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 only have 1 egg left, is it okay if I just use 1 egg?
Hi Amy, I’m not sure if substituting with only 1 egg will completely change the structure or density of this specific banana bread recipe without trying it.
Very moist, and delicious. Made this recipe several times and always comes out perfectly.
That’s wonderful to hear, Darlene! This is a favorite in our home.
Hi, I tried it and it’s really good. I used silicone pan and lowered the temp. to 175°Celsius. I was afraid at first because the mixture was more liquidy than yours. But the end result was good. My baking powder was expired and found that instead, I can use 1/2 tsp white vinegar and 1/2 tsp baking soda.
I will do it again for sure. You have great recipes. Thanks.
NB. I really wish that measurements are also given in grams and temperatures in Celsius too. I’m not used to these, so I have to divert each one.
You’re welcome, Marlene! I’m so happy you enjoyed it and powered through. If you jump to the printable recipe card, you can adjust the recipe card to metric conversion.
Followed instructions and still came out dry
Hi Ayda! I’m sorry to hear that. The most common reason is using too much flour or overbaking. Please watch this How to Measure Ingredients (Wet and Dry) VIDEOto ensure you’re measuring correctly.
I switched out the sugar for 3/4 cup honey and nixed the walnuts. Man, is this good! The bread is delicious and moist.
Hi Lorna, that sounds like a delicious twist. Thank you for sharing your modifications, and I am so glad the bread turned out moist and delicious for you.
How many cups or grams of banana would be recommended for your recipe? I peel and mash my bananas before freezing them, and can’t remember how many are in a bag at any given time.
It should be around 1½ cups mashed banana, and about 340–360 g mashed banana (roughly 350 g is a good target).
I didn’t have high hopes at all as I’m not a great baker, but this turned out soo scrumptious! – and solid! Usually mine either fall apart or fall flat, this turned out perfectly.
I didn’t have any vanilla on hand but I put a generous helping of cinnamon, and I also added a small amount of olive oil (we also cultivate our own in Greece) because I recall years ago making a banana bread with olive oil and it was really moist. I think that helped!
Next time I will definitely add in the vanilla and some chopped walnuts.
Seeing I made this at 11:00 pm (!) when I serve it tomorrow, I’m thinking of topping it with some honey.
Oh, and I left it in the oven for 50 minutes at 175 degrees Celsius and went with a full cup of sugar!
I am so happy to hear it turned out perfectly for you, Tina. The addition of olive oil and cinnamon sounds lovely. Honey on top sounds delicious for serving.
Family Favorite!!! Moist and absolutely delicious.
Hello,
I was just wondering if I can use bread flour instead of all purpose flour.
Thank you!
Hi Dylan! You can, but it will be more dense. Bread flour has more protein and there is more gluten development which makes the loaf tougher.
I did and it was still delicious!! Of course, I used an extra banana because it needed to go. So good!
Hi Teresa, adding an extra banana is always a great way to use them up and adds wonderful moisture. I am so glad it turned out delicious for you.
Honestly one of the best recipes I’ve used! Highly recommend!
Wow – thank you for that awesome review, Dylan!
This is truly the best banana bread recipe I have ever had and my husband agrees!
I’m so happy to hear that, Vickie! Thank you for sharing.
I made this cake for my family and followed the recipe as given. Only alteration was that I used brown sugar instead of regular sugar. The cake was very moist & delicious. Everyone loved it.
I’m not an avid baker, but I have made banana bread in the past and muffins and what not and if I don’t follow the directions to a T it never works out. Your recipe does not indicate when to put the flower in or with what either the butter and sugar or the mashed bananas?
Hi Monique! Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post. The complete recipe and step by step instructions are there.
Not sure what went wrong. I followed the directions exactly as they were stated. I preheated my oven to 350 and then once it was ready I put the loaf in for 35 minutes. After 35 minutes the middle was still liquid. I put it on for another 15 minutes and the edges were burnt but still liquid inside. I proceeded to cook the bread for about 60 minutes total and it still did not cook all the way in the middle. I never had a problem baking with my oven. Disappointed because I saw how great the reviews were.
I am so sorry to hear that. This banana bread typically takes about 55 to 65 minutes to bake fully, so checking it at 35 minutes is a bit early. If it was still completely liquid after 60 minutes and the edges were burning, it usually means the oven temperature is running too hot on the outside or your loaf pan is a different size or material than specified. I highly recommend using an oven thermometer to verify your oven’s accuracy.
Tastes ok but not as sweet as I’d like for a banana bread. Also I completely agree it was still not cooked all the way through after 60 minutes. Took for like 75-80 minutes to completely cook!
Hi Katelynne, thank you for the feedback. Oven temperatures can vary quite a bit, so it is always a good idea to rely on a toothpick test to ensure it is fully baked through. I appreciate you sharing your baking time.
Just made your banana bread bread this morning. I didn’t have walnuts or raisins on hand so substituted with pecans and dates. It is delicious! Just got your cookbook too!
Pecans and dates sound like an amazing twist. Thank you for getting the cookbook and sharing your variation.
I’m so glad I found this recipe! This is the only banana bread recipe I make. I do add cinnamon to it. So soft and moist. It takes my family maybe 3-4 days to eat a loaf and it never drys out.
Thank you for sharing that with us, Melanie! It’s been a family favorite for years.
I’m very happy with the way this banana bread turned out! It’s moister than the old recipe I had which called for more flour. I didn’t add any raisins or walnuts and it was still wonderful. My oven runs very hot so I baked it for 50 min and that was the right amount of time. This recipe is a keeper.
I’m glad you found the perfect balance for it, Anne! good call on pulling it sooner with an oven that runs hotter.
Very good recipe, however, one hour is much too long, take it out after 30mins and let it rest on the side to finish it.
Hi Dave! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe. I have not successfully baked this in less time than suggested above.
The bake time for this recipe for me was 45 minutes. Thanks for the heads up that 60 minutes was too long for yours.
Thanks also to the person who suggested adding cardamom. Best banana bread ever!
Best Banana Bread recipe! It literally came out so perfect. I shared it with family, and now my mom wants me to bake some for her church! I added Ghiradelli Chocolate chips into the batter and topped it with a Ghiradelli sea salt caramel chocolate bar. PERFECT!!!
That’s wonderful, Isha!
Absolutely delicious and moist banana bread, thank you. I added a bit of Bourbon, cardamom and cinnamon. My house smelled almost as good as the bread tasted.
That sounds amazing!
Great recipe! I added in dark chocolate chips and did cane sugar instead since that is all I had but it turned out great and very moist.
Thank you for sharing your results and for taking the time to leave a review
Turned out just perfect! I used cane sugar and egg replacer powder. Thank you!!
Hi KJ, you are very welcome. I am so glad it turned out perfectly with the cane sugar and egg replacer. Thank you for sharing your results.