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.
I love this bread. Can I make it into muffins?
Hi Tania! I have a Banana Muffin Recipe here.
Easy receipe to follow along and do as she said. Taste great.
Thank you for your review!
Hi Natasha! Would it be possible to bake this in a 9 x 9 pan? Thanks so much!!
Hi Joann! You can, but it would be thin. It will bake faster too so keep an eye on it.
I tried other recipes and none were this tasteful. Got to admit, I put vanilla ice cream on top 😂
I’m so glad you loved it, Bryan! Thanks so much for the feedback.
Amazing recipe. I substituted a few things. I used almond flour. And I used mix of apple sauce and Greek yogurt instead of butter. I didn’t use any sugar. The sweetness from bananas and raisins was enough. Came out delicious!!! Thank you, Natasha.
Thank you for sharing that with us. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
Made with 3 extra bannanas and no butter and came out great.
Can I use dates in this recipe and eliminate raisins and nuts? Have you tried Greek yogurt in this bread?
Hi Sue, a couple of my readers mentioned they used dates in place of raisins, be sure to chop them up. A few readers also mentioned using Greek yogurt successfully. I hope you love it.
This is delicious!! I don’t think it’s gonna make it too the oven, I’m genuinely eating the whole bowl of batter.. 😭😭🤣
Haha, totally understandable. I do hope you get a chance to taste the final product too.
Easy to make and it turned out great. My husband was impressed with how moist it was! I excluded the nuts and raisins without any subs and used a longer (not as deep loaf pan), so I pulled it out at least 6-7 minutes sooner than the recipe called for.
Ok, I loved this recipe! I did add a tsp of cinnamon- delicious. Next I want to do the caramel chips mentioned below- that sounds wonderful! I also tried with honey, but do prefer sugar at 1/2 brown, and 1/2 white
Excellent banana bread recipe. I followed the recipe exactly & it was delicious!
Thanks!
Delicious, I substituted the raisins with caramel chips and it was so good. Definitely will be a stable from now on, next time I think I’ll try using chopped dates too.
It’s so moist and yummy! I used pecans as I didn’t have walnuts. Highly recommend this recipe!
Can I substitute Splenda or a sugarless sweetener for this recipe?
Hi Sue, I honestly haven’t tried using Splenda to advise. If you do an experiment, please share with us how it goes.
I love this banana bread. I made it gf by substituting 1:1 flour. It is great warmed with butter. I already made 5 loaves—4 to be donated for a church function.
Best Banana Bread EVER!!!!
Hubby loved it and the kids down the street who snow blow and shovel us out would rather have this banana bread and cookies over $$! It’s so versatile. Add nuts, cinnamon, chips, etc….. Winner every time. Thank you and so do the 5 kids down the street.
You’re so very welcome. I’m happy to hear it was a hit.
By far the best banana bread I have ever had. I could eat the whole loaf in one sitting!!!
So happy to know you loved the recipe! Thank you for the review.
Can I use bread flour instead of all purpose?
Hi Melissa, bread flour is higher in protein and contains more gluten which just leads to a more dense loaf. You can use it if that’s all you have, but expect texture differences.
I’ve tried many different recipes and this is hands down the best! Moist and delicious
It sounds like you found a favorite, Tracy! Thank you for sharing that with me!
Can i use this banana bread recipe to make in a bundt pan or would I need to alter the recipe? Please advise
Hi Uma, I have a Banana Bundt Cake Recipe here.
Have always enjoyed your recipes, thank you
I used this recipe, doubled it, added cinnamon, nutmeg and everyone loved the flavor and moisture! Thank you 🙂