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 6606 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 6606 votes (4,175 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Evette
    August 30, 2025

    Im not a Baker. I’m actually not very good in the kitchen overall. This recipe is so easy and delicious. I always return to this recipe when I make Banana Bread. My only addition is 1 tspn of cinnamon.

    Reply

  • Lyn
    August 30, 2025

    Made exactly as recipe said, it is super good, very moist. Just the right sweetness to eat for breakfast without feeling like you ate a cake.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 30, 2025

      That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Lyn!

      Reply

  • Claudia Harker
    August 30, 2025

    Hi Natasha, can I substitute granulated sugar for brown sugar?
    Thank you.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 30, 2025

      Hi Claudia, I few of my readers have had success making that swap, here’s what one said: “This is by far THE best tasting & super moist scrumptious banana bread I’ve had in my entire 53 years of age. I did swap regular white sugar to brown sugar & did use salted real butter. Still, just beyond this world.”

      Reply

  • Liza
    August 27, 2025

    Hi Natasha, First time I made banana bread,thanks for your recipe! It came out like on the picture, delicious, moist and the walnuts and raisins just give an extra taste for this yummy cake 😋. Perfect recipe, thank you, I’ll save it and will use it always

    Reply

  • Isabel
    August 27, 2025

    Hi Natasha!

    I love your recipe, I use it every time. Though instead of walnuts I use chocolate chips and frozen berries 🥰
    I have a quick question though, what would your recommendation be to make it vegan? I’d love to bake it for a friend but don’t know what adjustments would be best to keep the moist and taste.
    Thank you so much!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 27, 2025

      Hi Isabel! I’m so glad you love the recipe. I haven’t tested it without the eggs to provide a substitution. Some people use flax eggs, applesauce, or even egg replacement (like Bob’s Red Mill). Let us know if you experiment with any of them.

      Reply

  • kathy
    August 26, 2025

    I found your recipe and just love it! I love all the just natural ingredients (not sour cream or yogurt ) that make this banana bread moist and delicious. I made one without nuts and one with nuts and chocolate chips 1/2 cup each, just can’t rave enough about it! Thank you

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 26, 2025

      You’re so welcome, Kathy! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Carrie
    August 26, 2025

    A teaspoon of baking soda was WAYYYYY too much! Pan overflowed, bread collapsed, SO bitter. Sad day.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      August 26, 2025

      HI Carrie, 1 teaspoon is correct for this recipe. Did you possibly accidentally add a tablespoon? I’ve made this probably a hundred times and I haven’t had it overflow or collapse.

      Reply

      • Carrie
        September 9, 2025

        Nope, definitely a teaspoon. Turns out the recommended amount of baking soda per cup of flour is 1/4 tsp, so this recipe definitely does have too much baking soda.

        Reply

        • Natasha
          September 11, 2025

          Hi Carrie, I haven’t had that experience and I don’t recall anyone else reporting this. That’s why I asked if it was mis-measured.

          Reply

  • sanaa!
    August 25, 2025

    hi natasha!! would you brown the butter you’re using? Do you think it makes a difference?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 25, 2025

      I haven’t tested that, but I think it can upgrade the flavor. Let us know if you try.

      Reply

  • Heidi Greidanus
    August 25, 2025

    Moist, full of flavor, most delicious.. BEST BANANA BREAD EVER! I made some for a friend for payment of moving some things. He’s had many a banana bread. He said this bread was “ON FIRE” 🤣. Now I’m gonna send it to his wife. ❤️. THANK YOU!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 25, 2025

      Hi Heidi’! That’s amazing to hear. Thanks so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Joanna
    August 25, 2025

    Amazing banana bread and such an easy recipe to follow.

    Reply

  • Steve
    August 25, 2025

    Hi Natasha just want to ley you know this is The BEST recipe it’s been my go to for several years now. I have a small finca in Costa Rica with many hundreds of bananas 😂 I’m forever looking for recipes to use them but we mostly let the birds eat them. Muchas gracias 🙏

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 25, 2025

      Hi Steve! Thank you so much. I’m so glad you found this recipe.

      Reply

  • Alyssa
    August 24, 2025

    About how many cups is 3 medium bananas?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 25, 2025

      Hi Alyssa! It’s about 1 3/4 cups of mashed bananas. I hope you love the recipe!

      Reply

  • Diana Thomas
    August 24, 2025

    Oh my gosh!!! Off the chart AMAZING! Unlike many of the reviews on here, I did exactly what the recipe said! If you’re going to rate a recipe….maybe you should read it and follow the recipe. Will definitely make it again and again!

    Reply

  • Diane
    August 23, 2025

    Delicious! It is now my go ro recipe! Yummy

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 23, 2025

      That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite, Diane!

      Reply

  • Katherine
    August 22, 2025

    Hi Natasha, do you think I can use a liquid oil to add even more moistness? Also, maybe a dumb question, but is the bread sticky without some kind of molass or honey?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 23, 2025

      Hi Katherine. We really prefer butter but some of my viewers have reported using melted butter or oil. The banana bread is already very moist. You can also replace the sugar with honey if you prefer. It’s not sticky, it has the texture of traditional banana bread.

      Reply

  • Ivonee
    August 22, 2025

    Just made it. Came
    Out really good. Love you

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 22, 2025

      I’m so happy you enjoyed this Banana Bread, Ivonee!

      Reply

  • Liliana
    August 22, 2025

    Hi can this be made in cupcake trays in cupcake form

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 22, 2025

      Hi Liliana, If you’re using standard size cupcake/muffin pans, you can follow my Banana Muffins Recipe.

      Reply

  • Jacqueline Moore
    August 21, 2025

    Can you bake 2 at the same time? I’m having trouble adjusting times

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 21, 2025

      Hi Jacqueline! Yes, you can bake two. Just make sure there is enough room between them in the oven for airflow for even baking.

      Reply

  • Marile Medina
    August 21, 2025

    Is it stored in the refrigerator after? Haven’t tried yet, just came out of the oven

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 21, 2025

      Hi Marile! For short term storage like 1-2 days you can store it at room temperature. Just wrap it in an airtight container or plastic wrap. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for a maximum of a week and you can also freeze it for longer storage time.

      Reply

  • Yedid Maya Ochoa
    August 21, 2025

    Love this recipe . Natasha do you think bread flour versus all purpose flour will be ok to use ? My 14 year old boy makes this recipe

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 21, 2025

      Hi there! It’s not ideal for this since it will make your banana bread dense, chewy, and tough.
      I’m glad you’re loving the recipe!

      Reply

      • KATY
        August 22, 2025

        I love this recipe but its hard portiining it out for my daughter. She’s a type 1 diabetic so I jave to portion out and count carbs on everything she eats. Would you happen to know the portion size per serving for this recipe?

        Reply

        • NatashasKitchen.com
          August 22, 2025

          Hi Katy! The portion is 1 slice and this loaf makes 10 slices.

          Reply

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