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 6482 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 6482 votes (4,175 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Manpreet Bal
    November 13, 2025

    Mad Banana bread for the first time. Very moist. I did burn the bottom a little bit as left in the oven for more than 55 mins. but still delicious. Will watch it more carefully next time.

    Reply

  • Karen Kulmann
    November 13, 2025

    I have used this recipe several times now and it comes out perfect every time. Very moist. I have substituted cranberries for 1 banana and apple as well. Very versatile recipe! Chopped up a nut mix from Costco and sprinkled on top. Awesome with coffee!

    Reply

  • Terry George
    November 13, 2025

    Amazingly awesomeness!! Love love love this recipe!! I add chocolate chips or peanut butter chips to this recipe they are just scrumptiously delicious!! 💜💜💜

    Reply

  • Robin
    November 13, 2025

    Hi Natasha,

    Your recipes are truly delicious. My Mom, who has lived a long life as a great cook, said this is the best banana bread she has ever tasted! I substituted a third of the sugar with maple syrup.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 13, 2025

      Hi Robin! That’s so sweet to hear. Thank you so much for sharing.

      Reply

  • Sandi
    November 12, 2025

    Hi Natasha,

    If I use this recipe and use mini loaf pans, do you have recommendations on temperature and time? I LOVE LOVE this recipe. It’s the best one!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      November 13, 2025

      I’m glad to hear that you love this recipe a lot! I have another recipe for Banana Muffins. You can use this one instead.

      Reply

  • Tasia
    November 12, 2025

    Followed the recipe but used salted butter because that’s what I had and omitted the salt. Turned out excellent. Perfectly moist but not too heavy. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

  • Betty
    November 12, 2025

    My family loves this. It’ll be a regular now. 😘

    Reply

  • Linda
    November 12, 2025

    Very moist and easy to make. Love the videos!

    Reply

    • Shilpa Gadde
      November 12, 2025

      To make a healthier version l will be using coconut oil instead of butter, almond flour instead of regular flour and maple syrup instead of sugar. I hope it comes out good.

      Reply

  • Coronado Guevara
    November 12, 2025

    Wow, I saw video Banana Bread beautiful art.
    I myself use other shortcut made banana bread quick easy.
    I make 25 them one days for Elderly my own favorite recipe.
    I am call Banana Bread Tammie
    They love it how i make.but no raisins put other favorite just to please them.
    I myself will like to uses beautiful art with raisins and smell so beautiful taste gourmet.
    Thank you
    Time: 4:16 Am
    November 12, 2025-Wed
    Coronado, Guevara
    Houston Texas Hehaw
    💗💓🌹🤪🥰

    Reply

  • Pam Williams
    November 11, 2025

    Natasha, love the recipe@ Thank you for sharing! I used 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup walnuts, raisins, & semi sweet chocolate chips. It came out perfect.

    Reply

  • Elizabeth
    November 11, 2025

    Excellent Banana Bread! My new go to. I’ve never before added raisins to banana bread – quite tasty and moist. Thank you Natasha! 😊

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 11, 2025

      I’m so glad you found a favorite on my blog, Elizabeth! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Serena
    November 10, 2025

    This is the best banana bread!!
    I have struggled to find a recipe that isn’t dry on the outside or to doughy in the middle! But I have now found the perfect moist and not dry on the outside recipe and it’s this banana bread recipe I love how it turned out! This is totally a 5 star for sure!!! It’s amazing!🤤

    Reply

  • Martin
    November 10, 2025

    Moist? I think not. I followed this recipe to a T and it was the driest banana bread I’ve ever made. Not good, at all.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 10, 2025

      Hi Martin! I’m sorry you didn’t have good results. This recipe is one of the moat popular recipes on my blog, with thousands of 5 star reviews. I’ve made it many times myself and it’s one of my family’s favorites to make. I would be happy to help troubleshoot. The most common reason for dry banana bread is over baking or using too much flour. Be sure to measure your flour correctly. I have a tutorial on How to Measure Ingredients here.

      Reply

    • Serena
      November 11, 2025

      Maybe you should try and make it again before you give her a bad review because this is the best banana bread recipe! Obviously you didn’t follow it to a T

      Reply

  • Steffi
    November 10, 2025

    My go to recipe. Just a question on measuring ingredients, what is the recipe conversion that you use ? Online calculations show different conversions like 1 cup=120 g or 1 cup=140 g

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 10, 2025

      Hi Steffi, there is a computer generated conversion calculator within this platform that enters those amounts automatically. For all purpose flour, you’ll find most calculators are using 120-125g for 1 cup.
      If you’re unsure, you can reference a guide from a reputable source such as this one from King Arthur Baking.

      Reply

  • Cyndy
    November 9, 2025

    We love this recipe. I always make a double batch and mix up my mix-ins. This time I used: 1/2 cup of raisins, 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips, and 1 cup of chopped toasted pecans.

    Reply

  • jeannette
    November 9, 2025

    so moist and down right delicious and definitely a saver and will double the batch to freeze

    Reply

  • Christian S Schatz
    November 8, 2025

    Best banana bread recipe ever. I have keep a loaf in the fridge for my 95 year old mother she can’t get enough of it . Love all your recipes that I have tried so far.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 8, 2025

      That’s so wonderful, Thank you for your review, Christian!

      Reply

  • Riley
    November 8, 2025

    amazing! I also added chocolate chips but as a beginner baker this is my first banana bread success!

    Reply

  • wendyearle
    November 8, 2025

    I make two at a time and this is about the fourth time I have made them. So good, moist and easy to make. Try it, you will be happy you did. Thank you I love your recipes

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 8, 2025

      You’re very welcome, Wendy!

      Reply

  • Lily
    November 8, 2025

    The BEST recipe out there

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 8, 2025

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Lily!

      Reply

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