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

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Karina
    November 26, 2024

    How do i store it? Can i leave it out or refrigerate?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      November 26, 2024

      For short term storage like 1-2 days you can store it at room temperature. Just wrap it in an airtight container or plastic wrap. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for a maximum of a week and you can also freeze it for longer storage time.

      Reply

  • Mandi
    November 26, 2024

    Love this recipe!!

    I do use chocolate chips instead of all the raisins and nuts, and use 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup regular sugar.

    So good and easy!

    Reply

  • nene
    November 26, 2024

    I’ve made this bread 4x this month. Really good! Great to give to neighbors for the holiday!
    Will be making your pumpkin bread tomorrow LOL

    Reply

  • Venice Clarke
    November 26, 2024

    Hi I tried your recipe, it was very nice not a little dry I want to make some more. What do you recommend to make it more moist.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 26, 2024

      Hi Venice! The mashed bananas should add plenty of moisture. A dry bread could be due to using too much flour or over baking.
      Watch my tutorial on How to measure ingredients to ensure you’re using the right amount of flour.

      Reply

  • Athena
    November 24, 2024

    What do you count as a serving? The nutritional facts state 350 per serving but no other measurement. Thank you in advance.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 24, 2024

      Hi Athena! At the top of the recipe card you’ll see the number of servings that this makes. It makes 10 slices so the nutrition facts are per slice.

      Reply

  • Beth
    November 24, 2024

    Easy to follow and simple ingredients that most people have on hand.

    Reply

    • Sammy Lamm
      November 27, 2024

      Loved it ! I’ve tried so many different recipes & this one is my favorite . Thank you for sharing <3

      Reply

      • Natashas Kitchen
        November 27, 2024

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

        Reply

  • Lea
    November 22, 2024

    Good recipe for banana bread. I just added a bit of cocoa powder and instead of butter I put oil and it is just like I like it. Thank you 🙂

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 22, 2024

      Thank you for sharing, Lea!

      Reply

  • elliott
    November 21, 2024

    im trying the recipe and i made some changes to it i added something to the butter (iykyk) to take it to a different level and i didnt make it into bread but into muffins easier batches so we will see where we goooo

    Reply

    • P Banks
      November 23, 2024

      Wondering how your “enhanced” butter affected the banana flavor before I try something similar, any tips or additional advice welcomed.

      Reply

  • Mary
    November 21, 2024

    Can yo use salted butter instead of unsalted?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 21, 2024

      Hi Mary. Using unsalted butter allows control over how much salt add. You can use salted, just omit the salt.

      Reply

  • Kimberly k Collins
    November 20, 2024

    Amazing recipe 😋 I love all your recipes Natasha 😋

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 20, 2024

      Thank you so much!

      Reply

      • Sarah
        November 27, 2024

        Tried this recipe this morning for the first time, it’s so moist and delicious, by far the best recipe of all times. Thank you for the recipe Natasha 🩷💐☺️

        Reply

        • Natashas Kitchen
          November 27, 2024

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

          Reply

  • Yolanda
    November 20, 2024

    This is the Best Easy Recipe
    I made a couple of changes,
    I used 1/2 c sugar because the bananas were very ripe & instead of raisins i used white chocolate chips with walnuts & added 1 tablespoon yogurt.
    Baked at 350 in 12 muffin pan for 50
    Minutes.
    This is my go to recipe!
    Minutes.

    Reply

  • Nikkie
    November 18, 2024

    This is by far the best recipe I have tried for banana bread. I’m not the best at baking but I’m not horrible either. I don’t have a pan to use for banana bread, so instead I do this reciepe but instead of raisins I add some chocolate chips, and put in a muffin pan! They don’t come out super fluffy but they aren’t completely flat either. They are really moist and delicious!

    Reply

  • Felisia Crump
    November 18, 2024

    Can I make an alternative from walnut to pecans

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 18, 2024

      Hi Felisia, yes, that will work!

      Reply

  • Alejandra Sejas
    November 18, 2024

    Why baking soda and not baking powder? I Made it but it’s not Fluffy, can i use baking power instead?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 18, 2024

      Hi Alejandra! 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.

      Reply

  • Pamela Vines
    November 18, 2024

    It truly is the best banana bread I’ve ever made. I did not add raisins because my husband doesn’t like them. And, I did not add walnuts because my elderly father can’t chew them, but even so, it was amazing. I must say that I added a dollop of Greek yogurt just for kicks, and I used vanilla paste instead of pure vanilla. I will make this again for sure! Thanks so much!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 18, 2024

      You’re very welcome! So happy you enjoyed that recipe. Thank you for the feedback.

      Reply

  • Jan
    November 17, 2024

    How much mashed banana is it? We have some really large ones.
    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      November 17, 2024

      3 very ripe bananas, (medium/large)

      Reply

  • Joan
    November 17, 2024

    Delicious and easy to make! Will definitely make it again.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 17, 2024

      So happy you loved the recipe, Joan!

      Reply

  • Amra Nadeem
    November 17, 2024

    Pls do share video as well.
    Overall the recipe is so perfect as always

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 17, 2024

      Hi Amra! There is a video attached, scroll down to the video section, or click the video icon at the top of the page next to the “jump to recipe” button.

      Reply

  • Sunshine
    November 16, 2024

    Delicious ~ a staple in our home, make this bread often. I do add a tablespoon of sour cream otherwise follow the recipe as written. Thanks ☺️

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 16, 2024

      So glad to hear that you’re enjoying it. Thank you for sharing that with us.

      Reply

  • Tanna
    November 16, 2024

    Great recipe. Moist and flavorful. Easy to make.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 16, 2024

      I’m happy you loved it, Tanna!!

      Reply

As Featured On

Never Go "Hangry" Again!

Get weekly updates on new recipes, exclusive giveaways plus behind the scenes photos.