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.
OMG! So good. My stepdaughter is Arab and she never heard of banana bread before today. She was worried about it but once she tasted this banana bread. She asked for more. I am a very good baker in her eyes now. Thanks Natasha!!!!!
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m all smiles!
I lost count to how many times I have made my banana bread using your recipe. It has always gone great as long as I follow instructions. LOL. However, I have alternated between cranberries and raisins and cranberries have on I lost count to how many times I have made my banana bread using your recipe. It has always gone great as long as I follow instructions. LOL. However, I have alternated between cranberries and raisins and cranberries have won. Either way, it always comes out very good! I allow my bananas to ripen to the point of undesirable inside the fridge. Then I add one or two not so right bananas. This always turns out perfect for me
Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Natasha,
I just posted a comment to you and I also wanted to add that i spoke to my Mum who is a major ‘MasterChef’ for me & she said that adding the 1/2 a Cup of Honey(which i did) instead of Sugar most likely made the sides & bottom of the Cake burn and she said she always puts baking paper on the bottom of the pan and also to make sure the rack is always in the middle. (Amateur Mistake!) Lol
So next time I try your recipe I will put the baking paper, make sure my rack is in the middle and use brown sugar instead of Honey!
Other than that my kids seriously Gobbled this bread up as did Hubby & me.
Thankyou for a Lovely recipe!
Cathy x
I’m so happy your family enjoyed that!
So flavorful and oh! so delicious. Family loved it! I would love a pumpkin bread recipe, too. Or do you think substituting the banana for about 1 1/2 cups pumpkin would work?
Hi Shelly, I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe. Also, we do have this Pumpkin Bread recipe here you may like.
I made the banana bread this afternoon while my wife was resting. IT was delicious. Used pecans. Next on the menu will be the zucchini bread.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that, Charlie!
I have now made this twice and my wife has fallen in love with it. She commented this is the best tasting banana bread she has ever tasted.
Thanks for the recipe.
That’s so great, Charles! I’m so happy you both enjoyed that.
hi natasha, love all your recipes! but could you add british measurements as well? when you say cup not sure how much that is – thanks from an incompetent but still trying cook
Hi Jean, If you click “Jump to recipe” at the top of the post it will take you to our printable recipe where you have the option to view the ingredients in US Customary or Metric measurements. I hope that helps.
thankyou for replying
really enjoy your recipes and you always seem to be enjoying your work!!
Thank you for that wonderful compliment!
So happy to have found your site. I’ve moved from sea-level to 5000 ft. Any hope for high-altitude bakers? It really is different!
Hi Carolyn, I don’t have experiene with high altitude for this recipe specifically but I do recommend looking throught the comments for a tip from our readers. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
I am making this recipe at high altitude (rocky mountains) tomorrow! I will let you know how it goes! Usually no problems for me so I’ll update!
Hello, is it okay to double or triple this recipe without making any changes to the recipe? (I’ll be baking it in three 9X5 bread pans). Good day to you!
Hi Mae, when making a double batch, we usually just double all of the ingredients and divide into 2 separate pans then bake together. They may need slightly more bake time so be sure to check with a toothpick and remove when there is no wet batter sticking to the toothpick. We place leftovers in a large ziploc bag (or cover with plastic wrap) and refrigerate.
I found the flavour of banana lacking. Has anyone tried with more bananas?
I make this recipe very often in mini loaves. Excellent size to freeze, serve and give as gifts. Whether I use a regular or mini loaf pan, I never go over a cup and a half of smashed bananas. Any more bananas may prevent the loaf from baking through (too moist). I wait until my bananas are BLACK before using. The sweetness is perfect. I have never received less than an overwhelming compliment on the banana flavor.
Thank you so much for sharing that with us.
I make this bread almost biweekly. I’ve been making two each time so i can share the second loaf. Been getting lots of compliments and everyone seems to love it! Thanks for the great recipe, Natasha!
I’m so happy to hear that, Carina! Thank you for sharing your great review!
Finally made it right with your recipe, my husband loved it. Thank you so much
You’re so welcome, Miles! I’m so glad you enjoyed that!
Thank you for all the great recipes. What’s the best brand for a Loaf Pan to make Banana Bread? Thank you!
Hi Morgan, the loaf pan I am using currently is by Williams Sonoma. I love the gold lining on it and it works well being non-stick.
I tried your banana bread recipe I used pecans cranberries raisins pecans and peanut butter chips it is wonderful
That’s so awesome Bobbie! Thank you for sharing that with us.
I made this twice. Once with basic recipe as is but added chocolate chips instead of raisins and nuts. Delicious! The second time I substituted 1/2 cup of honey for the sugar and just added nuts. Delicious again but with a hint of honey flavor too, which I loved. Thank you for this wonderful recipe.
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Sue!
I cut the sugar in banana bread and muffins quite often. They turn out just fine. Also, if you don’t have buttermilk, adding a teaspoon of white vinegar to milk works fine.
Thank you so much for sharing that with us.
Hi Marjorie…what recipe do you use for banana bread with buttermilk in it?
I have made this recipe many times. I make it vegan using vegan butter and substitute flax seed and water mixture for the eggs. It is delicious. 1 Tbs. ground flax seed mixed with 3 Tbs. water equals 1 egg, let this mixture sit for about 15 to 30 minutes to thicken. This recipe calls for 2 eggs so double the flax seed mixture.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m sure our readers will find this helpful.
How can you get the consistency to make a batter if the only liquid ingredients for Banana cake on your list are vanilla and eggs. Did you miss the milk on your list?or no need
Hi Edna, banana bread batter is normal pretty thick, the soft mashed banana helps with that also. No milk needed.
I would love to see some really good sugar free cakes. Can I use sugar sub. for reg. sugar in the banana bread? I love everything I see from you wish I had time to make everything..how about a sugar free choc. cake my son can’t have sugar. Thank You !
Hi Charlene, I haven’t tried that but here is what one of my readers noted “Dis recipe is the truth. Made it as muffins and did some modifications. Used 1/2 stick of butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 3 tsp baking powder and 11/2 cup oat flour with cinnamon. Didn’t use nuts nor raisins. Sprinkled oats on top. It was super moist and so delicious! Baked 30 mins @ 180•c. Thanks Natasha!!!” I hope this helps
Hi can you please convert weights to grams or oz please
Hi Elizabeth, click on “Metric” in the recipe card and you will have the answers you seek.
Hi Natasha. Can u make this in a Pyrex loaf pan?
Hi Tina, I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. You may need to watch it closely since glass bowls tend to cook a little differently.
I made it in the Pyrex and it came out good. Thank you for this amazing recipe
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it Tina!