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 6208 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 6208 votes (4,175 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Drovi
    August 1, 2024

    This is my second time making this recipe. The first time I made as directed and it turned out lovely, but a bit small for my pan. For round two, I doubled the recipe (except for the honey, I left that as is), substituted strawberry for raisins, applesauce for butter, and didn’t toast the walnuts. This turned out so beautiful. I really wish I could upload a picture here. Thank you for this recipe!

    Reply

  • Lisa
    August 1, 2024

    Would this turn out okay without nuts or raisins?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      August 1, 2024

      Yes it will still be so good!

      Reply

  • Doris
    July 31, 2024

    Can I make muffins instead? Will that work ? Paper lined or greased and floured?

    Reply

  • Isabella
    July 31, 2024

    Best banana bread recipe ever. I triple the recipe cuz I have 3 sisters that love it.

    Reply

  • Donna Dixon
    July 31, 2024

    How much honey is needed if substituting it for sugar?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 31, 2024

      Hi Donna, you would use the same amount of honey as sugar. I hope that helps.

      Reply

  • Yelena
    July 30, 2024

    AMAZING!!!! Made this today (instead of raisins added some semi sweet choc chips) and it’s absolute perfection!! So moist and not too sweet – just wonderful 🙂

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 30, 2024

      That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Yelena!

      Reply

  • Julie
    July 30, 2024

    If I use five medium bananas do I need to double the recipe?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      July 30, 2024

      Hi Julie. To double the recipe, you would need six medium size bananas. Some of my viewers have reported making this recipe with four bananas as well and having a good results. I have not tested a different amount to advise if any changes need to be made. But the consistency and texture of the batter can change if you use more.

      Reply

  • Joanne
    July 29, 2024

    Can I substitute the white sugar with brown sugar?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      July 30, 2024

      I think that will be fine too.

      Reply

  • Jonae
    July 28, 2024

    Easy, moist and delicious! I substituted the walnuts (child has an allergy) with cocoa nibs and it was PERFECT!!! The nibs give you a little cocoa flavor and a nutty texture. Thank you!

    Reply

  • Lissette
    July 28, 2024

    Delicious! I made it in a pie pan instead and omitted the raisins. Baked at 350 for 35 min, basted with a little butter and sprinkled a little sugar on top. So moist and not too sweet, love it! Thank you

    Reply

  • Yvonnie
    July 27, 2024

    Absolutely delicious….I didn’t use raisins, and I used pecans instead of walnuts. Such an easy recipe and turned out way better than any other recipe I have used! Loved it!!! So moist!! Thanks!

    Reply

  • Hope
    July 27, 2024

    I love this recipe. Turned out super delicious and moist. I will probably substitute raisins with chocolate chip next time.

    Reply

  • Jill
    July 27, 2024

    Made as the recipe states and this is my new favorite recipe.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      July 27, 2024

      So glad you love it, Jill! Thank you.

      Reply

  • Darlene
    July 27, 2024

    Looking for a recipe to make banana bread and came across your recipe. Out of this world delicious. Recipe is a keeper.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      July 27, 2024

      Hi Darlene. I’m so glad you found this recipe. We love it too! Thank you for the feedback.

      Reply

  • April
    July 26, 2024

    Any high-altitude changes necessary?
    Thank you. Love your recipes.

    Reply

  • Georgette
    July 26, 2024

    I have made Natasha’s banana bread with toasted walnuts and raisins many times. It is the best!! However, it seems I have to remove it from oven 350 after 45 minutes. Also, lightly sautéing the walnuts is a must.

    Reply

  • Kale
    July 25, 2024

    This is so good! As soon as I finish one loaf I make another so I always have it on hand. I add in chocolate chips but aside from that I keep the recipe the same. There was one time I made it where I only had one egg left and didn’t realize but the recipe ended up just fine with only one egg instead of two.

    Reply

  • Tina Petersen
    July 25, 2024

    I am going to use chocolate chips instead of raisins

    Reply

  • Angela
    July 25, 2024

    Came out great the first time I made it. I used dates, didn’t have raisins. My husband loves it.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      July 25, 2024

      So glad it was enjoyed, Angela!

      Reply

  • Jacqueline Moore
    July 25, 2024

    Can i use a 9×5 pan? Or a smaller one that’s 8.5x 4.5?

    Reply

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