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

  • Elena
    August 10, 2024

    Thanks for shearing this delicious recipe!
    10/10

    Reply

  • Ileana
    August 9, 2024

    I love your recipes because they’re simple but the best taste

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 10, 2024

      Thank you. I’m so glad you’re enjoying them.

      Reply

  • Terrina
    August 9, 2024

    Decent recipe. I added more sugar second time around, as I didn’t find it sweet enough the first time, even with over-ripe bananas being used. I liked the suggestion for roasting the walnuts. This made a big difference and something I will do from now on!

    Reply

  • Natalie D Gilbert
    August 9, 2024

    I tried this recipe for the 1st time, after looking for a new tweak on the traditional Banana Nut Bread Recipe. And, my final results were extremely moist and delicious. My only regret is cooking it longer, because the moisture caused the middle to be a little sticky in the middle. As a result, my bread began to dry out. The next time I bake it, I will stick to Natasha’s designated time and I want to try substituting raisins with dried cranberries (my favorite). It’s delicioso!!!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 9, 2024

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Natalie!

      Reply

  • Debbie
    August 9, 2024

    This banana nut bread is the best I’ve ever made. Simple easy and delicious but then again ever recipe I have ever tried that you posted are outstanding. Please keep sharing. Thank you

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 9, 2024

      Hi Debbie! I’m so happy to hear that. Thank you for the wonderful feedback.

      Reply

  • Liliya Mazur
    August 9, 2024

    How would I substitute the flour for almond flour?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 9, 2024

      Hi Liliya! I haven’t tested almond flour but here is what one of my viewers said, “Absolutely delicious! Substituted All-purpose flour with 1cup 1-1 gluten free baking flour and 1/2 cup almond flour and made it with pecans because I didn’t have walnuts. Yummmmy”.
      I hope that helps.

      Reply

  • Ava
    August 7, 2024

    Exactly how I like it!
    Easy and delicious!

    Reply

  • Reiyan
    August 7, 2024

    Perfect recipe for banana bread! I added dark chocolate instead of raisins and nuts. It tasted amazing.

    Reply

  • Ida
    August 7, 2024

    The bread was quite delicious and the recipe was easy to follow. However, I’ve made it twice now and I’ve noticed the bread does not rise as much. If I tried baking the bread in a smaller loaf pan (8 x 3.75), should I be increasing cook time? Any other tips I should consider if trying a smaller loaf pan? Thanks so much

    Reply

  • Trev
    August 7, 2024

    Making another loaf as I type! This recipe is 10/10 so moist and delicious. Thank you !

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 7, 2024

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Trev!

      Reply

  • Angela
    August 5, 2024

    The banana bread turned out wonderfully. It’s light sweet banana flavor crispy tight surface thank you for the recipe my teenage kids love it!!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 5, 2024

      So glad to hear that, Angela!

      Reply

  • Carven
    August 4, 2024

    Unfortunately I find the cake too dry and dense for my liking. Such a shame.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 5, 2024

      Hi Carven! I’m sorry to hear that was your result. I’ve never had this be dry or too dense. This is a very popular recipe on the blog, it’s been tested and proved (with over 1,000 5-star reviews). Are you measuring your flour correctly? Using too much flour would likely be the issue. Don’t scoop it out with the measuring cup, fluff the flour and spoon it into your measuring cup and then scrape off the excess to level it. I have a tutorial on How to measure ingredients here.
      I hope you’ll try again.

      Reply

  • Kosmo
    August 4, 2024

    Loved your recipe, the only thing I changed was adding in 1 tsp. of banana extract along with the vanilla extract. Super tasty banana bread. I swear I could eat a piece every day with a cup of coffee for the rest of my life. Thanks for you and your videos, truly enjoy them all.

    Reply

  • Sara Stahl
    August 4, 2024

    What if I use baking powder instead of baking soda? What are the measurements you would need ?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      August 4, 2024

      Hi Sara! It can work, but there are a few adjustments you might need to make. I have not tried it though to give you the exact measurements. Typically, you need about 3 to 4 times the amount of baking powder compared to baking soda.

      Reply

  • Jamie
    August 4, 2024

    Hi, how many grams is 3 medium/large bananas? I’ve got some overripe bananas but they are much smaller than the normal bananas so I’m not sure how many to use for this recipe. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      August 4, 2024

      Hi Jamie! 1 medium banana usually weighs around 118 grams including peel.

      Reply

  • Alize
    August 3, 2024

    I have made this banana bread recipe twice now, and both times the end result dough comes out incredibly too thick. Like it won’t even fall off the spoon. Does this happen to anyone else? Is it supposed to be this thick? Thanks!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 3, 2024

      Hi Alize! This is likely due to using too much flour. Be sure to measure your flour correctly. I provide detailed instructions in my tutorial here on How to measure ingredients . I hope you’ll try again.

      Reply

  • Claire Alexander
    August 3, 2024

    I used a bundt pan instead of a loaf and baked for 38 minutes. Perfect! Very moist and kid approved 😁

    Reply

  • Angela Dougherty
    August 2, 2024

    This bread is one of the best I’ve eaten.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 2, 2024

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

      Reply

  • Bowser
    August 2, 2024

    Made it this morning. Added 1/2 cup of applesauce and another 1/4 cup flour. Amazing!

    Reply

  • Klaudia
    August 2, 2024

    Omg this is the best banana bread I made! I recommend adding white chocolate chips and crushed pineapple to the dough, it is divine!

    Reply

    • Kathy
      August 3, 2024

      Crushed pineapple sounds delightful too.

      Reply

    • Natalie D Gilbert
      August 9, 2024

      You know what? I thought about adding crushed pineapples to my future loaf. Now, you’ve encouraged me to try it.

      Reply

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