Banana Nut Bread – Moist, Buttery & Easy to Bake

Few smells can make a home feel as comforting as the scent of freshly baked banana nut bread wafting from the oven. It’s the kind of nostalgic, heartwarming recipe that connects generations. My earliest memory of this bread comes from my grandmother’s kitchen. She never wasted an overripe banana—she’d mash them up, add a handful of chopped walnuts, and bake the most fragrant, golden loaf that made everyone rush to the kitchen.

This moist banana bread with nuts recipe is a Southern-inspired version of that same classic, perfected over time. It’s soft, nutty, and lightly sweet, with a buttery crumb that makes it perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. No yeast needed, no complicated steps—just simple ingredients and cozy flavor in every slice.

If you love banana-based bakes, try my Super Moist Chocolate Chip Banana Bread for a dessert-style twist, or my Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread for a spiced version. For something bite-sized, my Cinnamon Banana Bread Muffins are a reader favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Banana Nut Bread

This recipe checks all the boxes of what makes a perfect loaf.

• Incredibly Moist Texture → Thanks to ripe bananas and a touch of oil.
• Rich Nutty Flavor → Chopped walnuts or pecans add crunch and aroma.
• Easy to Make → No yeast, no special equipment, just one bowl.
• Versatile → Enjoy it plain, toasted, or dressed with butter or honey.
• Customizable → Works beautifully with raisins, chocolate chips, or coconut.
• Perfect for Freezing → Keeps texture and flavor even after thawing.
• Comforting Southern Classic → A true southern banana nut bread staple.

Whether you want a banana bread nut recipe moist for breakfast or a comforting afternoon treat, this loaf is the answer.

Ingredients

You’ll need:

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional, for those who love spice)
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• Optional: ¼ cup raisins or chocolate chips

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat Oven → Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
2. Mash Bananas → In a large bowl, mash bananas until mostly smooth.
3. Add Wet Ingredients → Stir in melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla until well blended.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients → Add flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using). Stir gently until combined.
5. Fold in Nuts & Add-ins → Stir in walnuts and optional raisins or chocolate chips.
6. Bake → Pour batter into the pan and bake for 55–60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool → Let bread rest in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

The first time I baked this version, I added a mix of walnuts and pecans for extra depth. The nutty aroma that filled my kitchen made it impossible to wait for it to cool. It’s that kind of recipe—simple, satisfying, and impossible to resist.

How to Serve Banana Nut Bread

Banana Nut Bread is as versatile as it is delicious. You can enjoy it in so many ways:

• Warm & Buttery → Toast a slice and top it with butter for a cozy breakfast.
• Sweet Treat → Spread cream cheese or peanut butter for extra indulgence.
• Dessert-Style → Add a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce.
• Breakfast Board → Serve alongside yogurt, berries, and coffee for a balanced start.
• Snack On-the-Go → Wrap slices individually for easy lunchbox or travel snacks.
• Holiday Favorite → Slice it up for brunch or gift it in mini loaves wrapped in parchment.

Last Christmas, I wrapped loaves of this banana nut bread in twine and gave them as gifts. They were such a hit that I had requests for more before the week ended. It’s that perfect mix of homemade charm and bakery flavor.

How to Store Banana Nut Bread

Proper storage keeps this moist banana bread with nuts recipe fresh for days:

• Room Temperature → Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil and keep up to 3 days.
• Refrigerator → Lasts up to 7 days when stored in an airtight container.
• Freezer → Slice before freezing for easy portions. Wrap each slice and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.

Reheating Tips:

• Microwave → 15 seconds for a warm, soft slice.
• Toaster Oven → Crisp edges, soft center in 5 minutes.
• Air Fryer → 3–4 minutes for that fresh-baked texture.

I often bake two loaves at once—one to enjoy right away, one to freeze. The frozen slices reheat beautifully and make busy mornings feel homemade again.

Tips to Make the Best Banana Nut Bread

• Use Overripe Bananas → The darker the peel, the sweeter and moister the bread.
• Don’t Overmix → Stir gently to keep texture light and tender.
• Balance Moisture → If your bananas are extra wet, add an extra tablespoon of flour.
• Add Flavor Depth → Try brown butter instead of melted butter for a nutty twist.
• Switch the Nuts → Pecans give buttery crunch, while walnuts add classic texture.
• Add a Topping → Sprinkle with chopped nuts or coarse sugar before baking for a rustic crust.
• Skip the Cinnamon → For a banana bread no cinnamon version, the natural banana flavor truly shines.

I once made this recipe without cinnamon and added crushed pecans on top. It turned into the most authentic southern banana nut bread—sweet, simple, and rich with banana flavor.

Variations of Banana Nut Bread

This recipe is endlessly flexible—here are some of my favorite variations:

• Banana Raisin Bread → Add ¼ cup raisins for extra chew and sweetness.
• No-Nut Version → Skip the nuts for a smooth no nut banana bread.
• Chocolate Chip Banana Bread → Add ½ cup chocolate chips for a dessert-style loaf.
• Yeast Banana Bread Recipe → Mix 2 teaspoons yeast into warm milk and add for a lighter, bread-like texture.
• Banana Coconut Bread → Fold in shredded coconut for tropical flair.
• Banana Bread Mix Recipes → Use boxed mix as a shortcut; just add mashed bananas and nuts for a semi-homemade twist.

I once made the banana raisin bread version for a Sunday brunch. The raisins caramelized slightly during baking, and it reminded me of cinnamon rolls—but with a fruitier sweetness.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This banana nut bread is a classic that never fails to impress. With its rich, buttery texture and comforting banana flavor, it’s a recipe you’ll return to again and again. It’s perfect for breakfast, gifting, or a simple afternoon snack with coffee.

If you love experimenting, try the cinnamon swirl, chocolate chip, or no-cinnamon versions for a twist on tradition. For more fruity inspiration, you’ll also enjoy the Vanilla Blueberry Bread.

Simple, moist, and deeply satisfying—this moist banana bread with nuts recipe proves that some of the best things in life come from ripe bananas and a warm oven.

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