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.
DELISH… had 3 🍌 no waste but a yummy bread. Thank you
I just made your recipe,,, mine was really old. I thought I’d try a new one.. I’ve tried some of your other recipes , loved every one!! My house smells wonderful!
Hi Deborah! Thanks so much for trying my recipe. I’m happy you loved it!
This banana bread is fabulous. The best banana bread recipe I have tried in recent years.
I’m so glad to hear you loved this recipe Charlotte! Thank you very much for sharing.
Made a quick batch of banana bread only used1/2 cup sugar. yummy
Hi Natasha! Do you recommend using bread flour for the recipe or just plain ole’ AP flour?
Hi Maya! It works better with all purpose flour. Bread flour has a higher protein content which makes the bread more dense.
I always add cinnamon and x vanilla for a good flavor
hi! I am so excited to try this recipe! Just a quick question: Can i replace butter with vegetable oil?
Hi Goli! Some of my readers have used oil instead but we prefer butter for better taste and texture.
I used half oil and half melted butter and a half cup of buttermilk. And the sugar i split with brown sugar. Waiting for the results now.
How’d it go? Thinking of swapping for brown entirely
Seems a bit dry. I used four really ripe bananas.
Hi Anita! Make sure to measure your flour correctly. Using too much and over baking are the most common reasons for dry banana bread. I have a video on How to Measure Ingredients (Wet and Dry) here.
Hi Natasha! I love all your recipes. I have made many of them and every time they have come out perfect. I have just one query: What substitute can I use for eggs in this banana bread, and will it work for other recipes as well?
Hi Varna! I haven’t tested a substitute, but some of my viewers have reported using flax eggs or applesauce in place of eggs.
I added a splash of cinnamon, baked it in a square dish for 30 minutes, and it turned out perfect!
This was delicious and moist. Can I use this same recipe for muffins?
Hi Zoe, you sure can! Please see my Banana Muffins Recipe here.
Excellent. Easy and yum. Need I say more?
Oh yes, and walnuts add so much good texture. To all the walnut doubters out there — give it a try!
If I wanted to leave out the raisins, would I need to increase the flour?
Hi Kathryn! You don’t need to make any changes. You can just leave them out.
Thank you so much for your quick reply. I love all your recipes and am making your fried chicken sandwiches tonight!
can i put the mix in a mini bunt cake mold instead of a loaf mold? if so, will this change the cook time ?
Hi Erica! The baking time depends on the size of your Bundt cake pan. Please reference my Banana Bundt Cake Recipe here for more details.
I make it once a week and everyone loves it!
Thank you so much
literally the best banana bread recipe ever. no notes – only change is that i add a cup of mini chocolate chips
Me too. And pecans instead of walnuts. Also a table spoon of molasses. And I use light brown sugar. I always double the recipe and make two.
Always use this recipe to make homemade chocolate chip pecan banana bread. Recipe works great..
Can the bread be frozen? I’m trying to get a head start for Thanksgiving visitors and last minute cooking.
Hi Amy! Yes, it freezes well.
I love your recipes! I make your banana bread almost every weekend. You taught me that I can put under ripe bananas in the oven to ripen them! Thank you so much for that!
I also make your chili recipe often. And your potato soup recipe is a my family’s favorite! Thank you again and again!
I’m so glad or was helpful, Jennifer! You’re very welcome.
Can I substitute dry cranberries for the raisins?
Hi Stella! Yes, that would work fine.