Description
This classic banana bread recipe produces a moist, tender loaf bursting with natural banana flavor. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it is quick to prepare and suitable for all baking skill levels. Versatile and delicious, it’s perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, and can be easily customized with add-ins like nuts or chocolate chips.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3–4 ripe bananas (with lots of brown spots), mashed
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup softened butter or oil
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
Optional Add-Ins
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- ½ cup chocolate chips or chunks
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your loaf pan. Mash the ripe bananas in a large bowl until smooth but still a bit chunky for texture.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, cream together softened butter and sugars until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract for that sweet aroma.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in another bowl, ensuring the baking soda is evenly distributed for the perfect rise.
- Blend Everything Together: Gradually add the dry mix into the wet mix, folding gently. Then fold in the mashed bananas. Do not overmix; a few lumps are okay to keep the bread tender.
- Optional Add-Ins: Stir in any nuts, chocolate chips, or spices you’re using right before pouring the batter into the loaf pan.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool before slicing for the best texture.
Notes
- Use overripe bananas with heavy brown spotting for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid tough bread; gently fold ingredients.
- Check baking time starting at 50 minutes to prevent overbaking, as oven temperatures vary.
- Bring eggs and butter to room temperature before mixing for smoother batter.
- Allow banana bread to cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling and improve flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-65 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of loaf)
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: banana bread, easy banana bread, moist banana bread, classic banana bread, homemade banana bread, banana loaf, baking