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.







Would subing currents for raisins be okay?
Hi Wade! I haven’t tried it with Currant my self. They are pretty similar to raisins if dried. If you experiment please let me know how you like the recipe!
Could you add alittle Rum to this?. if so how much?
Hi William, I honestly haven’t tried that but I think you could easily substitute the vanilla to make a rum banana bread. You’ll have to experiment if you want to use more than a teaspoon or two since I’m not sure how the extra liquid will affect texture of the banana bread.
Hs anyone tried putting this bread into a plastic bag after it has cooled part way? It should still be fairly warm so the moisture stays inside the bread. I read a restaurant made theirs this way and it has worked GREAT with another recipe I have used.
Sorry I made a misspell. Have no idea as to how to correct it here. Did not add a rating since I have not made it as yet but do plan on doing it today. Sounds great…
Thank you Jan
Sounds promising but maybe our readers have tried this and give us some tips.
I’ve made this twice already. The first time I added ground cinnamon as suggested by one of the readers & it turned out perfect & smelled delicious. The second time I only had 2 ripe bananas left so I added a small container of apple sauce ( I already had in my pantry) & added about 2-3 tbsps of flour. I used half a cup of brown sugar & added 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, some ground nutmeg & ground cloves. It turned out perfectly soft & moist & smells heavenly. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
That’s so great! Thank you for the wonderful review!
Thank you for the suggestion section of alterations your sister made. I ran out of all purpose flour and used a quarter cup of milled flax seed. It turned out great, although it cooked just a touch too long. I should have checked it at 45mins.
It’s good to know it works with substituting some milled flax seed.
Love this recipe but would love to suggest a little hint about the bananas. If you roast the bananas in the oven at 450 degrees until the skins turn black it brings out the banana flavors and sweetness.
Thank you for the great tip Cathy!
I don’t want to use Wheat flour and sugar.what be the substitute i can use?
Hi Buta. I haven’t experimented with gluten free flour so can’t make a recommendation. If you experiment with it, let me know how it goes.
Can you please give me the recipe in pound and ounces, I don’t know how to convert it, thanks.
Hi Maria, We have the recipe posted in US Customary and a metric option you can select as well. Make sure you click off on the metric option if you want that. Hope this helps!
Do you use self raising flour or plain for this banana bread .
This recipe was super easy. I only used 1/2 cup sugar and no raisins. I also added 1/2 tsp cinnamon. It came out great!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that, Michele!
I just baked my first banana bread & cant wait to try it. I substituted brown sugar and used toasted walnuts. Hopefully it will be perfect for breakfast!
Thank you for making it 😀. It will be great with a morning cup of coffee ☕️
Can I use gluten free flour instead of regular all purpose flour
Hi Fredy, I haven’t experimented with gluten free flour so can’t make a recommendation. If you experiment with it, let me know how it goes.
Hi Natasha,
Was wondering if you’ve tried the bread with dates instead of raisins?
Do I use the same amount?
We love your recipes, always so good. Thank you!
Dunia
Mmm that sounds really good with dates instead of raisins! If you test that out, let me know how you like it! I would do the same measured amount after the dates are chopped.
Wow! I used dates instead of raisins and this bread came out amazing! I made 4 and shared them with neighbors. They loved the bread and want more. I guess I’ll have to buy a bunch of bananas this week and bake more bread and share. Love this recipe and all the others I’ve made. Thank you so very much! This is now my easy go to recipe!
Dunia
Thank you so much Dunia! You leave the most thoughtful comments! 🙂 I’m so happy you enjoyed this!
I was thinking the same thing about using dates because my grandmother taught me her recipe for date nut bread. It was always super moist because she would cook the dates in the required amount of water. It really brought out the date flavor.
Hi Natasha. I would love to make your banana bread except for the amount of sugar. Can I substitute with Splenda? I would also substitute the raisins and nuts with blueberries.
Hi Julie, one of my readers wrote in, saying: ” I used the Splenda in place of sugar but used 3/4 cup of the white and 1/4 cup of the brown. I didn’t have walnuts but I toasted some granola and put that in and also didn’t have raisins, but did have craisins so I put that in place of the raisins. Have to say this was a hit with both of us. Thanks for the recipe.” I hope that helps
I used half a cup of purevia stevia and it turned out amazing. The perfect amount of sweet.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Gaby!
Can you substitute cranberries for raisins?
Hi Wanda! This should be just as good with cranberries! Let me know how you like it!
I have a loaf in the oven right now. Second one in a month. Now I purposely buy too many bananas so I have an excuse to make another one.
Thats a great reason to buy extra bananas!
Instead of flour can I use almond flour
Hi Bren. Great question I haven’t tried this with almond flour yet but it might work. It doesn’t look like anyone else commenting tried it. If you experiment please let me know how you like it.
I am using almond flour and the banana bread turn our moist and nice but need to bake a little longer
That’s wonderful! I’m glad that worked well, thanks for sharing that with us.
Thank you for the recipe. I’ve try it. And love it so much.
You’re so welcome! I’m happy you enjoyed this, Nur!
My family loves to eat this bread for breakfast with some hot coffee! This is by far the best banana bread I’ve ever tried!!
Thank you for sharing that with us! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
Hi Natasha, this recipe looks amazing! I’ve been asked to make this cake for a friends wedding and wanted to know if this recipe works using a round cake tin? And how does this recipe pair with a cream cheese icing? Thank you 🙂
I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. Also, I haven’t tried it with cream cheese icing, it may be a tad sweeter but it sounds like a great combination. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.
Can I add chocolate chips instead of raisins and walnuts???
Hi Gina, I haven’t tried that but one of my readers wrote “I use milk chocolate chips instead of raisins or nuts. It is to die for!!!!”