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

  • Carmen
    August 30, 2024

    Curious why you use baking soda rather than baking powder. Soda needs both a liquid and an acid in order to be activated.
    I am going to use your recipe with powder because I’m out of soda. Can’t wait to try it!
    Thanks

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 30, 2024

      Hi Carmen! The baking soda reacts with the natural acidity in the bananas. We’ve had the best results with baking soda. If you want to experiment with baking powder, keep in mind that baking soda is 4 times stronger than baking powder so you’ll need to adjust accordingly.
      I hope you love the recipe!

      Reply

      • Carmen
        August 31, 2024

        It was AMAZING!!!! So moist! I knew about the 4x stronger, but used 1tsp anyway. Rose to perfection!

        Reply

  • Marsha
    August 30, 2024

    Best banana bread recipe I found. Make sure bananas are extra ripe to give it best flavor.

    Reply

  • Lorna
    August 29, 2024

    Fantastic recipe as is! Would substituting the butter for something else make it not as good? Trying to tweak for a heart healthy version for some family

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 29, 2024

      Hi Lorna! I haven’t tested an alternative but some of my viewers have used oil and applesauce .

      Reply

  • MadamBond
    August 28, 2024

    So instead of using raisins try using maraschino cherries and add 3 tablespoons of the syrup from the cherries….it’s so so moist that way and it’s delicious. This recipe is very close to my grandma who passed away’s recipe. I wish I had gotten a copy of her recipe before she died. But this one is really good! Thanks

    Reply

  • Nataliya
    August 28, 2024

    Привіт! Дуже смачний і всій родині сподобався! Дякую ☺️
    Translation: Greetings! Very tasty and the whole family liked it! Thank you

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 28, 2024

      I’m so glad you all loved it, Nataliya! Thank you for your wonderful review.

      Reply

  • Rod
    August 26, 2024

    I used agave nectar 3/4 cup instead of sugar and chopped pecans and no raisins. Light on spices cinnamon and nutmeg. Turned out great. And I have used a number of your recipes. love your YouTube show’s. Thanks

    Reply

  • FH
    August 26, 2024

    The best banana bread recipe I’ve made. I only eliminated the raisins for preference. nCan anyone share if they used pineapple how much is used? Did you replace the raisins with pineapple?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 26, 2024

      Hi FH, I have not tried this with pineapple to advise. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.

      Reply

  • RS
    August 25, 2024

    I used your recipe but added
    1tsp cardamom
    1tsp cinnamon
    1/2tsp nutmeg
    Used 8×8 glass baking pan

    Reply

  • Susan McPherson
    August 24, 2024

    Hello Natasha! I’m so excited to tell you l tried the banana bread recipe. I did a few of my own tweaks to it and it came out so wonderful. I added chai seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, a little milk, and a little instant vanilla pudding mix. On the top l added some pumpkin seeds and oats. It baked the same amount of time. It turned out really great! Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 24, 2024

      Hi Susan! That sounds great. I’m so glad it turned out for you. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply

  • Mia
    August 24, 2024

    This banana bread is fantastic. I did not add raisins or nuts due to family preferences. I also didn’t realize I didnt have eggs in the fridge, so I substituted using flax “eggs” (2 Tbsp flax meal + 5 Tbsp water. Mix and let rest for 5 mins. Equals 2 eggs). This banana bread recipe was able to accommodate this change wonderfully. I also spooned my flour in exact measuring cups and leveled off to ensure correct amount of flour. I used a pyrex glass loaf pan. This recipe needed a little more time in my oven, exactly 65mins. This will be my go to recipe for banana bread. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.

    Reply

  • Fatima Q
    August 24, 2024

    Definitely the easiest banana bread recipe I have ever tried! I added chocolate chips – because why not?
    Thank you for sharing the recipe!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 24, 2024

      You’re very welcome!

      Reply

  • Davai
    August 23, 2024

    Amazing First time I’ve made it ever it cooked perfectly it tasted so good and the smell in my kitchen was just out of this world thank you for this recipe

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 24, 2024

      So glad to hear that, Davai!

      Reply

  • Dennis E.
    August 23, 2024

    I just made two of these but I forgot the eggs. They still came out alright. Do you know how the no eggs situation will affect the taste?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 23, 2024

      Hi Dennis! I haven’t tested this without herbs so I’m not sure.

      Reply

  • Ilene
    August 22, 2024

    Just made it …my husband loved it!!! Thank you, best banana bread I ever baked….

    Reply

  • Francesca
    August 21, 2024

    The best Banana Bread recipe ever! My family loved it so much that half of the loaf is finished after I took it out of the oven in a flash! I didn’t add any nuts or raisins as per my son’s request. I added cinnamon for some extra flavor. The bread was crispy on the outside and super soft in the inside. I will use this recipe many more times!!! Thank you, Natasha. You are the best. I love you ❤️

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 21, 2024

      Aw! I’m so happy to hear that.

      Reply

  • Irene Mountford
    August 21, 2024

    This banana bread is very very good, I live in the UK and consequently have to switch to metric plus I cook in a fan oven so have to allow for that, the roasted walnuts are an excellent addition, I didn’t add raisins since I’m not a fan but did throw in some blueberries, cooked it for 50minutes, I’ve already tried it and it has a great taste and is moist , it will be interesting to see what it is like tomorrow.

    Reply

  • Lori
    August 21, 2024

    Natasha, this is so good!
    My little one is a picky eater but I know she likes bananas. We made it with gluten free flour and added some chocolate chips. It is so moist and so good! Can’t wait to try more
    of your recipes!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 21, 2024

      I can’t wait for your to try more also! I’m so glad you loved this, especially the picky eater!

      Reply

    • Sanam Younas
      August 26, 2024

      Foĺlowed the exact recipe, it was dense and didnt feel like bread, instead felt rubber like.

      Reply

      • NatashasKitchen.com
        August 26, 2024

        Hi Sanam! That can happen if you use too much flour (makes it dense) and if you over-mix the batter (makes it gummy and rubber like). I have a tutorial on how to measure your ingredients here. I hope that helps.

        Reply

  • Katrina
    August 20, 2024

    I was looking for a banana Walnut recipe and stumbled upon yours. I do follow you on YouTube so I knew it would be good. I would have never thought to add raisins. I didn’t know it would be this good! I made half the recipe and it still turned out great!

    Reply

  • lola
    August 20, 2024

    Just baked this. Batter tasted so good. Had oven thermometer inside the oven next to the pan. Checked temp at 30 minutes. Came back 15 minutes later. Top and bottom of the bread way too browned, almost burnt. Inside is delicious and not dry at all. Annoying that baking instructions aren’t correct even when using an oven thermometer.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 20, 2024

      Hi Lola, I’m happy to hear the batter tasted good! I would double check the position of your oven rack to ensure your pan is in the middle to lower section of the oven to prevent it from browning. Each oven is different in shape and size and if not calibrated properly could run hotter. Ensure you are using normal bake mode. If your bread is noticeably getting dark too soon, you may tent it with foil and lower your temperature slightly by 25 degrees. This is one of our most popular recipes and I hope these tips are helpful to you.

      Reply

    • Ilene
      August 22, 2024

      Just made it …my husband loved it!!! Thank you, best banana bread I ever baked….

      Reply

  • Brooke
    August 19, 2024

    It’s a good recipe. I also think it’s a little dry. I measured the flour perfectly and baked at 350 for 50 min. It is soft and has good flavor but it could use another banana.

    Reply

    • Kyle L
      August 20, 2024

      Add applesauce – about 1/4 to 1/2 cup… Softens the bread right up and adds to the consistency! 🙂

      Reply

      • Natashas Kitchen
        August 20, 2024

        Thank you so much for sharing that with us.

        Reply

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