heat revives the moisture and fragrance—add butter for extra indulgence.

FAQs

  1. Can I use frozen bananas to make banana bread?

    Absolutely! Frozen bananas work perfectly once thawed. Just let them come to room temperature and pour off any excess liquid before mashing—they’ll be super soft and blend right into the batter.

  2. How do I keep my banana bread from getting too dense or gummy?

    Make sure not to overmix after adding the flour, and always check that your baking soda is fresh. Also, measure your bananas (about 1¼ to 1½ cups mashed) for the best texture—a little extra won’t hurt, but too much can weigh the loaf down.

  3. Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?

    Definitely! Feel free to use ½ cup sugar for a less-sweet loaf, or bump up to 1 cup if you prefer it sweeter. Super ripe bananas will add plenty of natural sweetness, too.

  4. Do I have to use all-purpose flour? Can I substitute another type?

    All-purpose flour gives the best lightness, but you can swap up to half for whole wheat without a problem. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend—results may be a touch denser, but still delicious!

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a foolproof, crowd-pleasing bake, this Banana Bread is calling your name. Give it a try—you’ll love how effortless, cozy, and utterly irresistible homemade banana bread can be. I can’t wait for you to enjoy a warm slice (or two!) very soon.

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Banana Bread Recipe

Banana Bread Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 78 reviews
  • Author: Julia
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 60 mins
  • Total Time: 70 mins
  • Yield: 1 loaf
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This classic Banana Bread recipe is moist, flavorful, and easy to make. Perfect for breakfast or as a snack, this bread is a great way to use up overripe bananas. Enjoy a slice with your favorite hot beverage!


Ingredients

Ripe Bananas:

2 to 3 medium very ripe bananas, peeled (about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups mashed)

Butter:

1/3 cup (76g) butter, unsalted or salted, melted

Baking Soda:

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Salt:

1 pinch salt

Sugar:

3/4 cup (150g) sugar (adjust to taste)

Egg:

1 large egg, beaten

Vanilla Extract:

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

All-Purpose Flour:

1 1/2 cups (205g) all-purpose flour

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter an 8×4-inch loaf pan.
  2. Mash bananas and add butter: Mash bananas in a bowl until smooth. Stir in melted butter.
  3. Mix in remaining ingredients: Add baking soda, salt, sugar, egg, and vanilla. Mix in flour.
  4. Bake the bread: Pour batter into the loaf pan. Bake for 55-65 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  5. Cool and serve: Let the bread cool in the pan, then slice and serve.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 37g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 37g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 35mg

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