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 6177 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 6177 votes (4,175 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • VIOLETA
    April 7, 2025

    Just made the banana bread and we loved it! I tried several recipes before but found this one to be perfectly moist and taste.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 7, 2025

      It really is the best isn’t it? I’m so glad you loved it, Violeta!

      Reply

  • Doris
    April 6, 2025

    I made this, drizzled honey on top , so moist and delicious! I will definitely make this again.

    Reply

  • Chloe
    April 6, 2025

    Love this recipe! Thank you for sharing! I love sweet things so I use a cup of sugar. I also use 4 medium bananas for more of a banana flavor. This bread is so moist and I get compliments on it every time!

    Reply

  • Sam
    April 6, 2025

    Thank you, Natasha! I use a lot of your recipes in the home. I am still wanting to purchase your cookbook! It’s an ongoing joke in our home “is this one of Natasha’s recipes?” We love your page!

    Reply

  • Julie
    April 6, 2025

    I have made this recipe in different variations and it is always so good! Definitely a favorite that I will continue to make.

    Reply

  • Lboth
    April 5, 2025

    Really like this recipe, the bread is so moist.

    Reply

  • D
    April 5, 2025

    Can I use self-rising flour instead of AP flour?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 5, 2025

      Hi D, I haven’t tested self rising flour but likely you’ll need to add baking soda.

      Reply

  • Anne
    April 5, 2025

    I’ve made this recipe so many times, always comes out lovely. I mostly use a little less sugar and substitute the butter for oil- and often use some oatmeal for a part of the flour. And my add-ins depend on what I’ve got lying around, but it’s always so good!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      April 5, 2025

      Hi Anne! That’s for sharing your experiment with the recipe.

      Reply

  • Irene B
    April 4, 2025

    This recipe is easy and comes out delicious!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      April 5, 2025

      I’m glad you enjoy it, Irene!

      Reply

    • Alex
      April 6, 2025

      Really moist and delicious! Not overly sweet. I added 2 tablespoons of cinnamon and it was amazing! Will try next time with some chocolate chips! 🙂

      Reply

  • Mario
    April 4, 2025

    I also squeezed in 1 mandarin orange for a bit of flavor adding.. I added pecans,sweetened dried cranberries,and dried golden raisins. The batter is wet enough to handle it and it was perfect! Bookmarked for future bakes! Thanks!

    Reply

  • Ashley
    April 4, 2025

    I love this recipe make it every other week for my kids – one question. When I make it the crust is always so thick and the inside takes so long to cook. The taste is great but wondering if you have any suggestions on how to remedy this 🙂

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 4, 2025

      I’m so glad you loved this recipe! Did you use the correct size loaf pan? If it was smaller the there would be too much batter and it won’t bake properly without adjusting the time/temp. I would also encourage the use of an Internal oven thermometer (Amazon affiliate link) to verify your oven is heating correctly. If it runs too hot, the outside will burn while the center remains raw. The type of pan used can also affect how it bakes, different materials distribute heat differently. I hope that helps for next time.
      Also- this recipe is written for a conventional oven, on regular bake mode. If you’re using a convection oven, it would require adjusting time/temp.

      Reply

      • Mario
        April 4, 2025

        Check placement of your pan as well. Keep your pan closer to the top of the oven so the bottom bakes a sooner than the top and keep it in the middle of the rack of possible. Hope it helps..

        Reply

  • Brenda
    April 3, 2025

    Thank-you for a recipe with NO baking powder being used. I made as recipe said with two substitutions: half of butter was coconut oil due to me not having enough butter and one of the eggs was a “flax egg”. I did no add ins. The end result was perfectly delicious banana bread. 5 ⭐️

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 3, 2025

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

      Reply

  • Ed Coonce
    April 2, 2025

    Natasha, how many loaves does this make when I set it for 20 people? Is that 4 loaves?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 2, 2025

      Hi Ed, this recipe makes one loaf that serves 10. So if you set it to 20, that would be 2 loaves. I hope that helps. We used a 9.25 long x 5.25 wide x 2.75 deep pan. I recommend clicking “Jump to recipe” at the top of the post, it will take you to our printable recipe where you’ll have the option to change the number of servings. Hover over the number of servings highlighted in red and slide it to how many servings you would like to make. I hope that helps!

      Reply

      • Ed Coonce
        April 2, 2025

        Thank you. It’ll go in the oven in a few minutes. Updates later.

        Reply

  • Joyce B Bell
    April 2, 2025

    Thanks I making for two seniors in my community. Have a wonderful day. ♥️

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 2, 2025

      That’s just awesome! I bet they’re going to love that.

      Reply

      • Patricia
        April 3, 2025

        Would you change anything to make it into muffins.

        Reply

        • Natashas Kitchen
          April 3, 2025

          Hi Patricia, it will work with as a muffin, here is my Banana Muffin Recipe for reference.

          Reply

  • Ranmalee GC
    April 2, 2025

    Hi, Natasha, I can’t wait to try this out. My mouth is salivating just reading the recipe! Just wondering, can I substitute dates for the raisins?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      April 2, 2025

      Hi, I haven’t tested that but I think it could work well to substitute with chopped dates. It would make the bread sweeter with dates however so keep that in mind in case you wanted to adjust the sugar.

      Reply

  • TC
    April 1, 2025

    I have made this more than a dozen times. It is my family favorite recipe for banana bread. Thank you so much for sharing this

    Reply

  • Carolyn
    April 1, 2025

    Made this last night. Wow what an amazing recipe!!! Thank you

    Reply

  • Priscilla
    March 31, 2025

    Thank you Natasha.I will definitely try this.Have about 8 ripe bananas that I’ve dumped in the freezer
    Thank you so much for sharing
    If I omit the raisins should I add mire of the pecan nuts or just use tge recipe as is?
    Regards
    Priscilla

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 1, 2025

      Hi there! You can add more pecans or use the recipe as is without raisins. Hope you enjoy it!

      Reply

  • Joannah
    March 31, 2025

    Mine came out with a pretty strong baking soda flavor. Maybe it’s just me though, I’m a new baker.

    Reply

  • Patricia
    March 31, 2025

    Getting ready to make this, and wondered if I could sub whole wheat flour for the ap flour?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 31, 2025

      Hi Patricia! Whole wheat flour can work, but will result in a denser bread.

      Reply

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