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 only use this recipe because of the butter base. But I change some stuff cause it’s so bland. I do half white sugar and brown sugar, drizzle of maple syrup, and add cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, etc. An un-spiced banana bread is heresy.
I make this bc of all
The reviews. But the bread was so dry. I won’t be using this recipe again. Bummer.
Hi Uyen! This recipe has been tested and proved to work with thousands of 5star reviews. Did you make any modifications or use any substitutions? A dry bread is likely the result of either over baking or using too much flour. I have a tutorial on how to measure ingredients. I also like to use an internal oven thermometer (Amazon affiliate link) to ensure my oven is calibrated and heating correctly.
I hope that helps and I hope you’re trying again.
The Best recipe for sure,my family loves it.the only way I will make banana bread ever
Thank you Natasha. By far the best banana bread I have ever made. So moist, and the walnuts and dried fruit take it next level. I used mixed fruit, and replaced 1/4 cup of the sugar with maple syrup which gave the top a crispy, toffee like texture. sooo gooood. This is definitely a keeper.
To try to beat the heat we’re avoiding the big oven, and the toaster oven is moved out of the kitchen. 6 muffins fit and bake in 25 minutes.
Halving the recipe worked great even using one whole egg and 2 small bananas.
Glad I found it.
Love it. I am the food director at a school and we made this this morning for breakfast. Using whole wheat flour and it was delicious. Thank you
I’m so glad it turned out!
I have no experience with baking at all and just did this on an impulse, tripled the baking powder since i didnt have baking soda and it was AMAZING!!
That’s wonderful, Sara!
I tried this recipe and now its my #1 banana bread recipe❤️❤️❤️
I’m so glad you love it too! It’s our favorite!
What can I use if I don’t have enough butter on hand?
Hi Tonya. You can try using oil in its place but we really prefer butter.
Can I use Whole wheat flour for a part of the required flour? If so, what part wheat to what part white flour?
Hi Constance! Yes, see my note above, “Substitutions for a Healthy Banana Bread.”
It was amazing even without the nut and raisins!!!
Looking forward to making this recipe! Can I put this recipe in muffin pan?
I think that’s fine but I have another recipe for Banana Muffins which is tested.
Hi, I just tried your recipe and it’s amazing! Thank you for sharing ❤️
Hi Natasha,
I haven’t made this recipe yet but I was wondering if you can add blueberries? No raisins, would I need to change anything? Thanks! Love your recipes! So good!
Hi Chris! That should be fine. Several of my readers reported good results doing this.
I pretty much exclusively make your recipes. No matter what it’s for, it’s always so good! My favorite ever is your chicken pot pie. Thanks so much for all the great ideas
I’m so happy you love our recipes! Thank you so much for the fantastic review. I am smiling big reading your comment.
Good banana bread recipe! Thank you Natasha!
I love all of your recipes thank you for sharing them I am never disappointed
I like to soak the raisins in 1/4 C. warm brandy for 10 minutes or so. Then add both to the batter when you add the nuts.
So delicious!
Thanks, Natasha!
Sounds delish! You’re very welcome.
Best banana bread recipe on the internet!
We think so too! Thank you.
Best recipe ever. I modified it a little because I am celiac, it is so moist and delicious. Best treat in a long time. Thank you for sharing. 5 stars and more.
So glad you loved it!
I made a double batch, but I only have one pan. Do I store the excess in the fridge until Im ready?
Hi Elena! It’s best to bake it right away.