This easy banana bread recipe turns 3 or 4 spotty bananas and 7 pantry staples into the softest, most moist loaf your family will ask for on repeat. Everything mixes in one bowl — no creaming, no mixer required, no waiting on softened butter — and a whole loaf costs about $2.83 to make. It’s the recipe I go back to every time the bananas on the counter go too far.
Have more bananas than one loaf can use? Freeze the extras — I’ll show you exactly how far down the page.
Why This Recipe Works
Melted butter instead of creamed butter. Creaming softened butter and sugar builds air for a cake-like crumb. Banana bread doesn’t want that. Melted butter coats the flour instead, which is what gives this loaf its dense, tender, sliceable texture — and it means you can start baking the second you get the idea, with no softening time.
Baking soda, not baking powder. Bananas are acidic, and baking soda reacts with that acid for lift and for the deep golden crust on top.
One bowl, one spoon. Mash the bananas, stir in everything wet, add the dry, done. Fewer dishes than any quick bread we make, and nothing to wash but a bowl and a loaf pan.
It costs about $2.83 for the whole loaf. That’s roughly 28 cents a slice, from ingredients most of us already have — which is exactly why this one stays in our regular rotation.
We bake this one every Christmas to give as gifts, and it’s the loaf my kids grab first out of the freezer for breakfast.
Ingredients
Ripe bananas (3 to 4, about 1½ cups mashed). The spottier the better — brown-and-freckled bananas are sweeter and give far more banana flavor than plain yellow ones. Measure after mashing if you can: 1½ cups is the sweet spot. Much more than that and the loaf can turn gummy in the middle (see the fix below). Frozen bananas work great — thaw them completely, then pour off the watery liquid before mashing.
Melted butter (⅓ cup). Melted, not softened. It gives you a tender, moist crumb and gets you into the oven faster. Salted or unsalted both work; if you use salted, cut the added salt to a pinch.
Egg (1 large). Holds the loaf together and keeps it from crumbling when you slice it.
Sugar (¾ cup). Plain white sugar is what we use. Swap in brown sugar for a deeper, almost caramel flavor — see the variations below. If your bananas are very dark and sweet, you can drop to ½ cup.
Vanilla (1 teaspoon). Rounds out the banana flavor. Imitation vanilla is fine and saves a few dollars.
Baking soda (1 teaspoon). This is what makes the loaf rise. It has to be baking soda, not baking powder — the acid in the bananas reacts with the soda. If yours has been open more than about six months, replace it. Flat banana bread is almost always old baking soda.
Salt (¼ teaspoon). Small amount, big job. Without it the loaf tastes flat and overly sweet.
All-purpose flour (1½ cups). Spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off instead of scooping — a packed cup can add several tablespoons of extra flour and dry out the loaf.
Don’t have something? Here’s what works:
- No egg: ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce, or one more half of a mashed banana.
- No butter: ⅓ cup vegetable or canola oil. The loaf stays soft even longer, though you lose a little of the buttery flavor.
- Only self-rising flour: use 1½ cups of it and leave out both the baking soda and the salt.
- Only 2 bananas: add ½ cup unsweetened applesauce or plain yogurt to make up the difference.
Variations Ideas
- Chocolate – Add a handful of chocolate chips when you add in the flour. I would add in ½ cup of chocolate chips to make chocolate chip banana bread.
- Nuts – Stir ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter with the flour. Toasting them in a dry skillet for 3 to 4 minutes first makes a big difference in flavor.
- Dried Fruit – ½ cup of small dried fruit like cranberries, raisins, or blueberries stirs right in. Larger dried fruit such as peaches or pears should be chopped small first so it distributes evenly.
- Spices – Warming spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice tend to be very compatible with many sweet quick breads including banana bread.
- Brown Sugar – You can substitute brown sugar instead of the white sugar. I like to substitute ¼ cup brown sugar for a sweeter quick bread.
- Sour Cream – Add in ½ cup of sour cream or yogurt for an extra moist banana bread.
How to Make Banana Bread
Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray, or line it with parchment paper so you can lift the whole loaf out later.
Step 2 – Peel the bananas and mash them in a large bowl until mostly smooth. A few small lumps are fine. (Frozen bananas: thaw completely and pour off the extra liquid first.)
Step 3 – Stir the melted butter, 1 egg, sugar, and vanilla into the mashed bananas until well combined.
Step 4 – Add the baking soda and salt and stir them through. Add the flour and stir just until you no longer see dry streaks. Stop there — the more you stir after the flour goes in, the tougher and more rubbery the loaf gets.
Step 5 – Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
Step 6 – Bake 55 to 65 minutes. Start checking at 50 minutes with a toothpick in the very center — it should come out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. If the top is getting dark before the middle is set, lay a piece of foil loosely over the pan and keep baking.
Step 7 – Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then lift the loaf out and let it cool on the rack for at least another hour before slicing. Slicing it hot is the fastest way to end up with a squished, gummy-looking slice.
How to Tell When Banana Bread Is Done
Start checking at 50 minutes and use all three of these together:
- The toothpick. Push it into the very center — not the edge, which sets long before the middle. It should come out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it and no wet batter.
- The crack. A long split down the middle of the loaf is exactly what you want. The crust sets first, the center keeps rising, and it pushes through. A loaf with no crack at all is usually still underbaked.
- The temperature (the most reliable one). If you have an instant-read thermometer, the center should read 200°F to 205°F.
If the top is browning too fast: lay a sheet of foil loosely over the pan — don’t seal it down — and keep baking. This happens most often in dark or nonstick pans, which run hotter than light-colored ones.
What a finished slice should look like: golden, slightly domed, with a moist but set crumb that holds together when you pick it up. A wet, dense stripe along the bottom means it needed another 5 to 10 minutes.
Banana Bread Troubleshooting
Gummy or wet in the middle. Almost always too much banana. Four extra-large bananas can push you well past 1½ cups mashed, and that extra moisture has nowhere to go. Measure your mashed bananas next time, and if you’re over, save the extra in the freezer for smoothies. Underbaking causes this too — see the doneness cues above.
Dense and heavy, not tender. The batter was overmixed after the flour went in. Stir only until the dry streaks disappear, lumps and all.
It didn’t rise / it’s flat on top. Old baking soda. It loses power a few months after opening. Test it by dropping ¼ teaspoon into a spoonful of vinegar — if it doesn’t fizz hard, replace it.
It sank in the middle after coming out. Pulled from the oven too early. The center hadn’t set enough to hold itself up. Give it 5 to 10 more minutes next time and check for 200°F in the center.
It came out dry. Usually too much flour from scooping the cup straight into the bag. Spoon the flour into the cup and level it off. Underripe bananas will do it too — the plain yellow ones bring far less moisture and sweetness.
Barely tastes like banana. The bananas weren’t ripe enough. You want heavy brown spots at minimum. See how to ripen them fast further down.
How to Store Banana Bread
Let the loaf cool completely first — wrapping it warm traps steam and turns the crust soggy.
- Room temperature: wrap tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Tucking a paper towel in with it absorbs condensation and keeps the top from going sticky.
- Refrigerator: wrapped tightly, up to 1 week.
- Freezer: up to 3 months (see below).
To reheat a slice, microwave 10 to 15 seconds or drop it in the toaster on a low setting — the edges crisp up and it tastes freshly baked.
How to Serve It
Warm slices with a little butter melting into them is how we eat most of this loaf. A slice toasted with peanut butter turns it into an actual breakfast, and a warm slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes it dessert without any extra work. For lunchboxes, slice the whole cooled loaf and freeze the slices individually — one goes in frozen in the morning and it’s thawed by lunch.
Fastest Way to Mash Bananas
Did you know you can use your electric hand mixer to mash up the bananas? Yes, you can use a spoon or a fork, but the electric mixer is a faster method. It will also allow you to have a smoother and more moist bread.
This easy banana bread is soft, moist, and full of real banana flavor. Everything mixes in one bowl with 8 pantry ingredients, bakes up in a standard 9×5 loaf pan, and freezes for up to 3 months — the perfect way to use up those spotty bananas on the counter.
Lighter Swaps That Actually Work
- Cut the sugar. With very dark, spotty bananas you can drop the sugar to ½ cup and still get a sweet loaf. This is the easiest change and the one I’d make first.
- Half whole wheat flour. Use ¾ cup all-purpose and ¾ cup whole wheat. Going all whole wheat works but makes a heavier, drier loaf — half and half keeps it soft.
- Oil instead of butter. ⅓ cup vegetable or canola oil in place of the melted butter keeps it moist longer.
- Applesauce for the egg. ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce replaces the egg. The loaf will be slightly denser.
- If you want to use honey: replace the ¾ cup sugar with ½ cup honey, cut the melted butter to ¼ cup, and drop the oven to 325°F. Honey adds liquid and browns much faster than sugar, so it needs both adjustments — the straight swap will give you a gummy, dark loaf.
Make It in a Different Pan
Same batter, four ways. Fill any pan about two-thirds full and check early the first time. Nothing else in the recipe changes.
In the standard 9×5 loaf pan: 350°F for 55 to 65 minutes — that’s what the recipe above is written for.
In an 8×4 loaf pan: Bake at 350°F for 65 to 75 minutes. The loaf comes out taller with a deeper crack down the top. Lay a piece of foil loosely over it once the top is golden so the center can finish.
As muffins: Divide the batter between 12 lined or greased muffin cups and bake at 350°F for 20 to 24 minutes. Start checking at 20.
As mini loaves: Divide between three 5×3-inch mini pans and bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes. This is the size we use for Christmas gifts — three loaves for about a dollar each.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can wrap it in layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil to freeze the entire loaf. You may also place the entire loaf in a freezer bag. Freezing individual slices is also an option to be able to quickly take out for breakfast or snacks. Simply place the slices on a cookie sheet. Place in the freezer until frozen. Then place the sliced in a freezer bag until ready to use. Now you can quickly thaw the sliced in the microwave or in the toaster.
Simply thaw on the counter when you are ready to eat.
If you have bananas that are too green, there are a few things you can do to help them ripen faster. Place them in a brown paper bag and this will help the banana to get ripe. If you want to speed it up even more, place an apple in the bag with them. This will further speed up the process.
You can also ripen bananas in the oven. Place the bananas, with the peels on, on a lined cookie sheet. Place in a 300 degree preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the peels are completely black. Once finished, allow them to cool and they are ready to use.
More Easy Quick Bread Recipes
We love to hear from you. If you make this moist banana bread recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Easy Moist Banana Bread Recipe
Equipment
- Loaf pan
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 bananas ripe
- ⅓ cup melted butter
- 1 egg
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- 1 ½ cups of flour
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
- Mash the bananas in a large mixing bowl until mostly smooth.
- Stir in the melted butter, egg, sugar, vanilla, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Add the flour and stir just until incorporated. Do not over mix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Begin checking for doneness around 50 minutes, as baking times may vary.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Optional Add-Ins
- Fold in chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Stir in chocolate chips for a sweeter loaf.
Quick, easy and most importantly, Good! I do add cinnamon, but that’s just a personal preference… Thank You!
You’re so welcome! Cinnamon sounds like a delicious addition. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Can this recipe be used with a muffin pan instead of a loaf pan?
Yes, Sherry! Divide the batter among 12 greased or lined muffin cups and bake at 350°F for about 20–24 minutes. Check with a toothpick—it should come out clean!
Excellent recipe!
Thank you, Janette! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, and I appreciate your review!
best recipe i have tried! yummy!
Thank you so much, Sandy! I’m so glad you loved it, and I appreciate you taking the time to leave a review!
This is the best recipe I tried! I made it twice and doubled it both times and turned out amazingly! I also added raisins and nuts.
Thank you so much!
You’re so welcome, Lucia! I’m thrilled it turned out great both times. Raisins and nuts sound like delicious additions! Thanks for sharing how you made it your own.
This is my husband’s favorite recipe! Absolutely wonderful recipe! Thank you!
You’re so welcome, Danielle! Hearing that it’s your husband’s favorite makes my day. Thank you for taking the time to share!
Curious if this recipe doubles well, some bread recipes don’t.
Hey Kelli – I actually recently doubled this so I could make 2 loaves and it turned out great! Hope this helps.
Hi, I saw your x2 after I sent the email lol.
I doubled it this morning, I have to say this is the best banana nut bread recipe I have ever made and I’ve made a lot of them over the years. Thank you!! ?
Really delicious
Thank you, Barbara! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, and I appreciate you taking the time to leave a review!
Thanks for posting this.. being a senior citizen, I loved making this this morning, it’s in my oven as I write this! My recipe collections have been depleting, as the family shares them I don’t know who borrowed this one from my recipe box, but they haven’t returned it! ? Lol I won’t leave my virtual recipe box, until I can no longer use it!
You’re so welcome, Marilyn! I’m glad you enjoyed making it. Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!
I love how so much easier this recipe is from the one I was using. It came out really moist and delicious I will use this recipe from now on.
Rachel – That’s wonderful to hear! I’m so happy that you thought it was easy and it turned out great. Have a great day!
This is a great banana bread recipe!!for sure to make it again.
Thank you, Tom! I’m so glad you enjoyed the banana bread and plan to make it again!
Thanks for sharing this recipe Carrie.
My daughter and I baked 5 loaves a few days ago and as always came out perfect! We have used this recipe a few times now and definitely my go to for banana bread, everybody loves it. Also thanks for putting in everything anyone would need, substitutions and different sized pans for baking time.
Easy, awesome recipe!!
Brian, five loaves with your daughter sounds like such a fun baking day! I’m so glad this recipe has become your go-to. Thank you for taking the time to share that with me!
I made this recipe two weeks ago and couldn’t get enough! This bread is moist and DELICIOUS…I don’t usually leave reviews on recipes I get off the internet but felt compelled to leave one for this recipe. It’s delicious, easy to make, and cleanup is a breeze since there’s only one bowl!!!
Janine – You made our day by your comment! I’m so glad it turned out so well! Thank you for taking the time to share.
Sounds like a great recipe but would two bigger bananas be enough
Two large bananas may be enough if they give you about 1½ cups mashed. If you come up short, you can add enough unsweetened applesauce or plain yogurt to reach that amount.
Very moist bread!
Stephanie – I’m so glad you enjoyed. Thanks so much!
I made this today and it was not only the easiest banana bread I’ve ever made, moist and tasty. Thank you for sharing this recipe
Barbara – You made my day! Thanks so much for your comment.
A serving is 6 ounces? That must be a typo
You are right—that that is a typo. Thank you for catching that! We’ll get it corrected.
This by far is one of the best banana bread recipe I have tried. The ingredients are simple and direction is easy to follow. Everyone enjoy eating banana bread now. Thank you ?
Sheila -Thank you for your feedback. This means so much!
I make this bread all the time. My bananas always ripen faster than I can eat them. This time I changed it just a bit. I put an apple in the food processor then stirred it into the batter, this is an absolute game changer. It is a little sweet because my bananas were very ripe and I should have cut down on my sugar but it is moist and delicious just a tad sweet.
Adding an apple sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing that idea. I’m so glad the banana bread turned out moist and delicious!
Can u make muffins out of this recipe?
Yes, you can make muffins with this recipe. Divide the batter evenly among lined or greased muffin cups and bake at the same temperature for approximately 18–22 minutes. Check them early, as baking times can vary. They’re ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
I had 4 bananas that I was getting ready to toss. I found this recipe this morning, I used brown sugar because for whatever reason I didn’t have regular sugar. Lol. I also put some chopped pecans in it. OMG, it was good. So moist, thank you!
I’m so glad you found this recipe before tossing those bananas! Brown sugar and chopped pecans sound delicious in it. Thank you so much for sharing, Candy!
I forgot to add sugar! It was plenty sweet without it. That was a very pleasant surprise.
What a pleasant surprise! I’m glad the banana bread was still sweet enough and turned out well without the added sugar.
Amazing recipe with full details explanation! Tasty and easy! Thank You a lot!
You’re very welcome. I’m so happy you enjoyed it.
Very good.
Thanks so much!
First time making banana bread and this recipe was easy to follow. I used brown sugar and my family finished the loaf in one evening! I will definitely add this to my go-tos for the future.
That’s wonderful, Lennae! I’m so glad your first banana bread turned out perfectly and that the recipe was easy to follow. Brown sugar sounds delicious. Thank you for the great review!
My 16 month old granddaughter & I made this today. I think more got on her than what went in the pan.
Well, I baked the bread at 50 minutes and I have never had a moist bread like this in my life. It was not only delicious but the texture was perfect. She kept asking for more as well. She really enjoyed the melted butter on a warm slice. So, try 50 minutes instead of what the recipe calls for. 5 minutes does not seem long, but it sure made a difference.
What a sweet memory to make with your granddaughter! I’m so glad you both enjoyed the banana bread. Thank you for sharing that 50 minutes was the perfect baking time for your oven!
I agree! 50 minutes cooking time was PERFECT!
I’m so glad 50 minutes was the perfect baking time for your banana bread, Lennae! Thank you for letting us know!
Excellent recipe! I’ve made it three times in the last two days. Thank You!
Thank you so much! That’s amazing you have made it that much!
It is my 1st Banana Bread in my life what I made! Tasty!!!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it and it turned out great! Thanks for sharing!
Excellent recipe! I’ve made it three times in the last two days. Thank You!
Thank you so much!
I made this with 2 ripe bananas and two apples cut up in small pieces. It was delish! Thank you!
Tracy – I’m so glad you enjoyed. Thanks for sharing.
I’m so glad I came across this recipe! I had 3 very ripe bananas on my counter and made it tonight. I didn’t have a loaf pan so I baked it as squares instead, and it turned out amazing. I added 1/2 cup of chocolate chips and cut the sugar down to 1/4 cup because I didn’t want it overly sweet. It was still super moist and delicious. This is definitely my new go?to banana bread recipe.
Best banana bread recipe I have found. Very easy to make.
Kim- Wow! Thank you for this sweet comment! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a review.
Do you think dried cranberries would be good in this recipe?
Yes, dried cranberries would be delicious! I would start with about ½ cup and gently fold them into the batter.
I have made this and it is delicious. My sister-in-law said that’s the best she’s ever ate. She needs the recipe also. I would love to make some mini loaves, but do know what the cooking time would be. Could you suggest any adjustments that I may need to do differently for that. And how long it would cook.
Thank you so much, Jane! I love hearing that your sister-in-law enjoyed it that much! You can definitely make this recipe into mini loaves. Prepare the batter the same way and divide it between greased mini loaf pans. I would start checking them around 25–30 minutes and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Enjoy!
Easy, simple, moist! I made it the night before a road trip instead of throwing away the old bananas. I added cravens and walnuts and everyone loved it.
It was so easy I couldn’t believe the results!
Anita, Seattle, Washington
I’m so glad everyone loved it, Anita! Adding cranberries and walnuts sounds delicious. Such a great way to use up those ripe bananas!
Easy, quick and delicious bread! Very moist and flavorful.. I added walnuts to 1/2 the loaf. Next time I’ll try chocolate chips! lol!
I’m so glad you loved it! Walnuts are delicious in this bread, and I think you’ll love the chocolate chips next time too!
can you make french toast with banana bread
Yes! Banana bread makes **amazing French toast**. Since it’s already sweet, moist, and flavorful, it makes French toast feel extra special.
For best results, use banana bread that’s **a day or two old** so it holds together better.
Whisk together eggs, milk, a little vanilla, and cinnamon. Dip thick slices of banana bread quickly into the mixture—you don’t want to soak them too long—and cook in a buttered skillet over medium heat for about **2–3 minutes per side** until golden.
It would be delicious topped with **sliced bananas, maple syrup, powdered sugar, chopped pecans, or even caramelized bananas**.
i needed the measurements for baking sofa and flour
For the banana bread recipe, you’ll need:
* **1 teaspoon baking soda**
* **1½ cups all-purpose flour**
I made this banana bread last week and followed instructions, it didn’t rise and felt gooey ?
I’m sorry it didn’t turn out! Make sure your baking soda is fresh and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, as oven times can vary. I hope you’ll give it another try!
Simple and yummy! Saving this recipe!
So glad you enjoyed it! I love how simple this banana bread is, too. Thanks for saving the recipe!
Perfect banana bread! Easy and simple but the best I’ve ever made.
That makes me so happy to hear! I’m glad you loved it and found it so easy to make. Thanks for sharing!
I have made this 4 times in the last week because my family loves it so much and I’m baking it again to fly to Hawaii!!???
Wow, 4 times in one week! I love hearing how much your family enjoys it. Have a wonderful trip to Hawaii!
Just making this recipe for the first time, but I gave it 5 stars even ahead of tasting it! Sounds delicious ? I’m using 4 small loaf pans so I can share with family. Added pecans to all & mini chocolate chips to half! Thanks for sharing!!
I love that you’re making mini loaves to share! Pecans and chocolate chips sound delicious. I hope everyone loves them!
Excellent and very easy!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for trying the recipe and sharing your feedback!
Excellent recipe! Taste delicious, and glad it doesn’t ask for cinnamon since my niece is allergic to cinnamon.
Claribel – Thank you so much! I’m thrilled to hear this.
Made banana muffin with this recipe instead. Super yummy!
I’ll be making more! 🙂
Vivien – I’m so glad you enjoyed and plan to make more!
It came out perfect!
Thank you so much! ? I’m so happy to hear it turned out perfectly! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review—I really appreciate it, and I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe. ??
Super simple moist and delicious
Lisa – Thank you so much for the sweet review! ? I’m so happy you enjoyed the banana bread. It’s one of my favorite recipes because it’s so easy to make and always turns out moist and delicious. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! ??
Have you tried substituting vegetable oil for the butter?
Yes, you can substitute vegetable oil for the melted butter using the same amount. The flavor and texture may be slightly different, but the banana bread should still turn out delicious.
Super easy quick recipe I love it. I will be making this over and over again.
Thank you so much! ? I’m so happy to hear you loved the banana bread and found it easy to make! It means so much to know it’s a recipe you’ll be making again and again. Thanks for taking the time to leave such a kind review. Happy baking! ??
How much chocolate chips or walnuts would you add per loaf without over doing it?
Great question! ? I would recommend adding about ½ to ¾ cup of chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, or a combination of both per loaf. That adds plenty of flavor and texture without overpowering the banana bread. I hope you enjoy it! ???
In addition to adding crushed walnuts, I added wine berries to the mix.
Wine berries are a wild raspberry and usually we pick them for a pie. However the wild crop is scarce this year in our area.
My wife and I have eaten over half the loaf already and I doubt it will see sunset
Paul – That sounds delicious! I love the idea of adding crushed walnuts and wine berries—they must have added wonderful flavor. I’m so glad you and your wife enjoyed it so much. Thanks for sharing your variation! ?
Made a 1/2 recipe using 2 bananas and 1 egg. Absolutely delicious, moist and can’t wait to make them again. I might try a pinch of ginger next time.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Using 2 bananas and 1 egg for a half batch is a great tip. A pinch of ginger sounds like a delicious addition too. Thanks so much for sharing, and happy baking! ?
Stur in – mix in ? By hand? Or use mixer?
Great question! ? I recommend mixing everything by hand with a spoon or rubber spatula. Banana bread turns out best when the batter is mixed just until everything is combined. Overmixing, especially with an electric mixer, can make the bread a little dense. I hope you enjoy it! ??
This was so good, and easy. I have never made Banana Bread before. My wife liked it so much, she said to be sure and save the recipe. Thanks.
Note, there is a typo in the instructions, instead of showing 1/3 cup, there is a ?. I thought you would like to know
Stir in ? cup melted butter, 1 egg, ¾ cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Mix well until combined.
Thank you so much! ? I’m so glad your first time making banana bread was a success and that your wife loved it too. That’s the best compliment! ??
And thank you for letting us know about the typo. We really appreciate you pointing that out, and we’ll get it fixed so it doesn’t confuse anyone else. Thanks again for taking the time to leave both the kind review and the helpful note. Happy baking! ??
I made 2 loaves of this bread and one of them I added Reese’s peanut butter chips in it and they both came out perfect and delicious.I feel like I could win a contest with this recipe!!yummy
Melissa – I love your additions! Thanks for sharing.
Love this banana bread recipe…super easy to make, had all the ingredients readily available, and it came out DELICIOUS ??
Hey, Jennifer – I’m so glad you found it easy and delicious! You made my day!
Hi Carrie, this banana the bread recipe has to be the easiest and the best recipe I found in a long time. I did do a few add-ins on your basic banana bread recipe. I added third of a cup of ricotta cheese , chopped walnuts, chocolate chips. It was absolutely delicious! I made it for my niece who was here visiting she ate a piece and we bagged up the rest of the loaf for her to take home with her. She was delighted. I have shared your recipe and I will save it to my recipe file. Thanks again
Thank you so much for sharing Dixie and I’m so glad to hear that it was delicious with your alterations to the recipe. I haven’t tried ricotta cheese in banana bread yet but I’m definitely now interested!
Made this and it was delicious. Super moist easy to make. Will definitely be making this again and again
Julie – Yay! I love hearing this so much! Thank you so much for sharing and for the positive review of the recipe!
I have used this recipe multiple time and it turns out moist and good every time. I also add a teaspoon of vanilla and pecan pieces in the dough and on top 🙂
Great Banana bread recipe.
Thank you so much for the kind comment and positive review. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent recipe, especially if you add mini chocolate chips. You can even do it with 2 small bananas; I’ve also done it with 3 and it’s perfect!
Five stars!
Thank you so much Faith! I agree that this recipe is amazing with mini chocolate chips as well! Thank you for sharing and for the positive review of this recipe!
Just made a loaf. It’s nice and soft. Now making cupcakes with recipe
Thank you so much for sharing Jennifer! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe and thank you for the positive review! I can’t wait to hear how this recipe is in cupcakes!
If you wanted to do this and make mini muffins for the kids, how long do you suggest?
Amber – I have a recipe for Banana Bread Mini Muffins as well that works great and is delicious! I hope you try it out!
Its pretty good quick and easy. I did substitute the butter with applesauce and olive oil because I forgot im dropping butter as part of my diet. All and all its good thank you for sharing
Thank you sharing Holli! I love hearing that the applesauce and olive oil worked instead of the butter in this recipe. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment and for the 5 star review! I appreciate it so much.
I made this recipe today and it’s delicious. Quick and easy. Next time I will try it using the healthier alternatives.
Thank you so much for sharing Kat and for the positive review! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
My banana bread is beautiful, perfect color and I added chocolate chips. Very easy, and added bonus , I had a question and the response was immediately.
I can’t wait to try it once it cools.
Thanks.
Gina – You are too kind! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I’m so glad you made it!
Easy and moist… I added blueberries… that was a hit!!!
Yum! The addition of the blueberries sound delicious! Thank you for sharing and for the positive review!
That sounds delicious, I never thought to add blueberries.
Gina – Thanks so much! We love the blueberries and hope you do too. Let me know once you try it.
Never made banana bread but this was so easy and came out so good!! My family loved it! Mushy bananas will never go to waste!
Woohoo! I love hearing this! Thank you so much for sharing and for the positive review!
Love that I have all ingredients on hand
Tysm
Woohoo! I love that you enjoyed it Michele – Thank you for sharing and for the positive review!
what better time to start baking again than summer break with my daughters <3
Annie – Yes, I agree! My daughter loves making this recipe and I hope yours do too!
I’m making this recipe in mini pans. I added chocolate chips because why not?!? Starting out at 30 mins baking time and going from there. This is my fave banana bread recipe!
Loie – Chocolate chips sound delicious! I’m so happy this is your favorite recipe! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
I’d never made banana bread before. I’m 65,retired, widowed and lived alone several years now. I had several friends and relatives try it and now everyone wants me to make them some. Easy,simple and delicious. Does get any better. ?
Timothy – Your review absolutely made my day! Thank you for trying the recipe and sharing your results.
I’ve made banana bread lots of times. This
recipe sounded great so I tried it and got a bit creative. I substituted cocoa for some of the flour, and substituted 1/4 cup brown sugar for some of the white. I’m 70, single, working full time, and am waiting the next 20 minutes to take my finished banana bread out of the oven.
I’m encouraged to hear that yours has been a big hit!
This is the best banana bread recipe I have found and my kids love it! I normally make muffins instead of bread to make it easy to take on the go. Only change needed for muffins is to cut back the bake time to 30 minutes. Thanks for the recipe!
Amy! Thank you so much for the kind review. It truly has made my day! I’m so glad you enjoy this recipe and thank you for the positive review!
I tried this recipe today and I’m glad I did. My husband said it was one of the best banana bread recipe so far. The only difference is that I didn’t need to bake it the full hour, with my oven it was 52 mins. Thank you for sharing.
Lori – I’m so glad you tried it. Thank you for sharing your feedback! It means a lot.
My family loves this bread – here are changes I make: first, I double the vanilla (which I do for all baking recipes). Because I’m diabetic, I replace sugar with 1/4 c. Monkfruit and 1/2 c. Splenda/brown sugar blend. Finally, I add 1/2 c. chopped walnuts or pecans. ?
Denise – Thank you so much for sharing how you make it work on your diabetic diet! The addition of the walnuts or pecans sound delicious! Thank you also for the positive review of the recipe – I appreciate it so much!
Best banana bread ever! Thanks Carrie for always providing excellent recipes!
Kimmie – Wahoo! Thank you so much for this sweet comment. Have a great day!
Another easy and delicious recipe! Thank you for sharing Carrie’s!
Thank you so much Everett! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe and thank you for the positive review!
Its in the oven now I sure am glad to have found your easy recipe, Added a few choco chips and a few raisins
Hope it turns out but feel it will be great Valentines present for my bed ridden friend
thnks in advance and keep em coming
Peace
Barbra
Thanks for sharing Barbra! I hope your friend enjoyed it and how lovely of a gift to give to them for Valentine’s Day!
Love the recipe! It’s a shame you have so many adds that keep popping up, I hope your followers don’t drop because of that
This is honestly the best banana bread I have ever made! Thank you for sharing!!
Wow, Stephanie! Thank you so much! This means a lot!
I’ve made this several times over the years and just made it again tonight. Delicious and simple recipe to use when you need to get rid of those ‘nanas! Thank you!
Emily – You’re so welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for taking the time to leave feedback and such a kind comment!
Easy and delicious recipe! I made it sugar free! Simply scrumptious! Thanks for the recipe!
Jimmie – You’re very welcome. I’m so happy it turned out great and you were able to make it sugar free.
Woohoo! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe Jimmie! Thank you so much for sharing and for the positive review!
Moist and delicious! I have not made this in a loaf pan; I make mini muffins. You get about 30 of them. My grandson loves them!
Hey Aimee! Thank you so much! I’m so happy to hear.
Made a double batch and used half zuchini and half bananas. It was excellent and super simple. Thanks you.
Teresa – I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe and it sounds delicious with zucchini as well! Thank you so much for sharing and for the positive review!
Easy n very good!! I put mini chocolate chips in it and my grandson n I luv it!! ??
Yum! My kids would love that too! Thank you so much for sharing and thank you for the positive review!
I’ve been making your recipe for years and have never rated it. This recipe never fails and I’ve also added chocolate chips if I feel like it or a handful of frozen blue berries. I highly recommend this recipe. Easy and simple and oh so good!
Thank you so much for sharing Heather! I appreciate it so much and the addition of the chocolate chips and blueberries sound amazing!
We love it. I use 5 mini loaf pans so I can freeze 3 of them. I don’t use nuts or pecans because I am a diabetic. But it still tastes good.
Thanks for sharing
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Nancy! Thank you for sharing and thank you so much for the positive review!
I made this tonight and it is absolutely delicious
I love hearing that Michelle! Thank you so much for sharing and thank you for the positive review!
Sorry. My comment was supposed to end with thank you. Not thank you??
Thanks for clarifying Bonnie and thank you so much for leaving a comment. I appreciate it!
I added peanut butter chips and that is the only way my family wants it now.
Thank you ??
Oh yum! That sounds amazing and I haven’t tried that yet but now I definitely want to. Thank you for sharing.
Amazing!!! OMG! I’ve never baked banana bread that i actually enjoyed eating– n made the house smell so good while baking. This is the best loaf I’ve ever made. Very, very moist n so flavorful. Perfect for a cold wintry cloudy day in Wisconsin. I usually prefer lighter crumbly banana bread but it didn’t take long for this to become a new favorite. I did make one minor tweak–brown sugar mixed w white sugar but still the same total amt the recipe requires. Thx for sharing this recipe.
Thank you so much for sharing Brittany! The addition of the brown sugar sounds amazing – thank you for sharing!
I made this recipe today and it was a hit with my husband. All I added extra is a handful of chocolate chips. It tasted so good
I’m so glad you enjoyed it and glad that the chocolate chips in the recipe was delicious! Thank you for sharing!
Quick and easy and delicious. I used 4 smallish ripe bananas. Took 45 min at 350.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it – Thank you for the review Kathy!
Made this last night and it was delicious! My husband loved it as well.
I am a diabetic, really want to make this banana bread recipe: Can I use a sugar substitute and if I can, how much would replace the amount of sugar? Love your recipes….
Hi Donna – I haven’t tested it yet but I think that you can replace the sugar for equal amounts of Splenda or Stevia sugar substitutes and it should work great in this banana bread recipe!
Easy and delicious. I used half and half coconut sugar and raw sugar which gave it a darker colour and added 1 tsp cinnamon because I could. A little dangerous straight out of the oven with a little butter. Will definitely make again.
Quick and easy and if batter is any indication, will be very yummy! I didn’t have enough white sugar so used half brown sugar!! Cannot wait for loaf to come out of Ivan!! Family does not like nuts (I know that’s crazy?) so I only put pecan pieces on top!!
So easy to make and moist and delicious. Thank you!
I added 3/4 C. of flaked coconut to this recipe. Delicious!!
Yum! That sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing!
Iv had a print out of this recipe for years now, and out of all the banana breads iv tried, this is still my absolute favorite. i even thought i lost my print out at one point and went crazy looking for it, to the point where i now have two copies and a photo on my phone. i love making banana bread, in fact its my favorite go to baked good. this recipe is not only one of the easiest recipes out there but also so easy to add nuts or chocolate to, or take away some sugar from, or add a little more. in my opinion, its probably the best banana bread out there for these reasons, and i ALWAYS get so many compliments on it!
Thank you so much. I absolutely love this recipe.
I made this last night and I impressed myself. Perfect texture, beautiful colour, delicious taste! This was my first time making banana bread. Thank you so much!
I’m so glad you loved it!
I love this recipe!!! I’ve made it for years and people at work and my family LOVE IT. I’ve done chocolate chips, walnuts, pecans, there are so many different variations. And I like to add honey & brown sugar to supplement some of the white sugar too!
This recipe was so easy and it tasted great.
I love this bread recipe but was wondering if I could put the batter into mini muffin tins instead and cut the cook time down. Anyone done that?
Yes, we have a recipe for mini banana bread muffins that are amazing – https://www.eatingonadime.com/banana-bread-mini-muffins-recipe/
Very moist and delicious. I used a half cup of sugar and a half cup of dark brown sugar as you suggested and I think it added extra depth.
Great recipe Family and friends loved it!
I’ve made this so many times now and it’s perfect every time. I always add mini chocolate chips to mine and make it as muffins to cut down in the baking time. ????
Fantastic
I’ve made this banana bread about a dozen times and every time it’s perfection! Thank you!
I’m so glad you love it! It is one of my favorite recipes to make in the fall.
Thank you for this super recipe. This is my third time making it in the past 2 months. Just popped another loaf into the oven a few minutes ago.
Thanks so much for taking time to comment@
Banana bread is awesome
I’ll add pecans next time
One word……..Excellent!!!! I made it for the first time this morning and it just doesn’t get any easier than this! Three loaves, one for my husband’s hunting trip this weekend and two for home for our family and company!
A HUGE Win-Win!!! Thank you so much, ladies!!!!
So glad you loved it!
Sooo easy to follow, delicious too!!! WINNER!!!
I’m so glad you loved it!
I made this recipe today and it was so good besides i added a little bit of cinnamon to mine maybe 1/4 teaspoon and it was delicious
Great easy recipe. I usually make 4 smaller ones. I add mini choc chips to some as well as walnuts. Love it just as plain banana bread also. It is my go to recipe when I have very ripe bananas.
Oh I love doing that!
I made this today for my hubby. Trying to make lighter breakfast choices for him. It was super moist and flavorful. Definitely a new favorite that I will make again. Next time, I might try it with chocolate chips or raisins. I wish I could upload a picture of it.
That is awesome! So glad you loved it. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Love this easy recipe, I always use this and I make at least once every 2 weeks.
I have a love/hate relationship with banana bread recipes. My bread never turns out well; even when I follow the instructions step by step. I had given up on baking this type of bread until I tried your recipe. My bread came out perfect; well a little over baked on the sides, but it was delicious. I will use your recipe from now on. Thank you!
So glad it worked for you! I love it
Hi I am going to make this banana bread can’t wait I just have a question when mixing the ingredients u say stir so then you don’t use a mixer
Thank you
Donna
You can hand mix or use a mixer.
This is my family’s GO-TO banana bread recipe! My boys LOVE it and the loaf doesn’t last long! Recovering from COVID and the brain haze that follows, I accidentally broiled this for the first 30 minutes. I cut the burnt top off and continued to bake it for 25 minutes. It looked terrible but it still tasted AMAZING!! This recipe is a winner!
Thanks for commenting ?? I’m so glad you loved it!
I’ve made this a few times now and my daughter made it for the time today! Perfect for a first time bake. ?? I had to substitute the vanilla with honey the last time I made it and still turned out perfect! Definitely my go to. ?
Delicious, thank you
Hi Carrie. I just made the moist, delicious banana bread. I mash the bananas with a fork so it’s not pureed. The results is awesome. I love moist baked goods and this surpasses any banana bread I ever made thank you!!!!!
The recipe was easy and delicious. I think i will try replacing the sugar with honey the next time and see which version i like best.
Made this today for Men’s breakfast tomorrow along with a casserole, bread turned out great, I used fresh pecans.
This is the best banana bread I have tasted!!! I’ve made it 3 times now!! 🙂 it gets better each time
This bread was moist and full of delicious flavor. I used super ripe bananas and chopped walnuts and put them at the bottom of the bread. I will certainly save this and make it again and again.
Awesome recipe, love it
I had bananas that were on their last day and didn’t want to throw them out! I found this very simple recipe and gave it a try! Needless to say it was delicious it was moist with loads of banana flavor. My daughter has a lot of allergies and she loved it! So once again the old adage holds true less is more!
I made this a couple of weeks ago and it was a big hit. The recipe is easy and delicious. I am making 2 more batches right now. Love, love, love!
I put about 1/4 cup of cinnamon chips in the bread. Delicious!
Easy and delicious too love it ?
Made it with some brown sugar and it turned out great! I would love to try it using honey instead- how much honey do you use?
Thanks for a great recipe 🙂
I love that idea. I would do the same measurements for honey.
THIS is the BEST Banana Nut bread ever!
It is now my GO TO!
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for the simple ways to read and follow your recipes! my banana nut bread turned out GREAT!!!
Easiest recipe and tastes so good!
This is the best banana bread recipe. It is so good and so easy to make. My daughter even loves making it. We buy extra bananas at the store, just so they’ll go bad so we can make this bread.
Best Banana bread recipe-BAR NONE!! I’ve been making banana bread 4 abt 25 years, the whole fam loves it! My son spreads Nutella on his slice, warms it in the micro. I used the same recipe 4 yrs, it was always good, & then I tried YOUR recipe! I had 2 know if using 1 less egg & butter in place of oil was going 2 make a difference. IT DOES!!! Why? I dont know, I dont care! This is consistently the most delicious moist & addictive nana bread ever. I make a 9×5 loaf, if it lasts more than 24 hours I’m shocked. My husband cannot stop eating it, I add pecans & bake @ 345 for 1 hour 5 minutes, & it’s perfect. I use self-rising flour, “mini” chocolate chips bc they R lightweight & dont sink to the bottom of the bread like regular chips. As we say in my house, this is YUM Town!!
No need for me to search for another banana bread recipe. This banana bread is OUTSTANDING! Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Awwww….Thank you so much – We love hearing this!
Delicious every time! We usually make a few at a time & freeze. Yum!
This is my family’s favorite banana bread recipe!
If making into muffins, how long to cook them for and what temp?? Thank you!!
I would cook at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes. Thank you!
When I make my Banana Bread, which comes out real moist, I add about a 1/2 cup whipped cream or Greek Plain Yogurt. I have also put 1/2 cup each of diced Mango and diced Peaches in my Banana Bread, gives it a different flavor. Just some different ideas that I had and tried. I am not a cook or baker, I just like trying different ingredients.
Love those ideas – they sound delicious! Thank you so much for sharing!
Love your recipes there all so good and very down to earth.
THIS IS TRULY THE EASIEST AND BEST BANANA BREAD I HAVE EVER EATEN! My sister-in-law is an amazing baker- so when my husband told me that this was better than hers OR their Mom’s- I was SHOCKED!!
It’s so moist- it’s so easy… just perfect!! Thank you for sharing!!!
Thank you so much. I used brown sugar instead and came out delicious. Will try chocolate chips and pecans next.
Easy recipe to follow and bread was moist and delicious! I didn’t have a loaf pan. I used a bundt pan instead and baked it for about 35 minutes. Perfect!
Has anyone tried this in an Instant Pot? Any idea how to do it?
My 10 year old daughter and I made this today. It came out perfect. It was our first time making Banana bread and it was a success! Than you for the recipe.
Can I make this banana btrad in my ninja 4 n 1? Would I have to put anything on the bottom of the inside dish? Alter the recipe?
What kind of flour? Self-rising? Or all purpose?
Hi. Can I use almond flour instead? Same amount? Thank you.
Simple, nutritious, and amazingly moist. The ripe bananas put out so much flavor that brown sugar is the perfect partner in crime to sweeten it perfectly. I also love the handful of chocolate chips- mmm hmmm… and the smell- it’s warm and inviting and appetite pleasing! Thank you!
I use a meat loaf dish, to cook it in. I bake it for 55 mins or so. I also add cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Super delicious. It doesn’t last more than a day, in my home. Add some butter on top, and serve while it’s still warm. Heavenly.
Yum – Sounds delicious!
if you are making little loaf pans how long to cook them
If using the smaller pans, I would only cook it for 30-35 minutes at 350. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing this delicious and super easy recipe!
My adult children said it was the best banana bread I have made so far!!
I am now making it for the second time in 2 weeks! : )
Because I have diabetics in my family, I substituted the sugar with stevia and it turned out great. I just made another batch.
Just made this recipe. Best yet banana bread, very moist. I added a few dark chocolate chips to the batter and once baked and cooled, I drenched the top with some icing. Great way to use up over ripe bananas. A keeper. Thank you
Oopss..here’s my rating.
Moist and delicious. My kid can’t wait to cool it first to take her first bite. So easy to make. Will try to make a muffin next time.
Delicious! This recipe is a keeper.
This is amazing so easy and do good I know make it every week
Made this today! SOOO GOOD!!! My family had already finished the entire loaf.
Thank you for sharing! Definitely going to save this recipe.
Do you leave it out or refrigerate?
I refrigerate , if there is any leftover
I added the 4 bananas and about a handful of chocolate chips and I think it was my favorite batch I’ve made of this recipe. It was super moist and the chocolate chips added just enough contrast. Delicious recipe!
So yummy! My little ones love it…with chocolate chips of course 🙂
It’s delicious! I’ve made it a few times now and am feeling more adventuresome. This time used really ripe bananas and just a bit of molasses. It’s wonderful everyone loved it. Thank you
One of (if not) the best banana bread I’ve made! Since my loaf pan was a little small, I used some of the batter to make a few muffins and they were amazing!
I have not made Banana bread from scratch but I am going to, I have been wanting some, nothing in store is good, All the recipes on here sound so good, so watch out, I am headed to the kitchen.
Your going to love it, thanks so much
I love this recipe I use it everytime I make banana bread! I just bought the mini loaf pan that makes 8 my question is does the cook time vary or is it still about an hour?
Thanks love ??
Best banana bread ever. Seriously. I added white chocolate chips and normal chocolate chips (Ghiradelli) and some cinnamon!!! Please try this recipe , you won’t regret it!
I’m definitely no expert in baking, but this recipe is so easy that i decided to give it a try. It worked amazingly well. The bread was delicious and everybody was pelased.
Very moist, but not sticky like some recipes. It was a hit!
Could you use a cupcake tin with this recipe?
LOVE this recipe. I’ve made it several times and each time it turns out great! I like to soak raisins in warm water and then add them to the batter! Super yummy. Also the last time I made this recipe, I added a cinnamon sugar topping prior to baking and all of my family loved it ^_^
Made this today with my 11 year old daughter. We used 7 baby bananas that were very ripe and had to add some milk, oil and an extra egg to make it moist. Cooked it for one hour and wow it was worth the wait. The banana bread was delicious!
Will definitely make this again!
Made this for my picky eater she loves them and asks for them all the time.
We made them in to muffins
I just made this and added chocolate chips. Made muffins instead of bread. They were awesome!!!
I made this banana and it was the best I’ve ever had. It was moist! I used 5 bananas b/c they needed to be used lol and I didn’t have vanilla extract so I used coconut extract. It came out great. I will definitely share this recipe w/friends. Thanks doe sharing!
I made this banana bread and everybody LOVED it! Making it again today. 🙂 Thanks for the great recipe!
Delicious and easy to make. Thank you
I’m so glad you loved them Ronnie.
I use this recipe for muffins. It’s the perfect amount for a dozen! Making two dozen today. Thanks for sharing this recipe… we love it!
I made mine into muffins and added some cinnamon, chocolate chips and shredded zucchini. It was DELICIOUS!! 🙂
Oh I can’t wait to try that Kendra.
This was delicious and it could not have been easier. Thanks for the recipe!
I’m so glad you loved it. 🙂
Should I use salted or unsalted butter?
Out of all the banana bread recipes I have found, this is BY FAR the best. I always have the ingredients needed around the house and it makes for a delicious, moist bread. I usually take it out after 40 minutes because it is fully cooked and lately I started adding unsweetened cocoa powder to the mix before sticking it in the oven. DELICIOUS!!
Can I use my meatloaf pan? A single one? That’s the only one I have 🙁
I would think so. I would just watch it in the oven.
I made this for a trip to fl for my family and it’s delicious
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
This was delicious! I made it for a long road trip I took with my two young kids as a special treat, and it was a hit! Thanks 🙂
I’m so glad your kids loved it. Ours does too.
cant’t wait for some more good recipes
Hi, it was very easy to make and I replaced sugar with chopped up dates for my lo. The bread tastes great but is a little gooey inside. I baked it for an hour. Should I have baked it more or is it suppose to be gooey. The bananas were really ripe and I used 3 large bananas. Is there something I can do to not have it so gooey?
Mine isn’t goey at all. I say cook it a bit longer – maybe add 10 minutes to your baking time.
This recipe was really easy! It’s still in the over but it smells amazing!
Banana bread is delicous too, my 10 year made it.