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.

Banana Bread on a cutting board with walnuts, raisins and ripe bananas to make healthy banana bread

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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.

Ingredients for Banana Bread with ripe bananas, flour, sugar, eggs, butter, walnuts and raisins

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!

Slices of banana nut bread on a plate

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!

  1. In the mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar.
  2. Mix in mashed bananas and eggs.
  3. Whisk together dry ingredients: flour, salt, and baking soda and add to batter.
  4. 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

Moist banana bread recipe sliced to show banana nut bread center

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:

Moist Banana Bread Recipe

4.97 from 6616 votes
Banana bread sliced on a cutting board
This Banana Bread Recipe is loaded with ripe bananas, tangy-sweet raisins, and toasted walnuts. It is one of our favorite ripe banana recipes and even better with overripe bananas.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 10 people

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

350kcal Calories45g Carbs5g Protein18g Fat7g Saturated Fat57mg Cholesterol243mg Sodium270mg Potassium3g Fiber20g Sugar354IU Vitamin A4mg Vitamin C26mg Calcium2mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Moist Banana Bread Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
350
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
18
g
28
%
Saturated Fat
 
7
g
44
%
Cholesterol
 
57
mg
19
%
Sodium
 
243
mg
11
%
Potassium
 
270
mg
8
%
Carbohydrates
 
45
g
15
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
20
g
22
%
Protein
 
5
g
10
%
Vitamin A
 
354
IU
7
%
Vitamin C
 
4
mg
5
%
Calcium
 
26
mg
3
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Breakfast, snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: banana bread, banana nut bread
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 350
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

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.

Moist banana nut bread on kitchen towel

This Banana Bread Recipe is loaded with ripe bananas, tangy sweet raisins and toasted walnuts making it a banana nut bread. One of our favorite ripe banana recipes and even better with overripe bananas! This banana nut bread is super moist, easy and makes a great breakfast on-the-go. | natashaskitchen.com
4.97 from 6616 votes (4,175 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Jorene
    May 11, 2022

    My first banana cake and everyone loves it. It’s soft and moist and not too sweet. I used brown sugar and almond instead of raisins and walnuts.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 11, 2022

      I’m so glad you all love it, Jorene! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Nafeesa
    May 3, 2022

    I tried many recipes. But this is the perfect one. Came out super tasty.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 4, 2022

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Samantha
    May 3, 2022

    Love this recipe! I followed the instructions but instead of raisins and nuts, I used chocolate chips. I also added cinnamon/sugar on top! Delicious!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 3, 2022

      That’s so great! Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Samantha!

      Reply

  • Marsha
    May 3, 2022

    Delicious very moist and light, I added chocolate chips along with raisins, didn’t have pecans. 😀

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 3, 2022

      Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Marsha!

      Reply

    • Cindy
      September 11, 2022

      I made the recipe with these changes.
      1-No raisins because my husband hates them,
      2- salted butter and then no added salt. That’s all I had handy.
      3- 1/4 cup butter instead of 1/2 to cut down on calories.
      It was fabulous anyway! Thanks

      Reply

  • April
    May 2, 2022

    By far the BEST banana bread ever! My husband and kids devoured it.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 2, 2022

      Awesome, thank you for the great comments and feedback, April!

      Reply

  • Tammy
    May 2, 2022

    This banana bread recipe is one of the best I’ve tried! And I’ve done several. I make it without the raisins & nuts, let it rest overnight to let the flavors concentrate, trust me on this one. And then I warm it up and spread Nutella, it’s soooo good!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 2, 2022

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Tammy!

      Reply

  • Sharon
    May 1, 2022

    Brilliant and foolproof recipe. The banana bread turned out super moist. Used brown sugar and baked in a mini loaf pan. Was baked to perfection in 20 minutes.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 1, 2022

      That’s great to hear, Sharon! Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

  • Shehirnaz
    May 1, 2022

    Update tried one, its so soft and yummy! Waiting for my family to provide a feedback.
    will definitely save it to my favourites.
    Thank you!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 1, 2022

      Sounds great, I hope it becomes a hit with them too!

      Reply

  • Shehirnaz
    May 1, 2022

    Just baked the banana bread. Didn’t have resins so just added almonds.
    As I doubled the recipe I made half into muffins.
    Haven’t tried as its just out of the oven. Will keep you posted as I’m sure they will taste yummy!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 1, 2022

      Please do, we’d love to hear how you liked the recipe!

      Reply

  • Richard Rampersad
    April 30, 2022

    I just made 4 loaves of this bread came out great ….. I added a bit orange juice…thanks for a magnificent awesome recipe

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      April 30, 2022

      Hi Richard! That sounds like a great addition, thank you for sharing!

      Reply

  • Richard
    April 29, 2022

    WOW…….it was Fantastic…..I added an extra banana(VERY) ripe and a little extra sugar and a tad more vanilla…..the BEST I have had. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 30, 2022

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Richard!

      Reply

  • Marjorie Radcliffe
    April 28, 2022

    All in my family agree this is the best Banana Nut bread I have ever made! I told them it is all about the recipe! Thank you for sharing it with us!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 28, 2022

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy you all enjoyed it, Marjorie! It sounds like you made it perfectly!

      Reply

  • Doris Poore
    April 27, 2022

    This is the Banana Bread recipe I’ve been looking for forever. It’s so very moist. It’s almost like a bread pudding. I didn’t have any raisins and I used pecans instead of walnuts but I’m sure it would be just as delicious with those ingredients. This recipe is a keeper for sure.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 27, 2022

      Hi Doris, that’s wonderful! I’m so glad you found your new go-to recipe. It is so versatile so feel free to try that next time.

      Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 27, 2022

      That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite, Doris!

      Reply

  • Ricky
    April 26, 2022

    I love it when people try a recipe, but then throw in their own inane (stupid, silly) twist. If they are so astute at baking, why are they using someone else’s recipe? Anyway, I followed the recipe exactly as written. The result was awesome. Thanks for a recipe that I will make again EXACTLY AS WRITTEN!!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 27, 2022

      Thank for following the recipe, Ricky. I’m so glad you loved it!

      Reply

    • Meidego
      April 29, 2022

      Ricky, recipes are not commandments. Good cooks and bakers know that a good recipe can be tweaked to your own tastes. I’m sure Natasha doesn’t mind people using her recipes as a guide and changing some things around.

      Reply

      • Cindy
        September 11, 2022

        Thank you for commenting on that post. I looked at all the comments and found some “tweaks “ that I want to try. I love cinnamon and I will try that next! I also think that brown sugar would be a welcome addition. This is a HOBBY, not a test on who can follow directions. Lol

        Reply

  • Susan
    April 26, 2022

    Natasha, I just made your banana bread. I know I will love it. I changed it a bit, I used pecans ( because I had them ) and dried cherries. Even unbaked it tasted yummy. Thank you for my new recipe. Can’t wait to try more from you !
    Susan

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 26, 2022

      Sounds good, I hope you’ll love all the recipes that you will try!

      Reply

  • Christine
    April 22, 2022

    Awesome! We made it with gluten free flour (King Arthur GF all purpose) and no raisins. Turned out fantastic! Thanks much for the great recipe. 🙂

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      April 22, 2022

      That is wonderful! Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

    • kaye
      May 8, 2022

      Thanks for reporting this, using King Arthur GF, as I needed to be sure the substitution would work OK for our family.

      Reply

  • Cheryl Davidson
    April 21, 2022

    I made this for my father a week ago and he is asking for it again just put one one the oven. We love the Banana Nut Bread

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      April 21, 2022

      That’s wonderful! Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

  • Richard Bailey
    April 20, 2022

    Just finished up with your banana,raisin and nut bread. I used pecans but followed the recipe and after cooling on the rack I used my orange frosting on both loaves. I have a trick that most people don’t know and that is when using a citrus frosting take your zest and a small amount of that juice and microwave it for 15seconds that will release the oils in the zest. Every body who tries this say WOW. Love to cook.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      April 20, 2022

      So glad you enjoyed this recipe. That is a great tip. Thank you for sharing with us.

      Reply

  • Darlene B
    April 20, 2022

    I doubled the recipe. Used less sugar and added some light brown sugar. I had leftover dates from my Italian fig cookies, so I chopped them and threw in as well as raisins and craisins and the toasted walnuts. I made two loaf pans and half dozen muffins. So good! Only recipe I will use for banana bread!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      April 20, 2022

      That sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing with us, Darlene.

      Reply

  • Jenny
    April 20, 2022

    Hi Natasha,
    I followed the recipe but my banana bread didn’t rise. It’s about half the height of yours. Please help!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      April 20, 2022

      Hi Jenny, check that your rising agents are not expired and also that you didn’t accidentally switch baking soda with baking powder.

      Reply

      • Erlindasrojas@gmail.com
        May 9, 2022

        So this recipe has no baking powder?

        Thanks .

        Erlinda Rojas

        Reply

        • Natasha's Kitchen
          May 9, 2022

          Hi there. We used baking soda in this recipe.

          Reply

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