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

  • Dawn
    October 21, 2024

    All I have is salted butter. Can I use that and omit the salt?? Idk. Please advise

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      October 21, 2024

      Hi Sam. That would be fine. I hope you love the recipe.

      Reply

  • Ron
    October 21, 2024

    Want an extra moist and ooey-gooey textured loaf? I add approx 2 Tablespoons of Mayonnaise to the batter while mixing and when you remove bread from loaf pan, immediately wrap the loaf in Saranwrap and let cool!.

    Reply

  • MIKE
    October 20, 2024

    So yummy! Quick to whip up. I baked without the add ins the first time. I’ve just mixed one up with chocolate chips. Can’t wait to try. Smells amazing!

    Reply

  • Alyce
    October 20, 2024

    Sorry, I mean what is the “baking” time for mini loaves?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      October 20, 2024

      I have not tested this in mini loaves to advise of the exact cooking time but I would just watch out for it and check every now and then before it completes the cooking time.

      Reply

  • Karen
    October 19, 2024

    Can I use pecans and roast them as well?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      October 19, 2024

      Hi Karen! Yes, that would work great.

      Reply

  • Sandy Damato
    October 19, 2024

    My absolute favorite banana bread recipe. Always turns out moist and amazing.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      October 19, 2024

      Hi Sandy! I’m so glad you’re loving the recipe!

      Reply

  • Tammie Dedic
    October 19, 2024

    Excellent! Made a double batch! My husband is not a raisin or walnut fan so I omitted the raisins and walnuts in the first loaf and substituted chocolate chips for the raisins in the second loaf. Both were delicious!

    Reply

  • Mary
    October 19, 2024

    Can you use self rising flour & omit baking soda

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      October 19, 2024

      Hi Mary! I haven’t tested self rising flour but likely you’ll need to add baking soda.

      Reply

  • Caroline
    October 18, 2024

    Excellent recipe, and thank you for putting the amount of ingredients in the steps, so I didn’t have to scroll up. Also, I used this recipe to make muffins. In muffin pan, I cooked for 25 minutes and tested center with a toothpick. They are delicious.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 18, 2024

      You’re so welcome! I’m glad that was helpul, Caroline!

      Reply

  • Stefani Schiff
    October 18, 2024

    I was wondering if I could turn this recipe into muffins so it would be easier to grab and go for the kids if so, would I use the same temperature and how many minutes would I bake them for?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      October 18, 2024

      Hello Stefani! I have another recipe for Banana Muffins. Hope you love it!

      Reply

  • twistedchildturnsmadmonk
    October 17, 2024

    …my go to recipe for banana bread… I do add tons more raisins, oatmeal, Cashew nuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds… and others to this…

    Reply

  • Marissa
    October 17, 2024

    Such a yummy recipe! I turn this into what I call banana split bread and add a handful of chocolate chips and swap out the raisins for dried cherries.

    Reply

  • Melissa
    October 17, 2024

    If I want to use honey instead of sugar for a healthier option, what is the amount I should use?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 17, 2024

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

      Reply

  • Iviana
    October 17, 2024

    Is the cook time the same if I’m making muffins instead of the loaf? Thanks!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      October 17, 2024

      Hi Iviana! They would bake much faster. Please reference my Banana muffin recipehere.

      Reply

  • Edith
    October 17, 2024

    This is the best recipe for banana bread that I’ve ever come across 😋 tried mine today and it was soooo good, super moist and delicious. Thanks for this 💕

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      October 17, 2024

      You are so very welcome!

      Reply

      • Farida
        October 17, 2024

        I made so many time banana it’s so good only thing it gets very dark and doesn’t cook in the middle. Can u please tell me what can I do to fix this problem

        Reply

        • NatashasKitchen.com
          October 17, 2024

          Hi Farida! Are you using a fan (convection) oven? This recipe was tested in a conventional oven so if you are using a fan oven, you will need to lower the temperature and bake it for longer since it bakes faster. Are you using the same pan size that I recommended in the recipe? Also, the type of pan you are using in the material that it’s made out of can affect how it makes sense materials distribute heat differently.

          Reply

  • Watcharee
    October 17, 2024

    Best ever banana bread recipe and I use this recipe for life absolutely delicious moist and soft

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      October 17, 2024

      Thank you for sharing. I’m so glad you loved it.

      Reply

  • Janet
    October 16, 2024

    Used this recipe for the first thing I ever baked from scratch! Thanks! It’s fall and I believe I’m going to wear this recipe out!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 16, 2024

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Judith Maltz
    October 16, 2024

    This recipe for banana bread was really delicious. I followed the recipe, except I didn’t have any walnuts, so I added chopped dates along with the raisins and it came out wonderful!

    Reply

  • Paige
    October 15, 2024

    I really like how easy this recipe is, and the banana bread was delish! I started with 50 minutes (5 less than suggested) and my bread came out a bit dry (I have a thermometer in my oven so I know it was at the proper temp). I’ll be reducing my cook time in the future to make sure it’s nice and moist!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      October 15, 2024

      Hi Paige! I’m glad you’re liking this recipe. Every oven bakes differently, and it could also be the type of pan used since the heat can be distributed differently based on the material the pan is made of. I would definitely decrease the time a bit to see if that helps. Also- make
      sure to measure your flour correctly and not scoop it from the container with your measuring cup. Either use a food scale to weigh it, or fluff and spoon it into your measuring cup, then level it off. I hope that helps!

      Reply

  • Margaret
    October 14, 2024

    Just made this and we are enjoying a slice with our coffee. Next time I will make sure I have golden raisins.
    It is delicious!

    Reply

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