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 6550 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 6550 votes (4,175 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Liz
    May 18, 2018

    I put my comment in the wrong area lol! I LOVE banana bread and I am extremely picky about it! I made this last night and omg….can you say DELICIOUS?! It’s soft, it’s moist. I did, however, used pecans instead dog walnuts (I didn’t have any walnuts lol) and it came out great! Thank you so much for this recipe! I will definitely be using it again!

    Reply

    • Liz
      May 18, 2018

      Of** not dog lol

      Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 18, 2018

      You’re welcome Liz! I’m glad you love the recipe! Thanks for sharing your excellent review with other readers!

      Reply

  • Kris
    May 14, 2018

    Coucou Natasha! Thankyou for the wonderful recipe! I just made them and came up with a batter that was a lot for my loaf pan , so i ended up making a loaf (baked for 40 mins) and 12 cupcakes (baked for 20 mins). I mixed mine with chocolate chips and cranberries and they were so deliciously moist! Your recipes never disappoints! God bless you and the family 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 15, 2018

      Your mix-ins sound fantastic!! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful review and tips and for your thoughtful words. Blessings to you and your family also! 🙂

      Reply

  • Carol wilso
    May 12, 2018

    I have a son who is allergic to walnuts and so when I know he will be eating this I substitute toasted pecans!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 12, 2018

      Great tip Carol, thanks for sharing!

      Reply

  • Radomir Zakladnyy
    May 11, 2018

    Hey I love the banana bread and averything else, thank you.

    oh and how are you?😁😁

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 11, 2018

      My pleasure Radomir! I hope you love the recipe. Thanks for following!

      Reply

  • radomir zakladnyy
    May 11, 2018

    Hi there, I just wanna say that the banana bread was amazing and thank you for all your hard work.😁😁😁

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 11, 2018

      You’re welcome, I’m glad you love it! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

      Reply

  • Yelena
    April 6, 2018

    Natasha, what if I want to make 2-3 banana breads… would I just double/triple all of the ingredients or is it better to make them separately? Also how do you store the portion that hasn’t been eaten?
    On the counter in a zip lock, under tea towel, as is, or fridge? Sorry for so many questions….

    Oh and by the way, my family and I LOVE all your scrumptious recipes!!! And I adore your personality, so cute!!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 6, 2018

      Hi Yelena, when making a double batch, we usually just double all of the ingredients and divide into 2 separate pans then bake together. They may need slightly more bake time so be sure to check with a toothpick and remove when there is no wet batter sticking to the toothpick. We place leftovers in a large ziploc bag (or cover with plastic wrap) and refrigerate.

      Reply

  • Maryam Hanif
    March 24, 2018

    OMG this recipe is amazing and to die for but instead of butter I added oil and I added a little bit of cinnamon and I added about half a cup of crushed pineapples and It WAS SO GOOD!!!!! Natasha you literally have the best recipes ever!!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 24, 2018

      Yum, that sounds delicious Maryam! Thanks for sharing your wonderful review with other readers!

      Reply

  • Annie Gonzalez
    March 2, 2018

    I was looking for a good Banana Bread recipe. This is the best and turn out very moist. I substitute the sugar for raw sugar. And it came delicious!! I gave a piece to my friend and she say it was the best. I love to bake with whole wheat flour. Thank so much.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 2, 2018

      You’re welcome Annie! I’m glad you love the recipe. Thanks for sharing your fantastic review with other readers!

      Reply

  • Doris Sikora
    February 10, 2018

    I didn’t like this bread at all, not moist and the taste was not good..sorry

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 10, 2018

      Hi Doris, I’m sorry to hear that. This has been one of our most loved recipes for years and is very moist and flavorful normally. I am always happy to help troubleshoot. Was anything substituted, modified? Different baking settings used (conventional vs. convection)?

      Reply

  • Jenn
    January 31, 2018

    Can you use all purposes flour instead??

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      January 31, 2018

      Yes Jenn, it should still work fine, just sift the flour.

      Reply

      • Jo
        March 1, 2018

        Sift flour before or after measuring?

        Reply

        • Natasha
          natashaskitchen
          March 1, 2018

          Hi Jo, I would sift after measuring.

          Reply

  • Ellen
    December 22, 2017

    How long can this be stored for and do you keep it in the fridge or wrapped on the counter?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 22, 2017

      Hi Ellen, store left overs in the fridge 😬

      Reply

      • Betty
        July 11, 2018

        Natasha
        I’ve wrapped and left on the counter, it keeps wonderful, there isn’t any cream cheese in it, so I never put in refrigerator,
        I also make French banana bread toast, so good
        But u really need to put sizes of loaf pan , this is very important in recipes

        Reply

        • Natasha
          July 11, 2018

          Thank you so much for sharing that with us! French banana bread toast sounds amazing!

          Reply

  • Carolyn Schultz
    December 10, 2017

    I made this over the Thanksgiving holiday and it was beyond yummy!!! We would slice a piece that was warm and put a little butter on it and OMG you were in food heaven!!! Thank you for sharing this!! I will make this all year long!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 11, 2017

      You’re welcome Carolyn! I’m happy to hear how much you love the recipe. Thanks for sharing your excellent review with other readers!

      Reply

  • Zory
    November 24, 2017

    What id you forget the vanilla extract ? Because I just did that D:

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 24, 2017

      Hi Zory, no worries! It will still work great. We made banana bread on a recent vacation and the house we stayed in did not have vanilla and it was still absolutely scrumptious 😉

      Reply

  • Katya
    November 7, 2017

    Hi Natasha! Love all your recipes. What can I use instead of butter to make this banana bread non-dairy? Thank you!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 7, 2017

      Hi Katya, I haven’t experimented with anything else, 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!!!!

      Reply

  • Liliya
    October 27, 2017

    The best banana bread ever , we make it all the time , thanks Natasha for your hard work , we are big fans of you always checking for new recepies ,

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      October 27, 2017

      I’m so glad you love it! Thanks for following and sharing your encouraging comments!

      Reply

  • Elena
    October 12, 2017

    Can I use baking powder instead of soda? If yes, what would be a measurements? Thank you!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      October 13, 2017

      Hi Elena, I have not tested it this way and since baking is so much a science, I can’t make that recommendation without first trying it. Also, baking soda is 4x stronger than baking powder.

      Reply

  • Olga
    October 11, 2017

    This looks amazing! I have some bananas that are way overripe, so this would be perfect! However I do not have raisins on hand. I’m thinking of adding fresh cranberries instead or maybe chopped prunes. Thoughts?
    Thank you!!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      October 11, 2017

      Hi Olga, I haven’t tried adding fresh cranberries, but I do think chopped prunes would work well. If you experiment with fresh cranberries, let me know how you liked it 🙂

      Reply

      • Olga
        October 11, 2017

        Thanks, Natasha!
        I will definitely let you know! I like the sweet/sour combo, so in theory it should work, but we shall see. Stay tuned. 🙂

        Thanks again!!

        Reply

        • Natasha's Kitchen
          October 11, 2017

          My pleasure Olga!

          Reply

          • Olga
            October 11, 2017

            So… it’s really good with cranberries. Everyone loved it!! Thank you!!! 😋

      • Lorelei
        November 7, 2017

        I always add fresh whole cranberries to my banana bread; tastes really good and gives it an extra “zing” to it. I don’t add extra sugar because I like the tartness of the cranberries.

        Reply

        • Natasha's Kitchen
          November 7, 2017

          Yum, that sound great Lorelei! 🙂

          Reply

  • Natasha
    October 3, 2017

    What temperature do I bake the bread on?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      October 4, 2017

      Hi Natasha, it is 350˚F. I have it at the beginning of the instructions but I also added it in the steps to make it easier to find :). Thanks for asking!

      Reply

      • natasha quandour
        October 9, 2017

        Thank you so much = )
        I made the bread and it was a huge hit!
        I have your carrot cake in mind next.

        I really enjoy and appreciate how clear, simple, and comprehensive your recipes are.

        Thanks again!

        Reply

        • Natasha's Kitchen
          October 9, 2017

          My pleasure Natasha! I’m glad to hear how much you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing!

          Reply

  • Roxanne
    September 21, 2017

    So I made this today, but unlike the previous times, I chose to use honey instead of sugar. Let me tell you, it was a major fail! 😂
    The honey is more in volume than sugar apparently. The batter barely fit into my baking pan, so I placed the pan on a cookie sheet “just in case” And sure enough the batter just kept spilling over. It was a mess lol. So I poured the batter into a larger pan and let it bake completely thru. The end result was very wet and super dense, almost like it wasn’t baked thru inside, although the edges were getting burnt….
    All in all, I will continue using sugar instead of honey from now on.
    Thanks for this recipe 😋

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 21, 2017

      My pleasure Roxanne! Thanks for sharing with other curious readers!

      Reply

  • Shania
    September 15, 2017

    It was one of the most amazing bananas bread recepi i have ever tried
    Thank you so much

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 15, 2017

      You’re welcome Shania! I’m glad to hear how much you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply

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