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 5727 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

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the creator behind Natasha's Kitchen (established in 2009), and I share family-friendly, authentic recipes. I am a New York Times Best-Selling cookbook author and a trusted video personality in the culinary world. My husband, Vadim, and I run this blog together, ensuring every recipe we share is thoroughly tested and approved. Our mission is to provide you with delicious, reliable recipes you can count on. Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy you are here.

Read more posts by Natasha

4.98 from 5727 votes (4,175 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Kelly Ip
    January 6, 2025

    So freaking moist and good thank u next time ill add a little less walnuts

    Reply

  • Aki
    January 6, 2025

    Great recipe! I replaced the eggs with 1/2 cup yoghurt, and added 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to give a bit of a cakey feel and my family loved it. Thanks a lot!!

    Reply

  • Veroneeka Scott
    January 5, 2025

    Made this today and it is very moist and yummy. Will definitely make again

    Reply

  • Linda Gutke
    January 5, 2025

    Delicious! It is so moist, mu husband and I loved it. Warm with butter is the best.

    Reply

  • Marlena
    January 4, 2025

    Making this again today for my husband and son. I have made this at least 50 times. It really is an amazing recipe. The only thing I do different is add some cinnamon, nutmeg and a pinch of ginger and then sprinkle the greased bowl with cinnamon sugar and then on top before baking. Adds a sweet little crunch. Everyone loves it.

    Reply

  • TJ
    January 4, 2025

    This recipe is a keeper. I did not change a thing! Absolutely perfect:) Thanks

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 4, 2025

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

      Reply

  • Tina Turner
    January 3, 2025

    Thank you!! This banana bread is so moist and delicious!! Thank you

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 3, 2025

      You’re very welcome, Tina! Happy to hear you enjoyed it.

      Reply

  • Thesa
    January 3, 2025

    It was delicious. I just made this today but I sprinkled a little bit of granulated sugar on top before baking. It caramelized and add a little bit of crunch and sweetness.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 3, 2025

      Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Thesa!

      Reply

  • Angela
    January 2, 2025

    omg this was amazing!I saw the comment about the nutmeg and cinnamon and put 1/8 tsp of each in it and I ate half the bread within an hour…I know I couldn’t help it tho I pigged out.. warm with butter and cream cheese holy moly ok gtg get some more lol.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 2, 2025

      That sounds wonderful, Angela! Thanks for trying the recipe and for sharing your experience.

      Reply

  • Christina
    January 1, 2025

    I like to add apple sauce to make it moist. One little snack cup that the apple sauce comes in. I also like to use pecans and sometimes I add chocolate chips or white chocolate chips to it.. I also like to add half the sugar. Everyone loves my banana bread. I always use this recipe but modify it a little. 🙂

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 1, 2025

      Thank you for sharing that with me, Christina!

      Reply

  • Evelyn
    December 31, 2024

    The roasted nuts gives it more of nutty flavor which I’m not the biggest fan of. Overall good banana bread but not too moist or dry, right in the middle.

    Reply

  • M
    December 31, 2024

    Hi can i use brown sugar instead of granulated?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 31, 2024

      Hi M! You can, but it will change the texture and taste a little bit.

      Reply

  • Bee
    December 31, 2024

    Made 3 loaves with different variations of chocolate chips and cranberries and all of them turned out to be so soft and perfectly baked!
    Thank you!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 31, 2024

      You’re very welcome, Bee! So glad they turned out well for you.

      Reply

    • Debbie
      January 1, 2025

      I wish I had read your comment first. We have a non walnut lover who loves chocolate and dried cranberries. I have two all chocolate chip versions but I will try the cranberries and chocolate next time.

      Reply

  • Adriana
    December 31, 2024

    Delicious!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 31, 2024

      I’m happy you enjoyed it, Adriana!

      Reply

  • Naomi
    December 30, 2024

    Hi Natasha,

    Love this recipe! I always make this and it’s always a hit. Easy and super moist and delicious 😋

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 30, 2024

      So glad to hear that, Naomi! Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

  • Cynthia Wiley
    December 30, 2024

    I personally don’t like banana, but my husband and boys have RAVED about this recipe! Question, can I add frozen blueberries (essentially make it blueberry banana bread) or would that change the ingredient ratios?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 30, 2024

      Hi Cynthia! I’m so glad he loved this bread! I haven’t tried adding frozen blueberry, but here’s what one of my readers shared ” I did not have enough bananas, added frozen blueberries……….came out perfect!!” I hope it helps.

      Reply

  • Frank
    December 30, 2024

    Hands down, this is the best banana bread ever!
    So moist and delicious! Problem is, I eat the whole thing in 2 days. Lol. It’s so good!

    Reply

  • Lois O.
    December 30, 2024

    For the cruelty-free bakers out there, you can remove the eggs (bananas + baking powder already work as a binder + raiser) and replace the butter with vegan butter, margarine, or oil.

    I also highly recommend adding cinnamon and nutmeg, or chai latte powder if you have it, and using half soft brown and half white sugar. And don’t forget to sprinkle sugar on the top before baking for a sweet crunchy crust – arguably the best bit!

    Reply

  • Andrea S.
    December 29, 2024

    Hands down the BEST banana bread recipe I have ever made !!! It was moist and delicious!! I added ground cinnamon and nutmeg too!! Thank you for sharing! I will definitely recommend to friends!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 29, 2024

      That’s so great to hear, Andrea!

      Reply

  • Karen
    December 29, 2024

    Love love your recipes. Can’t wait to make this. I can almost taste yours. Don’t like raisins so I will be putting in dried cranberries.

    Reply

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