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.







This is the best banana loaf ever! My grandchildren polished off three loaves in three days! I only added walnuts as they hate raisins. Taking a loaf to a sick friend tomorrow. Thanks a million for clear instructions. Jenny Christie.
You’re very welcome! So happy you enjoyed this recipe.
Hi. No matter what I bake in a loaf pan, I can never get an even rise. The taste and the texture is always fine, but the middle rises a lot more than the edges. I’ve tried larger pans and smaller pans and always end up with the same result. Any suggestions? 🙂
Hi Gail, the center should rise more and that is normal but I haven’t had it happen where it rises too high in the center. Make sure you are using the correct types of leavening without substitutions and also that you are using regular conventional oven modes (not convection)
Hi!!! How long would I bake this recipe if I wanted to make muffins? Thank you so much!!!
Hi Gail. We created a muffin recipe from this recipe. Here is the link, you can follow these instructions. https://natashaskitchen.com/banana-muffins-recipe/
The bread came out almost caramelized, truly delicious. I subbed dried cranberries instead of raisins.
I’m so happy you loved it, Gail!
Yep, this is a keeper. Made this as written twice now and the wife approves both times. Momma’s happy everyone’s happy.
Great to hear that, Chris!
Hi. Just wanted to tell I put 4tbs of sour cream in my banana bread
How is it, do you love it?
Success! I have been a fan for a long time, but this is the 1st recipe of hers that I tried. Followed it to a T. It was fabulous! It was super moist and not too sweet just perfect. Thanks Natasha, I had faith and you and you met the challenge!
Thank you, Teresa! So glad you enjoyed this recipe!
I must say it came out beautiful. Step by Step and the video. I can’t wait to use your recipes. Have a sunshine day.
That is great! I’m happy to hear that, Carol. Thank you.
PERFECT!!! I always add cinnamon to my banana bread recipe as I did this one, and it’s amazing!!!
Sounds like a great addition to the recipe. Thank you for sharing, Aimee.
Thanks for the recipe going to make it now, the only thing missing is if I put it in the bottom or center rack? I’m going to put in center and hope it comes out great.
I hope you love this recipe, Sally!
Made this banana bread and it’s delicious. However, it was done in 30 minutes in my oven so just check for doneness according to your oven.
My husband is trying to cut it, right out of the oven! 🤣 It smells delicious!
I bet it smells SO GOOD! I hope you love it, Lori!
Absolutely THE BEST banana bread recipe EVER! I made it with chocolate chips and it will be my go to recipe till the end of time!
So happy to hear that! Great addition! It goes well with chocolate. Thank you for the review.
Loved the very simple recipe.
Turned out very tasty.
I skipped the raisins.
Thank you for the excellent review. I am happy you enjoyed this recipe.
Hello! You mentioned you have made this recipe as muffins. What is the temperature and cook time for making the muffins?
Hi Jennifer, you can try to use our Banana Muffins Recipe HERE as a guide!
Just found this recipe a couple days ago. It’s baking in the oven now and smells heavenly! The only thing I added was about 1/4-1/3 cup of whipped honey peanut butter. My dad LOVES bananas and honey and I thought this addition would hit the spot for him!
Sounds awesome! I hope it becomes your new favorite.
Just placed my delicious dough in a Loaf glass dish which. Was not done in the middle at 350 but very brown. Does baking it is glass change all the baking times to be very raw in the center or should it always be a metal loaf pan?
Hi Peggy, the type of pan may impact that. Glass tends to get really hot, so you may need to adjust the temp and time.
Love love this recipe! Banana bread came out perfectly moist and delicious. I increased the raisins to 1 cup! Natasha , thank you. You inspire to bake more often ❣️
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Nadia!
I made this loaf and it is really lovely and moist. Such a great recipe 🥰🌸
Thank you for your great feedback, Molly!
Hi Natasha This banana bread was a hit made one with nuts and raisins and the other one plain they were both darn good. I always had the Betty Crocker recipe but been looking for another I said this one is a keeper so from now on I make this one my family also gave me a thumbs up #1 I’m ask if I can bake them a banana bread and I always post what I bake and cook on facebook
Hi Sarah, thanks for sharing that with us. Great to hear that this banana bread was a huge hit!
I made it with whole wheat flour and 3 tsps of liquid sweetener instead of sugar. The result was fantastic.
Thank you very much!!!!
PS: I took some pictures but I don’t know how to attach them to the comments.
Thank you for sharing that with us. I’m happy it turned out fantastic! Thank you for the review.