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 6172 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 6172 votes (4,175 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Jennifer
    December 19, 2022

    This is by far the BEST banana bread I’ve ever had! Light, moist and flavorful. Will be my go to recipe from now on.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 19, 2022

      That’s wonderful, Jennifer! So glad you loved it. Thank you for the review.

      Reply

  • Cheryl
    December 19, 2022

    This the best recipe ever! I added cranberries and pecans and it was delicious! Will definitely make again.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 19, 2022

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Ramona
    December 18, 2022

    Can I substitute coconut oil for the butter?
    And about how many cups is 3 bananas?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 19, 2022

      Hi Ramona! I think it could work, but I haven’t tested it to advise.

      Reply

  • Heather Smith
    December 17, 2022

    This recipe is awesome! I’ll be making this again in the future

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 19, 2022

      So glad to hear that, Heather! Thank you

      Reply

  • AJ
    December 16, 2022

    LOVE this banana bread recipe. Just the right amount of sweetness. Very moist.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 16, 2022

      So glad to hear that, AJ! Thank you.

      Reply

  • ursula
    December 13, 2022

    OMG I made your banana bread, minus the raisins, and I am so happy that I made 7 loaves and 12 small muffins, The banana bread is to die for. I followed your recipe and this will be my go to banana bread from now on. thank you so much for sharing.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 13, 2022

      You’re very welcome! I’m so glad you loved it! Thank you for the review and feedback.

      Reply

  • Diane Kane
    December 13, 2022

    I absolutely love this recipe. I have made this many times and it is always is a big hit! I was wondering if you have ever frozen the bread then reheated to eat at a later date? If so please give me some advice on freezing. Thanks!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 13, 2022

      Hi Diane! We have frozen this and it freezes very well. I would just reheat it in the microwave until warmed up to your preference.

      Reply

    • Brad
      December 16, 2022

      I love this recipe but please fix the butter in the ingredients. It’s listed as 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp), should be 16 Tbsp. I suspect that’s why it’s not turning out right for some people.

      Reply

      • Natasha
        December 16, 2022

        Hi Brad, 1/2 cup of butter is equal to 8 Tablespoons, or 1 package of butter or 113 grams. I hope that helps. This is a very popular recipe and I haven’t had reports of it not turning out. This is for 1 loaf. It would be double if you were doubling the recipe.

        Reply

      • Michelle
        December 30, 2022

        1/2 cup is equal to 8 Tbsp, not 16 Tbsp. You might want to recheck your measurements.

        Reply

  • Lynn Wilson
    December 12, 2022

    Amazing bread. I added 1/4 cup of vegetable oil and used brown raw sugar with honey. YUMMO

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 12, 2022

      Thanks for the good feedback!

      Reply

  • Jane K
    December 11, 2022

    This recipe always turns out perfectly for me…no gummy bottom loaf.

    Is there a reason for adding vanilla at very end, as opposed to adding to the wet ingredients mixture?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 12, 2022

      Hi Jane! I’m glad you love this recipe! 🙂
      It depends on what type of vanilla you are using if you are using extract (alcohol-based) or just flavored vanilla. Generally, vanilla extract is added last to prevent the taste from evaporating but I have added this at different stages in my baked goods and it has been just fine.

      Reply

  • Luisa
    December 11, 2022

    Hi Natasha
    I wanted to say that they do not sell unsalted butter where i live, So how much salt should i add do i do half of half a tsp or do i not add salt at all to the recipe?
    Thank you

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 11, 2022

      Hi Luisa, if you will be using salted butter then you don’t have to add salt already.

      Reply

  • Susie
    December 9, 2022

    I love your recipes but lately I can’t even get to them because the ads are out of control

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 9, 2022

      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. But we will definitely take note of your feedback and use it to improve our website.

      I appreciate your feedback, and I hope you love every recipe you try.

      Reply

  • Kimberly Bannon
    December 6, 2022

    I made muffins instead of a bread. I added a touch of clove & ginger to my recipe and they are wonderful! A nice light and fluffy muffin!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 6, 2022

      That sounds delicious! 🙂

      Reply

  • Sam
    December 5, 2022

    This is the best. I actually double the recipe because these go quickly and I bake them every other week. All I do differently is add cinnamon and omit the nuts. So grateful for this recipe!!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 5, 2022

      So glad you loved it!

      Reply

  • Stacey
    December 4, 2022

    First time ever making banana bread and it came out perfect. Mine was ready after 50 minutes at 350

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 4, 2022

      Great job! Good to hear that it was a success!

      Reply

  • Debbie Chute
    November 29, 2022

    Absolutley delicious! I used pecans instead of walnuts, and sprinkled in a little cinnamon. I made three small loaves so I could share with my neighbors.
    Another great recipe.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      November 29, 2022

      Thanks, Debbie. We’re glad you loved this!

      Reply

  • Shaireen
    November 27, 2022

    Hello. Want to try this recipe. Just wanted to know if I am using self raising flour, how much baking soda do I put?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      November 27, 2022

      HI Shaireen, I don’t have any experience testing my recipes with self-raising flour so I can’t make a recommendation on that. You might search google to find a conversation for using self raising flour.

      Reply

    • Michele
      December 5, 2022

      just made 2 loaves with self rising flour, no added baking soda. also, i added dried cranberries and cinnamon, half white sugar and half brown. oh my, it was delicious!

      Reply

  • Janet
    November 26, 2022

    Very moist! I added cinnamon sugar to the top prior to baking 😉

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 26, 2022

      Yum! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Janet!

      Reply

  • Robert
    November 25, 2022

    This recipe looks good and am about to make it. I would like to make two loaves and am wondering if I can double all ingredients or if it is best to make the loaves separately. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 25, 2022

      Hi Robert! That should work! One of our readers shared this “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! The only recipe I will use for banana bread!” I hope that helps.

      Reply

      • Robert
        November 26, 2022

        Thanks very much for your reply. I made the loaves before your reply and didn’t want to risk doubling the recipe at that time just in case and mixed the ingredients for each loaf separately. Both loaves turned out soft, moist and very tasty! I omitted raisins and made one loaf with semi sweet chocolate chips.
        One interesting observation I had was that the second loaf I mixed up had a better oven spring than the first. The first loaf sat raw in the loaf pan for about 20 minutes before putting both in the oven, and I baked both at the same time and for the same amount of time. My assumption for the loss of oven spring with the first loaf is that the baking soda lost some of its effectiveness while sitting in the raw ingredients for that time…a good learning experience for me!
        This is a great recipe and will be my goto recipe for banana bread. Thanks for confirming that can I double all ingredients for this recipe.

        Reply

        • NatashasKitchen.com
          November 26, 2022

          Thank you for your feedback, Robert! I’m so glad you found a new favorite.

          Reply

  • Christine
    November 23, 2022

    I made this banana bread for some of the college students I work with, who are away from their homes and families, wondering if the nuts and raisins might be too much for them, but they RAVED over it and I loved it too!🙏🏻❤️

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 23, 2022

      I’m so glad it was a hit, that’s so great, Christine!

      Reply

  • Monica Ramirez
    November 21, 2022

    I’ve made several banana bread recipes and have never had a moist result. This was so yummy my family was beyond impressed because my banana bread is always dry. Sorry, but I forgot to take a picture. Thank you for your recipes, I always get great reviews from my family 🥰

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      November 21, 2022

      No worries about the pic, Monica. This is already more than enough, thank you for the awesome review!

      Reply

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