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.







Wow! Cooked using this recipe tonight swapping chocolate chips with raisins and it is so good! Super moist and even came out like the picture which never happens
This is my go to recipe. My crew doesn’t like raisins so I add an extra table spoon of flour and a few extra nuts. I also add 1 tsp of cinnamon. I usually do 2 loaves at a time. Sometimes I’ll do half pecans and half walnuts. I actually have 4 loaves in my oven at this very minute.
Wow, that’s amazing! I agree one is never enough, especially if you have to share.
This recipe was AMAZING. I added some Ghirardelli chocolate chips, it came out perfectly moist and delicious! Thank you so much I will be trying more of your recipes!
Delicious, moist banana bread. The first one is gone, so I’m baking another one today.
It really does go quick huh? I’m so glad you loved it, Stefanie!
This recipe is fantastic! Just made it for the first time and both my husband and I instantly loved it. So moist, perfectly slight crunch on the outside and very soft on the inside. Delicious!
Yay! Great to hear that it was a huge hit!
I have been making your (husband’s) recipe for over a year now. About 10 times. Love it. We prefer muffins as much easier to transport and easier for kids. Fantastic. Same recipe, less time.
Thank you for sharing your review with me, S! It really is that good and popular since everyone loves it!
I’d love to try this, but just a bit perplexed…how much banana goes into this loaf? How big is a medium banana as compared to a large banana? New to baking banana bread, so I want to get it right…
TIA
Hi Paula, It ends up being about 1 3/4 cups of mashed bananas for this banana bread.
This is my go to banana bread recipe, even as a professional chef of 10 years. Good crumb and moisture, I couldn’t ask for anything else. I share this particular recipe any time anyone asks for the most reliable banana bread recipe
Hi Tay! That makes me so happy to hear.
I’m a big fan! I love the cheerful and professional way Natasha teaches. I enjoy having her book as well. Wishing her all the success!!
Thank you so much, Jo Ann!
Natasha, I have loved every recipe I have tied from you except the banana bread, it was nothing moist and very dense. Very disappointing !!!.
Hi BP, The recipe relies on the bananas, eggs, and butter for moisture so there’s no added water or milk. Make sure your bananas are very ripe and soft, almost mushy that’s key for a moist loaf! Also don’t overmix the batter that can make it dense and dry.
I didnt the instructions for making banana muffins instead of a loaf. Would love to try yiur husband’s recipe.
Hi Lucie! Here’s my recipe for Banana Muffins. Hope you love them!
Have this in o en right now. Smells wonderful!
I never hesitate in trying out your recipe to guest. You are that good! .thanks for all the help! You’re appreciated🙂
Thank you so much! You’re very welcome.
I made this & its amazing. I have a friend who wants me to make her some but needs its gluten free, how would I do that?
Hi Teresa! You can use a 1:1 measure gluten free flour blend like King Arthur or bobs redmill, etc.
Great recipe I’ve made it so many times now I know it by heart . I added my own little twist not only do I put cup of milk chocolate chips with I cup fine chopped walnuts I add 1/2 cup of shredded coconut flakes too !
Thank you for sharing, Mike. I’m glad that you always love this recipe!
Amazing recipe! Banana bread came out really moist and delicious. 🤗
So glad you loved it, Kristina!
Made the banana bread for my grandkids in Texas, and they loved it. We did not add the walnuts and raisins due allergies’. Still was a big hit.
Thank you again Natasha
Mom Price
I’m so happy to hear that. We leave the nuts out due to a family nut allergy as well, still so delicious!
Delicious! Anyone tried it using SWERVE brown sugar?
Yes, a few of my viewers reported using swerve brown sugar for half of the sugar and had good results.
I substitute ghee for traditional butter, honey for sugar and 7 chopped up medjool dates for raisins, and it was the bizzzomb! Super moist due to all the sugars. I’m going to make it again with even half the honey to lessen the sweetness and moisture a bit.
Thank you for sharing your substitutions! I’m glad that it works out!
This recipe was easy and quick and made for a perfect banana bread. Only change I made was substituting the raisins for chocolate chips.
Your recipes are always 100% perfection!!! Love watching your videos too!! You are the Queen!! I got a new email address so I singed up with my new email address cause I didn’t want to miss your recipes and I unsubscribed from my old email address.
Take care!
Hugs,
Teresa
You’re so sweet, Teresa! Thank you so much for the love and support! I appreciate you.