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.
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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.
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!
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!
- In the mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar.
- Mix in mashed bananas and eggs.
- Whisk together dry ingredients: flour, salt, and baking soda and add to batter.
- 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
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:
- Apple Bread – a pull-apart moist apple bread
- Pumpkin Bread – so easy and we love it year-round
- Banana Chocolate Chip Bread always disappears fast
- Persimmon Bread – great way to use ripe persimmon
Moist Banana Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas, (medium/large)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, (8 Tbsp) at room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup walnuts
- ½ cup raisins
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
Filed Under
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.
By far the best banana bread I’ve ever made and tried! Loved it! Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe!
You’re very welcome! I’m so glad you loved it.
Can you use a cake pan instead of a bread pan? I can not find mine
But really want to make this recipe
Hi Sarah! Yes, it can work in a cake pan. You can even bake them as muffins. Just keep an eye on it since the baking time may be different depending on what pan size you use.
Just made this but in a muffin form, extremely moist and easy to make. Will make again 🍌.
Really want to try this recipe, but the ads keep getting in the way. Can’t print unless you sign up to subscribe!
Hi there! That email screen is something I’m testing—it’s a more privacy-friendly way to know who’s visiting, and it helps me keep sharing recipes for free without using third-party cookies. You’ll need to enter your email to get to the print page, but subscribing to emails is totally optional—the box is checked by default, but you can uncheck it if you’d rather not subscribe.
Can brown sugar be substituted for the white sugar? Would the amount change?
Hi Laura, here’s what one of my readers wrote trying brown sugar “I did all brown sugar instead of white sugar because the molasses in it helps keep the bread moist plus I just like the flavor better. Also added about a tablespoon of maple syrup and pecans instead of walnuts. Very very yummy and will make again!” I hope this helps.
My favorite banana bread recipe. I use frozen banana and let them defrost and it makes it even better.
That’s so great to hear, Sara. Thank you for your awesome review.
I’m not kidding when I say that I have probably made this recipe over 30 times. I send it to my friends and family. I get compliments every single time and it is absolutely full proof! I throw all the ingredients together in one bowl and it comes out perfect every single time!
Music to my ears! I’m happy this recipe earned a permanent spot in your collection, Megan! I’m thrilled you enjoyed it and really appreciate you taking the time to share.
Absolutely delicious banana bread. I couldn’t resist it!
I echo the sentiments of the commenter who said “I figured this would be like every other banana bread recipe.” I too thought it would be another recipe extolling its moisture hyperbolically. But… No!! This delivered and was the absolute best banana bread I’ve ever had!! I was going to ask what the secret was, but I don’t want to know. I just love the magic of its deliciousness.
Thank you so much, Kris! I’m so glad you loved it.
I don’t keep raisins in my house because of my dogs, so I chopped up dates & used them instead. Absolutely delicious! Thank you!
I would like to try this recipe, but I don’t like walnuts or raisins. Do I need to adjust anything if I leave them both out?
Hi Helen, you can leave them both out, no problem! If you wanted ot substitute, try chocolate chips like I did in my chocolate chip banana bread.
I chop pecans instead of walnuts blend them in and sprinkle a little on top. They blend right in . Fantastic recipe. Natasha is the best! 👌
10000/10000! Was in a baking mood after work today & came across your recipe, *bakers kiss*! Used 3 teaspoons of baking powder instead of baking soda since I didn’t have on hand and it came out amazing! Everyone loved it! Thank you for sharing. Going to try your chocolate chip banana bread recipe next! 🙂
Thank you for your perfect feedback! I hope you’ll enjoy the recipes that you’ll try!
Hi
can i substitute granulated sugar with coconut sugar and if so, is the ratio the same
I think that’s fine but it’s a bit drier than brown sugar, so your bread can be slightly less moist. You can add ~1–2 tablespoons extra liquid (milk, oil, or even extra mashed banana) to help with the moist.
To anyone who reads this: Hands down, the BEST and the ONLY 🍌 🍞 recipe you will ever need. Super easy super quick and absolutely delicious and the raisins just kicked it up a major notch…. Idk whyyyyy I’ve never used them before!! It’s just wonderful and will be making this on a weekly basis much needed and much appreciated! 🩷. God bless
I’m so happy to hear that this one is a keeper for you! Thank you for trying the recipe and for the lovely review, Marie!
I’ve struggled to find a banana bread recipe that didn’t come out too wet or too dry. This recipe is just the perfect consistency. I especially like the addition of raisins. I’m not a raisin fan but I do like them in this recipe. Once again Natasha does not disappoint.
That is such a huge compliment—thank you for sharing! I’m so happy you loved it, Laura.
How to adjust the recipe if I use self raising flour?
Hi Shriya! I personally haven’t tested self rising flour in this recipe, but likely you’ll need to add baking soda to ensure it rises. One of my readers mentioning trying that and their bread did not rise.
Hi Natasha. I have made this recipe many times. It is delicious everyone raves about it. I want to use this recipe to make muffins. How long to cook them for and what temperature?. I usually fill muffins to the rim. About to make the zucchini bread!
I’m glad you always love this recipe, Donna! You can try my Banana Muffins Recipe here.
It is easy to make, and yields a good amount of servings..
Amazing Job! I followed it exact well, almost exact… I used a 1/2 cup of Raisinets 😉