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.







Hi, what if I only have baking powder for this recipe?
Hi Dyana, I haven’t tried that yet to advise how that would work
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!
That’s just awesome! Thank you so much for sharing this with me Shreya!
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.
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me!
Excellent recipe…..came out perfectly fine
Thanks a lot..
I tried the strawberry cake as well was excellent!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that!
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!
Sounds like you found a new favorite! Thank you for that wonderful review!
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
You’re welcome, Leslie! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
This is the best chocolate chip banana bread recipe! It’s super moist and soft. My family loved it! Thank you!
Yay reading your comment made me very happy. Thank you!
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!
I love how the house smells baking this! Isn’t it simply the best! Thank you for sharing this awesome review with me!
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.
That’s a nice idea! Thanks for sharing that with us.
Hi Natasha, I tried almond cake and banana walnut cake from your recipes and it turned out delicious… thank you for sharing with us…
You’re welcome Renu! I’m so glad you enjoyed that!
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!
That is and awesome and wonderful feedback. Thank you for sharing!
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
Thank you so much for sharing that with us Ching!
I made this banana bread today. Deli and moist.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
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!
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing that awesome review with me!
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.
You’re so welcome! Thanks for your excellent review, we appreciate it!
Just wondering how this banana bread recipe rises & density compares to a recipe that has all the same ingredients however also includes (baking powder)
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.
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.
That is so awesome! Thanks for your excellent feedback, I am so glad that you loved it!
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.
LOL! Thank you so much for your great feedback and compliment. You can share photos of your creation on our Facebook page or group!
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
I’m so happy you liked that! Thank you for that great review!
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!
Hi Colleen! Thank you for stopping by! I’m so glad you’re enjoying our recipes!