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.
I tried your recipe for the banana bread it was so delicious.
love your all your recipes They’re very easy to follow Natasha
Can I p put prepared banana bread in the fridge to cook in a while?
Hi, it’s best to bake right away to maximize the leavening power. I would bake right away and store leftovers which keep really well for several days.
I had three overripe bananas I didn’t want to toss, looked up a recipe for banana bread and since yours had moist in the title I chose yours. But mad it with raisins and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon since my husband is allergic to nuts. Can’t wait , still has 40 minutes to bake. Thanks for the recipe
I thought the recipe is nice and simple. I cooked in restaurants for about 6 years. It was easy and straightforward it is in the oven right now and I am looking forward to seeing if mine is better than my wife’s lol all thanks to you
My 10-year old son found this recipe today. We just finished the recipe together and put it in the oven. Excited to try!
I hope you both love it! I’m so happy to hear you’re making this together!
OH, my lord. I’m eating this right now (without raisins) but it’s still warm from the oven and I spread a little salted butter on it. This is for breakfast tomorrow and I have a lasagna in the oven now, but I seriously could spoil my dinner with this.
Sounds great! I’m glad you’re enoying it a lot!
I made a few adjustments. I used 1cup of sugar , half white & half brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of molasses, chopped dried pineapple & about a teaspoon of cinnamon.
It was moist & delicious. Definitely would recommend this recipe.
I made this last night and it turned out great.
I have no business modifying any recipe but I only had one egg on hand. So I added the one egg and a total of 4 large bananas, based on web search for substitute.
I didn’t expect it would turn out that great, and figured I already messed it up, so I continued to modify..
Based off another review of adding Greek yogurt, I added 1/4 cup of kefir, (berry flavored – but I figured you can’t taste it. And I couldn’t..)
And based off another review I did use granulated sugar but substituted 1/4 cup with brown sugar, because I wanted the best of both worlds. lol
I checked it after baking 55 min.
But knew my oven bakes slow and with all the modifications that keep it moist, It needed another 20 minutes.
And then it was perfect. Thanks for the recipe and to all the reviews.
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience in detail. Glad to hear that it still turned out great!
Did the chocolate chips instead of raisins. Amazing!! Everyone asked me for the recipe.
I’m so glad it was a huge success!
I made this last week for family and it didn’t last a day,have to Make more.I think I will make multiples and freeze them. What’s the best way to freeze them. I would usually wrap them in Saran wrap and then put them in a large Ziploc bag. Is that okay?
Yes, you can make more and freeze them. Once the loaf is fully cooled, wrap it in plastic wrap. Then, wrap the loaf in aluminum foil and store the wrapped loaf in the freezer.
I did the Banana bread recipe, so soft, moist and taste delicious. my family all love it.
I made this recipe tonight. Since I had no walnuts or raisins I added chocolate chips. Thought I’d try a honey glaze on top. Once 3 minutes from being done I drizzled honey on top and broiled for 3 minutes. OMG I’m going to have to try honey on top of my peanut butter banana bread as well. So yummy
It came out perfectly moist, delicious!! I added in a 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt (because I read that it helps retain moisture) and I also browned the butter, highly recommend!! I also have a question Natasha – how many grams is a serving in your nutrition label? Thanks 🙂
Hi Odelia, I wish I measured it this way. The recipe serves 10 people. So it with be 1/10th of the recipe.
Great banana bread recipe! I used 1/2 c. sugar and added some molasses as well. Also subbed a quarter cup of coconut oil for half of the butter. Anddd added pecans and chocolate chips! Very addicting!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
So perfect my husband called it “The platonic ideal of banana bread”.
It is that popular for good reason! I’m so happy you both loved it, NZ!
Oh my god! The best one yet! I’m not a fan of raisins and unfortunately I did not have walnuts. To make it like a dessert I added chocolate chips and it was so good. This banana bread is so moist and just perfect. My husband loved it!!
I’m so glad to hear you loved it, Jessica! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
I made this in silicone and it was not really as moist as I expected. I wonder if metal over silicone makes a difference. I will try reducing time from 55 to 50 and try again.
Natasha can i replace the banana to pineapple crush or do you have a pineapple bread?
Hi Astrid, I have not tried this with pineapple to advise. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.
I’ve this recipe, have made many times. I also use this for the base for other quick breads by changing the fruit. My famiy’s favorite is a strawberry guava using a straw berry/guava fruit spread. Thanks so much for posting this recipe.
I’m so happy you all enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Barba!
I don’t know how many times I make this banana bread. It is the only banana bread my family and friends are really like. I can mix with any fruits and nuts and still baked successfuly. Thank you so much for sharing.
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Henny! I’m so glad to hear this is a family favorite.
I’ve tried this recipe yesterday and it came out pretty good, I used brown sugar, instead white sugar and I added 3 sprinkles of cinnamon to it, however the banana bread is too dry. Next time I’ll add another banana and I will bake the banana bread only for 45 min. I think 55-60 min is too long.
I’d make sure the rack is in the middle and not too close to the top. Every oven is different. Like with mine 55 mins left it a little undercooked so I did 60min and it left it just right. I always start with the minimum cook time. Also my bananas were large. I hope this helps!
Yes I checked mine at 45mins and it was perfect. It was delicious though I loved the recipe. I doubled my bananas, an extra egg with an extra cup and half of flour because I wanted more servings. It was perfect.