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.







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.
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.
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Lyn!
Hi Natasha, can I substitute granulated sugar for brown sugar?
Thank you.
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.”
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
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!
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.
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
You’re so welcome, Kathy! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
A teaspoon of baking soda was WAYYYYY too much! Pan overflowed, bread collapsed, SO bitter. Sad day.
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.
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.
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.
hi natasha!! would you brown the butter you’re using? Do you think it makes a difference?
I haven’t tested that, but I think it can upgrade the flavor. Let us know if you try.
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!
Hi Heidi’! That’s amazing to hear. Thanks so much for sharing that with me.
Amazing banana bread and such an easy recipe to follow.
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 🙏
Hi Steve! Thank you so much. I’m so glad you found this recipe.
About how many cups is 3 medium bananas?
Hi Alyssa! It’s about 1 3/4 cups of mashed bananas. I hope you love the recipe!
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!
Delicious! It is now my go ro recipe! Yummy
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite, Diane!
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?
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.
Just made it. Came
Out really good. Love you
I’m so happy you enjoyed this Banana Bread, Ivonee!
Hi can this be made in cupcake trays in cupcake form
Hi Liliana, If you’re using standard size cupcake/muffin pans, you can follow my Banana Muffins Recipe.
Can you bake 2 at the same time? I’m having trouble adjusting times
Hi Jacqueline! Yes, you can bake two. Just make sure there is enough room between them in the oven for airflow for even baking.
Is it stored in the refrigerator after? Haven’t tried yet, just came out of the oven
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.
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
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!
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?
Hi Katy! The portion is 1 slice and this loaf makes 10 slices.