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 6581 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 6581 votes (4,175 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Karole G
    February 27, 2026

    When I use a recipe for the first time, I make it exactly as directed, and this is a good banana bread.
    I’ve never put raisins in banana bread, and I’ve never roasted the walnuts. Good suggestion. I had too many raisins left over from another recipe so I was pleased that they are in this recipe. The raisins are a nice plus! Toasting the walnuts gives the bread a hearty layer of flavor.
    I’ve added this recipe to my winter banana bread collection. It has a cozy, fireside essence and it pairs well with hot buttered rum.
    Thank you for sharing this recipe!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 27, 2026

      I’m so glad this worked out perfectly, Karole! Thank you for your wonderful review.

      Reply

  • Elaine
    February 26, 2026

    My husband and I absolutely loved this banana bread! Easy to put together, moist and not too sweet. Freezes beautifully. Thank you for another great recipe!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 26, 2026

      I’m so happy you loved this recipe, Elaine!

      Reply

  • Ed
    February 25, 2026

    I’ve made this a number of times. I put pecans and fig pieces in mine and it always comes out great

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 25, 2026

      Great to hear that you always love it and yes, feel free to do your own variation and add your additions.

      Reply

  • Sarah H.
    February 25, 2026

    This is my favorite recipe to follow, so simple and easy. But my special twist is letting the mashed bananas sit with brown sugar and vanilla for 2 to 3 days before baking, in the refrigerator of course. The flavor gets so much deeper and is absolutely delicious. What happens when you let it sit like that is the bananas keep breaking down and releasing their natural sugars, while the brown sugar pulls out moisture and concentrates the flavor, so it ends up tasting much richer when you bake it. It’s amazing ✨

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 25, 2026

      Hi Sarah! Thanks for sharing that with us. Sounds great!

      Reply

  • Aida
    February 25, 2026

    Just made this banana bread, it delicious and easy to make it. Thank you Natasha for sharing it.
    I read about one of the comments you reply if baking in conventional/air oven, I followed your instructions and the bread came out perfect. I put parchment paper inside the pan, lowered my oven temperature to 325 degrees.
    Question: can I bake it with Gluten Free flour, and how much I should use.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 25, 2026

      Hi Aida! That’s wonderful. You can use 1:1 measure gluten free flour blend like King Arthur or Bobs Red Mill.

      Reply

  • Heather
    February 25, 2026

    Yummmm! Substituted chocolate chips for fruit and nuts. It’s absolutely amazing. It stays moist, and isn’t it ridiculously crumbly. My eight-year-old told me to get rid of all the other banana bread recipe recipes and just use this one from now on.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 25, 2026

      I’m so glad you gave this a try and loved it, Heather! Thank you for your review!

      Reply

  • Shannon Johnson
    February 24, 2026

    Very good!
    Deserves all the 5 star reviews.
    Lots of nuts & I love love banana bread with walnuts. Not sure why you would eat it without them.
    I skipped the raisins this time.
    Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

  • Liz
    February 24, 2026

    Make this at least bi-weekly. I suspect my husband purposely does not eat the bananas and leaves them until ripe. Every grocery time he asks for bananas to be added to the list, so I’m suspicious. Great recipe!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 24, 2026

      Haha, that’s a smart move. So glad it’s been a favorite you make on repeat.

      Reply

  • Linda
    February 24, 2026

    Hi Natasha! I am going to make this recipe today. If I wanted to add sour cream, how much would I add without changing the other ingredients? Thanks so much! I always enjoy your recipes.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 24, 2026

      Hi Linda! I hope you love it. I have not tried adding sour cream but feel free to experiment!

      Reply

  • Eliza
    February 24, 2026

    Can I exclude the nuts and raisin ? Thank you

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 24, 2026

      Hi Eliza, that will work, you can also substitute them, but we love this bread with those additions.

      Reply

  • Kpage
    February 24, 2026

    I tweaked the recipe and added an extra banana, 1 tsp. of cinnamon, and 3 tablespoons of raw honey. Very good!

    Reply

  • Molly’s Cafe
    February 23, 2026

    This is the only banana bread recipe I use. I’ve tried many. When I tried this one, my search for a better recipe was over. This is the best. I do modify with 1/2 brown 1/2 white sugar and less than called for.

    Reply

  • Mark M.
    February 23, 2026

    Made it several times and its great! I add an extra banana and mix in a butter/cinnamon swirls

    Reply

  • Lexi
    February 23, 2026

    Just made this for some friends and family and everyone loved it!!! It came out perfect; so moist and not overly sweet!

    Reply

  • Lydia
    February 23, 2026

    Absolutely delicious! Any changes even using spelt flour has resulted in a delicious outcome.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 23, 2026

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Lydia!

      Reply

  • Myra Uribe
    February 23, 2026

    Been using Natasha’s Kitchen banana bread recipe for years and will not have it any other way, a favorite recipe.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 23, 2026

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

      Reply

  • Robert W Deaton Jr
    February 23, 2026

    Just made it for the first time. I added some pumpkin spice to the recipe just because, why not. Lol. The recipe is delicious and definitely easy to make. Thank you!

    Reply

  • Donna Guarton
    February 22, 2026

    I love this recipe. It’s very easy to make and always delicious. I love the toasted nuts in it but my kids are not big fans of nuts or raisins. I add a little cinnamon to the dry ingredients. Sometimes, I add a nice handful of chopped up peanut butter cups that are all natural – real chocolate and peanut butter. It’s really tasty though more dessert than breakfast! LOL Sometimes I add chocolate chips. No matter what you add, it’s always good! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 23, 2026

      Thank you for sharing that with us, Donna! Great to hear that you love this recipe!

      Reply

  • Lorraine Brown
    February 22, 2026

    I use frozen cranberries instead of raisins. Oh, so good. Good recipe!

    Reply

  • Clare Stubbs
    February 22, 2026

    Is it possible for you to use metric measurements as well as cups. American cups are different to British ones and it’s always a problem finding the correct weights of the ingredients, weights are the same the world over!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 23, 2026

      Hi Clare! Click on the metric button at the top of the recipe card for the conversions.

      Reply

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