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 6244 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 6244 votes (4,175 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Barb
    April 10, 2020

    We loved this banana bread. I did omit the raisins, but I’m sure it would have been good with them in it as well. Since I didn’t have any walnuts in the house, but I did have pecans, I used pecans. I didn’t do this, but I imagine dates would be good in it as well.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 10, 2020

      That sounds like a delicious addition! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe!

      Reply

  • Juliane Wonsul
    April 9, 2020

    If I double this recipe, should I not double the salt?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 9, 2020

      Hi Juliane, our readers have doubled the recipe just fine in the past. When making a double batch, we usually just double all of the ingredients and divide into 2 separate pans then bake together. They may need slightly more bake time so be sure to check with a toothpick and remove when there is no wet batter sticking to the toothpick. We place leftovers in a large ziploc bag (or cover with plastic wrap) and refrigerate.

      Reply

  • Juliane Wonsul
    April 9, 2020

    Super moist. Very easy to make. A keeper. Loved it.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 9, 2020

      I’m so glad you enjoyed that! Thank you for that awesome review!

      Reply

  • Lisa
    April 7, 2020

    Hi Natasha,
    I love watching your videos. What pans do you recommend most cooking with, glass, non stick etc? I would love to have your thoughts on this.
    Lisa

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 7, 2020

      Hi Lisa, my favorite pans can be found in my blog shop HERE.

      Reply

  • Marcia Gordon
    April 3, 2020

    Hello Natasha

    What can i use to substitute the eggs?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 4, 2020

      Hi Marcia, I haven’t tested this egg-free so I’m not sure how it would affect the texture or rise. I think other modifications would need to be made.

      Reply

      • Marcia Gordon
        April 4, 2020

        Thanks for your response Natasha!

        Reply

      • Nouma Abdul
        April 11, 2020

        What is the different ‘baking soda’ and baking powder? And soda bicarbonate? My country got 2 types different powder.. baking powder and soda bicarbonate powder. Which one for this recipe?

        Reply

        • Natasha
          April 13, 2020

          Hi Nouma, unless there are other additions to the product, “sodium bicarbonate” is the technical name for baking soda and should be the same thing. Baking soda is 4 times stronger than baking powder and they usually cannot be substituted in recipes without other modifications.

          Reply

          • Marie
            April 18, 2020

            Hi Natasha, doesn’t baking powder have the raising ingredient in it?

          • Natasha
            April 19, 2020

            Hi Marie, baking powder is a leavening agent that adds rising power to ingredients. Baking soda is 4 times stronger than baking powder.

    • Beverly
      April 27, 2020

      You can replace eggs in any recipe with Chia seeds. I put chia seeds into a sm bowl and add H2O. It can take 15 – 20 mins for the seeds to make a gelatinous substitute for eggs, I just use about the same amount of liquid that eggs would contribute to the recipe. You could investigate further on vegan sites.

      Reply

  • Javeria
    April 2, 2020

    Hello Natasha
    I tried banana nut bread and came out so delicious. I love watching your videos. Thank you for great work !!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 2, 2020

      One of my favorite recipes, I’m so glad you enjoyed that Javeria!

      Reply

  • Mary Widerick
    April 2, 2020

    Hi Natasha, I made your Moist Banana Nut Bread and it was wonderful. It is the first time that I have made Banana bread and now I think I am hooked. Thank you

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 2, 2020

      That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!

      Reply

  • Lynne Wilson
    April 1, 2020

    Wow! I didn’t think I would ever find banana bread better than my mom’s…and I definitely wasn’t looking! This is the best recipe for banana bread I’ve ever had. Moist and SO tender!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 1, 2020

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!

      Reply

  • Brenda Turner
    April 1, 2020

    The Banana Walnut bread was the best I’ve ever made. I added a little cinnamon. I made 2 loaves, one to share with neighbors. Thank you for this easy and delicious recipe!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 1, 2020

      What a great compliment! Thank you for sharing that with us and for giving your excellent review about this recipe.

      Reply

  • Iris R Liskey
    March 31, 2020

    Can I substitute unsweetened applesauce for butter?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 31, 2020

      Hello Iris, I haven’t tried that yet to advise but if you want to do an experiment, please share with us how you liked that version.

      Reply

  • Rose
    March 31, 2020

    Hi Natasha,
    I joined your club 2 days ago and I am so happy that I did. I love your recipes and your demonstrations beautiful smile.
    Thank you for all your recipes. God bless.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 31, 2020

      That’s just awesome Rose! Welcome! I’m so glad you discovered our blog!

      Reply

  • Rosemary
    March 30, 2020

    Need this recipe for bread machine

    Reply

  • Mary
    March 30, 2020

    Can we replace or ommit egg from banana bread recipe

    Reply

    • Natasha
      March 30, 2020

      Hi Mary, I haven’t tested this egg-free so I’m not sure how it would affect the texture or rise. I think other modifications would need to be made.

      Reply

      • Mary
        April 1, 2020

        For vegiterian con we do it by using lemon soda.. I all try it thanks.
        Love your proposal way…

        Reply

        • Emanuela
          April 2, 2020

          Hi Natasha, I love your blog, I made a few recipes – very delicious!!!
          Can banana bread be done with less sugar, maybe 50 grams maximum? Trying to reduce the calories, and bananas are very sweet anyway. Thanks

          Reply

          • Natasha's Kitchen
            April 2, 2020

            Hello Emanuela, yes you should be able to adjust the sweetness level and you’re right, the bananas are already very sweet. Please update us on how this one goes.

  • Cobie
    March 29, 2020

    I made this banana bread today and it’s delicious.
    I made it with honey and the texture is lovely.
    Thanks Natasha, I look forward to your recipes in my email box.
    Keep up the good work.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 29, 2020

      It’s indeed yummy with honey! Thanks for your great review, I appreciate it!

      Reply

  • Rose Lea Fichtner Fichtner
    March 26, 2020

    I always make your chocolate chip banana bread and it always comes out delicious and moist.
    So when I saw this raisin and nut banana bread, I decided to leave out the chocolate chips and add walnuts and cranberries. I do not
    like raisins in baked goods, so that’s why I left it out and added the cranberries. I also used the 1 cup of sugar instead of 3/4 cup since cranberries are not as sweet as raisins. Delicious. BTW, last night I also made Chicken Tetrazzini, it was yummy. Thanks for all ur great recipes.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 26, 2020

      You’re welcome, Rose! I’m so happy you liked that!

      Reply

  • Cora
    March 22, 2020

    Just made this banana bread and it is amazing! Didn’t make any substitutions, cooked for ~50 minutes and it turned out wonderful! Never thought to put raisins in my banana bread. Thanks for the great recipe 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 22, 2020

      Love it! Thanks for sharing that with us and for giving a great review!

      Reply

  • Georgia
    March 21, 2020

    Great recipe. So moist. What makes the banana bread rise more in the middle? Made this twice and both times it is much higher in the middle of the top. Thanks

    Reply

    • Natasha
      March 22, 2020

      H Georgia, it is normal for the center to rise and it can have a more prominent rise if you use a different sized/shaped pan.

      Reply

  • Roxanne Lopez
    March 18, 2020

    Hello Natasha, My name is Roxanne and my question is, can I make banana nut bread in a Bundt pan instead if a loaf pan

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 19, 2020

      Hi Roxanne, I haven’t tried it in a bundt pan but one of my readers shared this. I hope it helps! “I got the idea to pour the batter into a bundt pan. It was awesome. The bread (or the cake) baked through really well, and it wasn’t extremely dark on the outside. I also dusted it with powdered sugar on top (Natasha’s snow version. Lol) and it was very pretty. And so good. Only one little piece left”

      Reply

  • Adi
    March 15, 2020

    Amazing easy to make.

    I love it… I didn’t use raisin. I used 4 bananas and 2 cups flour.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 16, 2020

      Thanks for sharing and for the great review Adi! I’m glad it was a success!

      Reply

      • Fatima
        March 28, 2020

        I had a few over-ripe bananas and decided to make my favorite banana bread on the spot. Your recipe is so simple and easy to follow. The result was delicious. I used 4 ripe bananas instead of 3 and also didn’t use raisins. Thanks for your easy and delicious recipes.

        Reply

        • Natashas Kitchen
          March 28, 2020

          I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing that with us!

          Reply

      • Lucy
        April 16, 2020

        Hello. I’m from the UK. Could you convert the cup measures to grams please? Also is it self raising flour you use? Thanks!

        Reply

        • Natasha
          April 16, 2020

          Hi Lucy, if you go down to the print-friendly recipe card and click “metric”, you will see the conversions to grams.

          Reply

        • Lisa B
          April 21, 2020

          I have been looking at several banana bread recipes and I noticed some called for oil while yours calls for butter. Is there a difference in the moisture of the bread using oil versus butter? How does the two affect the bread taste? Thanks

          Reply

          • Natasha
            April 21, 2020

            Hi Lisa, after testing many many loaves, we love the rise and texture best.

  • Rabia
    March 13, 2020

    My banana bread was very excellent in taste but while cutting it has broken. Why, what the cause I couldn’t understand plz help me out

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 13, 2020

      Hi Rabia, I haven’t noticed that happening unless the bread is cut while it is too warm. Were there any other substitutions in the recipe?

      Reply

      • Sherry
        April 6, 2020

        Have made the Banana Nut Bread twice. My husband and I both love it. Will be making it again. I was told the blacker the bananas are the better. In your video the bananas looked very yellow. Can you clear that up?

        Thanks,
        Sherry

        Reply

        • Natashas Kitchen
          April 6, 2020

          Hi Sherry, they are best when they are soft & ripe inside. If your bananas are not recipe it may affect the texture.

          Reply

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