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 6172 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 6172 votes (4,175 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Masha
    October 30, 2018

    Another great recipe, thank you, Natasha!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 30, 2018

      You’re so welcome!

      Reply

  • Vaijayantii Khaladkarr
    October 28, 2018

    Pl for banana bread can u pl give the measurements in grams…

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 28, 2018

      Hi there! Hi, we are slowly working through all of our recipes to add nutrition info but it is a time consuming process as they have to be added one at a time. Thank you for being patient! 🙂

      Reply

  • Olie
    October 25, 2018

    Hi Natasha! This is my favorite banana bread recipe and I would like to add Nutella to it. Any suggestions on how I can do that?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 25, 2018

      One of my readers said she baked a strip of Nutella in the center of the dough and loved it! 🙂I haven’t experimented myself so I can’t say. Anyone else try this?

      Reply

  • Cathy-Ann Jack-Cowie
    October 24, 2018

    Hello Natasha, this is the best Banana bread recipe I ever came across. I had previously been skeptical about banana bread on the whole but you helped to change my mind.
    I made a few changes by I reducing the sugar by 1/4 cup and swapped out the raisins for cranberries and adding some almonds.
    The results were fantastic !!
    Thank you.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 24, 2018

      You’re so welcome! I’m happy you enjoyed that!

      Reply

  • Liz Vingert
    October 23, 2018

    Have you tried adding cinnomon or pumpkin spice into it to give it a little kick of fall flavors?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      October 23, 2018

      Hi Liz, I haven’t tried but I think it’s worth experimenting! If you try that out, let me know how it goes 🙂

      Reply

  • Mary
    October 23, 2018

    Great recipe thanks for sharing
    Will always use this one can’t go
    Wrong

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 23, 2018

      I’m so happy to hear that Mary!

      Reply

  • Debbie Comstock
    October 22, 2018

    So Yummy and very moist! The BEST BANANA I HAVE EVER TASTED.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 22, 2018

      Thank you for this amazing compliment, Debbie! I’m so glad you enjoyed that!

      Reply

  • Simby
    October 19, 2018

    THIS WAS THE EASIEST/GREATEST RECEIPT EVER!!!! Thank you for this recipe!!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 19, 2018

      You’re so welcome! I’m so happy you loved it!

      Reply

  • Cristina
    October 12, 2018

    I don’t generally leave reviews, but I’ve just made the banana bread (I’ve swapped walnuts for chocolate chips 😅😅🙈) and it came out absolutely perfect, moist and the flavour is just amazing, sooo pleased!! Thank you so much for the recipe! 😘❤️

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 12, 2018

      Thank you so much for this amazing review, Cristina!

      Reply

  • Tammy Espinoza
    October 8, 2018

    I made mine gluten free and added dark chocolate chips on the top. It came out super moist and delicious.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 8, 2018

      That sounds lovely! Thank you for sharing this awesome review with me!

      Reply

    • Marie Woods
      October 9, 2018

      What kind of flour was used for the gluten free recipe and how much compared to normal flour?

      Reply

      • Anne
        October 10, 2018

        Use a ‘cup for cup’ of gf flour!

        Reply

  • Neha Bhatia
    October 7, 2018

    Thank you Natasha for your recipe of Banana Bread. It is excellent and super simple. I tried it as my sister insisted after she had tried.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 7, 2018

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that Neha!

      Reply

    • Marlene
      October 9, 2018

      How do you prevent the cracking in the top of the bread ?
      Thanks !

      Reply

      • Natasha
        October 9, 2018

        Hi Marlene, the cracking is normal and expected in banana bread.

        Reply

  • Iga
    October 5, 2018

    Hi Natasha! Great recipe, now I’m pondering if I can make a muffin version of this bread? How to adjust the times and ingredients? What do you think? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 5, 2018

      Hi Iga! Several readers have reported great results using muffins. The bake time will need some adjusting and close watching. Enjoy!

      Reply

  • Zena
    October 1, 2018

    I love watching you on Facebook but today as I tried to open the link to your banana bread, I got inundated with spam messages galore😡. FYI 👍

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 1, 2018

      I’m so sorry to hear that. Definitely check your security blockers and make sure that all and any spam gets blocked.

      Reply

  • Kristina
    September 30, 2018

    I made it exactly as the recipe calls and it was dry.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      October 1, 2018

      Hi Kristina, I haven’t had it come out dry following the recipe – the only thing that comes to mind is – did you possibly use a convection oven setting which would cause it to over bake? Or does your oven tend to run hot? Or did you possibly use a larger pan which would require less baking time? I hope that helps to troubleshoot.

      Reply

  • Theresa
    September 27, 2018

    Hi Natasha, I made banana bread and made a mistake and put baking powder instead of baking soda,what will happen is it still good,

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 27, 2018

      Hi Theresa! I have not tested it this way and since baking is so much a science, I can’t make that recommendation without first trying it. Also, baking soda is 4x stronger than baking powder. I would love to know how it turned out with the powder!

      Reply

  • Tracey
    September 26, 2018

    Excellent blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers?

    I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.

    Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many
    options out there that I’m completely confused ..

    Any ideas? Kudos!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 26, 2018

      Hi Tracey! Those are all great questions. We have a post here with some awesome blogging tips.

      Reply

  • Neva
    September 25, 2018

    I’m traveling out of state to a reunion and wonder if I can take this as it is, or put it in a cooler on ice. Thanks in advance. I love your recipes!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 25, 2018

      Hi Neva, this recipe is to be stored in the fridge so having it in a cooler may best.

      Reply

  • Anna
    September 25, 2018

    I’ve tried a number of banana bread recipes and for some reason they were raw inside or not fully cooked. Finally this recipe worked! It’s great and love the walnuts/raisin additions! And so easy to make 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      September 25, 2018

      YESSS!! Your amazing review on our banana bread just makes my day. I’m smiling big. Thank you for sharing that with me 🙂

      Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 25, 2018

      Hi Anna! I’m so happy this recipe worked for you! Thank you for the great review!

      Reply

  • Sheila Russell
    September 21, 2018

    Ive just made this and couldn’t wait for it to cool to have a slice, it is lovely and light. I wasn’t sure what all purpose flour was so I used self raising flour and it is perfect, thank you for the recipe.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 21, 2018

      You’re so welcome Sheila. I’m so happy you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Lexington Rivers
    September 17, 2018

    Hi there!

    So, if I add extra banana, do I need to increase anything else?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      September 17, 2018

      Hi Lexington, I haven’t tested it that way but I suspect you’d have to increase everything proportionally and use a larger pan or the banana bread might be dense from too much moisture. Again, I haven’t tested it that way but that is my best guess.

      Reply

      • Mazwi
        September 18, 2018

        Assuming Natasha’s recipe is for a single banana, you need to double ingredients for 2, triple for 3 etc. A slight increase in banana numbers won’t hurt, either.

        Reply

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