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.
LOVE this recipe, it’s been my go to for a while now, my friends and family RAVE. My only problem has been the cook time. I’ll put it in the oven exactly as directed and I usually have to bake it at LEAST another 20 mins, usually it ends up being an hour and half total….which I find absurd. I’ve done it with a few different ovens and I don’t change anything except that I usually add chocolate chips. WHY? Am I alone? Should I just accept this and move on?
I think I’ve found it. After years of searching for the best banana bread, I think this must be it. I think the level of banana flavor is on point. The color of the bread is stunning, and it has a nice tall, domed top. It is so moist and delicious. Thank you for an amazing recipe!
I just made this Banana Bread and its soooo good, I am on my second piece! I will be making this all the time. BTW my Grandkids love it too, that says a lot. Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe.
It is a very good recipe, but I jazzed it up with butterscotch, white chocolate, and chocolate chips, plus dried cranberries and raisins. This extended the baking time a bit and had to cover it with foil for the last 20 minutes, but this is incredible. Never could leave well enough alone.
BEST BANANA BREAD EVERRR
The bread was excellent. I added walnuts and it turned out great ! Not overly sweet, was just right. Will add to my favorites list and make it again !
Made a damn good banana bread!! My family of 5 ate it all in one morning. I like to take the batter and put in into a waffle iron sometimes for a really delicious breakfast too 🙂
Easy to make and excellent! Mine turned out just like the picture. So good.
Very good, moist & flavorful. I added 1 cup of pecans & it was delicious!
Oh my, this is so easy, and delicious. I've been baking for at least 45 YEARS, and I have had a couple of go-to nanner bread recipes. This one is a keeper. I made this recipe and sent it to my 3 grown Sons (It travels well) and now their poor wives are calling for the recipe. Thank you for posting, this is a good recipe, just as written.
This is a fabulous recipe! I add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans) and 1/2 cup chocolate chips. My husband loves it!
Best banana bread ever
Used 1 T cinnamon
Increased vanilla a little
I love this recipe made it numerous times I love the recipes the Salty Marshmallow shares
Loved this recipe! I'm glad I gave it a try
Banana bread its my favorite and my kid's
Amazing!!! This was my first time making banana bread. Love how easy yet delicious it is!
I added a banana pudding to the dry mix and Dark chocolate chips to the batter... and this turned out awesome!
The best and easiest banana bread recipe I have ever tried, and I have tried a lot.
My husband and I are not really fans of Banana Bread. But it has been years since we have had any, and I had 2 very ripe bananas and decided to search for a recipe. Gave this one a try. Wow! Delicious! Since I only had 2 bananas I added an additional egg and 2 tablespoons of oil (another commenter suggested the oil). One of the things I never liked about Banana Bread was how dry it always seemed. Not this one. It was moist and sweet. I did have to bake it for 60 minutes - covered loosely with foil for the last 15 minutes. I baked it in my cast iron loaf pan (my only loaf pan). It was nicely brown with a slightly crispy crust and a soft crumb. Wonderful! Thanks for a great recipe!
You can also sub 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce for one banana.
Hi there. I'm allergic to eggs. Can i substitute the eggs with applesauce like I've done in other recipes? Or have you tried it? Thanks in advance! This looks amazing!
The title of this recipe is true! I tried making it this morning and I’m in love! I’ve tried multiple recipes online and this would be the best thus far. I can’t wait for the rest of my family to try! I followed the exact measurements but doubled since I had a whole bundle that was overripe. Timing went a few minutes over, which will vary depending on the oven. I highly recommend you try this if you’ve come across this recipe. You won’t be disappointed! 🙂
I tried to double the recipe and my banana bread batter came out too thick. I can't figure what I did wrong. I added butter to loosen it up but it didn't help much. I put it in the oven in muffin tins and I'm going to Check it more frequently. We'll see how it comes out. I've made this same recipe before and it was perfect so I have Bo idea what I did wrong.