This classic Banana Bread recipe creates a delicious, super moist loaf that's buttery with a subtle, sweet banana flavor. It is the best recipe for banana bread so it's always a hit!
This banana bread is incredibly moist with a soft, tender crumb. It's easy to take that for granted but if you've ever had a stale slice of banana bread, you'd understand! But this loaf stays moist for days and stores well for a delicious anytime snack.
Skip the Starbucks drive-thru and enjoy this with my Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew. And if you want to try another sweet bread recipe, check out this Apple Glazed Pull-Apart Bread.
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Ingredients
This super moist banana bread is bursting with flavor. And the riper the banana, the better the flavor! Overripe bananas, eggs, and butter all contribute to the texture.
- All-purpose flour
- Ripe bananas
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Milk
- Unsalted butter
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Vanilla extract
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Banana Bread
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Then add ripe bananas and eggs to a large bowl. Mash the ingredients together using a fork (no electric mixer needed unless you want to) until semi-smooth (a few bits of banana are fine).
Then add room temperature butter, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the mixture. Mix until everything is smooth.
Then add dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt) to the wet ingredients along with the milk, and blend it in the mixing bowl.
Add the batter to a lightly greased loaf pan. Feel free to add parchment paper to the prepared loaf pan to make clean-up even easier.
Add any toppings you'd like now. I sprinkled a handful of chocolate chips over half of the banana loaf.
Place the banana bread loaf in the oven and bake for 60 minutes. Finally, enjoy the best banana bread!
Hint: Once you're ready to eat it, slice a thick piece of the bread, slather it with some butter, and toast for about 5 minutes. It is so delicious with a piping hot cup of coffee! Also, remember that the exact bake time may vary depending on oven settings.
Substitutions
- Butter - You can use vegetable oil as a substitute for room temperature or melted butter. It yields the same texture but you won't get the same buttery flavor.
- Sugar - Instead of white granulated sugar, try 1 cup of brown sugar. It has more moisture than regular sugar.
- Milk - Some banana bread recipes use sour cream or plain Greek yogurt instead of milk. All 3 ingredients add moisture but the sour cream and plain yogurt add a tangy quality to the bread.
Variations
- Banana Nut Bread Recipe - This is a nut-free banana bread but you can add chopped walnuts to the batter for a nutty twist.
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bread - For a sweet touch, add mini chocolate chips.
- Muffins - Add the batter to muffin pans instead of a loaf pan to make banana muffins. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes. (That's a lot quicker than the 1 hour cook time for the best banana bread recipe.)
The Best Pan for this Banana Bread Recipe
Use a light colored metal loaf pan to make banana bread. This type of pan conducts heat evenly, ensuring that your bread bakes uniformly without any hot spots. Additionally, the light color of the pan helps to prevent excessive browning on the sides and bottom of the bread.
How to Store Banana Bread
The best part about this super moist banana loaf is that it can last up to 1 week on the counter at room temperature. Store leftovers in a large gallon size ziploc bag or an airtight container. Leave the loaf on the countertop, or in the refrigerator.
How to Freeze Banana Bread
Wrap the cooled loaf tightly with plastic wrap, followed by a second layer of aluminum foil. Store in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.
If you plan to eat frozen banana bread by the slice, slice it beforehand and wrap each piece individually.
Top tip
For the best results, allow the bread to sit in the pan for at least 10 minutes before removing it. If you try to take it out while it's piping hot, it may fall apart. After it's had time to set, you can place it on a wire rack or another surface.
FAQ
Is banana bread healthy?
It is rich in vitamins and minerals due to the banana but it's also high in sugar and calories. You can modify the recipe to make it healthier but this is a dessert so enjoy it in moderation.
Can you put too much banana in banana bread?
Yes. Using too much banana can make the loaf overly sweet. It can also cause the bread to cook unevenly and become heavy. To maintain the flavor and texture, refer to the recipe card for exact measurements of each ingredient.
Do you eat banana bread cold or warm?
Enjoy this treat warm or cold. You can eat it while it's warm from the oven, at room temperature, straight from the fridge, or toasted. It just comes down to preference.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this easy banana bread? Try these:
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups All purpose flour
- 3 ripe Bananas the more brown, the better
- 1 cup Sugar
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 tablespoon Milk
- 1 stick Unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (165 degrees Celsius).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ripe bananas and eggs. Mash the ingredients together until creamy.
- Add room temperature butter, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the mixture. Mix until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the banana mixture, alternating with milk. Blend until smooth.
- Lightly grease a loaf pan. Pour the prepared batter into the pan, spreading it evenly.
- Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately one hour, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once baked, remove the banana bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving. Enjoy your freshly baked banana bread!
Notes
Nutrition
Food Safety for Banana Bread
- Cook the loaf a minimum temperature of 200°F.
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw eggs.
- Wash hands after touching raw eggs.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
Kay
Banana Bread, ohh yes please, I love it! Thanks for sharing x
Tamara J.
It’s the best! You’re welcome.
Aline
I love banana bread so much, I could never have too many recipes! I can already smell this coming out of the oven!! Yumm
Aline
I love banana bread so much, I could never have too many recipes! I can already smell this coming out of the oven!! Yumm
Tamara J.
You are right Aline! Now there are so many different variations and add-ins also!
Jazz
Yum! I love banana bread and yours look delicious.
Jazz
Yum! I love banana bread and yours look delicious.
Tamara J.
Thank you, it is so delicious!
Kenya Rae
My hubby loves banana bread and I have never made it. He will be thankful I stumbled on this!
Kenya Rae
My hubby loves banana bread and I have never made it. He will be thankful I stumbled on this!
Tamara J.
Yes! Now you can make it for him!
Aly Michell
I can totally eat the whole loaf - that's how good this looks and how much I looooveeee banana bread. Do you think there's a way to make this eggless?
Aly Michell
I can totally eat the whole loaf - that's how good this looks and how much I looooveeee banana bread. Do you think there's a way to make this eggless?
Tamara J.
It is the best right!? There are many egg substitutes when it comes to baking. My favorite for banana bread is to use apple sauce. Use 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce per egg.
SHANIKA
I love Banana Bread! This recipe looks so moist and fluffy and I love how easy it is to make!
SHANIKA
I love Banana Bread! This recipe looks so moist and fluffy and I love how easy it is to make!
Tamara J.
It is super easy! The best way to use up bananas instead of tossing them!
Katrina Adams
This banana bread looks so good and perfect for holidays around the corner!
Katrina Adams
This banana bread looks so good and perfect for holidays around the corner!
Tamara J.
Thank you Katrina, it was delicious!
Marta
My kiddos LOVE banana bread. I usually add chocolate chips when I want to switch it up.
Marta
My kiddos LOVE banana bread. I usually add chocolate chips when I want to switch it up.
Tamara J.
It is a big hit over here too! Chocolate chips would be an awesome addition!
LaKita
This looks so delicious and I definitely always have those three ingredients in my kitchen!
LaKita
This looks so delicious and I definitely always have those three ingredients in my kitchen!
Tamara J.
Those ingredients are essential right!?
Divine
This looks so good! I can’t wait to try it.
Divine
This looks so good! I can’t wait to try it.
Tamara J.
Thank you!