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 6214 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 6214 votes (4,175 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Maureen Davenport
    June 3, 2020

    HI, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THIS WITH FIGS, HOW MANY CUPS ( FIGS COOKED AND CREAMED) WOULD I USE TO REPLACE THE BANANAS, THANKS

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 3, 2020

      Hi Maureen, I haven’t tested that with figs to advise. If you experiment, please let me know how you like that.

      Reply

  • Rex
    June 3, 2020

    Hi Natasha! My banana bread comes out great and moist, very light actually. However it falls apart easily when I slice into it. I want it to be able to hold its shape somehow.. (my only tweak is creaming the butter and sugar for at least 3mins + adding chocolate)

    Could I be adding too much air? How could I fix this? Thank you!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      June 3, 2020

      Hi Rex, I’m not sure what you mean by + adding chocolate. We do have a chocolate chip banana bread recipe if that helps. It definitely helps to let it rest and cool to room temperature before slicing. If you slice while the bread is still warm, it will be much softer and tend to fall apart.

      Reply

  • Miya
    May 30, 2020

    Gotta be honest – during these rough times you and the way how you present your recipes inspired me to start enjoying baking and cooking too. Love all your dessert and chicken-based recipes! Accessible ingredients, easy to make, and of course – mega tasty! Thank you Natasha!!!
    P.S. Just one question here, could we somehow replace baking soda with baking powder? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 30, 2020

      I’m so glad you’re enjoying our recipes! Baking powder is a leavening agent that adds rising power to ingredients. Baking soda is 4 times stronger than baking powder so if you do substitute you would need to make the appropriate adjustments.

      Reply

  • Anjum
    May 30, 2020

    Can we double this recipe? Thank you

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 30, 2020

      Hi Anjum, you can definitely double this recipe! I hope you love it!

      Reply

  • Robert moore
    May 29, 2020

    Would you repost your recipe for vanilla cupcakes? I missed it the last time. Thanks

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 29, 2020

      Hi Robert, you can find it on our blog HERE.

      Reply

  • Anjum
    May 29, 2020

    Do you think I can double this recipe and make it in a Bundt pan?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 29, 2020

      Hi Anjum, 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

  • May
    May 28, 2020

    Can replace with self raising flour ?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 28, 2020

      Hi May, I haven’t tested that but here is what one of our readers wrote ” I’ve just made this and couldn’t wait for it to cool to have a slice, it is lovely and light. I wasn’t sure what all-purpose flour was so I used self-raising flour and it is perfect, thank you for the recipe.” I hope that helps.

      Reply

  • Devon
    May 26, 2020

    Thank you for this incredible banana bread recipe! You are my go to site anytime I head to the kitchen to make food for my three kids and husband. They have been surprised it’s me in the kitchen! Thank you Natasha!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 26, 2020

      You’re welcome! Thank you for your great feedback, I appreciate it!

      Reply

  • Marlen
    May 26, 2020

    Natasha, if I could grade you even higher, I would. I am no baker and I never thought that I could bake anything that anyone would like, let alone, love. This is the easiest, most delicious and most bagged about recipe that I have ever made. I have done it twice and Im working on my third time today. The first time I used very ripe bananas, because it was all that I had and the bread came out really good. The second time I used not so ripe, but just ripe enough banana (with spots) and the really did the job. It was amazing. I followed the instructions once more on the second, but this time also added cranberries and my husband couldn’t get enough. He cant seem to get enough and is on the weekly basis requesting that I make more. So with that said Natasha, THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing this amazing recipe with all. Cant wait to try some other of your recipes.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 26, 2020

      Wow! Thank you for that wonderful review! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe!

      Reply

  • Dawn Hoffman
    May 26, 2020

    YUMMY! Excellent banana bread recipe! I’ve made it with/without nuts, with/without raisens, with/without dark chocolate chips, & mixed combos. Doesn’t matter what combo you use or simply banana bread. This recipe comes out so moist & tastey! First time was hot banana bread breakfast, umm, I ate it all while sipping tea watching the birds in the bird bath. Before I knew it-I ate the whole thing! Thank you!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 26, 2020

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

      Reply

  • Manana
    May 26, 2020

    Best banana bread Thank you Natasha

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 26, 2020

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

      Reply

  • Sherry Hadondi
    May 25, 2020

    Hello Natasha! I tried the banana bread; the taste was awesome but it was a little soggy on the middle top. What could have caused it? I did not use raisins and walnuts

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 25, 2020

      Hi Sherry, I have not had that experience. Did you possibly use too many bananas? This post on measuring may help your dry ingredient measurements.

      Reply

    • Nancy
      May 27, 2020

      Bake it 5-6 minutes longer.

      Reply

  • Semanti
    May 24, 2020

    Before trying this recipe, I had tried out 4 miserable banana bread recipes. I wasnt expecting much from this try. But pleasantly surprised how amazing this bread turned out!!! Except being a little crumbly the bread was out of the world.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 25, 2020

      That is so awesome, thanks for your great review!

      Reply

  • Linda
    May 23, 2020

    I made this recipe but had planned on using almond flour instead and coconut sugar since I previously bought it ! I couldn’t find almond flour at the store so purchased coconut flour . My bananas were ripe and great to use but bread did not rise well . What do you think ? Does lack of baking powder have anything to do with it ? Haven’t tasted it yet either.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 25, 2020

      Hi Linda, I haven’t experimented with gluten-free flour/ coconut flour so can’t make a recommendation or suggestion. That may be the culprit.

      Reply

  • Jyothi
    May 23, 2020

    Hi Natasha, can you please tell me size of cup used for measurement? Planning to prepare it.

    Reply

    • Jyothi
      May 23, 2020

      Tried with the cup size I had and came out nice and moist. Thank you. Best Banana bread ever.

      Reply

      • Natashas Kitchen
        May 23, 2020

        You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed that!

        Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 23, 2020

      Hi Jyothi, we used a measuring cup. We have this post on measuring that may be helpful to you.

      Reply

  • Lisa Stern
    May 22, 2020

    You are not kidding. I’ve been baking a lot during this pandemic and tried quite a few banana bread recipes. My family has voted this hands down the best! It is seriously delicious and never fails. Moist and amazing. Thanks from the Stern family

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 22, 2020

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

      Reply

  • Mary
    May 22, 2020

    Shouldn’t you use a liquid like oil or butter milk or something I’ll just make a very dry cake

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 22, 2020

      Hi Mary, I haven’t had it come out dry following the recipe. The bananas, eggs, and vanilla do the trick.

      Reply

  • Nettie Yeo
    May 21, 2020

    I tried today and it is so good – soft and moist!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 21, 2020

      So great to hear your feedback, Nettie. Thank you so much!

      Reply

  • Dolly
    May 20, 2020

    Hi Natasha,
    Thank you for all your recipes .
    I try 2 recipes it taste so good.we love it and I’ve gonna try more ,may be next time ,your chocolate cake . Thank you,Doll

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 20, 2020

      You’re welcome! I’m so glad you’re enjoying our recipes Dolly!

      Reply

  • Ruslana
    May 20, 2020

    Love it!!! Very recommend!!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 20, 2020

      I’m so glad you enjoyed that!

      Reply

    • Lola Jithesh
      May 21, 2020

      Hi Natasha..Tried this recipe and it came out perfectly well and my family just loved the came. Thank u so much for this recipe! Love to try more of ur recipes 😊

      Reply

      • Natasha's Kitchen
        May 21, 2020

        Thank you for sharing that with us, Lola. I hope you love every recipe that you try!

        Reply

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