The Best Banana Bread
This homemade banana bread truly is the best banana nut bread recipe out there. It is easy to make, incredibly moist and has a delicious streusel topping!
A Moist And Sweet Banana Bread Recipe
This really is the best banana nut bread recipe I have ever made. Who can resist the aroma of freshly baked banana bread? Mmm mmm, so good! Whether you’re looking for a delicious breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a sweet dessert, you just cannot go wrong with banana bread. Today I am going to share with you my tried-and-true banana bread recipe that is sure to become your new favorite too!
This is the best banana nut bread recipe I’ve ever tried. Simple and always turns out delicious.
– Stephanie
Frequently Asked Questions
No this is totally optional. The bread will still be moist and delicious without it.
It didn’t bake long enough and isn’t done. Keep in mind, with all baking recipes, oven times vary. Many ovens have hot and cool spots. Some older ovens often lose their ability to keep a consistent temperature while baking or if you open the oven door too many times, it also decreases oven temperature. So to know when your bread is actually done, stick a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean then your bread is ready.
The overly ripe bananas. You want bananas that have black spots or streaks on the peel. The more dark spots on the banana, the more ripe (and therefore, sweeter) the banana. You don’t want green or all yellow bananas.
Yes, it sure can. It will probably make about 8-10 regular sized muffins. Baking time will be slightly shortened so you’ll have to play that timing by ear.
Yes. It actually freezes really well. Just wrap bread in plastic wrap then wrap it in aluminum foil and it will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just defrost in the refrigerator when ready to eat.
Ingredients Needed: (See Recipe Card Below For The Full Recipe)
- very ripe bananas – this is important, they should have some brown spots on them, if they are still too yellow or even green, they will not be soft enough or sweet enough for this bread
- large egg
- salted butter – you can use unsalted butter but you’ll need to add about a teaspoon of salt to the batter
- sugar
- vanilla extract – if you really want to increase the banana flavor, try adding banana extract
- all-purpose flour – you could use self-rising flour, just leave out the baking powder in the recipe
- baking powder – most baked goods do not turn out properly because of expired or old baking powder so make sure to check yours before baking
- cinnamon
- walnuts – this is optional if you don’t like nuts or maybe try using pecans if that is what you have on hand
How To Make Banana Bread
Preheat oven to 325F degrees. Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan loaf with nonstick spray. In a medium bowl, combine mashed bananas, eggs, melted butter, sugar and vanilla extract.
Mix thoroughly, then add dry ingredients; flour, baking powder and cinnamon.
Mix until combined then stir in chopped walnuts.
Pour batter into prepared baking dish.
To make optional streusel topping: Combine flour, butter and sugar until crumbly.
Sprinkle on top of batter.
Bake bread for about an hour. Bread should spring back to the touch. Or you can insert a toothpick in the middle. It should come out clean (no batter sticking to it.)
Allow to cool before slicing.
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The Best Banana Bread
Ingredients
For the bread:
- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup salted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon banana extract (optional) (or vanilla extract)
- 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 ¾ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F degrees. Spray 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine mashed bananas, eggs, butter and sugar and vanilla extract.
- Mix thoroughly, then add dry ingredients; flour, baking powder and cinnamon.
- Mix until combined then stir in chopped walnuts.
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
- Make streusel topping. Combine flour, butter and sugar until crumbly.
- Sprinkle evenly on top of batter in loaf pan.
- Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow to cool before slicing.
Video
Notes
- Please refer to my FAQ’s and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
- This bread can be frozen, see my notes above.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Originally published: January 2011
Updated photos and republished: May 2023
I would put more sugar in next time. 1/2 made the bread bland. I would try 3/4.
I had exactly 3 bananas to get rid of. This was the perfect recipe for me. This recipe was super easy. I prepped everything and popped it in the oven under 20 minutes. I cooked it for 1 hour rather than 1 hour and 10 minutes. I found the outside to be a bit dry/hard. I liked that it didn’t taste too sweet. I didn’t have walnuts so I did it without.
Did you bake in a glass or metal pan?
This is a great recipe!!
How do you soften bananas frozen whole for your banana bread?
So I was just explaining to my daughter all the things I didn’t like about this recipe, to which she replied “can I have another “.
I m sorry I didn’t think this recipe was that great.
If you prefer a less sweet version, this is perfect. I prefer it a little sweeter.
This is in the oven as I write this. This is absolutely delicious. I’ve made it before….The streusel topping makes it that much more wonderful…Thank you, this is my new recipe.
I’ve never seen baking powder used in banana bread instead of baking soda. Is this correct or a typo?
It’s correct Teresa! Hope you love it! 🙂
Thank you for responding so promptly!
Great recipe, turned out great, I only used 2 bananas and still seemed fine! I was thinking it may need a little more moisture though. Maybe a tblsp milk?
extra banana would add moisture.
I tried the recipe with out topping. It came out very Well. Thank you so much.
Oh no! I just put this in the oven and noticed I left my melted butter sitting on the counter! I am hoping !!?!) that it will turn out…??
How did it turn out?
I loved the recipe. Tastes great. And it was done after about 40 minutes. Definitely did not need an hour.
I know this is an old post, but was the butter measured before or after you melted it?
Hi Annie, it is measured before.
Hello- not a huge fan of walnuts. Would you recommend almonds or peanuts as a substitute? And if so, should the almonds be raw or not? Thank you!
Hi Calina! You can use whatever you prefer 🙂 I think pecans would be wonderful or you could just leave out the nuts.
Just made it. Absolutely delicious.
I left out the nuts, added an extra banana and made it into muffins and they turned out really good.
The perfect recipe to turn into muffins. Sounds delicious!
Should I use salted or unsalted butter? 🙂
In baking I always use unsalted but you can use salted and just omit the added salt called for in the recipe.
Made 2 loafs of the Banana Nut Bread w/out the struessel this afternoon..
So good I love nuts so I put 1 cup chopped walnuts instead of 1/2 cup. “MMM Good”.
About to make this! But how long does it need to bake?
Hey there Mandy, thanks for stopping by and I am so glad your family loves this banana bread recipe.
This is 1 great recipe. .my family ask for it when they want banana bread made! Ty Brandi …your blog is just super dandy in all areas! ???? ???? hugs n Happy Holidays!
I just love this recipe. And look forward to seeing more of ur posts, and definetly sharing so others can enjoy ur great cooking
Hi! I know this is an old post, but your banana bread looks fabulous! I always have a difficult time with the middle part being done all the way. What kind of pan do you use? (Non-stick dark, glass, metal, etc)
Thanks!
Thank you so much for sharing this delicious bsnana nut bread, It is really the bomb, I am dharing so that my friends and family can enjoy tis as we all have
Sooo good! For my son I had to make a glutenfree banana bread. It was my first banana bread and it turned out delicous. To compensate the glutenfree flour, I took 4 Bananas and about 2,5 cups of flour. My son loves it which is thebest compliment. Thanks for the recipe.
Hello all and thanks for the tasty recipe. I have started my Sunday with your recipe and it came out so good. My Sunday coffee was excellent. It leaves a nice smell in the all house. Enjoy your day.
I've made this recipe 4 times and I can't even keep it in the house. It's so good!
Just made these but i used a muffin pan and only left them in for about 35-40 mins. They came out perfect and perfect for on the go! 🙂
Banana cake is always yummy. When bananas are starting to go black and you don't have time or have the energy to make a cake, they can be peeled and frozen. When you are ready to make a cake, just take them out of the freezer and within 10 minutes they are ready to use for baking.
You can freeze your bananas just in their skins as well. 🙂
I did that and now I can’t get the skins off very easily. Ill have to soak them in warm water i guess.
Thanks for the tip; ours tend to go bad before we get to them. 🙁
SOOO GOOD. I opted to leave out the nuts and add chocolate chips. Nice and light and fluffy. Would definitely make again!
I made this tonight without the topping. DELISH!!
I just made this without the nuts. The streusel topping was to die for! This is definitely going to be my new go-to when I have old bananas.
I always make 2 batches, never thought about cinnamon before! hubby will like it even better! 🙂
This looks wonderful!! Im wondering, when a recipe calls for All-purpose flour, is there any way to use Self-Rising rather than A.P.? Thanks for the suggestions-
Love all of your recipes, Brandi!! You make executing them so much easier than any other blog Ive read-
Thank you for that! Youre the best!! 🙂
I made this last night – it was amazing! thanks for sharing the recipe!! I want to post it on my facebook (with your link) to share
I'm going to get up early in the morning and pop this in the oven. My family will be blessed with the wonderful smells when it is baking. What a nice way to wake up!!
Thanks for sharing!! Donna
I love everything about this! I am going to make this today and post it on my blog and link it back to you! I bet this streusel would be awesome on zucchini bread. I have some to use!
Yum, I love banana bread and I love streusel. I can't imagine why I never thought of making one with the other. Thanks for linking this up to Sweets for a Saturday.
I love bananas in any form and bread is one of my most favourite ones 🙂 Yours looks so exquisite! It's a great idea to sprinkle the bread with streusel (haven't thought of that before) – I'll have to try it next time when making bread 🙂
Stopping by from Full Plate Thursday, I have made a lot of banana bread, but never with a topping. Looks great and I can't to make this version. Thanks.
I love Farmers Market, it is so much fun! Your Banana Bread looks so good…We are going to really enjoy it here at Full Plate Thursday. Thank you so much for bringing it today and please come back!
Yum! Banana bread is a favorite in our house, but I've never made it with a topping. Might have to do that next time! 🙂
Yum…. I'm your newest follower.
I adore Streusel topping on anything! Add banana bread and this is perfect.
Delicious! I love this recipe!
I love banana nut bread! Never would have thought of putting struesel on top. Ingenius!
Looks great! Jon is a banana nut! Have to give it a whirl for him 🙂
Beautiful!
This looks yummy!
Try this for increased flavor; sub coconut oil for 1/3 of butter, increase to 1/2 cup, use pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon, increase walnuts to 3/4 cup (toast lightly before adding……Yummy