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 6210 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 6210 votes (4,175 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Tulsi Rosr
    February 4, 2024

    Absolute BEST Banana Bread I ever made. I have been making a banana bread with butter milk. I was out of buttermilk, so I tried to find the best alternative recipe on the internet. I was impressed that this recipe had five stars and thousands of reviews.
    I will be writing this recipe down in a book for my daughter and on a recipe Card for myself. it’s fabulous!

    Reply

  • John Porrello
    February 4, 2024

    when you do recipes could you please put ounce or grams when showing flour one and a half cups of flour can be so much different depending on how you scoop it out. People should always put grams or ounces.Also do you reduce temp to 325 for a dark pan

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 4, 2024

      Hi John. Click on the “metric” button in the the recipe card for the conversions.
      Every oven bakes differently but the type of pan can affect the baking time. You could try this at 325 if you’re using a dark pan, just watch it in the oven and check for doneness.

      Reply

  • Melissa Anastacio
    February 3, 2024

    Can i used baking powder instead of baking soda and if so how much would i use?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 3, 2024

      Hi Melissa! We’ve had the best results with baking soda. If you want to experiment with baking powder, keep in mind that baking soda is 4 times stronger than baking powder so you’ll need to adjust accordingly.

      Reply

  • Angie
    February 3, 2024

    This is the best I’ve ever tasted!
    5/5 ! 👍
    From a newcomer.
    P.S.
    Thank you 😊

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 3, 2024

      Hi Angie! I’m so glad you loved it. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

  • Amelia A Reboyras
    February 3, 2024

    It’s my first time.
    Awesome,simple & easy to make.Can I use brown sugar instead white sugar?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 3, 2024

      Hi Amelia! Some of my readers have reported using brown sugar, or substituting a certain amount mixed with granulated sugar. It can change the texture and make it more dense and it will have more of a molasses flavor.!

      Reply

  • Lisa
    February 1, 2024

    Made this today. I had very large bananas so I used 2.5 and I cut the sugar down to 1/2 cup. Absolutely delicious banana bread. The best I’ve ever made and I’ve tried a lot of different recipes!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 1, 2024

      Aaaw that’s wonderful! It’s so great to see your feedback, thank you so much!

      Reply

  • Linda Hansen
    January 31, 2024

    I made this tonight and oh, MY!!! It is so good! I added an overripe plantain along with roughly 3/4 tsp maple flavor (in addition to the vanilla extract). Being a diabetic I used almost 1/4c honey and 1/16c dark molasses in place of the sugar. Of course… I put in chocolate chips. I need to use them up somehow. Best banana bread I’ve ever tasted! Will be using this recipe forever!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 31, 2024

      That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Linda! I’m so glad you tried my banana bread recipe!

      Reply

  • Camelia
    January 31, 2024

    I tried this recipe and love it.. its really good and moist. My husband also likes iy. Thank you so much

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 31, 2024

      Nice to know that you both enjoyed this Banana Bread Recipe!

      Reply

  • Monica Chengappa
    January 31, 2024

    Hi Natasha…
    Tried your banana cake and turned out to be super moist and delicious
    Can I substitute eggs with curd ? Or any other option for eggs

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 31, 2024

      Thank you for your good comments, Monica. I haven’t tried using that or other substitution to advise.

      Reply

  • Norma Lee
    January 30, 2024

    The banana bread was outstanding. The sugar and butter crisped and caramelized making the first warm servings over the top. When I serve this for brunch I will make sure to serve it shortly out of the oven. My guests will be impressed!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 30, 2024

      Awesome! I hope it becomes a huge hit with your guests. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

  • Allisa
    January 30, 2024

    Made this for my first time ever making banana bread and it was absolutely perfect.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 30, 2024

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Allisa!

      Reply

  • Cheri
    January 29, 2024

    Absolutely delicious & very moist. Added abit of Truvia & cinnamon mix swirled untop.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 29, 2024

      Sounds good and we’re glad that you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Barbara
    January 29, 2024

    Hi Natasha,
    Would bananas I just bought work if mashed really well ? I am very anxious to try this recipe. Always love your recipes.

    Thank you .

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 29, 2024

      Hi Barbara! It’s important for bananas to be ripe because they will have more flavor. See my note above for tips on how to ripen bananas quickly. I hope you love the recipe.

      Reply

  • Jean McGuire
    January 28, 2024

    Best tasting Banana Bread. Thank you! Made two mini loaves.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 28, 2024

      Thanks for the lovely feedack!

      Reply

  • Lisa G.
    January 28, 2024

    I used dried cranberries instead of raisins, and chopped pecans instead of walnuts and it tastes so yummy. Thanks for the lovely recipe.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 28, 2024

      Hi Lisa, great to hear that the substitions that you used worked! Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

  • Heather Somerset
    January 27, 2024

    Hello! My name is Heather and I have been using this moist, wonderful recipe for Banana Bread, almost verbatim, for quite some time! It has been a family favorite of ours
    and a wonderful tasty treat we all seem to enjoy!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 27, 2024

      Hi Heather! Thank you for sharing that with me. I’m so glad your family loves this recipe!

      Reply

  • Flos
    January 27, 2024

    Best Banana loaf recipe!

    Made it with Sunflower/ vegetable oil as we don’t eat dairy.

    And make sure the bananas are very/overripe.

    Much appreciated, Natasha

    Excellent, thank you.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 27, 2024

      So glad you love it!

      Reply

  • Tricia
    January 26, 2024

    Hi Natasha! I am enjoying so much your Natasha’s Kitchen – the recipes, the lively cheerful videos, good organization, useful tips yes! I am planning to make your banana bread recipe and would like to use some brown sugar. I could use 1/2 cup white sugar and 1/4 brown sugar or 1/2 cup brown and 1/4 white, or all brown. I used to think such a small change wouldn’t make much difference, and would just do one or the other and see what happens, but I wonder what you think. And thank you for your super Natasha’s Kitchen!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 26, 2024

      Hi Tricia! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the recipes. I have not tested using brown sugar in this recipe. Some of my readers have reported good results. It might chance the texture a bit, causing it to be more dense and have more of a molasses taste. Let us know how it turns out if you try it.

      Reply

      • Tricia
        January 27, 2024

        Hi Natasha! Thanks for the reply. I will probably make the recipe as you have it and then try some brown sugar variations. And then let you know how it turns out. Your banana bread looks so wonderful!
        The next recipe I am planning to make is your super delicious looking yellow split pea soup! No stores near me have the yellow split peas, and Bob’s R.M. also none. I found some that good on amazon – Clear Creek grown in Idaho. Have you tried that brand? I clicked on your yellow split peas link in the recipe, lots of choices. Thank you so much for these great recipes!

        Reply

        • Natasha
          January 29, 2024

          Hi Tricia, I haven’t tried that Idaho brand but now I’m curious!

          Reply

  • Heather M
    January 26, 2024

    Hello,
    Sorry for dumb question, but I am new to cooking – what is a “prepared” loaf pan? Cooking spray?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 26, 2024

      Hi Heather! No worries, it’s in step 1 in the recipe card, “grease and flour a bread loaf pan.”
      I hope you love the recipe!

      Reply

  • Megan
    January 25, 2024

    My son discovered the love for banana bread about a month ago and this recipe is so easy and perfect! So moist, dense and full of flavor.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 26, 2024

      Nice to know that you both liked our Banana Bread Recipe! Thanks a lot for sharing.

      Reply

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