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

  • Tehani
    November 16, 2024

    Way too much butter. The banana flavor was overpowered by the richness of the butter. The top edges tasted deep fried. I won’t make this recipe again.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      November 18, 2024

      Hi Tehani, I’m sorry to hear that since this is one of our most popular recipes. Did you possibly mis-measure the butter or add it when it was melted instead of softened?

      Reply

  • Belinda Shumpert
    November 15, 2024

    Okay. So I made this again and tweaked it some for gluten free. I used almond flour and added appx 1/8 cup of milk and increased the raisins to 1 1/2 cups (to add more moisture due to almond flour). I also used pecans instead, just because I prefer them.

    It turned out AMAZING! I would recommend this to anyone! Will definitely make this again.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 15, 2024

      Thank you for sharing that with us, Belinda. I’m glad it turned out for you!

      Reply

  • Belinda Shumpert
    November 15, 2024

    Made this for my father and daughter. They loved it. I would have given it 5 stars, but it didn’t offer advice on gluten free options.

    Reply

  • Darryl
    November 15, 2024

    I noticed it said in recipe about using honey instead of sugar but no measurement was listed for that. How much honey would be needed to replace the sugar.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      November 15, 2024

      Honey is sweeter than sugar so you will need less of it. Example, if the recipe calls for 1 cup of sugar, you can replace it with about 2/3 cup (or 5.33 oz) of honey.

      Reply

  • Dody
    November 14, 2024

    For the first time my husband is asking me to make more bread. I added an extra touch. I made a real simple vanilla icing on top.

    Reply

  • Laura
    November 14, 2024

    Hi! I have just used your recipe and the banana bread is currently baking in the oven…..loving the aroma from the kitchen so far…

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 14, 2024

      Hi Laura! Thank you for trying my recipe. Come back and let us know how it turned out.

      Reply

    • Joe
      November 20, 2024

      This is the 2nd time I’m making banana bread per your recipe. The 1st time, it wasn’t too bad. I used a loaf pan. Today, I’m using a 6″ x 9″ pan. We’ll see how it turns out. I used 4 medium bananas this time, instead of 3. It should be delicious!

      Reply

  • Jon
    November 14, 2024

    Loved it. Did exactly 55 mins and just softly folded everything. I would personally add one firm banana chopped up as well for texture plus I love those chunks in banana bread. Otherwise this was perfect!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 14, 2024

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

      Reply

  • Kat Dohallow
    November 14, 2024

    Made this many times. I follow exactly the recipe but I added 1/2 cup of avocado oil to make it super moist to fit my personal preference. Thank you so much. 🥰

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 14, 2024

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

      Reply

  • Mandi
    November 14, 2024

    Can I use 1/4 brown sugar and 1/2 cup regular? Will that change anything drastically?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 14, 2024

      Hi Mandi! You can, but brown sugar will change the texture a bit and it will have a richer/robust flavor.

      Reply

  • Ga’Brielle Darden
    November 13, 2024

    Have made this recipe several times! But I add cinnamon and nutmeg and a little extra vanilla extract…love it! So does the familia 😊

    Reply

  • LC
    November 13, 2024

    I made this today for the 2nd time this fall.
    It’s such a beautiful moist recipe.
    I skipped the nuts and soaked a handful of raisins in hot water then chopped the raisins and folded them in at the end.
    (My old recipe always came out dry)
    I baked this today at 350 degrees for 58 minutes.
    I rotate the pan every 15 minutes or so.
    Near the end of bake time I monitor the doneness closely with a cake tester to avoid over baking.
    This is now my go to b.bread recipe!
    Thank you
    -L

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 13, 2024

      Thank you so much for sharing that with us! So glad you love it.

      Reply

  • Lana
    November 12, 2024

    Either not enough flour or baking temp is too high. This came out overcooked, almost burnt, on the outside and not cooked on the inside.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 12, 2024

      Hi Lana! This recipe has thousands of 5 star reviews. It’s our favorite banana bread and we’ve made it successfully many times.
      Are you using a convection/fan oven? If so, it will bake faster and needs the temp/time adjusted.
      This recipe was tested in a conventional oven. I highly encourage the use of an internal oven thermometer (Amazon affiliate link) to ensure your oven’s temperature accuracy. Also- if you’re using a glass pan, you should lower the temperature by 25 degrees and bake it longer.
      Be sure to use the right size pan. I hope that helps.

      Reply

  • Jennifer
    November 12, 2024

    Compared to other recipes , I’d say this one is pretty bland. Missing brown sugar and cinnamon. Bread was plain !

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 14, 2024

      Hi Jennifer. I’m sorry to hear that. This recipe has amazing reviews. We have made it successfully many times. You can definitely add cinnamon if you’d like. Brown sugar would be fine too but I have found that brown sugar tends to change the texture and flavor a bit.

      Reply

  • Vil
    November 11, 2024

    Can I use,coconut sugar and dried cranberry?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 11, 2024

      Hi Vil! I haven’t tested it with coconut Cindy, but I think it would be fine. Yes, cranberries work great.

      Reply

  • Angela Sannasardo
    November 10, 2024

    Excellent moist and delicious. Easy to make thank you Natasha,
    Most receipts are dry once you make them but your banana bread is moist and delicious.

    Reply

  • Marilynne
    November 10, 2024

    Tried last night – forgot to take pics but it was very pretty (good rise, nice color and slightly crunchy crust while moist in the middle). Next time I will either use FOUR small or three large bananas. (Only had three REALLY small bananas on hand so it didn’t have enough banana flavor for me). But, overall, it was delicious.

    Reply

  • Ellie
    November 9, 2024

    So good, make it right away, do not hesitate! Delicious!
    Thank you for this recipe, I am adding it to our favourites. xx

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 9, 2024

      Hi Ellie! Thank you so much. I’m glad you found another favorite!

      Reply

  • Deb
    November 9, 2024

    This recipe is the best one I’ve come across. It’s easy and the bread is super moist. Is now my go to for banana nut bread.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 9, 2024

      That’s wonderful to hear, Deb! Thank you for the feedback.

      Reply

  • Natalie M
    November 8, 2024

    This recipe is delicious! As I did not have enough ripe bananas, I also added Persimmons and applesauce to the batter. The toasted walnuts give the bread an extra burst of flavor and crunch, and the bread is moist! Because I substituted some of the banana, I increased the baking time to 65 minutes. (My loaf pan was also a little smaller in size.)

    Reply

  • El
    November 8, 2024

    Question: If baking in tiny ceramic loaf pans (little loaves) in a regular old toaster oven, time & temp adjustments please?? (We’re going to try these in our work/office kitchen… lol) Thank you!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 8, 2024

      Hi El! I’m sorry, I don’t have those instructions. I have not tested this in a toaster oven.

      Reply

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