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.
The best banana bread ever! It is so soft and moist and rich in flavor with simple ingredients.
Thank you.
PS. How can I send you the photo of the banana bread I made.
Everyone loves 💕this banana 🍌 bread
I absolutely love this recipe. I have tinkered with it since I’ve been using this recipe and everytime I make it everyone loves it. I mix my sugar (I use 2/3 white 1/3 brown) into the bananas and eggs. Then add my vanilla, 1 stick butter and 2 tbsp vegetable oil (makes it super moist) and 1/2 cup minced pecans. This recipe takes less than 5 minutes to mix up and is delicious.
Made this a couple of times. I halve the recipe and use a half loaf pan. Very good. Gets raves reviews.
Fantastic recipe. Thank you for sharing!
Can you make mini loaves and if so, what do you suggest for cooking time?
Delicious recipe! I added a cup of pecans, and had to bake it longer than suggested. Not an issue though. I checked it periodically, and covered edges with foil. Will definitely make again!
Can you make this recipe in a muffin pan?
For those asking about over baking...I use tin foil around the edges that are darker, make sure they are covered and that will stop the browing of the bread. I'd let it cook for another 5-10 mins then check the center with a new tookpick. Another secret on mine...I spray my tins (or whatever you use to bake banana bread in) very well. I smother the top with tops of real butter! And once it's all melted I flip it over onto a plate. Slice my bread into about inch slices, give or take, and cut butter cubes, at your discretion, 1/8 to 1/2 and stick them down in the middle of each slice. Your banana bread will most definitely won't be dry and if you don't mind the fat/calorie count and just wanna make some really really great banana bread...try this out!
I love this recipe!! I’ve made this loads of times before and always tastes amazing… although I have had to play with the bake times and I always have to put foil on top of it after the outside gets cooked, almost burnt, while the inside is still raw…. But I know of the tricks, it’s just a matter of finding the right time to set it to to get the outside cooked just right to then put the foil over to finish the cooking on the inside…. But now that I’ve moved into a smaller place, I have to figure out the proper times to make it in a toaster oven 😅
Could you mix all ingredients then bake next day?
Thanks in advance!
Turns out great every time I make it! (‘ve added cocoa powder in the past with chocolate chips and it was delicious as well!
Can you mix with a hand mixer or will that change it?
using a hand mixer is fine
This is a fantastic recipe that I use every time I make banana bread. However, I am curious about the nutritional information. It says servings: one loaf (that would be a lot to eat as a serving!), then it says 168 cal but it doesn’t say how many slices you would get from a loaf.
Best banana bread recipe ever! I'm making this on the regular. Only problem is I can never get it to bake through completely. I always have a bit of uncooked batter on top. I tried cooking for 1 hour, 3 minutes last time. This time, I'm trying 1 hour, 5 minutes. I'm not very good with the toothpick method...
I have used this recipe as a goto since it was posted and it far exceeds any I've ever had or made prior. Making some right now! I usually opt for a 4th banana because I love bananas and I like it dense but 3 also works great for me. I add blueberries when I have them on hand. It's a huge hit and everyone that's ever had it raves about it.
I make this whenever I can, it's easy and super delicious! I use 4 mini banana bread pans so I can share it with loved ones.
Love this recipe. Thank you so much! We love the clean ingredients. We’ve also added 1/2 cup of chocolate chips in it. Perfect recipe! Will be in our monthly rotation!
Always a hit I add 1 c whole walnuts and it is amazing
This IS the best banana bread!! Easy recipe to follow. It's like a dessert in my house. My family gets so excited when they see over ripe bananas because they know delicious banana is on the horizon!