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.
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!
Would this turn out okay without nuts or raisins?
Yes it will still be so good!
Can I make muffins instead? Will that work ? Paper lined or greased and floured?
Hi Doris! We created Banana Muffins from this recipe.
Best banana bread recipe ever. I triple the recipe cuz I have 3 sisters that love it.
How much honey is needed if substituting it for sugar?
Hi Donna, you would use the same amount of honey as sugar. I hope that helps.
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 🙂
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Yelena!
If I use five medium bananas do I need to double the recipe?
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.
Can I substitute the white sugar with brown sugar?
I think that will be fine too.
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!
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
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!
I love this recipe. Turned out super delicious and moist. I will probably substitute raisins with chocolate chip next time.
Made as the recipe states and this is my new favorite recipe.
So glad you love it, Jill! Thank you.
Looking for a recipe to make banana bread and came across your recipe. Out of this world delicious. Recipe is a keeper.
Hi Darlene. I’m so glad you found this recipe. We love it too! Thank you for the feedback.
Any high-altitude changes necessary?
Thank you. Love your recipes.
HI April, I don’t have experience with high-altitude baking but you can find more tips on High Altitude Baking HERE.
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.
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.
I am going to use chocolate chips instead of raisins
Came out great the first time I made it. I used dates, didn’t have raisins. My husband loves it.
So glad it was enjoyed, Angela!
Can i use a 9×5 pan? Or a smaller one that’s 8.5x 4.5?
HI Jacqueline, a 9×5 pan will be great here.