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 Natasha..can I use cake flour? I’m running out of AP and craving some banana bread. Thanks!
Hi Cheryl, cake flour may create a crumble/ different texture. Without experimenting with it myself I cannot advise on alterations.
I made this recipe today. It is, hands down, the best banana bread I have ever tasted. It is so moist. I made it exactly according to the recipe this time but I can’t wait to experiment with the recipe the next time I make it.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Dale! Thank you for the wonderful review!
I made this and it was delicious! I substituted cranberries for the raisins. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing that with me, Angie! I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Hi Natasha, I was wondering could you add yogurt to this recipe?
Looking forward to making your delicious banana bread .
Eileen 🇨🇦
Hi Eileen, I haven’t tested that to advise. If you experiment I would love to know how you like that!
Thank you for banana bread recipe
You’re most welcome!
This time when I made the banana bread I reduced the amount of sugar to 100g half brown and half white and added 1 heaped tablespoon of sour cream. The result was again delicious. I think the addition of the sour cream reduces the overall sweetness and makes an even moister bread.
So good to know that it is so delicious as well using less sugar. Thanks for sharing that with us, Rosie!
Hi Natasha,
This is the best banana bread recipe I have ever made. My husband loves it so much that I make it almost every week. Well that’s certainly not healthy so I substitute flour for whole wheat flour. It still turns out perfect. I was wondering if I can substitute butter with oil? If so, can you tell which oil and the quantity?
Thank you!
So nice to know that, Lalima. Thanks for sharing that with us. I have not tried using oil for this recipe to advise. But one of my readers wrote in with the following helpful review: “The bread turns out rich and moist and wonderful!!! I have tweaked it a bit (as all bakers do) by using virgin coconut oil instead of butter, and using 1/2 cup of white sugar & 1/2 cup brown sugar in place of just white… Finally, I use milk chocolate chips instead of raisins or nuts. It is to die for!!!!” I hope this is helpful.
This s the best banana bread ever, my little granddaughter of 11 makes it regularly now for her family. Was wondering could I add sour cream as I like the tang it gives certain bakes. If yes how much would you recommend. Thank you Natasha for all your wonderful recipes.
So great to hear that. I’m not sure how it would turn out though with sour cream as I’ve never tried adding that in this recipe before. I think it’s worth finding out, if you do an experiment, please let us know know it goes!
Hey Rosie….I always add sour cream(1/4 cup) when making banana bread. The result is always great, soft n moist. Hope that helps
How many cups of mashed bananas does 3 ripe bananas make and how many loaves does this recipe make?
Hi Ingrid, I believe it’s maybe two cups. I never measured exactly, but it doesn’t have to be precise. Just use medium/average sized bananas. We made one loaf in a 9.25 by 5.25-Inch, pan.
Hi, may I know where should I place the loaf pan while baking in the oven? I am planning to try this recipe after reading all the amazing reviews.
thanks!
Hi Juanita, we use a standard oven and place it in the center rack.
Thanks Natasha! cant wait to bake this tonight:)
I hope you love this recipe Juanita!
this is like…scrumptious to the max…..sending love all the way from Malaysia here…used to pay like 9 dollars for a loaf of it..now only need an hour of my time and 3 dollars to enjoy freshly bake banana bread in the morning…thank you Natasha….
Yes so true, and homemade is so much better! I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Everyone at home loves your banana bread! We leave out the raisins but it’s still so delicious. We make it about once a week.
Can you please tell me if the entire bread is 350 calories? If it’s 350 calories per serving, how many servings in this bread? Thank you!
Hi Lidia, we have the serving suggestions on the printable recipe card towards the recipe post’s bottom. That calories are per serving. I hope that helps.
Natasha- your banana bread recipe is the best! It was delicious….I added walnuts & chocolate chips!
Love your videos. Thanks!
That’s just awesome Jeannie! I’m so happy to hear that!
The bread was done except for the middle and by the time the middle was done the rest was over baked! Any suggestions?
Hi Anna, it sounds like your oven may be running too hot. Are you using a conventional oven? I would recommend making sure it is calibrated.
I tried many recipes and I can tell you: This recipe is the best!
Fantastic! Thank you for your wonderful review, Sara.
I also agree. Turns out perfect every time.
Hello Natasha!
Can I double this recipe and put chocolate chips on one pan (like your Choc chip banana bread recipe) and the other nuts free (due to nuts allergic kiddos)? Also using a glass loaf pans, so can I bake both pans together at 325°F and still take 55-65 mins?
Thank you so much for sharing your recipes! I’m about to start a collection of Natasha’s Kitchen recipes! They’re all so GOOD!
~MB
Hi, yes absolutely you can separate them and make them without nuts. The base of the chocolate chip banana bread is the same as this one and we often make it without nuts because of an allergy also. We have baked 2 loaves together in the past and it works great. You might do the toothpick test at the end though to make sure both loaves are fully cooked through (using 2 different toothpicks for allergies of course). I hope you love the banana bread!
This was delicious! I used the convection setting in my oven and it baked for about 48 minutes. Very moist! QUESTION: I want to divide this recipe into two pans. What size loaf pan should i use? Love this channel.
Hi Freda, I haven’t tested this in two pans to advise however one of our readers reports great results using two mini loaf pans for 15 minutes. ” I was looking for a quick and easy banana bread recipe that would be moist and delicious. Let me tell you, this recipe delivered. This was the best banana bread I’ve ever had/made.
I omitted walnuts and raisins because I didn’t have any on the shelf and I didn’t have a loaf pan that I could find. Instead I had two mini loaf pans. I made two mini loaves and they cooked for 15 mins.
They were a hit!”
Fabulous recipe! Best banana bread I’ve ever made. The only change I made was to use dried cranberries instead of raisins. The bread was so moist and delicious! My husband loved it and even shared a taste with our dogs, who also approved! No need to search anymore for another recipe. This is perfect! 5 stars.
Awesome! Thank you so much for the 5 stars and for the awesome review that you share with us, Susan. We love it!
Hi Natasha, thanks for the lovely recipe. The banana bread is very moist and tasty. My husband and son enjoyed very much. I will definitely make this again.
So great to hear that, Yvonne. Thanks for sharing your good feedback with us!
Hi Natasha. Love your recipes and I’ve tried quite a few and they all turn out lovely. This cake tastes really nice however I know cove done something wrong as mine went a quite dense. Can you help me on where I may have gone wrong please. Thankyou
Hi Amber, the bread will get denser with too much moisture. I would recommend reading our post on measuring to be sure everything was measured appropriately.