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.
I love the recipe I added ginger for this cold season we’ll see how it turns out.
That sounds like a great addition!
Hey natasha i tried this recipie it was perfect and finished in few minutes
Im planning to make it again but in an air fryer would that work
If yes for how long shoul i keep it
Hi Eshal! I haven’t tested that to provide those instructions. You would need to lower the temperature and keep an eye on it and check for doneness with a toothpick since the baking time will vary.
Great recipe . Bananas are sweet enough for us . We can omit the sugar . Thanks for the recipe .
Jutta
Hi Natasha! Wow!! This recipe is absolutely delicious, flavorful and so moist. It’s my husband’s most requested dessert. It goes great with coffee! Keep up the awesome recipes, they are my “go to” for an incredible meal, dessert and snack.
That’s wonderful to hear, Jude!
Very moist and great texture. Taste is awesome. I used pecan’s versus walnuts and omitted the raisins. I made it in a loaf and I think next time I’ll make muffins. Definitely a keeper!.
That’s wonderful to hear, Ron! Thanks for trying my recipe!
This is the BEST banana bread yet. I also like the way you present the recipes So nice to have amounts next to the item so you don’t have scroll up to see!
I have lot’s of fresh cranberries so I add those instead of raisins-delish.
Well done all the way around-thank-you! (and my husband thanks you too!)
Thank you, Margaret! So glad you’re loving the recipe.
Hi! How would you suggest I amend the cooking time if I split it into two 6 x 4 loaves?
Hi Jennifer! I haven’t different size pans so I can’t give the exact times. Keep an eye on it and check for doneness with a toothpick in the center. When it’s fully baked, the toothpick will come out clean.
Very moist bread I added cinnamon chocolate chips. 350 1 hr. Perfect. It’s a KEEPER. THANKS
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Pl!
I like how simple the recipe is and I usually have all the ingredients on hand. If I don’t I have butter I substitute oil when I make this recipe people love how moist and delish it is I often get asked when I am making more bread.
Hard to find how long to bake it, finally found 1 hour?
It’s in step 5 in the recipe card. 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.
Best Banana Bread recipe ever- and I thought raisins would be questionable but recipe is perfection!
Do you think I can use Almond Flour Instead?
Hello! You should be able to use almond flour but with a few changes. I have not personally tested it but feel free to experiment!
Can I make this without Walnuts and Raisins?
Hi Judica! Yes, it works great without the add in’s too.
Best Banana Bread recipe ever – and I typically don’t really like raisins but so glad I followed your exact recipe, but used sliced almonds since I had them on hand!
Natasha , I love your recipes!! This is my favorite recipe it really helps to distress with the delicious smell of banana 🍌 bread
Made the banana bread recipe today. It was tasty but dry.
Hi Mary! The most common reasons for that is either overbaking or using too much flour. Be sure to measure your flour correctly. I have a tutorial on How to Measure Ingredients (Wet and Dry) here.
Can i use this recipe for muffins ? If so, what would you advise for temperature and time?
Hi Larry! Please reference my Banana Muffins Recipehere.
Yes you can, that’s how I’ve been making it for my kiddos! I just wait for a golden brown top and then pull them out.
Hi Natasha your recipes are the best! Thank you for sharing with us. May I please know how much would be a fair price for this banana bread?
Hi Kate! Thank you so much. I don’t sell my baked goods and it really depends on the cots of your ingredients and your location. You may research online how to price your baked goods for some ideas.
Hi Natasha ! Thank you for your response I appreciate you! I understand.
Can I used salted butter and omit the salt from the flour mixture?
Hi Dora! Yes, that would be fine.
I used salted butter and added salt as called for. Perfect recipe!
I love your easy to banana bread muffins! They are so good! Thank you for allowing to enjoy your recipes!! 😊
hi! i love your recipe and was wondering if i could make this with gluten free flour? do you know if it would change anything with the taste or if i would have to change the measurements? thank you!!
Hello there! I have not tried that to advise. I imagine that will work but you have to make some adjustments. We’d love to know how it turns out if you give it a try!
Freakin’ fantastic recipe! I leave out raisins. Otherwise, all good.