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 I don’t usually leave comments on recipes but I just have to for this. This is the best thing I’ve ever made seriously. I didn’t add any nuts or raisins and just a few chocolate chips instead and WOW. best best banana bread ever !
That’s wonderful, Tamara! I’m so glad you loved it.
Best banana bread recipe ever I never add the nuts or raisins but going to try it soon !
That’s wonderful! So glad you loved it.
I’m beginner at baking and followed the recipe exactly. It came out very dense (vs I see some comments saying that there’s was fluffy). Any advice on what I can do differently?
Hi Mitch! Watch my tutorial on how to measure ingredients HERE. Using too much flour could cause this. Also, be sure to not overmix the batter. I hope that helps!
Delicious! Quick! Easy! This recipe has been on weekly rotation at our house. Thanks again for sharing! Simply Delicious!
You’re welcome! So glad you love it!
Hi! Would I be able to substitute the white sugar for light brown or brown sugar? My Bananas are verrrrryyy ripe if that changes the sweetness at all?
Hi Skylar! A few of my readers commented on using brown sugar in this recipe. Also, you can reduce sugar to 1/2 cup when using very ripe bananas; they add plenty of sweetness
I made this recipe today and while the bread is moist, I don’t feel it’s sweet enough. With 3/4 c of sugar
Definitely a winner! Just made it completely plain and great flavor and texture!
We’re glad you enjoyed our recipe!
I love the recipe but I’m very hesitant to subscribe to your channel. There are way too many pop up ads which makes it very difficult to scroll through the recipe.
Hi Jackie, Thank you for sharing your concerns and feedback. The only way we can continue providing free recipes is by having ads on our site so we are not able to remove those at this time. We find that most people would rather see the ads than pay to see the recipes. I appreciate your feedback and I hope you love every recipe you try.
My go to banana bread recipe. Natasha you and your recipes are amazing! Thank you for creating them and sharing 🙂
ps. My 7 year old twin girls love watching your videos and if they see a recipe printed out on the counter for dinner, well it’s an automatic hit 😀
Thank you for your good comments and feedback. That is so sweet, we appreciate all of your love and support.
Hello! Could I replace the walnuts with pecans?? I only have pecans right now 🙂
Yes, that would be fine! 🙂
May I ask how many cups is 3 bananas? Our bananas here are not as big as the ones you showed in your video. Newbie baker here. Thank you.
I have made your recipe and love it!!! But…. What if I only have 2 bananas??? Help!! Thank you
Hi Barbara! You may be able to get by with using 2 depending on their size but you’d have to experiment with the recipe. You could also change the serving size in the recipe card to 7 servings and just use 2 bananas.
I love this recipe, but I always have to bake it for a good 20 minutes longer than it states. I never have this problem with any other recipe I use. I think I’ll try raising the temperature to 375.
Hi! Are you using a smaller and/or deeper pan than recommended? That could be the cause. Some ovens also bake differently so I also recommend using an internal oven thermometer to check and see how your oven heats. Also, be sure your oven is fully preheated before baking. I hope that helps.
I haven’t made the bread yet, but plan to do it soon as I have some ripe bananas. Just wonder anyone has tried this recipe without adding sugar and honey. As I am prediabetic, I would think banana and raisin should make the cake sweet enough.
Hi Helen, I haven’t tested this without any sugar so I can’t speak to that but one of our readers reported the following with using an added sweetener: ” I made it with whole wheat flour and 3 tsps of liquid sweetener instead of sugar. The result was fantastic.”
I have used unsweetened apple sauce instead of sugar, works great. I’ve used brown sugar and Truvia as well not a whole lot of difference
Good to know that the substitutions worked well!
Helen, I have tried to substitute the sugar with 2/4 of stevia for baking and also Erythrol and it’s still delicious and less sweet.
I baked the banana bread. Very delicious. I am not a good baker. However, first attempt n succeed. Very easy to make is a plus. Only used 100g of brown sugar. Love from Singapore
Hi Sarah! I’m happy you enjoyed this recipe. Thank you for the feedback.
I just tried this recipe and THIS IS THE BEST. I am not even kidding. I love baking for my friends and family and I tried a lot of different kinds of banana bread recipes and this is the BEST. Totally recommend everyone to try this! This banana bread just made my day!
Thank you for the wonderful feedback, Jade! I’m so glad you loved it.
This is melt-in-your-mouth Banana Bread. It is so good. So easy to make. It may be the very best I’ve ever made.
I have a very old stove I refuse to replace, so I’m always watching closely with new recipes. Mine finished in 45 minutes.
Hi Carol! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe. Thank you.
Believe it or not, this was my first time ever making banana bread, and OMG!!!!! I am proud of myself haha. Its plenty moist with crumbles but when cutting slices they stay together I think it was so easy and the perfect recipe. I did half cane sugar and half, local honey, as well as a dash of cinnamon.
Great job and I’m so glad you loved it!
Followed this exactly as written. Lacks sweetness I would have gladly at least put in another 1/4 to 1/2 cup and the outside browned too quickly. I read some other comments and luckily I was prepared and threw foil loosely on top part way through baking. I am not sure how this managed 5 stars. Not every recipe is a winner and that’s okay.
Wowwwww this banana bread🍌 looks delicious.
I made it and it came out great.
It taste even better the next day.
It is so moist in the inside and so soft on the outside.
Great Job Natasha!
Thank you for your excellent comments and feedback!
I used this recipe as a base since someone has lost the page in my old Betty Crocker recipe book! I tend to double recipes when I bake just because it gets eaten fast around here. I used a combination of white flour, oat flour, and coconut flour. I also used only half the sugar and no salt. All I had on hand was margarine, but it worked.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Tina! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I wanted to like this recipe but the texture felt almost like a souffle and needed more flour and sweetness. No substitutions but the 3 bananas I used were huge
HI Ann, I wonder if it was due to too much Bananas? I haven’t had that experience. Also, make sure your oven is fully preheated and remove it from the oven when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
I would like to know if cinnamon spice can be added to the banana nut bread and if so how much cinnamon.
Hi Barbara, that would be fine. You can add it to taste but my guess would be about 1 tsp.
I made this recipe a few week’s ago, and it was so dang delicious. My husband and our grown son and myself all loved it. I made one with chocolate chips and walnuts, and the other with just walnuts on top. So moist and just perfect. Thank you Natasha.
That is the best when the family loves what we moms make. That’s so great!
I have tried so many different banana bread recipes to find one that I really like and really couldn’t find it until now! In the past they were either too dense, too dry, didn’t really have enough banana flavor, or too sweet! This recipe is easy, you can actually taste the banana in the bread, not real dense or heavy, and very moist! Has everything that I have been looking for! Love this recipe! Thank you so much! Will definitely not be throwing any more bananas away!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Barbara!