An easy and moist Banana Bread Recipe that is loaded with bananas, tangy-sweet raisins, and toasted walnuts. This is one of our favorite overripe banana recipes with hundreds of 5-star reviews.

Banana Bread on a cutting board with walnuts, raisins and ripe bananas to make healthy banana bread

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Banana Nut Bread Recipe:

This is my husband’s recipe which he has perfected over the years and he is known for his Banana Bread. He makes it frequently and it always disappears fast! It is simple to make and our favorite way to use up overripe bananas so they never go to waste. It’s super moist and makes a great breakfast on-the-go. We even created Banana Muffins from this recipe.

This loaf stays moist for days and also makes for a thoughtful and delicious gift idea for the holidays (I’ll take banana bread over fruit cake any day).

Banana Bread Video Tutorial:

Watch Natasha make this moist banana bread. You will be surprised at how easy it is. We will never stop loving this recipe. Now go forth and bake!

Ingredients for Banana Bread:

This is everything you need to make the best banana bread: flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, vanilla extract, softened butter, eggs and of course very ripe bananas. Adding walnuts and raisins is optional but adds great taste and texture, turning it into a banana nut bread.

Can I Omit Walnuts and Raisins?

YES! The recipe will still work if raisins and walnuts are omitted. We make it nut-free all the time due to a walnut allergy in the family. You will still have the softest, super moist and scrumptious loaf. You can also replace them with some chocolate to make Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.

Ingredients for Banana Bread with ripe bananas, flour, sugar, eggs, butter, walnuts and raisins

How to Ripen Bananas:

  • Quick Oven Method: If your bananas are a little green and you want them to ripen quicker, place them on a baking sheet and bake at 250˚F for 15 to 20 minutes depending on the initial ripeness of the bananas.
  • 24 Hour Counter Method: If you are willing to wait 1 day, you can place the bunch of bananas (without separating them) in a paper bag, cover and leave at room temperature. Bananas emit ethylene which causes ripening. Adding an apple to the bag will speed up the process.

Can I Freeze Overripe Bananas?

If you have overripe bananas and aren’t ready to bake with them, DO NOT throw them away!

How to Freeze Bananas: place them un-peeled in a freezer-safe bag, remove any excess air and freeze up to 3 months. You can use thawed bananas for banana bread. You can also freeze them peeled and cut into pieces for easier use in smoothies. P.S. You can also freeze a whole banana bread with the same method!

Slices of banana nut bread on a plate

How to Make Banana Bread:

This is the easiest banana bread recipe. We mix it in a stand mixer because it’s easy, but you can use an electric hand mixer and can even make it work with a hand whisk. There is no fancy equipment required. Watch the video tutorial below and you will be a pro in no time!

  1. In the mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar.
  2. Mix in mashed bananas and eggs.
  3. Whisk together dry ingredients: flour, salt, and baking soda and add to batter.
  4. Stir in vanilla, walnuts, and raisins, transfer to prepared loaf pan and bake.

Substitutions for a Healthy Banana Bread:

  • My sister Anna made this into a honey banana bread; replacing sugar with honey.
  • Use organic whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour.
  • Replace 1 Tbsp of flour with 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed.
  • Reduce sugar to 1/2 cup when using very ripe bananas; they add plenty of sweetness

Moist banana bread recipe sliced to show banana nut bread center

Love Sweet Breads? Try these Popular Bread Recipes:

We love sweetbreads because they are easy to make and are such a treat, especially when you top them with Honey Butter! Don’t miss these reader favorites:

Moist Banana Bread Recipe

4.97 from 6732 votes
Banana bread sliced on a cutting board
This Banana Bread Recipe is loaded with ripe bananas, tangy-sweet raisins, and toasted walnuts. It is one of our favorite ripe banana recipes and even better with overripe bananas.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 10 people

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a bread loaf pan (9.25 long x 5.25 wide x 2.75 deep). Lightly roast walnuts on a skillet, continuously stirring so they won’t burn. Coarsely chop and cool to room temperature. 
  • In a mixing bowl, cream together 8 Tbsp softened butter and 3/4 cup sugar (or honey if using honey).
  • Mash bananas with a fork until the consistency of chunky applesauce and add them to the batter along with 2 eggs, mixing until blended. 
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together: 1 1/2 cups of flour, 1 tsp of baking soda and 1/2 tsp of salt then add to batter.
  • Add 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract and mix in chopped walnuts and raisins. Pour into prepared loaf pan. Bake at 350˚F for 55-60 min or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let banana bread rest for 10 min before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

Nutrition Per Serving

350kcal Calories45g Carbs5g Protein18g Fat7g Saturated Fat57mg Cholesterol243mg Sodium270mg Potassium3g Fiber20g Sugar354IU Vitamin A4mg Vitamin C26mg Calcium2mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Moist Banana Bread Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
350
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
18
g
28
%
Saturated Fat
 
7
g
44
%
Cholesterol
 
57
mg
19
%
Sodium
 
243
mg
11
%
Potassium
 
270
mg
8
%
Carbohydrates
 
45
g
15
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
20
g
22
%
Protein
 
5
g
10
%
Vitamin A
 
354
IU
7
%
Vitamin C
 
4
mg
5
%
Calcium
 
26
mg
3
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Breakfast, snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: banana bread, banana nut bread
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 350
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

This banana bread recipe was first published in 2009; one of the very first recipes on our blog! It has been a reader and family favorite ever since.

Moist banana nut bread on kitchen towel

This Banana Bread Recipe is loaded with ripe bananas, tangy sweet raisins and toasted walnuts making it a banana nut bread. One of our favorite ripe banana recipes and even better with overripe bananas! This banana nut bread is super moist, easy and makes a great breakfast on-the-go. | natashaskitchen.com
4.97 from 6732 votes (4,175 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • I Am The Rexiest
    June 1, 2026

    Just made this today for my family after dinner, Everybody loved it. I used king Arthur keto flour and swerve granular sugar substitute and zero sugar chocolate chips. These are Amazing! So fluffy!!! Thank you!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      June 1, 2026

      So happy to hear that. Thank you for sharing that with us.

      Reply

  • Brie
    May 31, 2026

    Can I follow the same recipe but make them into muffins?

    Reply

  • Carol
    May 31, 2026

    I tried your recipe and my banana bread was delicious, super moist. If I want to substitute butter with oil, how much oil would I have to use?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 31, 2026

      replace the ½ cup (8 Tbsp) butter with ⅜ cup (6 Tbsp) oil and you might want to use neutral oil like canola, vegetable, or avocado oil.

      Reply

  • Willow Fisher
    May 30, 2026

    Crowd pleaser. I have made this recipe a few times and it is winner. I add a little shredded coconut as well.

    Reply

  • Hannah
    May 29, 2026

    Super tasty! Extremely moist end product with an easy to follow set of instructions that were straight to the point. Appreciated the section about substitutions.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 29, 2026

      I’m so glad to hear the recipe was easy to read and follow, Hannah. That’s so great!

      Reply

  • Marsha
    May 28, 2026

    I’ve tried so many banana bread recipes and this is the absolute best! It’s so delicious! It’s very moist but with a perfect texture and density for cutting clean serving slices. Since I’m just cooking for one, I bake the recipe in two 3 x 6 loaf pans. I can enjoy one right out of the oven (because I just can’t wait) and freeze the other for later. This small size is also perfect for gifting. Thanks Natasha for THE best banana recipe!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 28, 2026

      You’re very welcome, Marsha! I’m so glad you loved the recipe!

      Reply

  • Henni
    May 28, 2026

    Doctor said I need to eat bananas. I don’t like bananas. Than I found this receipt. Now it’s a staple at my house.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 28, 2026

      I’m glad you found this recipe, Henni!

      Reply

  • Pam
    May 28, 2026

    Best banana bread recipe I have ever tried. I used 1/2 cup of sugar and it still turned out delicious.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 28, 2026

      I’m so glad you loved the recipe, Pam!

      Reply

      • Moon
        June 1, 2026

        If I use 1/2 cup of sugar, do you recommend substituting the 1/4 cup with something else?

        Reply

        • NatashasKitchen.com
          June 1, 2026

          Hi Moon! You don’t need to substitute it, you can just use less if you prefer. This banana bread is pretty forgiving and it should still be great.

          Reply

  • Dan
    May 28, 2026

    Best banana bread yet, you must be a wizard! Makes me wish you had a plain cake donut recipe.

    Reply

  • Beth Ciotti
    May 28, 2026

    This was a great new recipe for banana bread 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

    Reply

  • Amara
    May 27, 2026

    CEO APPROVED!

    My boyfriend took some to work and the CEO said he liked it!! Might make it monthly!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 27, 2026

      That’s wonderful! I’m glad to hear it was a hit.

      Reply

  • steve beinicke
    May 26, 2026

    This recipe is much better using one egg. It’s too wet using two. Or use one less banana. It’s still incredibly moist and delish.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 27, 2026

      Hi Steve! I’m glad those ratios worked for you. We believe we have a good balance with the current ingredients, but if you’re using extra large eggs, or larger banana, it could make a difference. However, I’ve found this recipe to be very forgiving if you use a little more or less banana.

      Reply

      • Re
        May 27, 2026

        Can i make this as muffins using the same recipe?

        Reply

  • Marilyn
    May 25, 2026

    I did 1/2 cup sugar and split the flour in half with almond flour – worked great!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 25, 2026

      Greeat to hear that! Thanks for sharing that with us.

      Reply

  • Sandra
    May 25, 2026

    Tried this recipe and my product came out tasty, delicious on point I didn’t include nuts only added ground cinnamon, very moist I was very satisfied

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 25, 2026

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Peggy
    May 25, 2026

    Hi I was wondering if I could use monk sugar I’m dibetic can’t use reg sugar thank you for your wonderful recipes

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 25, 2026

      Hi Peggy! One of my readers left this comment, “I made this recipe today and replaced the sugar with Monk Fruit. The bread came out moist and delicious, you can’t tell that it doesn’t have sugar in it.” I hope that’s helpful.

      Reply

  • Izzy
    May 25, 2026

    This makes delicious banana bread! I supplemented raisons for chocolate chips the secon time I made it, and it was just as good!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 25, 2026

      That’s just awesome Izzy! I’m so glad to hear that.

      Reply

  • JC
    May 24, 2026

    This makes the best banana bread! I have tried many many recipes over the years but somehow only came across yours recently!
    This is not too sweet and perfectly moist. We omit the raisins and nuts but otherwise don’t change a thing. As with other banana bread recipies, careful not to overmix; I end up mixing the dry into wet by hand with a wooden spoon or spatula and it turns out perfect. We accidentally overmixed it once – my 12 year old was helping and mixed it with the stand mixer until it as smooth and I was not paying attention – and it was more dense but flavour was still spot on. I have made this twice in 3 days and will likely make it again next week !

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 24, 2026

      Awww, thank you for your great comments and feedback. I’m happy to hear that you love the Banana Bread a lot!

      Reply

  • Coco
    May 24, 2026

    Made this recipe many times with much success. Today I added 1/2 cup slightly drained crushed pineapple, and 1/2 cup coconut flakes; use a little less sugar and it came out great.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 24, 2026

      Thank you for shraing that with us! I’m so glad you enjoyed the Banana Bread recipe using differemt variations too!

      Reply

  • Jesse Zamora
    May 24, 2026

    Can you use salted butter as well? Sometimes that is the only thing I have in my kitchen. I use a lot of unsalted but I have a lot salted left over.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 24, 2026

      Hi yes, you can use salted butter and omit the salt in the recipe.

      Reply

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