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.
So freaking moist and good thank u next time ill add a little less walnuts
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!!
Made this today and it is very moist and yummy. Will definitely make again
Delicious! It is so moist, mu husband and I loved it. Warm with butter is the best.
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.
This recipe is a keeper. I did not change a thing! Absolutely perfect:) Thanks
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, TJ!
Thank you!! This banana bread is so moist and delicious!! Thank you
You’re very welcome, Tina! Happy to hear you enjoyed it.
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.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Thesa!
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.
That sounds wonderful, Angela! Thanks for trying the recipe and for sharing your experience.
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. 🙂
Thank you for sharing that with me, Christina!
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.
Hi can i use brown sugar instead of granulated?
Hi M! You can, but it will change the texture and taste a little bit.
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!!
You’re very welcome, Bee! So glad they turned out well for you.
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.
Delicious!
I’m happy you enjoyed it, Adriana!
Hi Natasha,
Love this recipe! I always make this and it’s always a hit. Easy and super moist and delicious 😋
So glad to hear that, Naomi! Thank you for sharing.
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?
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.
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!
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!
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!!
That’s so great to hear, Andrea!
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.