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Easy Banana Bread Recipe

Easy Banana Bread Recipe – Are you looking for a deliciously simple way to use overripe bananas? Make our easy banana bread recipe, bursting with sweet flavor from ripened banana, vanilla, and a combination of sugar. Our recipe for banana bread keeps it easy, and you don’t need fancy equipment or time to whip up two hearty loaves.

In one hour, you’ll be enjoying warm banana bread from the oven with a mug of apple crisp macchiato

Two loaves of our easy banana bread on the table.

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

Tasty banana bread starts with the right ingredients, and our easy banana bread recipe is no exception!

  • All-Purpose Flour: The pantry staple provides a structure for the bread.
  • Sugar: A combination of brown and white sugar adds the perfect sweetness.
  • Baking Soda: Elevate banana bread with baking soda for a light and fluffy texture.
  • Salt: Use a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
  • Cinnamon: Although it’s optional, I highly recommend cinnamon because of its warm and cozy flavor.
  • Butter: Other banana bread recipes use oil; I prefer butter for added richness.
  • Bananas: The riper the bananas, the better to develop deep and complex flavor.
  • Eggs & Yogurt: These binding agents keep everything together.
  • Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract adds a boost in flavor.

SUBSTITUTIONS AND SWAPS

Experiment with add-ins like nuts, chocolate chips, or cinnamon to customize the recipe to your liking.

  • Chocolate Chips, Cocoa Powder
  • Walnuts, Pecans
  • Peanut Butter
  • Nutmeg, All Spice
  • Maple Syrup, Nutella, Cardamon Simple Syrup
  • Orange Zest, Lemon Zest, Cranberries, Raisins, Apricots
  • Pumpkin Puree

HOW TO MAKE OUR EASY BANANA BREAD RECIPE

The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Combine the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Set it aside.

Dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.

Add softened butter to a separate bowl, and mash it with a fork. Then, stir in the bananas and combine until the mixture is smooth.

Mushed banana and butter in a mixing bowl.

Add the eggs, yogurt, and vanilla extract to the butter and banana mixture; stir to combine.

Yogurt and egg added to the mushed banana and butter.

Pour the bowl with the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients, and combine – careful not to over mix. Instead, fold the ingredients together using a spatula until fully incorporated.

Wet and dry ingredients combined in a mixing bowl.

Cover the bowl and set it aside for 1 hour at room temperature.

The banana bread mixture covered with plastic.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C), then divide the mixture between two prepared loaf pans. Bake uncovered for 1 hour. Let the banana bread cool on a wire rack before serving.

Banana bread baking in the oven.

EXPERT TIPS

  • Use overripe bananas for maximum flavor and texture; select bananas that are slightly brown and soft to the touch.
  • Be careful not to mix the batter too much. Stir until the ingredients are combined to avoid a tough, dense loaf.
  • Grease your loaf pans or line them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

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Slices of banana bread lined up on a table.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

Banana bread is delicious on its own, but here are some ideas to take the sweet treat to the next level.

  • Spread a generous layer of butter or cream cheese on top.
  • Top the bread with fresh slices of bananas or berries and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup for extra sweetness.
  • Pair it with cold brew latte or tea for a cozy snack.

WHAT TO DO WITH THE LEFTOVERS 

  • Storage  To keep your easy banana bread recipe moist, let it cool completely and wrap it in a layer of plastic. Then, transfer it to a bag or a container. It will keep on the counter for up to 3 days.
  • Freeze Let the bread cool and wrap it in plastic, followed by foil. Banana bread freezes for 2 months.
  • Thaw  Defrost the bread on the counter overnight.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How ripe should bananas be to make a moist banana bread recipe?

Use bananas that have become a little too soft to snack on. The riper the banana, the richer the bread flavor will become.

MORE BREAD RECIPES:

Did you try this recipe? Feedback helps us improve and update our recipes to provide delicious meals you love. Consider rating the recipe and leave a comment below. 

Two loaves of our easy banana bread on the table.

Easy Banana Bread Recipe

Tressa Jamil
Make our easy banana bread recipe, bursting with vanilla, sugar, and ripe bananas; in one hour you'll have two hearty loaves to enjoy!
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Resting Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Bread, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 305 kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
  
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup granulated white sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 stick butter, softened
  • 3-4 small bananas, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 3 eggs
  • cup yogurt, full-fat
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
 
  • Combine the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Set it aside.
  • Add softened butter to a separate bowl, and mash it with a fork. Then, stir in the bananas and combine until the mixture is smooth.
  • Add the eggs, yogurt, and vanilla extract to the butter and banana mixture; stir to combine.
  • Pour the bowl with the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients, and combine – careful not to over mix. Instead, fold the ingredients together using a spatula until fully incorporated.
  • Cover the bowl and set it aside for 1 hour at room temperature.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C), then divide the mixture between two prepared loaf pans. Bake uncovered for 1 hour. Let the banana bread cool on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
Expert Tips: 
  • Use overripe bananas for maximum flavor and texture; select bananas that are slightly brown and soft to the touch.
  • Be careful not to mix the batter too much. Stir until the ingredients are combined to avoid a tough, dense loaf.
  • Grease your loaf pans or line them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Nutrition Disclosure:
  • The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.
Nutrition
Serving: 2 Slices | Calories: 305 kcal | Carbohydrates: 29 g | Protein: 6 g | Fat: 3 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 71 mg | Sodium: 266 mg | Potassium: 265 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 14 g | Vitamin A: 3 IU | Vitamin C: 8 mg | Calcium: 3 mg | Iron: 11 mg
Did you make this recipe? Let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and follow @thejamilghar or tag #thejamilghar on Instagram!
Recipe Rating




RJ

Saturday 14th of May 2022

I love this recipe. Always comes out moist with a delicious flavor. I keep going back for more.

Tressa Jamil

Sunday 12th of June 2022

Right? I feel the same way.