Best Banana Bread Recipe is so easy to make and super soft and moist! The very best way to use up overripe bananas this bread is tender and packed full of flavor!
Since I have already shared with you my family's favorite Chocolate Chip Banana Bread it was time to give you my very best classic recipe as well! If you love all things banana, then make up these Banana Nut Muffins too, one bowl, so easy, so GOOD!
What Is The Best Banana Bread Recipe?
To make the very best banana bread that comes out super moist, it is important to start out with those ugly, overripe bananas! In the picture below you can see the bananas that I used for this recipe post. These bananas are just ripe enough to work with. They need to be a dark yellow with lots of browning. You can use bananas that are even darker than this! The riper the bananas, the more moist your bread will be and the more banana flavor it will have!
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. Then, take a second step and store it in a large zip top freezer bag or a plastic container with a tight fitting lid. Stored this way on the counter, your bread will last up to 3 days. If you'd like, you can store it wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.
How to Make Banana Bread:
This recipe makes one loaf of banana bread. The first step is to preheat your oven and prepare a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray or grease with butter.
- Next, take a large bowl as seen below and whisk together your dry ingredients. This will include the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl melt your butter in the microwave, then add in the bananas and mash until mostly smooth.
- Add your eggs and vanilla to your mashed banana mixer and use your fork to combine everything really well, until you no longer see any streaks of eggs.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix together with a spatula just until combined. Don't overmix.
- Now, you are ready to pour your batter into your prepared pan and bake!
**NOTE: You can also mash your bananas with the melted butter in your stand mixer if preferred.
Can you Freeze Banana Bread?
Yes! If you'd like to freeze this then allow it to cool completely at room temperature on a plate or wire rack once it comes out of the oven. Once cool, wrap the bread in plastic wrap, then wrap in foil. Freeze the bread for up to 2 months for best results.
To thaw the bread, remove from the freezer and allow it to come to room temperature, covered on the counter. This will take about 24 hours.
Enjoy!
~Nichole
Best Banana Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Stick (½ Cup) Butter
- 3 Large Ripe Bananas
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray or grease with butter and set aside.
- Add the stick of butter to a large bowl and microwave for 1 minute, or until melted.
- Add the bananas to the same bowl and mash with a fork.
- Add the vanilla extract and egg to the bowl and use the same fork to mash and stir until no yellow streaks of egg remain.
- In a second large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix together with a spatula just until combined.
- Pour the batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 45-55 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean.
I am preparing to make this today. I have read the instructions and ingredient list. It is not clear if this calls for salted or unsalted butter.
This recipe turned out wonderful. I am not a fan of substitutions, but wanted to double the recipe. I had only 5 bananas and thought that would work. It did not, the batter required more moisture. So, I added 3/4 cup of apple sauce and it worked perfectly, tasted great! I have already added it to my stash of recipes.
Easy, quick and delicious! Thank you!
So moist and delicious!! I added 1 C chocolate chips!! Everyone loved this bread!!
I have a question regarding the eggs. In the recipe, it calls for 2 large eggs, but in the instruction it states "Add the vanilla extract and egg to the bowl". Does this recipe call for one or two eggs?
Thanks so much!
2 Eggs is typical so I believe it's 2 eggs. I made it with 2 and it came out great!
So good as is and even good when I play around with it a bit and add zucchini or 1/2 whole wheat flour and less sugar. The kids love it and don’t even notice if I sneak some veggies in there too!
Delicious! Made this a couple of times and followed recipe to the T! Everyone loves it. My go to banana bread recipe always! Thank you!
So good as is and even good when I play around with it a bit and add zucchini or 1/2 whole wheat flour and less sugar. The kids love it and don’t even notice if I sneak some veggies in there too!
So, yummy. My Husband and I enjoy it on a weekly.
I was searching for a recipe that contained cinnamon and found yours! So glad I did! The bread had great flavor and was very moist. Everyone loved it! Thank you!
This is delicious! I don't care for nuts but love chocolate chips so that what we put in. You can taste a hint of cinnamon. Really great recipe. Thank you so much. Saving this one!
First time making it and followed the recipe with the addition of turbinado sugar on top for a touch of sugary crunch. So delicious
I have made this many times and it always turns out amazing! I don’t make any changes or adjustments - just a hit every time!
Great recipe. I enjoyed it even more after a few tweaks. Made this with one egg instead of two for a lighter, less firm finished product. I also mixed a teaspoon of cocoa powder into the dry ingredients, and after greasing the pan with butter (but before adding the batter, obviously), I sprinkled brown sugar on the bottom & sides of the pan and then on top of the poured batter as well. As someone else noted, an extra 10 minutes in the oven is required if using a metal bread pan. Tent some foil on top for the final 15 min of baking to prevent the top from getting too brown. Enjoy!
I’ve made this Banana Bread three times now and it’s definitely my family’s favorite.