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

  • Sq
    June 18, 2020

    May I know how to keep the banana cake moist? Because my cake dries out

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 18, 2020

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

      Reply

    • Landa
      June 26, 2020

      Are you talking about after it’s baked to store it to keep it moist? I’m sure just an air tight container or wrapped in tinfoil. When I warm mine I always put a damp paper towel over it in the microwave at 15 sec intervals.

      Reply

  • Vida Daymond.
    June 18, 2020

    The banana loaf has just come out of the oven. Smells and looks delicious. Waiting for it to cool. First time I’ve tried this recipe and sooo looking forward to a taster. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 18, 2020

      I bet your home smells AMAZING! I hope you love this recipe!

      Reply

  • Brynn
    June 16, 2020

    I made this today and it was a hit with my family! I used Pamela’s gluten free all-purpose flour, replacing 1 tbsp of flour with ground flax. I replaced the sugar with coconut sugar and reduced the sugar to 1/2 cup, since I used overripe bananas. I divided the batter between two 4×8 loaf pans and baked for about 50 minutes. Forgot to toast the walnuts but it still came out amazing!

    The texture was super soft, no one could tell it was gluten free! I know we’ll be making this banana bread for years to come. Thank you for the incredible recipe.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 16, 2020

      hank you for sharing that wonderful review with us Brynn!

      Reply

  • GM
    June 15, 2020

    I recently lost all my treasured recipes and in looking for a new banana nut bread recipe came across this one. It is a fabulously delicious recipe. Highly recommend. I did alter it a bit by splitting the sugar between white and dark brown and adding cinnamon.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 15, 2020

      Hey GM, great to hear that you loved this banana bread recipe. I hope you love every recipe that you try!

      Reply

  • Erika Kirsipuu
    June 13, 2020

    Great recipe! So many times I have tried to make a great banana bread, with no good results, but your recipe changed everything! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 14, 2020

      So great to hear that, Erika. Thank you for your excellent feedback!

      Reply

  • Amirah
    June 13, 2020

    BEST BANANA BREAD EVER!!!! thanks a lot Natasha

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 13, 2020

      You’re welcome Amirah! Thank you for that great review!

      Reply

  • Jyoti
    June 13, 2020

    it came out beautiful and moist, thanks for share

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 13, 2020

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

      Reply

  • Amirah
    June 12, 2020

    Thanks a lot Natasha for this wonderfully moist and delicious banana bread recipe my family loves it!!! Can’t wait to try more of your recipes

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 12, 2020

      You’re welcome! I hope you and your family will love every recipe that you try.

      Reply

      • Amirah
        June 13, 2020

        Thank you for sharing all these wonderful recipes

        Reply

  • Teresa Mwangi
    June 11, 2020

    I love your recipes, very easy follow.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 12, 2020

      Thank you!

      Reply

  • Amirah
    June 11, 2020

    hi Natasha!!! love all your recipes so simple and easy to make and of course super delicious. Gonna try making this recipe today will let you know how it comes:)

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 12, 2020

      I hooe hope you like it! Please let us know how it goes.

      Reply

  • Ademidun
    June 11, 2020

    Hi,found your channel so interesting and helpful. Tried the banana bread following the recipe, my outcome looks more like a banana cake than bread.It was however sweet, soft and very nice but one would think more of banana cake than bread

    Reply

    • Natasha
      June 11, 2020

      Hi, It is a very moist bread and not like regular sliced bread, but that is how it is supposed to be. I’m so glad you enjoyed the banana bread!

      Reply

  • Linda Hicken
    June 11, 2020

    I made your banana bread recipe with raisins and walnuts and it is the best I’ve ever had. So moist and delicious! Everyday the flavors get even better.
    Love watching you create these wonderful Recipes! Best to you and your family! Stay safe.

    Thank you,

    Linda
    Logan, Utah

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 11, 2020

      Aww that’s the best Linda! Thank you so much for that awesome review!

      Reply

  • Elisabeth
    June 11, 2020

    Hi Natasha I have made the banana cake at least 10 times now and it is now our weekend treat! we just love it. Thank you

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 11, 2020

      Sounds like you found a new favorite! That’s so great!

      Reply

  • Geraldine Pierce
    June 10, 2020

    what would the bake time be as well as the temp for mini loaves?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 10, 2020

      Hi Geraldine, I haven’t tested that and I bet that could work! You will need to adjust the bake time.

      Reply

  • Cynthia
    June 9, 2020

    If I don’t have baking soda, what can I use as substitute? Thanks.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 10, 2020

      Hi Cynthia, I haven’t tested this but baking powder may be an alternative. Just remember baking soda is 4 times stronger than baking powder.

      Reply

  • Geraldine Pierce
    June 9, 2020

    I have always made banana muffins using raisins and walnuts or replacing raisins with crasins. I want to try your recipe but in mini loaf pans. what would be the changes in temps and baking time? I love your recipies by the way! My family went nuts for your chocolate cake and strawberry one also!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 10, 2020

      Hi Geraldine, I have not tested this in a mini loaf. It is possible but you will need to adjust the bake times.

      Reply

      • Geraldine Pierce
        June 11, 2020

        OK so I made the mini loaves. With one recipe of banana bread, it makes 5 mini loaves! I filled 3/4 of the pans and lowered the temperature to 325. I baked for 25 minutes. ( start checking it at 25, if not quite done, check every 5 minutes) They came out moist and delish! Hubby loved them as did I! Thank you again. On to Pumpkin now.lol

        Reply

        • Natashas Kitchen
          June 11, 2020

          That’s just awesome! I bet our readers will find this helpful! Thank you for sharing that with us Geraldine!

          Reply

  • Dorothy Datemasch
    June 9, 2020

    can this be switched to muffins? I make so many of your recipes and am always pleased…keep up the good work.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 9, 2020

      Hi Dorothy, I haven’t tried making this in muffins yet, I imagine that should be okay however I cannot advise you of any changes in measurements since I haven’t tested it yet. If you want to do an experiment, please share with us how it goes.

      Reply

  • Dorian Galvan
    June 5, 2020

    This recipe is so great, I was skeptical about it being moist but oh my goodness my loaf has a crunchy outer layer and the most mouth melting inside layer

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 5, 2020

      I’m so happy you liked that Dorian!

      Reply

  • Fath
    June 4, 2020

    Hi Natasha, always bake you banana recipe, my family loves it.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 5, 2020

      Thank you so much for your great feedback!

      Reply

  • Namrita
    June 3, 2020

    Hi natasha ! this recipe is our family favorite however once i replaced sugar with honey and it was very moist … and soggy type. Pls give some healthy alternatives to white sugar and some tips to perfect it … thanks alot

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 3, 2020

      Hi Namrita, I’ve had a couple of readers report using honey as a substitute with success, however, none provided details. I’m curious if there was too much of it used?

      Reply

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