There’s nothing quite like a warm, homemade banana bread recipe filling your kitchen with sweet, comforting aromas. This simple loaf is moist, tender, and requires just a few pantry staples—plus those ripe bananas sitting on your counter. Whether you’re baking for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, this is truly the best banana bread recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Simple Homemade Banana Bread
- Moist and fluffy: Thanks to overripe bananas, this loaf stays tender for days.
- Easy to make: One bowl, minimal fuss—perfect for beginners.
- Versatile: This banana bread recipe can be customized with chocolate chips, nuts, or spices.
- Kid-friendly & freezer-friendly: Bake once, enjoy all week.
- No waste: A delicious way to use up bananas that are too ripe to eat.
Ingredients
- 2 very ripe bananas, mashed
- ½ cup (115g) melted unsalted butter
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar (use less for healthier version)
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
(Optional add-ins: ½ cup chopped walnuts, ½ cup chocolate chips, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, etc.)
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mash the bananas well. Add melted butter and stir to combine.
- Mix in sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture. Don’t overmix—just until combined.
- If you’re adding mix-ins (nuts, chocolate chips), fold them in softly.
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 55–65 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove and cool on a wire rack.
This simple banana bread recipe comes together quickly yet always bakes up beautifully.
Print
Banana Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10–20 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 10 slices) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This classic Banana Bread Recipe is moist, buttery, and perfectly sweet, with a tender crumb and rich banana flavor. It’s a one-bowl, no-fuss recipe that bakes up beautifully—ideal for breakfast, snacks, or gifting.
Ingredients
- 2 very ripe bananas, mashed
- ½ cup (115g) melted unsalted butter
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar (use less for a lighter-sweet loaf)
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Optional add-ins:
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment.
2. In a large bowl, mash the bananas well. Stir in the melted butter until combined.
3. Whisk in the sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture just until combined—do not overmix.
6. Fold in optional add-ins (nuts, chocolate chips, cinnamon) if using.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
8. Bake 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
9. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then lift out and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
Bananas: Extra-ripe with lots of brown spots = best flavor and moisture.
Sugar Swap: Reduce sugar to ½ cup for a less-sweet loaf; add 1 tsp cinnamon for cozy spice.
Pan Size: For an 8.5×4.5-inch pan, start checking at ~50 minutes.
Moisture Tip: Don’t overmix once the flour goes in—this keeps the crumb tender.
Make-Ahead & Storage: Wrap cooled loaf; keep at room temp up to 3 days or refrigerate up to 1 week.
Freezer-Friendly: Wrap slices or the whole loaf tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp, then warm gently if desired.
- Prep Time: 10–15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55–65 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 loaf)
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
How to Serve Simple Moist Banana Bread Recipe
Banana Bread Recipe is one of those baked goods that feels right for any time of the day. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it:
- Enjoy it warm from the oven. Slice a piece while it’s still slightly warm, add a pat of butter, and let it melt into the crumb. A drizzle of honey makes it even more comforting and naturally sweet.
- Turn it into dessert. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream next to a slice of banana bread. The contrast of warm bread with cold creaminess is heavenly.
- Breakfast upgrade. Toast slices in a skillet or toaster oven until the edges are golden and slightly crisp. Spread with cream cheese or Greek yogurt, and top with fresh fruit like berries, peaches, or banana slices for a wholesome breakfast.
- Perfect coffee companion. This loaf shines when paired with a hot cup of coffee or tea. It’s cozy enough for a weekend brunch but also makes an easy afternoon pick-me-up.
- Entertaining idea. Cut the loaf into cubes and serve it with a chocolate or caramel fondue for a fun twist at gatherings.
How to Store Best Banana Bread Recipe
One of the best things about banana bread recipe is how well it keeps—sometimes it even tastes better the next day as the flavors deepen.
- Room temperature: Wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. It will stay soft and moist for about 2–3 days. This is the best option if you know it will be eaten quickly.
- Refrigerator: To extend freshness, keep the loaf in the fridge. Properly covered, it will last up to 7 days. Tip: bring it back to room temperature or warm it slightly in the microwave for the best texture before eating.
- Freezer: For long-term storage, slice the loaf, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. This way you can grab just one slice whenever you want. Frozen banana bread will stay delicious for up to 2 months. To serve, thaw slices overnight in the fridge or warm them directly in the toaster oven.
Tips to Make the Best Banana Bread Recipe
Even a simple recipe has secrets that can make a big difference. Here’s how to take your banana bread recipe from good to bakery-worthy:
- Use very ripe bananas. The darker and spottier the peel, the sweeter and more intense the banana flavor will be. Green or just-ripe bananas won’t give the same richness.
- Don’t overmix the batter. Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, stir only until no flour streaks remain. Overmixing develops gluten in the flour, leading to a tough loaf instead of a tender one.
- Check for doneness properly. Every oven is different. Start checking around 55 minutes. Insert a toothpick in the center—if it comes out with moist crumbs (not wet batter), the bread is ready.
- Boost moisture. For an extra tender crumb, stir in a tablespoon of sour cream, plain yogurt, or even applesauce. It gives the loaf a bakery-soft texture.
- Enhance the flavor. Swap half the white sugar for brown sugar to add depth and a hint of caramel. A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg brings warmth and pairs beautifully with bananas.
Variations of Banana Bread Recipe
One of the joys of banana bread recipe is how customizable it is. Here are some fun twists you can try:
- Healthy twist: Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, and reduce the sugar by ¼ cup. You’ll still get a soft loaf, but with a bit more fiber and a slightly nutty flavor.
- Chocolate banana bread: Stir in ½ cup chocolate chips, chunks, or even cocoa nibs. For a richer loaf, replace ¼ cup of flour with cocoa powder for double-chocolate banana bread.
- Nutty addition: Walnuts, pecans, or even hazelnuts add wonderful crunch and balance out the sweetness. Toast them lightly before adding to bring out their flavor.
- Spiced version: Mix 1 teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom into the batter. The warm spices make the bread perfect for cozy autumn mornings.
- Peanut butter swirl: Microwave a few tablespoons of peanut butter until pourable, then swirl it into the batter before baking. It adds creaminess and a hint of salty-sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with bananas.
- Tropical flair: Fold in shredded coconut or dried pineapple for a sunny, island-inspired loaf.
FAQs About Banana Bread Recipe
Can I use more than 2 bananas?
Absolutely! Using 3 bananas makes the loaf even more moist and intensely banana-flavored. Just be careful the batter doesn’t become too wet—add a little more flour if needed.
What if I don’t have baking soda?
Baking soda gives the best rise, but if needed, you can use 1¼ teaspoon baking powder instead, though the texture will differ slightly.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes—use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture may be denser but still delicious.
Is it okay to freeze banana bread?
Definitely! It freezes beautifully. Slice and wrap well—and it thaws perfectly when you’re ready to indulge.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something timeless about a loaf of homemade banana bread. It’s the kind of recipe that feels like a hug in food form—simple, wholesome, and endlessly comforting. Whether you enjoy it warm from the oven with a melting pat of butter, or toasted the next day with your morning coffee, this loaf never disappoints.
The best part? With just two ripe bananas and a few pantry staples, you can create a treat that feels special enough for guests yet simple enough for everyday baking. Once you try this Banana Bread recipe, I promise it’ll become your go-to whenever those bananas on the counter start to turn brown.
So the next time you find yourself with overripe bananas, don’t toss them—bake them into something truly delicious. Happy baking, and may your kitchen always smell like warm banana bread!
Looking for other moist, fruit-filled recipes?
- Pineapple Juice Cake Recipe From Scratch for another ultra-moist cake that’s bursting with flavor.
- Peanut Butter and Banana Rice Cakes — a delightful, quick snack that features banana in a new way.
- Croissant Nutella Bread Pudding, which transforms simple ingredients into a comforting, indulgent treat
Follow me on Facebook and Pinterest where I share cozy, easy-to-make baking recipes just like this one.