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
I made this recipe, and it was so delicious though I mistakingly added 1 tbsp of bicarbonate soda instead of 1 tsp 😔.
Thank you for sharing it.
You’re welcome Ahlam! I hope you give it a try again soon!
I made the bread and it is wonderful!
nevermind I found the recipe in the introductory text. Turned out great! Thanks
No problem, I’m glad you found that.
My banana cake had a big crack on top… BUT tasted awesome…Thanks for the recipe!
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Rachelle!
Totally unrelated to banana bread….do you have a paella recipe?
Hi Rachelle, we don’t have one yet but thank you for the suggestion!
Can I make this into muffin pans. We are retired and we like small portions to eat and freeze.
Hi Leslie, I haven’t tried making this exact recipe in muffin form yet. You can try our spin on banana bread in muffin form HERE as a guide. I hope this helps
Hai natasha..
I am from indonesia❤
Thank’s for your recipe, i like it and i hope i can make it😊
I hope you love this recipe Winda!
Another great recipe from you, thank you 🙂 I added 2 tbsp sour cream and I subtituted raisins for chocolat chips also I cut down the sugar (I used only 1/2 cup). Taste awsome!!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Banana bread it was is delicious
I’m happy you enjoyed that, Theresa!
Just baked this today and it’s super delicious. Your recipes are always a hit with my family!
BTW, this banana bread taste like cake. What’s the difference?
Hi Cheryl, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Natasha! Baked this for the 1st day of 2021 and it’s the best banana bread I’ve ever eaten. It’s super soft and moist and most importantly it’s so easy to bake. Highly recommend to those who would like to bake banana bread!
Hi Cheryl, I am so happy to hear that!
The last thing I made in 2020, the first thing my family ate in 2021 was your banana bread recipe. They loved it. It is moist. Loved that it only made one loaf. I didn’t have enough bananas to make a recipe for two loaves.
Wow, that makes me happy! Thank you and I hope you and your family will love every recipe that you will try.
Just made the Banana bread!!!!
Absolutely delicious!
Thank you,Natasha
I’m glad you liked it. Thanks for sharing!
I’m making this tomorrow. My question is I only have 2 very ripe medium size bananas . Should I add any applesauce to make up the difference if so how much? This recipe looks awesome
Hi Donna, one of our readers reported doing that and wrote: ” I only had 2 ripe bananas on hand, so I added 1/2 a cup of applesauce.” I hope that helps.
It’s my first time to bake. This recipe made me feel like a great baker already. Hahaha
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!
Made this banana bread several times, and It is one of the best. It is so easy and delicious. I added cinnamon and chocolate chips and omitted the walnut and raisin. Thank you for the recipe Natasha
You’re most welcome and sounds wonderful! Thank you for your great comments and feedback, Niusha.
easy to follow, I am about to insert in it the Oven, finger cross, I substitute maple sirup for the sugar
I hope you love it!
I just made a double batch of this and it is, by far, the BEST banana bread recipe I’ve ever made! Moist on the inside with a beautiful golden brown crust! I don’t normally leave reviews but I had to for this recipe!
That is so awesome! Thank you so much for sharing that with us, Heidi!
Excellent and easy recipe, love the walnut crunch and moisture of the loaf! Thank you for sharing! Real keeper recipe xx
Thanks for your wonderful review, Silvie and you are so welcome.
Made this recipe (minus the raisins) and it turned out P.E.R.F.E.C.T.!! This is definitely going to be added to my regulars… Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!
Hello Brian, so awesome! Thanks for sharing that with us, I’m so glad you loved this recipe.
This was so easy and delicious! Moist and just all around fantastic. Thank you for your wonderful recipes. I double the batch, made two and gave one to my neighbor for Christmas.
You’re welcome, Dz. I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe!