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.
Love the recipe ,but way to much sugar…I used 1/4 cup ,still sweet….Bananas are sweet enough
Hi, I just happen to fall upon this recipe, which looks delicious, and I was wondering would adding a touch of applesauce into the batter harm the flavor or consistency at all?
Hi Alicia! I have not tested it myself but some of my viewers have used applesauce in place of butter or used a mixed of apple sauce and oil.
Thanks Natasha for the reply! I am going to try it with adding both and will definitely let you know how it goes. Very excited as are my family!
Soooo good and very moist, I also added chocolate chips instead of walnuts or raisins and it was delicious!
I am waiting on mine to bake, but just want to say thank you for putting the measurements in the instructions! I hate having to go back and look at how much I need for each ingredient as I go ❤️
You’re welcome! Glad that was helpful, I hope you enjoy the recipe!
I substituted half of the sugar w brown sugar and it turned out great! Also added dark chocolate chips. This recipe is not too heavy and makes u wanna keep eating more hehe :3
This was so yummy I put in 4 bananas, one a little less ripe, one suuuuper ripe and two perfectly ripe. I also used oat flour and probably a little extra butter and vanilla. I baked it in a square metal pan for 25/30 minutes sine it wasn’t stall as typical bread and more ñikebriw ie dize iteoulf have cooked too much. Oh I also added chocolate chips. So god!
This is the simplest banana bread recipe I have ever seen. Of course, I went tropical and Christmasie with it subbing I banana with a mandarin orange and pecans for walnuts, using rum extract in addition to the vanilla and adding candied fruits and coconut, but… Mmmmm great base for a fantastic dessert cake (could be snack or breakfast but, whyyyyy?)
Can I use brown sugar instead of white sugar? If so, how much?
Hi Lee, Brown sugar would be fine too but I have found that brown sugar tends to change the texture and flavor a bit.
Hii I substituted half of the sugar with brown sugar and it turned out great! 🙂
Hi Natasha and team, I have made this recipe a few times, with perfect results each time. As with all your recipes, it is extremely reliable, well tested and delicious. I recently was asked to make this for someone who is allergic to eggs. Any recommendation for the best egg substitute for this recipe?
Hi Meera, I’m so happy you have loved this recipe. I haven’t tested this but one of my readers wrote: “Ground flaxseed and water is an egg substitute. I think it is 1 Tablespoon of flaxseed mixed with 3 Tablespoons of water is the equivalent of one egg. You may want to do an internet search for more information.” I hope that helps.
My all-time favorite. I made muffins with this recipe, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser.
I have made this recipe several times and given it away as a gift 🎁. It is delicious and I usually get compliments on it. I don’t make it with the raisins just the walnuts. I use 2 small loaf pans so I shorten the cooking time to 45 minutes.
When making this as muffins is the baking time the same
Hi Lisa, you will likely need to adjust it. I have a Banana muffin recipe you can use for reference.
So, I have made your recipe (today December 1st, 2024) for the third time! I can’t get enough of this recipe! I haven’t added raisins to my batter but I did add cranberries to it (the dried one like raisins) and it is amazing for Christmas time!! Super fluffy, super delicious! Thank you!
Looking forward to baking these! How would I adjust baking time for mini (5×3) loaf pans?
You might have to adjustn the baking time since smaller loaves will cook faster. For mini loaf pans (5×3 inches), you can bake it for about 25-35 minutes. Make sure to check around 25 minutes by inserting a toothpick in the center of the loaf. Hope you enjoy!
Made muffins with your recipe it made 10 regular muffins shortened the cook time to approx 35min
Am I able to use a bundt pan instead of a loaf pan?
Hi Teri! Yes- but here is my Banana Bundt Cake recipe.
Ooooh, that would be great, filled with a ribbon of banana pudding in there!
Very good. Thank you so much. Your website has become my absolute favourite for cooking. Getting your cookbook. Blessings 🙌🏻
You are so very welcome. I’m so happy to hear that. Be blessed!
This thanksgiving we swapped cranberries for the raisins. Lovely!
Did you use fresh, frozen or dried, I love cranberries?
What can i do with the extra batter of this recipe? This is a yummy recipe. Can i make another batch and add the remaining batter?
I’m sure that will work just fine!
Good recipe moist and really easy can’t go wrong with this banana bread
This is the third time that I used this recipe. Well never use another one. Easy and delicious!
Hi Theresa, I am so happy to hear that! So glad you love the banana bread!