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

4.97 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)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Aaron
    February 1, 2025

    Is 1.5 cups flour correct? I made this and it turned out like soup bubbling all over the oven

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 1, 2025

      Hi Aaron! That’s correct. Did you use a smaller pan than recommended? If so the batter may have been too deep, causing it to rise and spill over. I would also ensure you measured all of your other ingredients correctly and did not use too much baking soda which can cause excessive bubbling and overflow. This recipe has yielded great results for us, it’s our favorite and one is the most popular recipes on the blog. I hope you’ll try again.

      Reply

  • Hannah
    February 1, 2025

    Can you substitute eggs for anything else in this recipe?
    I always use this recipe and I’ve started to make it again and realised I’ve got no eggs! Disaster!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 1, 2025

      Hi Hannah! I haven’t tested it without eggs. Some people reported using apple sauce in place and it worked well.

      Reply

  • Krista
    January 31, 2025

    The best banana bread ever and It browns up so nicely, I make 4 mini loaves in foil pans. I used pecans, raisins and a few mini semi sweet chocolate chips, delicious!!

    Reply

  • Penny
    January 31, 2025

    The recipe is easy to follow.
    Made a few substitutions.
    Used coconut palm sugar instead of regular sugar. Added less salt. Used raisins and currants mixed with cranberries.
    Just took mine out of the oven.
    It looks so yummy. Can’t wait to slice it up.

    Thank you!

    Reply

  • Michelle
    January 31, 2025

    I made this banana bread with chocolate chips and walnuts. It was sooooo good it was gone in a flash! Awesome recipe

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 31, 2025

      That’s so great to hear! Thank you for your feedback.

      Reply

  • Kelly
    January 31, 2025

    This is my favorite banana bread recipe. It always turns about moist and flavorful. Sometimes I add mini chocolate chips and sometimes I don’t. Either way, this recipe is perfection

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 31, 2025

      I’m so happy you love it, Kelly!

      Reply

  • Marianne Rudebusch
    January 31, 2025

    Made a double batch with craisins instead instead of raisins.
    They are in the oven right now.

    Reply

  • Pan
    January 31, 2025

    Hey Natasha, I’ve added some blueberries instead of the raisins, I’m in the waiting, hope it works out well! Thanks 🙂

    Reply

  • Linda
    January 30, 2025

    Can this possibly made into a cake instead of a loaf? I’d like to try to make it into a cake and maybe use cream cheese frosting? Any tips?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 31, 2025

      Hi there! I think that’s doable but you have to make some adjustments and have to test it out. We’d love to know how it goes!

      Reply

  • Lisa
    January 30, 2025

    It’s in the oven, ill let you know.
    I gave a 5 star for now due to the ease of the recipe. I also dbl. It and added 1 tsp. Cinnamon.I also added the walnuts and raisins. Fingers crossed 🤞

    Reply

  • De VanOverbeke
    January 29, 2025

    It is wonderful! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 29, 2025

      You’re very welcome!

      Reply

  • Tammy
    January 29, 2025

    Natasha, Absolutely best banana bread ever! I used dark brown sugar instead of granulated and omitted raisins….not a fan of them. I shared with my mother-in-law. She said it was the best banana bread she’s ever had. Thank you for yet another delightful recipe.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 29, 2025

      That’s so great to hear, Tammy! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply

  • De
    January 29, 2025

    I added 1/2 cup Craisins and it’s great!

    Reply

  • De
    January 29, 2025

    Wonderful!! I’ve tried to find recipes without orange 🍊 or lemon zest. Thank you! It’s delightful!

    Reply

  • Karine
    January 29, 2025

    Thank you, Natasha, for this simple (my level😆) and delicious recipe. I omitted raisins and nuts. Instead, I inserted a whole black chocolate tablet in the middle of the batter. The bread (moist and soft!) didn’t have any time to cool down after baking!! It was gone in no time with glasses of milk (snack time at 4pm😁)!!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 29, 2025

      Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Mckayla
    January 29, 2025

    The best banana bread recipe I’ve tried. I did
    add more sugar, 1/2cup white sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar and it was delicious. Made a triple batch because I had 9 bananas in my freezer!

    Reply

  • Deb Steiner
    January 28, 2025

    So very good. I added some semi sweet chocolate too. Loved it

    Reply

  • Pamela
    January 28, 2025

    Just made it but after 10 minutes am I removing from pan to transfer to rack??

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 29, 2025

      Hello there! You might want to let it cook in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it. After 10 minutes, you can flip it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

      Reply

  • Sandra Dutton
    January 28, 2025

    It’s the most delicious banana bread I’ve ever had…. And easier to make than i expected!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 28, 2025

      Hi Sandra! That’s great to hear. So glad you loved it! Thanks for trying the recipe.

      Reply

  • Christian S Schatz
    January 28, 2025

    This the best banana bread recipe I’ve ever made by far ! I have had excellent success
    with all your reicpes . Love , love , love 😋

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 28, 2025

      Hi Christian! I’m all smiles reading your review. Thank you so much. I’m glad you love this as much as we do.

      Reply

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