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