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

  • FRANK A CAMPOS JR
    June 30, 2025

    You are absolutely right. This is a very easy, delicious banana bread recipe. I’ve made it at least 4 times and it comes out perfect every time.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 30, 2025

      I’m so happy you loved it, Frank! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Maria
    June 30, 2025

    Baked as mini loaves( for half the time)..came out perfect..my family loves them

    Reply

  • Deanna Cobb
    June 29, 2025

    I followed this recipe pretty much to a tee besides the three ripened bananas. I only had 2 1/2 also instead of the reasons I used blueberries and did not add any milk. It was very gold and brown on the outside and soft in the middle.

    Reply

  • Thomas Laws
    June 29, 2025

    As good as it gets! Also freezes well. I slice it up before I put it in the freezer, and then take out a slice at a time and microwave it and it’s still ninety five percent as good as fresh. Considering I don’t have to make a loaf from scratch, it might even be a hundred and ten percent better than fresh. 😂

    Reply

  • SAB
    June 29, 2025

    I thought i saw adjustments if using honey but can’t find it now. Will someone respon?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      June 29, 2025

      Hi SAB, it’s up in the blog post. You can use honey in place of sugar. Use an equal amount, or less if you prefer.

      Reply

  • Sharon
    June 28, 2025

    I increase bananas to 4
    And increase the eggs to 3 slightly beaten
    Use 1/4 tea salt and salted butter
    Moist and delicious

    Reply

  • Alexandra
    June 28, 2025

    My friends absolutely LOVED this banana bread! so good! fun to make and such a delicious banana flavor! My new fave banana bread recipe!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      June 28, 2025

      That’s wonderful to hear, Alexandra!

      Reply

  • Sherryl Wigley
    June 27, 2025

    I was out of raisins and walnuts. I did however have a cup of Dates I removed the seeds from and chopped up. I followed the recipe and folded the Dates in last. Baked per instructions and it is amazingly moist and delicious.

    Reply

  • Alexandra
    June 27, 2025

    Hi! I was thinking about making this recipe sometime soon, but I was wondering, how would it be with chocolate chips?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 27, 2025

      Hi Alexandra, I haven’t tried that but it will work! Here’s what one of my readers wrote “I made this recipe several times but instead of raisins I added couple spoons of Nutella and put 1/2 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips. So yummy. Thank you for simple and delicious recipes!”

      Reply

      • Alexandra
        June 27, 2025

        thank you so much! i will try it with chocolate chips tomorrow when I bake with my friend!

        Reply

    • Camille Kollasch
      June 28, 2025

      it tastes delicious with chocolate chips!

      Reply

  • Amanda Coelho
    June 26, 2025

    Super easy and amaaaaazing! You’ll feel like eating the whole loaf by yourself 🤣

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 26, 2025

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that, and yes, it really is hard to step eating this! Thank you for sharing that review with us, Amanda!

      Reply

  • E.Alvarez
    June 25, 2025

    I absolutely love this recipe. I made it for family and it was a hit! It was finished quickly. I will definitely make it again.

    Reply

  • mia
    June 25, 2025

    can i make the banana bread batter and leave in the fridge overnight and then bake it

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 25, 2025

      Hi Mia, I haven’t tried that, I worry it will lose volume before baking resulting in a dense bread, but here’s what one of my readers wrote “This banana bread recipe is one of the best I’ve tried! And I’ve done several. I make it without the raisins & nuts, let it rest overnight to let the flavors concentrate, trust me on this one. And then I warm it up and spread Nutella, it’s soooo good!” I hope it helps.

      Reply

  • Marci
    June 24, 2025

    I always use this recipe! I dis t have any chocolate chips handy or rasins so I used a Dubi chocolate bar we had in the fridge. I grated it into the batter with a cheese grater and OMG!!! Turned out amazing!

    Reply

  • Danny Parker
    June 24, 2025

    I love it, but I’m worried about one thing. After the first slice, I considered making it into French toast and I’m afraid my family will never have enough of it!

    Reply

    • Kristin
      July 1, 2025

      Thank you so much for this recipe. I’ve used it over and over and it always turns out amazing. I sprinkle some of my toasted walnuts in the top with some sugar. Just a little. It’s so good. Today I am making a double recipe.

      Reply

  • Dayna
    June 23, 2025

    I love this recipe!! I make it at least once a month! My go to for a mildly sweet treat!

    Reply

  • Michele
    June 23, 2025

    My bread is taking 75 minutes to cook?..not sure if I did something wrong…don’t want to over cook but the center still has batter on toothpicks

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      June 23, 2025

      Hi Michele! Did you fully preheat your oven before baking? It could also be the type of pan you’re using and the material it’s made from. A glass pan will take longer to bake. If you’re using a glass pan, decrease the oven temperature by 25 degrees and bake longer.

      Reply

  • Lucyann Day
    June 23, 2025

    I just made this bread, and it’s deee-licious!
    Even though it’s still warm, I couldn’t resist tasting it. I bet it’ll be even better tomorrow!
    Thank you for another great recipe😋

    Reply

  • Scout
    June 23, 2025

    I have found the best way to tweak this recipe and bring it to the next level. You will not regret trying this
    -Do around 1/2 of the flour oat flour (you can easily blend any oats you have up)
    -1/2 of the sugar is honey
    – brown the butter first!!!
    – chop up chocolate chips are perfect in it

    – a yummy icing has melted browned butter, powdered sugar, and a little water for a drippy brown butter icing!!

    !!PLEASE TRY YOU WILL NOT REGRET ITS SERIOUSLY DELICIOUS !!

    Reply

  • Carol
    June 23, 2025

    Can I make this in a larger toaster oven? What temperature please and how long. Thank you

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      June 23, 2025

      Hi Carol. I have not tested that to provide those instructions. I’m sorry.

      Reply

  • Megan
    June 23, 2025

    I have made this bread 3 times and they were good every tine. I am making them right now, but using cupcake pan.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 23, 2025

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Megan!

      Reply

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