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
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.
Thank you Natasha so much for this recipe !! My whole family including 2 year old just loved it! Instead of the bread I made muffins so it is easier for the little one to eat! The flavor was great!!
That’s a great idea. Thank you for sharing that with us Tatiana.
How do you think this would be using cranberries instead of raisins? Would it work?
Hi Lynn! Our readers have reported great results using cranberries!
The recipe is really good 🙂 make it once with banana and raisins and other time with bananas only, both turned out great and superb yummy! Thanks Natasha for the recipe 🙂 love it!
I’m so happy you enjoyed this one! Thank you for sharing your thoughtful review with us!
I did it, and I just love it. I reduced the sugar to 1/2 cup. Perfect.
Hu Lucette! Thank you for sharing that with us!
Add chunky applesauce and add a bit more flour for a delicious moist bread. If you want to make two loaves, also add flavored Greek yogurt and double the flour.
Thank you for sharing that with us Donna!
I loved the moist banana bread. Instead of raisins I used cranberries. So good with coffee.
That’s a great idea. Thank you for sharing that with us Araceli!
Hi Natasha, is it ok to use brown sugar instead of white, or will it not turn out the same?
Hi Aluris, I haven’t experimented with brown sugar, 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!!!!
Hey Natasha! I have made several of your recipes and now you are go to person when I’m looking to try something new! Your chicken fritters was the first recipe I made from your blog & I was hooked! I made your banana bread last night, and it was gone within a few hours! Thank you so much for posting your wonderful recipes & videos for everyone 💕
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and amazing review, Tanvi! I’m all smiles!! 🙂
Great recipe, it will be my go to banana bread recipe. I’ve reduced the sugar since I like all my sweets a little less sweet LOL. The raisins, in my case I added some dates as wel since I had them all chopped up, and the walnuts made this bread very delicious.
Thank you for sharing that with us Leanna!
Natasha thank you so much for a wonderful recipe, it took me back to my childhood, so good! love it!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that Cynthia! Thank you!
Hi thank you for delicious recipes. Have you tried this recipe with almond flour and sugar substitute? I would like to make it kind of low carb…thanks
Hi Maricruz. 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. 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
Love your recipes, can you use a bundt pan and how long thank y
Hi Seleta! I haven’t tried it in a bundt pan but one of my readers shared this. I hope it helps! “I got the idea to pour the batter into a bundt pan. It was awesome. The bread (or the cake) baked through really well, and it wasn’t extremely dark on the outside. I also dusted it with powdered sugar on top (Natasha’s snow version. Lol) and it was very pretty. And so good. Only one little piece left:)”
It Is DELICIOUS !!!
Love all your recipes Natasha !! u r amazing cook !
Best Banana Bread Recipe , recommended for all who read comments
Thank you so much Rima! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the wonderful review!
Can you use Rice flour if you have an allergy to wheat?
Hy Lynnette, generally rice flour is safe if you have a gluten allergy, but make sure the packaging says “gluten free” since not all products ensure there is not cross contamination.
Thank you so much for another amazing recipe! You seriously come up with the best food. I didn’t have any walnuts so I used almond slices and it came out delicious anyway.
Aww you’re so nice! Thank you Allison! I’m happy you enjoyed that! 🙂
Is it possible to make this with gluten-free flour? I love banana bread, but have had to stop eating wheat products due to health issues.
Would love to hear your response…
thanks for posting!!!
Hi Arla! 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.
I’m going to try today with gluten free flour, will let you know how it goes.
Made this recipe yesterday and it was moist and delicious. I have made different banana bread from recipes I found online but I now have found a keeper! Thank you.
Sounds like you found a new favorite Semima! Thank you for the great review!
Love your recipe. Ran out of raisins so i added 1/4 cup choc chips and 1/4 cup dried cranberries instead. Bread turned out moist and the combination was great tog with the walnuts and 4 overripe bananas. Thz for the recipe. Will definitely recommend this recipe to friends.
I am so happy to hear that!! Thank you for the amazing review 🙂
hello natasha, thank you for all your recipes, all great!! im always baking banana bread, im using a cup of raisins and i also add pepitas on it. i also roast my bananas until the skin turned black then smashed it. i always adding some nuts or seeds whatever is available. i alsoadd 3 tablespoons og powdered milk…always taste good.
I love your ideas for this banana bread recipe! It’s making me hungry for banana bread! Thanks for sharing 🙂
What can I replaced the eggs with?
Hi Ainka, I don’t think it would work the same without the eggs but again, I haven’t tested it without the eggs.