Banana Bread Recipe

August 3, 2025 by Jessica

If you’ve ever had a bunch of ripe bananas staring at you from the counter, you already know the magic that happens when they transform into banana bread. This Banana Bread Recipe is one of those timeless classics I keep coming back to because it’s super easy, wonderfully moist, and packed with that warm, cozy banana flavor we all crave. Whether you’re baking to use up overripe bananas or just want a delicious treat to share with family, this recipe always delivers.

When I first tried this Banana Bread Recipe, I was pleasantly surprised by how simple ingredients and straightforward steps could produce such a tender loaf with a hint of caramel sweetness from the brown sugar. It’s a perfect snack for an afternoon coffee break, a breakfast treat, or even a comforting dessert. Trust me, once you get this down, you’ll find yourself making it over and over.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple Ingredients: You won’t need anything fancy—just basic pantry staples plus ripe bananas.
No Fuss Method: Mixing the wet and dry ingredients separately keeps your bread tender and avoids overmixing.
Perfectly Moist Texture: The right balance of butter, sugar, and bananas creates a soft, irresistible crumb.
Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for this loaf, and you’ll find it disappears faster than you expect!

A loaf of banana bread with a golden brown crust sits on a wooden cutting board. The bread is sliced into four pieces, showing a soft, light brown interior with small dark specks scattered through it. The cutting board has a handle at the bottom and rests on a green woven textured surface, replaced by a white marbled texture. The focus is on the loaf, capturing the texture of the bread’s crust and crumb. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 6.1

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Banana Bread Recipe plays a key role, from the richness of the butter to the natural sweetness of overripe bananas. I like to grab bananas that are generously speckled brown—they’re perfect for maximum flavor and moisture.

All-purpose flour: This gives structure to your loaf without weighing it down—stick with all-purpose for the best texture.
Baking soda: Helps the bread rise and keeps it fluffy, so don’t skip it.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances out the sweetness.
Brown sugar: Adds a deeper, caramel-like sweetness and keeps the crumb moist.
Butter: I recommend unsalted butter to control salt levels; it gives the loaf richness and tenderness.
Eggs: Help bind everything together and add moisture—always use large eggs for best results.
Overripe bananas: The star of the show—make sure they’re very ripe, almost mushy, for the best banana flavor.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love most about this Banana Bread Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you want to tweak it for texture, flavor, or dietary needs, there are simple swaps that make it your own.

Walnuts or Pecans: I often toss in chopped nuts for a little crunch—my kids love the texture contrast.
Chocolate Chips: Adding chocolate chips is a total game changer when you crave something sweeter and richer.
Gluten-Free: Swap out the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free blend; just watch the baking time as it might vary slightly.
Vegan Version: Replace butter with coconut oil and eggs with flax or chia egg substitutes—you’ll still get a lovely loaf.

How to Make Banana Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Preheat

Start by gathering all your ingredients so you’re not scrambling mid-recipe. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease your 9×5-inch loaf pan—either with butter or nonstick spray. This helps prevent sticking and makes for easy cleanup later.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures everything is evenly distributed and helps your bread rise properly without large pockets of baking soda.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using an electric mixer, beat the brown sugar and butter until smooth and creamy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air and dissolves the sugar, which helps create a tender crumb.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Bananas

Stir the beaten eggs and mashed bananas into the butter and sugar mixture. Make sure the bananas are well mashed for that consistent banana flavor throughout the bread. Mix until fully combined but don’t overdo it—overmixing can make your bread dense.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Pour the banana mixture into the dry ingredients and fold them together gently. Stop mixing as soon as you don’t see any flour to keep the bread light and tender.

Step 6: Bake the Bread

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and pop it in the oven. It’ll bake for about 60 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean when it’s done—this is your best test. If it’s browning too fast on top, loosely cover it with foil halfway through baking.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Once baked, let the banana bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes—this helps it firm up and makes it easier to slice. Then transfer it to a wire rack and cool completely before slicing; this final step locks in moisture and flavor.

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Pro Tips for Making Banana Bread Recipe

Use Really Ripe Bananas: The browner and softer they are, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be.
Don’t Overmix: Stir wet and dry ingredients until just combined to avoid a tough texture.
Test for Doneness Early: Start checking with a toothpick around 55 minutes to prevent overbaking, which dries out the bread.
Cool Properly: Letting the bread cool completely keeps it moist and easier to slice without crumbling.

How to Serve Banana Bread Recipe

A loaf of banana bread with a brown, textured crust sits on a wooden cutting board over a pale green towel with a waffle pattern. Two slices are cut; the front slice has a small square of melting butter on top, showing a moist, speckled light brown inside. The loaf has a golden brown top with cracks running through it, highlighting a homemade look, while the cutting board’s soft wood grain contrasts with the bread’s rough texture. The setting uses warm, natural light to enhance the cozy feel of the scene. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 6.1

Garnishes

I like to keep things simple—sometimes just a thin spread of butter lets the banana flavor shine. But if I’m feeling fancy, a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar adds a lovely touch. For a decadent twist, a smear of cream cheese frosting turns it into a dessert masterpiece.

Side Dishes

This banana bread pairs perfectly with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea—it’s basically the perfect breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up. For brunch, I sometimes serve it alongside fresh fruit or yogurt to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I’ve sliced this banana bread into bite-sized pieces and arranged them on a pretty platter with little flags for easy snacking. Another fun trick is to toast individual slices lightly and top with a smear of nut butter and banana slices for an elevated brunch plate that always gets compliments.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I wrap leftover banana bread tightly in plastic wrap or keep it in an airtight container at room temperature—this keeps it soft for about 3 days. If I want to save some for later, I pop it in the fridge but make sure it’s well wrapped to prevent drying out.

Freezing

This recipe freezes wonderfully, which is great for batch baking. I slice the bread first, wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap, and store in a freezer bag. It’s ready to thaw on the counter or can be popped directly into the toaster for a quick treat.

Reheating

I find reheating banana bread in a toaster oven or regular oven at low temperature brings back that fresh-baked texture. About 5 minutes at 300°F will warm it through without drying it out. For a fast option, a quick 15-second zap in the microwave works too, but watch out for sogginess.

FAQs

Can I use regular sugar instead of brown sugar in this Banana Bread Recipe?

Yes, you can substitute white granulated sugar for brown sugar if needed, but brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor that enhances the bread. Using white sugar might make your loaf slightly drier and less rich.
What if I don’t have overripe bananas?

It’s best to wait for your bananas to become very ripe since that’s when they’re sweetest and easiest to mash, which gives the banana bread its signature flavor. If you’re in a pinch, you can mash less-ripe bananas but add a teaspoon of honey or sugar to boost sweetness.
Can I make this Banana Bread Recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap the butter for an equal amount of coconut oil or a plant-based butter alternative. This keeps the banana bread moist and delicious without milk products.
How do I know when banana bread is fully baked?

The best way is to insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the bread is done. If wet batter clings, give it a few more minutes and test again.

Final Thoughts

This Banana Bread Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen for good reason—it’s straightforward, forgiving, and absolutely delicious every time. I love that it turns simple, overripe bananas into something everyone looks forward to eating. So next time you have bananas that need using, give this recipe a whirl—you’ll be rewarded with a loaf that feels homemade and heartfelt. Happy baking, friend!