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 6173 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 6173 votes (4,175 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Shae
    May 21, 2023

    This is the best banana bread recipe. Nice and super moist. I used 4 teaspoons of date syrup instead of sugar, and 1/2 cup chocolate chips instead of walnuts and raisins and they’re a hit with my husband and son. I’ve already made this 2x this month! Thank you!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 21, 2023

      Thank you so much for sharing, I appreciate it!

      Reply

  • John
    May 21, 2023

    I substituted sweet potato for banana and cut the sugar by one third and it was delicious!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 21, 2023

      Nice idea, I’m glad that worked out well too!

      Reply

  • Ivy
    May 20, 2023

    Such a great recipe! This is probably one of the best (if not best!) banana bread recipes I’ve ever tried. Thank you so much! Super moist, perfect sweetness level and delicious!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 20, 2023

      That’s great to hear, Ivy! I’m so glad you love this. It’s a family favorite in our house. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply

  • Baby Weaver
    May 18, 2023

    I made my first comment/review about this scrumptious Banana Bread on April 19, 2023; but I forgot to rate it. I’m truly sorry. This recipe is 5 stars (no doubt), and I would give 10 stars or more if I could. Also, I forgot to mention before that instead of butter, I used Country Crock margarine (still moist & delicious). Because of that, I’ve been baking this bread for 4 consecutive weeks.😊 We can’t have our full week without this banana bread. So again, thank you!❤️

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 18, 2023

      Haha! That’s amazing! I’m so glad you love this recipe. Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave another review. I appreciate that.

      Reply

  • Sally Kay
    May 17, 2023

    Great recipe as is, but I never leave good enough alone! I always roast bananas before using in banana bread. They taste great and with the sweetness they get by roasting I can lower the amount of sugar. This is my favorite banana bread recipe I’ve tried.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 17, 2023

      Thank you for sharing that with us, Sally! I’m glad you like the recipe.

      Reply

  • Allie
    May 17, 2023

    Gonna make it tomorrow! But can someone tell me for how much time do we have to preheat the oven?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 17, 2023

      Hi Allie! It can take up to 15mins but it also depends on the oven. I highly encourage using an internal oven thermometer.

      Reply

  • michael d penrod
    May 17, 2023

    Easy but super delicious i also love your chewy chocolate chip cookies among many other of your recipes!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 17, 2023

      Hi Michael! I’m so glad to hear that. Thank you.

      Reply

  • Martha Erickson
    May 16, 2023

    Plan to make it tomorrow. It’ll either be in a stone bread pan (Pampered Chef) or a ceramic one. Do I need to adjust the cook time? last time I made one, it was too dry. Obviously, cooked it too long

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 16, 2023

      Hi Martha! Based on my research, it may require a few extra minutes but I have not tested it myself to advise. Just keep an eye on it in the oven. Also, be sure to measure ingredients correctly. Baking for too long can cause it to dry out but so can using too much flour. I hope that helps. Let us know how it turns out.

      Reply

  • Richard A Porter III
    May 16, 2023

    What a lovely taste.
    I made this, not my wyfy.
    Mixed up a step, so a tad flat.
    TASTES LIKE Chicken…
    No, perfect, going to add some coconut to top next time.
    TYVM for this.
    We make lots of your recipes.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 16, 2023

      Sounds good, thanks for trying this out and we’re glad that you liked it!

      Reply

  • Anna M
    May 15, 2023

    PS: adding to my review that I did sub monk fruit for the sugar and was great!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 15, 2023

      Nice, thank for sharing!

      Reply

  • Anna M
    May 15, 2023

    Delicious! I subbed chopped dates for the raisins.
    Wondering why mine came out dark brown on top and sides?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 15, 2023

      Hi Anna! I’m glad you loved the recipe. It could be the pan that you used (the material it is made of and how it distributes heat) or even the oven temperature being too high causing the outside to bake too fast. I recommend using an internal oven thermometer to ensure your temperature is just right. I hope that helps!

      Reply

  • Anita
    May 8, 2023

    This recipe is great! I put a little more than 1/2 cup white honey, turned out great! You can’t even tell that there’s honey 😋

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 8, 2023

      Hi Anita! That’s great to hear. Thank you for the feedback!

      Reply

  • Marti
    May 8, 2023

    Yum. I used some whole wheat flour, oat bran, and ground flaxseed to sneak in more goodness. Very tasty and moist.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 8, 2023

      Sounds delicious, glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Melissa A Seibold
    May 8, 2023

    It would be great to offer bake time for smaller bread pans. Thanks!

    Reply

  • Genevieve
    May 6, 2023

    So simple and delicious! I opted to use some local raw honey instead of sugar and it’s sooooo good!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 6, 2023

      Hi Genevieve! I’m so glad you loved the recipe. Thank you for the feedback.

      Reply

  • Lan Zimmermann-Tran
    May 5, 2023

    FANTASTIC recipe. So easy and flexible. I use coconut blossom sugar due to its lower GI content. This is such a crowd winner and can either be great healthy breakfast option (when using low-GI sweetener and spelt flour – spelt flour keeps you full for a long time) or a fancy dessert/high tea item (when add a dollop of whipped cream and extra nuts/dried fruits on the side). Thanks for this amazing recipe!

    P/S: I appreciate the metric option since I’m based in Europe. 🙂

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 5, 2023

      I’m so glad you love this recipe. Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback and for sharing your experimentation with the recipe.

      Reply

  • Carolyn
    May 3, 2023

    I use a similar recipe but up the ripe bananas up to 5 and add a whole bag of fresh cranberries that I have stashed in the freezer after the holidays. I leave the cranberries frozen. The extra bananas make it sweeter and then the fresh! of the cranberries is a wonderful combo. Thanks for all your great recipes!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 3, 2023

      Thank you for sharing, Carolyn!

      Reply

  • Gail Carberry
    April 30, 2023

    Banana Bread Bonanza! When I told my family I put raisins in the bread they were aghast. Yes, aghast. But one taste and they were won over. This is a simple, easy to prepare and absolutely delicious banana bread. I used frozen bananas that looked like and had the texture of giant slugs. If I ate giant slugs. But the bread came out exactly the same as if I used fresh, though old, bananas. However, mashing the frozen bananas, once thawed, was a snap. Family rated it 10/10!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      April 30, 2023

      Hi Gail! I’m so glad it was a hit. Thank you so much for the review.

      Reply

  • Debra
    April 28, 2023

    Hello Natasha, this is absolutely wonderful banana bread! It is now my go to recipe. Thank you for all of your tips. They really help as well as the videos. I followed the recipe. Very delicious!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      April 28, 2023

      That’s amazing! I’m so glad to hear that.

      Reply

  • Max
    April 28, 2023

    I’ve tried different banana bread recipes over the years, and this is my absolute favorite! Will be making another one today.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      April 28, 2023

      That’s wonderful, Max! I’m so glad to hear that.

      Reply

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