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 6614 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 6614 votes (4,175 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Dayana
    July 12, 2020

    Hi, what if I only have baking powder for this recipe?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      July 12, 2020

      Hi Dyana, I haven’t tried that yet to advise how that would work

      Reply

  • Shreya Patel
    July 11, 2020

    I followed your recipe but replaced all purpose flour with whole wheat flour and almond flour in equal ratio. This was the most delicious banana bread we ever had! So moist!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 11, 2020

      That’s just awesome! Thank you so much for sharing this with me Shreya!

      Reply

  • Geetika
    July 10, 2020

    I have tried almost all of your recipes and they are always awesome but this one really is my most favorite. I substituted walnuts with almonds and added some chocolate chips. My baking time was 40 mins as ovens are different so keep a check on your bread. This is the best banana bread recipe ever! Thank you Natasha for sharing your talent with us.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 10, 2020

      Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me!

      Reply

  • Nidhi
    July 9, 2020

    Excellent recipe…..came out perfectly fine
    Thanks a lot..
    I tried the strawberry cake as well was excellent!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 9, 2020

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that!

      Reply

  • txgirl
    July 7, 2020

    Not that you need another glowing review, but holy cow this was good! Followed directions to a tee and turned out perfectly. An epic recipe!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 7, 2020

      Sounds like you found a new favorite! Thank you for that wonderful review!

      Reply

  • Leslie
    July 7, 2020

    great recipe
    I only had 1 banana, cranberries and pecans, half brown and half white sugar- still came out lovely.
    Have made it with recipe ingredients and was delicious!
    Thank you

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 7, 2020

      You’re welcome, Leslie! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe!

      Reply

  • Cee
    July 6, 2020

    This is the best chocolate chip banana bread recipe! It’s super moist and soft. My family loved it! Thank you!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      July 7, 2020

      Yay reading your comment made me very happy. Thank you!

      Reply

  • Ashley
    July 6, 2020

    The most delicious and moist banana bread ever!! Such an easy process and simple recipe! My house smelt amazing while the bread was in the oven! The banana bread had the perfect texture and taste. Moist on the inside and a yummy crisp on the outside. It was gone within an hour! Your recipes are incredible Natasha! Thank you!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 6, 2020

      I love how the house smells baking this! Isn’t it simply the best! Thank you for sharing this awesome review with me!

      Reply

  • Bonnie
    July 5, 2020

    There were so many comments on your banana bread recipe, but haven’t seen anyone use an ingredient that I add….1T dried orange peel (in the spice bottle). Hope you will try it, I wouldn’t make my banana bread without.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      July 5, 2020

      That’s a nice idea! Thanks for sharing that with us.

      Reply

  • Renu
    June 30, 2020

    Hi Natasha, I tried almond cake and banana walnut cake from your recipes and it turned out delicious… thank you for sharing with us…

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 30, 2020

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

      Reply

  • Angela
    June 30, 2020

    Tried this recipe today with 1/2 cup brown sugar and omitted the nuts and it came out moist and crunchy on the outside! It was gone within the hour. Great recipe!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 30, 2020

      That is and awesome and wonderful feedback. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply

  • Ching
    June 30, 2020

    Hi Natasha thank you so much for the recipe! Cut sugar and oil by half to suit the elderly yet still turn out great every single time without fail! Will try to make cream cheese banana bread next time

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 30, 2020

      Thank you so much for sharing that with us Ching!

      Reply

  • Belinda
    June 27, 2020

    I made this banana bread today. Deli and moist.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 27, 2020

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Nan
    June 25, 2020

    This banana bread is SO delicious. My kids and even my doubting husband loved it. Really moist and has a wonderful flavour. Lots of thumbs up from us!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 25, 2020

      That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing that awesome review with me!

      Reply

  • Alveena
    June 21, 2020

    Hi Natasha,
    I made banana bread today on Father’s Day and it was perfect. Everyone just loved it and couldn’t resist having more. Thank you for sharing the recipe.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 22, 2020

      You’re so welcome! Thanks for your excellent review, we appreciate it!

      Reply

  • Katherine
    June 21, 2020

    Just wondering how this banana bread recipe rises & density compares to a recipe that has all the same ingredients however also includes (baking powder)

    Reply

    • Natasha
      June 22, 2020

      Hi Katherine, I’m not sure what recipe you are referring to, but note if it has baking soda, that baking soda is 4 times stronger than baking powder.

      Reply

  • Vida Daymond
    June 21, 2020

    Made the banana bread yesterday. Oh my goodness, never thought bananas could taste sooo nice!! Texture was amazing and the taste mmmm. Another new favourite. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 21, 2020

      That is so awesome! Thanks for your excellent feedback, I am so glad that you loved it!

      Reply

  • Scott
    June 20, 2020

    I LOVE your videos !! You are so cute !! (Not hitting on you) !!! I made banana bread today and it is awesome !! I wanted to leave a picture but there is no place to do so.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 21, 2020

      LOL! Thank you so much for your great feedback and compliment. You can share photos of your creation on our Facebook page or group!

      Reply

  • Ikang
    June 20, 2020

    First time to make banana bread and this is sooo good!!! It came out soft and moist on the inside and crunchy on the outside. I substituted raisins to chocolate chips and reduced the sugar to 1/2 cup. Yay, it’s so yummy! Posted a photo in my instagram

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 20, 2020

      I’m so happy you liked that! Thank you for that great review!

      Reply

  • Colleen
    June 19, 2020

    I have made this banana bread a couple of times now.
    So yummy, and moist and so easy to make!
    I now use up all my ripened bananas!
    Fan from Canada!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 19, 2020

      Hi Colleen! Thank you for stopping by! I’m so glad you’re enjoying our recipes!

      Reply

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