Easy Banana Bread Recipe
This easy banana bread recipe is my mom’s classic banana bread recipe. It’s an incredibly moist banana bread that is made with simple ingredients you probably have in your pantry! This is one banana bread recipe you won’t want to miss.
The best banana bread recipe
There are a few things in the culinary world that I am very passionate about:
-That cheesecake is superior to all other desserts.
-That scones have a bad reputation as being dry and crumbly when–if made properly–they are little flaky bites of heaven (my favorite recipes include these Orange Cream Scones and this Lemon Blueberry Scone recipe).
-And that my mom’s banana bread is hands down the best banana bread I have ever had.
A friend in college once made his mom’s sour cream banana bread recipe to disprove my theory that my classic banana bread recipe (made without sour cream) was the best recipe, and guys? He was dead wrong. My recipe, hands down, blew his out of the water. It has the perfect amount of mashed bananas–it gives this recipe intense banana flavor (you can see all of the flecks of banana in the picture) while also making it such a moist banana bread recipe. It’s sweet and simple with a tender and soft crumb, and it’s the perfect cure for any overripe bananas (it’s also the perfect cure for a bad day–as they say, Mom always knows best). It’s been my family’s favorite recipe and comfort food of choice for years!
So let’s get to making my favorite banana bread recipe that comes out perfectly every single time. You will not be disappointed!
Reasons Why I Love This Homemade Banana Bread:
- Texture: This banana bread has the best texture. It’s a fluffy banana quick bread that has a very tender crumb, but it doesn’t get crumbly or fall apart. It holds together well.
- Moisture: This is a very moist banana bread recipe! I know. The majority of us don’t love that word, but guys, it is what it is. 😂 No one likes a dry and crumbly bread and this banana bread is perfectly moist.
- Easy Ingredients: I am 99% confident you have all of the ingredients in your pantry! There isn’t anything out of the ordinary–not even sour cream or greek yogurt. This recipe is so good it doesn’t even need it and it makes it such an easy recipe to whip up!
- One Bowl: Okay, this is basically a one bowl banana bread recipe with the exception being the bowl you mash the bananas in. It’s that easy!
If you love banana bread, then you’ll love my other variations! This Coffee Cake Banana Bread is one of my most popular recipes, this Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread recipe is a PB lover dream, and this Carrot Cake Banana Bread with cream cheese frosting is to die for!
Banana Bread Ingredients:
Sometimes all you need for classic recipes are simple ingredients that are used the right way! This is my ultimate go-to banana bread recipe because it’s so easy to make and it’s so flavorful!
- Unsalted Butter: I use unsalted butter almost exclusively in all of my baking recipes because I prefer the ability to control the salt content.
- Granulated Sugar
- Eggs
- Ripe Bananas: Using ripe bananas is important because ripe bananas are sweeter and have more flavor, which will make this bread more flavorful.
- All Purpose Flour: A lot of people like to make banana bread with white whole wheat flour or some kind of combination, and I do not. Use all all-purpose flour for the best results.
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Vanilla Extract
How To Make This Ultra-Moist Banana Bread:
This is a quick overview on how to make homemade banana bread from scratch with the full instructions in a printable form down below in the recipe card.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: To make this banana bread recipe, you begin by creaming the butter and sugar until they are light and fluffy on medium-high speed. (You can use a standing mixer or an electric hand mixer–or, you can even do this by hand, which is what I did in college. It’s a very forgiving recipe!)
- Eggs: Add in the eggs and mix until combined.
- Dry Ingredients: Add in the flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix until well combined.
- Mashed Bananas: If you haven’t already, mash the bananas with a fork or a potato masher or a pastry cutter. (I like the bananas to be mostly mashed but with a little bit of banana pieces for texture. If you don’t want that texture, you can mash until everything is fully mashed.) Next, add the banana mixture to the batter and mix until combined.
- Pro Tip: You can use 2-3 large bananas or 4 medium bananas.
- Vanilla: Lastly, add vanilla extract to the banana bread batter and mix until combined.
- Bake: Grease two 8×4 bread pans (loaf pans) with baking spray or cover them with parchment paper. This is my favorite way to line a bread pan with parchment paper. Divide the batter evenly between the two bread pans and bake until golden brown and a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean when inserted in the center of the bread.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool for about 10 minutes in the loaf pans, then gently remove them and allow them to continue cooling on a wire rack.
- Serve: You can serve banana bread warm, cold, or at room temperature! Plus, you can add a schmear of butter on each slice if you prefer it.
Storage Tips:
Store cooled banana bread either at room temperature or in the fridge in an airtight container or covered tightly in plastic wrap.
Freezer: If you want to freeze banana bread, allow the baked bread to cool completely. Then, wrap each loaf tightly in plastic wrap and you can freeze for up to 3 months. I like to wrap in plastic wrap and put in an air-tight container, but you don’t have to if freezer space is at a premium.
Banana Bread Variations:
Mix Ins: If you want to make this banana nut bread, you can fold 1/2 cup of pecans or walnuts into the batter right before you pour it into the bread pans. Additionally, you can also add in chocolate chips. My tip is to use mini chocolate chips because I think the smaller chip actually works better in the structure of the baked bread.
Spices: If you want to add any spices, you can’t go wrong with adding a teaspoon of cinnamon or a dash of nutmeg!
Toppings: While I love this banana bread recipe as is, you can definitely add a glaze or frosting on top. One of my most popular recipes in the fall is this Maple Glazed Banana Bread, which is essentially this classic banana bread recipe with a maple donut glaze on top. You can also top with a cream cheese frosting (like this one on this hummingbird recipe).
Other Banana Recipes To Make Next:
Quick and Easy Baking Tips:
- Room Temperature Butter: As with most baking recipes, use room temperature butter. It really makes a difference in the texture and structure of your baked goods because you need the butter to blend smoothly with the sugar to create a perfectly fluffy banana bread recipe.
- Bananas: A perfectly moist banana bread needs very ripe bananas! Over ripe bananas, in fact. If they are brown and spotted, they will be super flavorful and moist. And, if you’re using medium sized bananas, you’ll want to use about 4. If you’re using large bananas, you’ll want to use 2-3.
- Loaf Pan: This recipe will make one 9×5 loaf or two 8×4 loaves. If you use a 9×5 loaf pan, make sure to read the notes in the recipe below because it bakes a little differently than it does in the smaller pans.
- Aluminum Foil: And, if you find that the bread is browning too quickly on top but is not completely baked in the center, tent a piece of non-stick tin foil over the top of each bread pan. This will keep the bread from getting too brown.
Best Banana Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs, large
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3-4 medium bananas (or 2 large bananas)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line two 8x4 bread pans with parchment paper (or grease well with butter or baking spray).*
- In a medium sized bowl, use a fork to mash the bananas until they are well mashed (I like them to be well mashed with small bits of banana pieces for texture). Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, use a hand mixer or standing mixer to cream the butter and sugar together.
- Once combined, add in the eggs. Cream the mixture until well combined.
- Next, add in the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until combined.
- Lastly, add in the mashed bananas and the vanilla extract. Mix until all the bananas have been incorporated into the batter.
- Divide the batter evenly between the two bread pans and bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until the top is puffed, brown, and a cake tester comes out clean when inserted in the center.**
- Allow the bread to cool for about 5-10 minutes in the pan, then remove the banana bread from the loaf pans and allow them to continue cooling on a wire rack.
- Serve warm, room temperature, or cold. I like to spread a little butter on mine!
Notes
**If the outside of the banana bread is getting too dark, tent a piece of non-stick foil on top of each loaf pan. This will ensure the center bakes while protecting the top from browning too much.
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
Here are some other favorite banana recipes to try next:
Meet Michelle
I’m a self-taught baker who truly believes it’s impossible to be upset when eating dessert. It’s my life’s goal to bake everyone happy!
If I’m not baking, I’m probably reading a good book with a cup a coffee in hand.
Welcome! I’m glad you’re here!
I substituted 1/2 cup of applesauce with1/2 cup of sugar.
The loaf is moist and it’s absolutely scrumptious
Delicious! I’m glad I saw the recipe note as I didn’t think it looked like it would make 2..so I made the 1 9×5 with the temp adjustments..so ty for that! Definitely a keeper
This is a delicious recipe!!!
Made this recipe today, 7/19/2024. It was cool 75 this morning. Made in 4 small loaf pans 30 minutes at the 350 oven. Thanks! Very moist and flavorful.
Delicious and very easy to make .
Very delicious. I used 3/4 cup of sugar and it turned out great! Half a loaf is already gone!
I’m baking mine now. I added a dollop of sour cream, and about 1/4 cup cocoa powder, and layered it with nestle chocolate chunks to make Double Chocolate Chunk banana bread. I was also out of butter so I subbed it for crisco. I know that’s not the healthiest thing to do, but really, the only thing healthy about this is the bananas so I don’t care! lol.
Made this recipe yesterday, yummy,moist and delicious! Easy to make.
Tasted great when warm and it was light and fluffy. Then we refrigerated it and it held firm to put butter on it the next day. Also great with peanut butter for breakfast! This was the best recipe after many others have failed.
We love this banana bread. It goes very quickly so it is an added bonus this is for two loaves!
This is a great and simple banana bread. It is a classic taste and bakes beautifully. I have always made it in a metal 9” by 5” loaf pan following the recipe with the modified instructions and it is perfect. I’ve made this 3 times and it has been saved as a favorite. I’ve added cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice for the fall season and it’s a nice touch. Thank you!
It was delicious super easy to make I added walnuts and chocolate chips. The suggestion to reduce the Heat Midway and bake for another 30 minutes was perfect.
Absolutely delicious! I made this on one large loaf pan and followed your directions and it turned out absolutely perfect !
I made one batch regular and a second batch with walnuts and chocolate chips and both were so moist and delicious!
Will definitely keep this recipe close! Thank you !
I just made the banana bread and it’s excellent thank you for the recipe
Best banana bread ever
This is delicious – very light crumb!
Classic and delicious. If you’re lucky enough to have landed on this recipe, look no further. 😋
Amazing banana bread, and so simple! I put some cinnamon in mine and on top of the bread before putting it in the oven, and it gave it an excellent extra flavor! Definitely make this recipe. I had to bake it a little bit beyond the time frame, as I just used one pan, but the fact that she has instructions for the various loaf sizes is so helpful!
I made it exactly as the recipe said and it was delicious. My grandchildren loved it.
This banana bread is fantastic! I don’t care for bananas, made this for my family. To my surprise, I’ve been eating it too. Makes two wonderful loaves, enough to share. Very easy and delicious!
Made the bread in a 8-9 inch cake pan 8-9 inch in our RV Convection oven. I happened to have overripe bananas that needed to become more delicious. I baked it at 350, but added about 6 minutes, due to double the amount in the cake pan.
Was craving Banana bread and came across this recipe. It’s a simple but amazing recipe. Absolutely delicious.
So delicious! Not sweet at all. My parents also loved it! A keeper. Thank you for sharing!
This was super yummy. My 2 loaves look like they should have been 1 as it didn’t rise much, but they were very good either way. Tysm!
This recipe was amazing. It’s moist and delicious. Thank you for this recipe. Me and my family enjoyed it. There is just enough amount of bananas in it.
I made this recipe with mini chocolate chips, walnuts and pecans. It was the most delicious banana bread recipe.
Followed recipe to the T. My 10 yr old made it and it was super simple and came out delicious and moist. Thank you for the recipe.
Nice bread but to sweet was the comment from my family.
I tried this and the family loved it. It made 2 loaves and one will go to work w me.
It is great for breakfast or morning snack.
I made this a couple of times. It’s delicious. I chose to use sugar substitute ie. Splenda instead of sugar for health reasons. It is delicious and you would never know the difference.
so yummy ! i’ve never made banana bread before but i love it so much so i decided to try making it for myself, totally worth it!! i love that i had all the ingredients in my house, and was easier than i thought 😋
I made this recipe. I used 1/2 cup honey instead of sugar, 5 medium bananas, and added 1 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp of cinnamon. Turned out great! Thank you!
Made this recipe today and the whole family loved it! I followed everything just as written and baked the whole batch in a 9×5 pan with the posted instructions. Will definitely be using this recipe as my go-to from now on. Thank you!
I just made this Banana sooo good and first time ever making banana bread super easy recipe thank you
Baking the bread right now in a 9”x5” pan and it definitely is taking longer to bake and for the center to setup than noted in the notes. It tastes pretty good, but think this likely is much better for two smaller loaves.
This was so good now I can make this more often . It was easy to make which I love . Thanks for sharing I’ll be sure to share it . I added some crushed pecans to mine and I made one in the loaf pan and one in a square and the one in the loaf pan tasted better in my opinion.
Loved this simple and classic banana bread recipe. Had all the ingredients on hand and added some cinnamon and chocolate chips! Delicious! I did bake it in a 9×5 loaf pan and had to bake it for an additional 20 min on top of the recommended 20-25 mins at 325 degrees. Came out amazing though!
Very good banana bread. I had alot of bananas to use so I tripled the recipe and it turned out great. It has a nice crisp crust to it.
Just made this today and it was perfect! Mine did take about an hour at 350 but I also used silicone “pans”.
The perfect basic banana bread! I did mine in one pan and it came out awesome.
Let’s just say I am NOT a baker. So I searched for a “simple banana bread” recipe. Well, let me tell you, I have a husband and 16 year old triplets who now THINK I’M A BAKER!!! Yahoo! This recipe was so simple to prepare and was SO delicious! I am saving this recipe forever!
Substituted with cranberry butter, delicious !
2nd time making this recipe. I just do one loaf cook it for 50 to 65 mins really easy great recipre easy and yummy. I put about 1/4 cup chocolate chips and 3/4 cup chopped pecans. Oh so good in the toaster at breakfast or with a dad of whipped cream for dessert. 👍
This was my first time making banana bread, I looked at a few other recipes but this one just felt right. And let me tell you… it’s perfect. I used 4 medium bananas and it came out perfect. My friends and family now expect me to make this every weekend and deliver lol!. Thank you! Tell your mom thank you as well for sharing
THIS WAS AMAZING!!! I’ve already baked it four times. I’ve made it for friends and family and they all LOVE it. Thank you for this recipe!
I’ve made your recipe a few times and it’s so good! I always add dark chocolate chips and walnuts. I’m going to make it into muffins the next time I make it.
You were correct—your mom’s recipe is delicious! While I was preparing dinner this evening, my daughter asked if I could make banana bread. Since my kitchen was a mess, it was the best time to add another dish, and I’m so glad I did. Incredibly moist and flavorful and a very nice treat at the end of the evening. Thank you so much for sharing!!
Great banana bread recipe. Husband will be happy for the work week. Thank you
I have never really cared for banana bread, however I had some ripe bananas I didn’t want to just throw away and decided to try making banana bread for the first time. WOW. I am OBSESSED. Will save this recipe forever!
This recipe is absolutely one of the best I’ve tasted. It easy to make and totally easy to eat. LOL. Thank you for sharing your mom’s recipe. I’ll be making it over and over again.
I didn’t have 2 bread pans so I did one loaf and a batch of muffins! Easy and delicious!
This is such a good banana bread recipe! I thought I lost it but I was so happy to find it pinned to one of my boards.