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 6205 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 6205 votes (4,175 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Courtney Aldridge
    December 21, 2024

    I love this recipe! After trying a few different banana bread recipes this is the one I liked best. I just made mini loaves for the first time! I doubled the recipe and filled 6 mini tin foil loaf pans. Makes a wonderful treat to gift!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 21, 2024

      Hi Courtney! Thank you so much for the feedback. So glad you love the recipe!

      Reply

  • Lisa
    December 21, 2024

    I have been baking for a long time. This is the best banana bread recipe! Super moist. Nice consistency. Love it!

    Lisa

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 21, 2024

      Thank you, Lisa! That makes me so happy to hear.

      Reply

  • Manha
    December 21, 2024

    Hi! If I double this recipe and put it in a bigger cake pan, would I have to change the oven temperature or just increase the bake time?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 21, 2024

      Hi Manha! The temperature can stay they same, you’ll just have to watch it in the oven and check for doneness.

      Reply

  • drake baptiste
    December 21, 2024

    i would love to try this recipe. i want to bake for Atleast 40 people so should i double everything ?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 21, 2024

      Hi Drake, I recommend clicking “Jump to recipe” at the top of the post, it will take you to our printable recipe where you’ll have the option to change the number of servings. Hover over the number of servings highlighted in red and slide it to how many servings you would like to make. I hope that helps!

      Reply

  • yvonne
    December 21, 2024

    Hi Natasha. it’s Christmas time and I’m making your Roast Turkey again:)
    I’ve been serving this flavourful and moist roast turkey for about 3 years since I discovered the recipe on website. It’s always my table centre piece dish on Christmas lunch.
    Also, I baked your banana bread and brought it to work for morning tea and everyone enjoyed it., it’s delish..
    I’ve shared your recipe to my workmates as they’ve loved it
    Thank you again for sharing your recipes

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 21, 2024

      Hi Yvonne! That’s wonderful to hear. Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Jen
    December 21, 2024

    I added some cinnamon; other than that, I followed recipe and it was delicious!

    Reply

  • Natara Strother
    December 21, 2024

    Excellent recipe. Made it as directions stated. Will definitely make again.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 21, 2024

      So happy you loved it, Natara!

      Reply

  • Sandra Cruz
    December 21, 2024

    Love it. My go to recipe for breakfast, desserts or when company arrives for tea/coffee. Always delicious and very easy to make.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 21, 2024

      Hi Sandra! We love this one too. Thanks for sharing your feedback.

      Reply

  • Larry
    December 21, 2024

    Excellent recipe !!!
    My husband and I love it!

    Reply

  • Juliana
    December 21, 2024

    Is it possible to use salted butter and omit salt instead? Or sub with coconut oil? Thanks!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 21, 2024

      Hi Juliana! Yes, you can use salted and omit the salt. I haven’t tested oil, but some of my readers have reported good results using oil.

      Reply

  • Marla Jo Manske
    December 20, 2024

    How long would I bake if my loaf pan is
    8 X 4.5 X 2.75 ( a USA pan )? Thank you

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 21, 2024

      Hi Marla! I would not recommend a smaller pan because there would be too much batter.

      Reply

      • Marla Jo Manske
        December 21, 2024

        We’ve made this recipe several times and it is very good! Then I bought new loaf pans, not realizing they were a different size. Thank you for the fast reply.

        Reply

        • NatashasKitchen.com
          December 21, 2024

          You’re welcome, Marla! You could cut the recipe down or just remove some batter and bake the extra in something smaller so that your pans are not overfilled.

          Reply

  • Kaufman Doris
    December 20, 2024

    Can I substitute walnuts for pecans? Can you add more bananas to this recipe instead of doubling the recipe.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 20, 2024

      Hi there! Yes, both pecans or walnuts would work. I haven’t increase the banana amount without making any modifications to advice.

      Reply

  • Judy
    December 19, 2024

    Good!! I added cinnamon

    Reply

  • Meme
    December 19, 2024

    I am not someone that loves banana bread. This recipe changed the game for me. I had some ripe bananas and (I mean use or lose bananas) decided to try after about ten years of a banana bread hiatus. Didn’t matter who made the bread I just have never been much of a fan. This recipe changed my banana bread outlook. This is the most delicious recipe, of all time! I didn’t add nuts or raisins and it was perfection. This deserves all the stars and the moon. Make it!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      December 19, 2024

      I’m so happy to hear that you loved our banana bread recipe!!

      Reply

  • Grace montes
    December 19, 2024

    Made it. Its good except the baking soda is too strong. Next time i will just use 1/2 tsp baking soda instead.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      December 19, 2024

      Hi Grace, I haven’t had any issues with the baking soda being too strong. Did you maybe change any of the ingredients in the recipe which could have caused that?

      Reply

  • Nicoya Ingram
    December 18, 2024

    It made it twice and both times the taste was great! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 18, 2024

      I’m so glad you loved the recipe! Thank you.

      Reply

  • Bill
    December 16, 2024

    I have made this recipe multiple times with great results. Last time, I added a tablespoon (or so) of molasses. Gave it a deeper flavor and a richer color

    Reply

  • Di
    December 16, 2024

    Made it using spring loaf pans. Added toasted coconut flakes too. Be sure to toast bananas in oven for 15 min before peeling n adding to mixture. Even better flavor

    Yummy

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 16, 2024

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • D
    December 16, 2024

    Made it using spring loaf pans. Added toasted coconut flakes too. Yummy

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 16, 2024

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it, D!

      Reply

    • Linda
      December 16, 2024

      Why only a 4 star? It would nice to know why you gave it. Then we could tweak it if we wanted to, 😊

      Reply

  • Sam Johnson
    December 16, 2024

    One queation, can I replace all sugar with dry fruits such as raisins and dates ?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 16, 2024

      I haven’t tested this without any sugar. I’ve used less sugar, or replaced sugar with honey. You can use other dried fruits too, but I would be mindful of the amount you use so it doesn’t weigh down the bread and become too dense.

      Reply

As Featured On

Never Go "Hangry" Again!

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