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This is the perfect easy banana bread recipe. I have tried several different banana bread recipes, and I have found this to be the perfect moist banana bread recipe.
If you love our Cinnamon Swirl bread recipe, banana bread with applesauce and our Applesauce Bread, I think you are going to love this easy recipe.
By the way – if you want a healthier version try our healthy banana bread recipe for new twist on the traditional banana bread. And if you like pumpkin, our recipe for Pumpkin Banana Bread is so delicious.
Ingredients You Need:
- Ripe bananas (ripe – if you have them in the freezer, just allow to thaw)
- Melted Butter
- Egg
- ¾ cup Sugar
- Vanilla
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Flour
How to make banana bread:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 5×9 loaf pan with cooking spray.
Peel the bananas. (these can be from the freezer, just thaw first) Mash the bananas with a hand mixer or a spoon.
Stir in melted butter, eggs and vanilla extract, sugar, and salt. Stir sugar egg mixture well.
Add all purpose flour, baking soda and stir dry ingredients well in large bowl. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake.
Cook for 60 minutes. Use a toothpick inserted after 50 minutes into the center to make sure it comes out clean.
Let cool on a wire rack before removing from pan. Set aside to cool completely.
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, but the electric mixer is a faster method. It will also allow you to have a smoother and more moist bread.
Substitutions for a Healthy Banana Bread:
- Replace sugar with honey.
- Use hole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour.
- Reduce the sugar to ½ cup when using very ripe bananas
- Replace the egg with ¼ cup of applesauce
Variations
- 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 – Add a handful of chopped nuts to this Easy Banana Bread batter if you like those. Walnuts are really delicious in banana bread. You can start about a ½ cup of chopped nuts in the batter.
- DRIED FRUIT – You can try a variety of dried fruit to your banana bread recipe. Smaller dried fruit like dried cranberries, blueberries, and raisins work best.
If you want to try larger dried fruit like peaches and pears, you will want to chop them first before mixing into the batter. - 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.
Everyone enjoys this Easy Banana Bread Recipe plain but adding in something else just makes it even more special.
How long do you leave bread in the pan after baking?
Cool in pan about 10 minutes before taking out of the pan. Note this can vary based on different types of pans.
The bread will need to be room temperature. Let the bread cool completely.
How do you keep banana bread moist?
The best way to keep banana bread moist for days is to wrap it tightly. Once your bread is baked and cooled, I recommend wrapping tightly in plastic wrap.
Stored this way on the counter, your bread will stay moist up to 3 days. If you’d like, you can store the bread wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.
However, this recipe never lasts long in my house. I’m lucky if I can get it to last one day. The entire family fights over the last slice.
How to ripen Bananas
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.
How to Freeze banana bread
You can wrap it in saran wrap 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. See Can you Freeze Banana Bread for more tips.
Easy Banana Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 bananas ripe – if you have them in the freezer, just allow to thaw
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1 1/2 cups of flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 5×9 loaf pan with cooking spray.
- Peel the bananas. (these can be from the freezer, just thaw first) Mash the bananas.
- Stir in melted butter, egg, sugar, vanilla, baking soda, and salt. Stir well.
- Add flour and stir well. Pour into baking pan.
- Cook for 1 hour. Let cool on a rack before removing from pan.
Optional:
- Add a handful of chopped nuts or chocolate chips when you add in the flour. Those are some YUMMY additions!
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’m so glad you love it! It is one of my favorite recipes to make in the fall.
I’ve made this banana bread about a dozen times and every time it’s perfection! Thank you!
Thanks so much for taking time to comment@
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.
So glad you loved it!
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!!!!
I’m so glad you loved it!
Sooo easy to follow, delicious too!!! WINNER!!!
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
Oh I love doing that!
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.
That is awesome! So glad you loved it. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
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.
Love this easy recipe, I always use this and I make at least once every 2 weeks.
I love that idea. I would do the same measurements for honey.
Thanks for commenting ?? I’m so glad you loved it!
So glad it worked for you! I love it
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!
You can hand mix or use a mixer.
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
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!
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 🙂
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!!
Awwww….Thank you so much – We love hearing this!
No need for me to search for another banana bread recipe. This banana bread is OUTSTANDING! Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Delicious every time! We usually make a few at a time & freeze. Yum!
This is my family’s favorite banana bread recipe!
I would cook at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes. Thank you!
If making into muffins, how long to cook them for and what temp?? Thank you!!
Love those ideas – they sound delicious! Thank you so much for sharing!
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 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!
Yum – Sounds delicious!
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.
If using the smaller pans, I would only cook it for 30-35 minutes at 350. Thank you!
if you are making little loaf pans how long to cook them
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
I refrigerate , if there is any leftover
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 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!
Your going to love it, thanks so much
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.
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!
I’m so glad you loved them Ronnie.
Delicious and easy to make. Thank you
I’m so glad you loved it. 🙂
Oh I can’t wait to try that Kendra.
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!! 🙂
This was delicious and it could not have been easier. Thanks for the recipe!
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!!
I would think so. I would just watch it in the oven.
Can I use my meatloaf pan? A single one? That’s the only one I have 🙁
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I made this for a trip to fl for my family and it’s delicious
Mine isn’t goey at all. I say cook it a bit longer – maybe add 10 minutes to your baking time.
I’m so glad your kids loved it. Ours does too.
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 🙂
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?
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.