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 6214 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 6214 votes (4,175 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Brittany T
    September 27, 2025

    This will be the recipe I use every time going forward!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 27, 2025

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

      Reply

  • A
    September 26, 2025

    Yummy and delicious. I add a dash of cinnamon. I baked for 55 minutes and I think next time I’ll try baking for 40-45 minutes at the edges were a bit overdone but it was still delicious and didn’t last for long!!

    Reply

  • John Marza
    September 26, 2025

    Love it,
    Classic one, true, yet still loving it
    Thank you Natasha,
    I miss your Menus.,,
    Back to cooking again 😂😅🤣😢🥰

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      September 26, 2025

      Thank you, John!

      Reply

  • Lydia Holyak
    September 25, 2025

    Very moist, light and flavorful.
    I will definitely use this recipe again.

    Reply

  • marie
    September 25, 2025

    Excellent recipe!!! I used really 2 ripe plantains instead of banana. I added about 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, an extra egg because they were only medium size and about 1/4 cup sour cream. Absolutely delicious. Came out perfectly, moist, rose nicely. I was surprised that it rose so well since there was no baking powder but this is the perfect recipe! This will be my new recipe for banana or plantains… thank you so very much!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 25, 2025

      You’re very welcome, I’m happy to hear it was a hit and that it worked with both!

      Reply

  • Jamie
    September 24, 2025

    Nice and moist, I substituted the raisins for Macintosh two small apples cut up. Great recipe.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      September 24, 2025

      Hi Jamie! Thanks so much for sharing. That sounds great.

      Reply

  • Grace
    September 23, 2025

    This is the best banana bread recipe I have tried. I replace raisins and walnuts with canned corn and my family loves it.

    Reply

  • Linda
    September 23, 2025

    I made banana bread for the first time last week using this recipe. It was moist and delicious. I did not have enough raisins so, I am making another tonight. I choose your recipe because I use your meatloaf with the glaze recipe and it is always great. I am looking forward to trying some more of your recipes. Thanks Natasha for sharing it.

    Reply

  • Angela
    September 23, 2025

    This moist banana bread is delicious, it’s now the only banana bread I’ll make after making different recipes this one is Tops for me.
    Thanks Natasha 😋

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      September 23, 2025

      I’m so glad you loved it, Angela!

      Reply

  • Marie Heynsbergh
    September 22, 2025

    Amazing recipe. The banana loaf was so moist and delecious ❤️❤️ definitely saving this recipe.😊

    Reply

  • Linda
    September 22, 2025

    THE Best Banana bread recipe ever!!! I used 4 medium bananas and substituted pecans for walnuts. Also did a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar on top. AMAZING .. SO moist… this is definitely a keeper. Thank you, Natasha!

    Reply

  • Brandi Pfeffer
    September 22, 2025

    It was a great recipe. My family is already requesting more. Added more vanilla just cause I like it. Might try to add cinnamon.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 22, 2025

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

      Reply

  • Melissa Allen
    September 21, 2025

    It is very delicious and super moist. However mine turned out super dense didn’t really rise and didn’t really get that fluffy bread texture. I’m trying to figure out what I could have done wrong to cause that. The only thing different I did was I did not have any add ins like walnuts or raisins or anything. I know it’s probably an error on my end but I can’t figure out what to do differently.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 22, 2025

      Hi Melissa! Over mixing the batter is the most common cause of a gummy and dense texture. Mixing just until combined keeps it light.

      Reply

  • Cheryl
    September 21, 2025

    Can you make it in mini loaf pans? If yes, how much batter should go in each? How long should it be baked for? Thank you.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      September 21, 2025

      Hi Cheryl! I haven’t tested mini loaf pans so I am not sure how many this recipe will make. I wouldn’t fill them more than 2/3 way full. Some of my viewers have and reported baking at the same temperature same temperature for 25–35 minutes. I would keep an eye on them and check early on.

      Reply

    • Cheryl Baxter
      September 27, 2025

      I made it and received thumbs up from the family. I made some with nuts only no raisins and one without nuts. Thank you.

      Reply

  • Lovie
    September 20, 2025

    That bread sounds awesomely DELICIOUS! Can’t wait to make it!!👏

    Reply

  • Marilyn Brito
    September 19, 2025

    Great recipe. Substituted a few things to make it gluten and sugar free, it turned out great!!!

    Reply

    • RockinRic
      September 20, 2025

      The first time I made this recipe I did it with adding fresh blueberries to it. It was amazing. So today I’m making it more like the recipe with the walnuts, but no raisins there not for me. I’m sure it will turn out just as fantastic as it did the first time. Thanks Natasha for such a great banana bread recipe.

      Reply

      • Natashas Kitchen
        September 20, 2025

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

        Reply

        • Diana
          September 20, 2025

          Hi Natasha, how much honey for sugar substitute?

          Reply

          • NatashasKitchen.com
            September 21, 2025

            Hi Diana! You can use the same amount, or if your bananas are very sweet you can use less too.

  • Sheilai
    September 18, 2025

    Looks good, smells good but took 75 minutes to bake. I hope it tastes as good as it smells.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      September 18, 2025

      Hi there. Did you use a smaller pan by chance? Also- make sure to fully preheat your oven. I like to use an internal oven thermometer (Amazon affiliate link) to ensure my oven’s temperature accuracy.

      Reply

  • Hayley
    September 17, 2025

    I love this recipe, I usually add chocolate chips instead of nuts and add a touch more vanilla and a some cinnamon! It’s always a hit!

    Reply

    • Lindsey
      September 19, 2025

      I was thinking about adding Cinnamon to mine as well! Not sure about the chocolate chips but definitely want to try adding the cinnamon.

      Reply

    • Maria
      September 20, 2025

      I also added cinnamon and doubled the vanilla. This is my favorite banana bread recipe! I’ve made it several times.

      Reply

    • Rhonda W
      September 20, 2025

      Exactly what I did. Bananas were super ripe, added nuts, vanilla paste, choc chips and tasted it. Decided to add some cinnamon. Baking now. Smells fantastic!

      Reply

  • Catherine Schweitzer
    September 16, 2025

    I was unsure of of batter taste. I used honey instead of sugar. This turned out to be the best banana bread ever. Super moist & delicious!

    Reply

  • Jen
    September 16, 2025

    Wow, Im actually surprised on the rating. Thought for sure it would be great. Unfortunately, it was good… no where near as moist as stated or as moist as pre-made store bought.
    So had a family member try and came out the same.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      September 17, 2025

      HI Jen, if it’s not moist, it’s likely over-baked. Make sure you are baking in a conventional oven (not convection) and check for doneness a little sooner if you know your oven runs hot.

      Reply

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