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

4.98 from 5773 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
4.98 from 5773 votes (4,175 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • annabelle
    December 29, 2024

    I LOVE THIS RECIPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😎

    Reply

  • Kathrine
    December 29, 2024

    DO NOT MAKE THIS!!! Because everyone will want you to make it again and again and it will become a tedious chore! (I loved it!)

    Reply

  • Nina
    December 28, 2024

    Thank you for sharing a very delicious 😋 recipe caused I loved banana bread.

    Reply

  • Erica Bae
    December 28, 2024

    Hello , can I use banana extract instead of vanilla extract in this recipe?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 28, 2024

      Hi Erica! Sure, but we really enjoy the natural flavor of banana and the vanilla just helps bring it up a notch.

      Reply

  • Allie
    December 27, 2024

    Absolutely delicious and so easy to make! Super moist, and a crowd pleaser. Substituted raisins for chocolate chips, will be my go to recipe for banana bread

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 27, 2024

      That’s wonderful to hear, Allie!

      Reply

  • Ash
    December 27, 2024

    I made it following the recipe. Thank you!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 27, 2024

      You’re welcome, Ash! Thanks for trying my recipe. I hope you loved it!

      Reply

  • Lisa Wilson
    December 27, 2024

    I used craisins, didn’t have any raisins… think it will be good?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 27, 2024

      Yes, it works with other dried fruits too!

      Reply

  • Pat
    December 26, 2024

    Could I sub one frozen banana for one fresh?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 26, 2024

      Hi Pat! Yes, you can use frozen bananas too. Just thaw them.

      Reply

  • sara
    December 25, 2024

    turned out very delicious and moist. I also added 1/2 Tsp cinnamon, 1/4 Tsp nutmeg and 1/4 Tsp all spice. Banana and cinnamon goes well together. thanks a lot . I am heading to make the ginger man cookie batch !

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 25, 2024

      That sounds great! Thank you for the feedback. I hope you love the cookies too!

      Reply

  • Renee king
    December 25, 2024

    This is the only recipe I usecand my friends love it. Thank you Merry Christmas

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 25, 2024

      That’s wonderful, Renee! So glad you love this recipe.

      Reply

  • vanessa
    December 25, 2024

    I simply love all your recipes, thank you for sharing. My life is a little easier with feeding the family because I follow your instructions and I get many compliments.

    Reply

  • Heather A Lax
    December 25, 2024

    I made this without the nuts or raisins. Delicious and so easy.

    Reply

  • Teresa Fenimore
    December 24, 2024

    Can I use candied walnuts? And can I substitute brown sugar for the white sugar?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      December 24, 2024

      Hi Teresa, I think you could use candied walnuts but you will end up with a sweeter banana bread. I have had some people report good results using brown sugar instead of white sugar or using half brown sugar and half granulated sugar.

      Reply

  • Tamryn
    December 24, 2024

    I omitted the raisins and added coconut and blended pecans with my walnuts and it was exquisite !!!

    Reply

  • Janet Leo
    December 23, 2024

    Best Banana bread recipe, hands-down!
    If I am making banana bread, it’s going to be this recipe

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 24, 2024

      So glad you love this recipe!

      Reply

  • Michelle
    December 23, 2024

    We haven’t tried yet. But do you have to put in the raisins and nuts? I like neither of them

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 23, 2024

      We love our banana bread with raisins and nuts but you can omit them too!

      Reply

    • Olivia
      December 24, 2024

      I like to use chocolate chips for a contrast in texture and flavor instead of nuts! Give it a try 🙂

      Reply

  • Shawnie
    December 23, 2024

    How long is the baking time if using mini loaf pans and would the temperature remain the same?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 23, 2024

      Hi Shawnie! I haven’t tested it myself but here is what one of my viewers said, “I made this bread today, and it turned out great. Very delicious! I had good luck making 3 mini loaves instead of the single large loaf. (Same recipe, same oven temp, just bake approximately 30 minutes).”
      I hope that helps.

      Reply

      • Shawnie
        December 24, 2024

        That helps a lot. Thank you so much.
        Happy Holidays from Hawaii. 🌺

        Reply

  • Rose-Anna
    December 23, 2024

    Would replacing raisins with chopped dates in your moist banana bread recipe be a good choice. I have a lot of dried dates left over. Thanks

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 23, 2024

      Hi Rose-Anna, That should work! One of our readers shared this “I doubled the recipe. Used less sugar and added some light brown sugar. I had leftover dates from my Italian fig cookies, so I chopped them and threw in as well as raisins and craisins and the toasted walnuts. I made two loaf pans and half dozen muffins. So good! The only recipe I will use for banana bread!” I hope that helps.

      Reply

  • David
    December 22, 2024

    The Banana Bread recipe is really good… I have added 1 cup raisons by mistake, 1/2 cup of sultanas, 1 cup of walnuts, 1/2 cup of almonds… 1/2 cup of sugar and it still is great. I just what a simpler way to make 3 , 4 at a time. End up with bowls all over the place as we have a very small counter space. Any ideas? Thanks, Merry Christmas and all the best in the new year.

    Reply

  • Audrey Williams
    December 22, 2024

    Dear Natasha,
    Hopefully you get this as I use Google.
    I wanted to say thank you for the many wonderful recipes you have put on line for everyone.
    We have tried several and have not ever disappointed!!
    We tried the banana bread yesterday,unfortunately there’s no picture as we ate it all

    Reply

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