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:Â 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 (1/2 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
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 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.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried several and this is it. I used three mashed bananas and one sliced, mixed in. But other than that, perfect recipe!
Hi Nichole! It was my first time making banana bread and I found SO many recipes online. I went with yours because I had almost all the ingredients (except vanilla and baking soda). It turned out amazing!
I made a few modifications; I didn’t melt the butter in the microwave — instead, I left it out overnight to soften.
I put in 3 very ripe bananas instead of 2 — I was very patient and waited til they were almost all brown!
I didn’t mash them up super finely because my hubby likes banana chunks.
I put maybe a whole tablespoon or two of cinnamon in the dry mix. Then I sprinkled brown sugar and cinnamon on top for a crispier top at the end.
By the way, I did it all without measuring cups and measuring spoons because we’re in a rental… The pan was a glass Ikea bake pan.
It turned out so moist and yummy! Thank you so much for the recipe!
This one really is the best banana bread recipe I have found on the intertoobs so far. I added some fresh blueberries and raspberries to my last batch, and it was a yummy addition that some may want to try. Anyhow, thank you for the actually best banana bread recipe!
This is an AMAZING recipe! I made eight mini loaves and eight muffins, added a cinnamon/sugar topping, and they were absolutely delicious! Thank you for sharing.
I made this yesterday and it is delicious! I wanted to make 2 loaves but only had 5 bananas so I used 2 1/2 bananas per loaf instead of 3. So good! I added chocolate chips to one loaf . Super easy recipe!
I just happened to choose this recipe because it didn’t call for brown sugar but Ohhh what a pleasant surprise! I actually made this as a treat to myself for Mother’s Day! All I can say is YUM! PS I did follow the recipe exactly but afterwards when some people like to put butter on it I just like a small sprinkle of powdered sugar! Double YUM! Thanks for sharing! If you have any more recipes please direct me to them.
Yesterday, I made this recipe with my kids and we enjoy a lot, super easy . Absolutely yummy!
Congratulations!
Can I use brown sugar in place of the granulated sugar in the best banana bread recipe
Thank you
Also Will it change the taste if I used brown sugar in place of granulated sugar and would the amounts be the same as the granulated sugar
Thank you
The second that I lifted this bread to my face before touching it to my lips, I paused to soak in the aroma that tickled my nose. Suddenly I was 10 years old standing in my Grandmother’s (deceased) kitchen on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Once the soft bread grazed my lips, the banana infused bread trickled down my throat and a sense of nostalgia and bliss rushed through my body. The goosebumps on my arms stood up and I closed my eyes. It was a religious experience. Great bread!
A god send! My 2 year old loves making this with me and loves licking the wisk even more ? My family gobbles this up everytime! Many Thanks!