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.
Thank you so much for the recipe! It’s become one of my most favorite! Absolutely delicious! The only problem is it’s hard to resist a bite)))
You’re welcome! I’m happy that you loved this banana bread recipe.
This is the best banana bread I have made. Toasted walnuts and raisins go perfectly with bananas. Will be my go to recipe from here out…
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Sucitysue!
Can this recipe be doubled ?
Hi Craig, it sure can be!
Awesome recipe!
How do I store it for a few days? I put it in the fridge but then the outside turned soft not like it was crunchy when I first made it. What do you recommend? Thank you!
Hi Sara, just store it in an airtight container. Someone else commented and shared this “I stored it in Tupperware and it’s even better this morning since it’s been in them overnight. 10/10 thank you so much for sharing this recipe.”
Hi Natasha! , For some reason I can’t follow recipes. I really enjoyed the Borschtt. I was gifted bananas yesterday and am very pleased to have found your husbands fave! Ima add walnuts and some chocolate chips! Sometimes calories are an after thought!
Fat-n-Sassy!
That’s awesome! I’m glad it was a success, Todd. Thanks for sharing that with us.
This recipe turned out perfect. It was delicious. This will be my go to recipe for banana bread from now
That’s just awesome, Nikki! I’m so happy you enjoeyd this recipe and found a new favorite!
Thank you so much for sharing banana nut bread. I watch you almost every day your a great person to watch. Thank you so much.
Aww, that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me & you’re welcome; I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Delish! Used a mix of toasted walnuts and pecans, and added green seedless raisins. Wonderful with cream cheese spread. Immediately went out and bought more bananas!
Yum! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m happy you enjoyed that!
Your video showed a full stick of butter. Recipe posted 1/2 cup
Which one is correct.
Love your recipes . I make a lot of them.
Hi Della, we used ½ cup unsalted butter (8 Tbsp) at room temperature. There is 8 tbsp in most sticks of butter.
Made last night. Subbed cranberries and pecans. Came out perfect!! Had for breakfast this morning toasted with butter! Thank you!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Hi Natasha , can i omit the baking soda and use baking powder instead?
Hi Ani, I honestly haven’t used just baking powder to advise. If you do an experiment, please share with us how it goes.
My husband and I are standing here over the counter cutting slice after slice off, stuffing our faces before dinner and proclaiming this the best banana bread ever! I subbed 1/2 cup buttermilk for 1 of the bananas, since I only had 2 and it worked great. I would’ve never thought to add raisins, but it’s epic, and toasting the walnuts is well worth that little bit of extra effort. Thank you! Now I’m off to stalk the rest of your recipes…
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Lizzy! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!
i want to make this form my mom but she is allergic to walnuts can ether sub it or leave them out thank you
Hi Moira, yes, you can omit or substitute them 🙂
Just put the bread in the oven! How do you recommend storing afterwards? Fridge, freezer, counter or cabinet? Thank you in advance! 🙂
Hi Candice, you can keep it in an airtight container in a cool place or refrigerate it.
Wow I tried the recipe and it’s perfect.. First time my hubby loved the banana bread.. Thanks a lot
You’re welcome! I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
This was a hit. Loved the raisens. I used golden raisens, toasted pecans, almond flour, coconut sugar (less than recommended with cane sugar) touch of fresh nutmeg and cinnamon.
Bake time was about 60 minutes with checking in between. Very rich looking caramelized. I will post a Pic on Instagram
Thanks for sharing that with us, Randi. I’m glad it was a hit!
Tried it for the very first time and I LOVE IT! Planning to cook it again. Instead of nuts, I put some chocolates and it tastes awesome! It really goes well with banana bread. Thank you so much for the recipe. 😊
Hi Lorivic, thank you so much! I’m so happy to know that you enjoyed this recipe.
hi in making my banana bread i did not use eggs is it ok ?
Hi Joanne, Unfortunately, I don’t haven’t tried this without out eggs or with any substitute for eggs in my recipes. I think you can find some recommendations online but I have not tested them yet to advise.
Approximately how much in cups would 3 bananas be?
Hi Jo, it’s usually about 2 cups of mashed banana.
So soft!! Very nice 🙂
Thank you for your good feedback!
Hello Natasha, I love this recipe. It bakes up nice and fluffy with lots of taste.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!