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.
Hands down one of my favorite recipes to make. The whole family loves it!
I make this all the time... It's the best recipe
I added cake batter flavoring instead of vanilla extract and it came out sublime. Thanks for the recipe.
How could I adjust this recipe to make muffins with it? Thank you!
Make it exactly the same way, just reduce your time to 25-30 minutes (I like to start checking at 20 minutes)
This was a great recipe for my son to practice baking and he got it absolutely spot on. Delicious!
Sooo good! Tastes like my grandma’s!
Can this recipe be doubled?
I have successfully doubled it before. I made a large loaf, a small loaf and 12 muffins with the doubled batch
I doubled the recipe yesterday and made 2 standard size loaves. It doubled nicely
I had never made ANY bread- so glad I tried this one first! I will never throw out a banana again! So easy, so delicious- thank you!
This is my go-to banana bread recipe. I make it often because it's awesome.
This banana bread is so good and easy to make. I did cook about 10 mins longer. I will make again.
Making this now! I only had two large bananas but I’m ok with that! Can’t wait til this comes out the oven!!
Another awesome recipes! Thank you so much me and my sister enjoyed baking this.
I have been using and loving this recipe for 2 years now! Best recipe discovery ever. It's so easy to adapt and add things to. My husband and I love it and I've shared it with friends around the world.
Thank you for sharing this awesome, fail-proof recipe with us all!
My favorite banana bread recipe! I’ve tried so many and this one always comes out perfectly moist.
Best banana bread recipe I have ever made! And I’ve made a lot over the years!! Will be using this one from now on! I added dark and milk chocolate chips and it was amazing. I would have put walnuts but I didn’t have any! Definitely going to add them next time.
FAMILY FAVORITE! I love sharing this with people. Normally I put it in a bigger pan so I can cut it into loaves for my relatives! 💛
I have made this recipe multiple times! My family loves it! Especially my grandparents!
This is my go to Banana Bread Recipe. It is very easy and always taste great. Thank you Nichole
I love how it turned out. I substituted 1 cup flour for out flour. Its the best banana bread ever. Will definitely try again.
My family loves this recipe! I also like to add a little nutmeg… yummy!