The Best Easy Banana Bread Recipe
With over 8 million page views and hundreds of five-star reviews, this incredibly moist and delicious banana bread recipe truly deserves its title as the best! It’s the perfect solution for overripe bananas and freezes beautifully too!
My family often goes through phases of banana obsession, leading to a surplus of overripe, spotted bananas on the counter. When that happens, banana bread is always my first thought.
This happens more often than I’d like to admit, so sometimes I mix it up with coconut lime glazed banana bread or add walnuts for banana nut muffins. But this easy banana bread recipe is my go-to for using up bananas that would otherwise go to waste.
As it bakes, the aroma fills the kitchen, and the sight of a warm, moist slice of banana bread with a pat of butter is simply irresistible. It’s perfect for a snack, breakfast, or a delightful treat. If you have a bunch of overripe bananas, this recipe is a must-try! For more banana goodness, don’t miss our Banana Bars with Penuche Frosting, Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie, or Homemade Banana Pudding!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Banana Bread Recipe
This classic recipe is fantastic for utilizing those brown bananas lingering on your counter. Made by hand in just one bowl in under 10 minutes, it’s a fun project for kids who can help peel and mash the bananas, measure ingredients, and stir the batter. Plus, it’s easily customizable with mix-ins like chocolate chips or walnuts.
If you need more convincing, check out the countless five-star reviews! Once you try this recipe, you won’t want to make banana bread any other way.
Banana Bread Recipe Ingredients
- 3-4 overripe bananas (the spottier, the better!)
- 1/3 cup melted salted butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or half white, half whole wheat)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or chocolate chips (optional, plus extra for topping)
How to Make Banana Bread
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease and flour an 8.5 x 4.5-inch loaf pan or use baking spray.
- Mash the Bananas: In a large bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until smooth.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in the melted butter, then add the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Sprinkle the baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt over the banana mixture and stir to combine.
- Incorporate Flour and Mix-ins: Add the flour and your choice of walnuts or chocolate chips, stirring gently until no dry flour streaks remain. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and top with additional walnuts or a sprinkle of sugar if desired.
- Bake: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Slice into thick pieces and enjoy warm or at room temperature!
Tips for the Best Banana Bread
- Use Overripe Bananas: The best banana bread comes from bananas that are very ripe—look for deep yellow bananas with brown spots, or even nearly black ones!
- Mix by Hand: Avoid overmixing to keep your bread light and fluffy; a large spoon is perfect for combining ingredients.
- Test for Doneness: Use a wooden skewer or sharp knife to test if the bread is fully baked.
- Freezing Instructions: You can freeze banana bread! Wrap cooled loaves in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 2-3 months. For individual slices, freeze them flat on a baking sheet for a couple of hours before transferring them to a bag.
- Keeping It Moist: If your bread happens to dry out, warm slices in the microwave with a damp paper towel to revive their moisture.
Super moist, easy, and utterly delicious, this is the best banana bread recipe ever! It’s a fantastic way to make use of those overripe bananas and a family favorite for sure!