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Imagine the aroma of freshly baked banana bread wafting through the house. Is there anything better? Sometimes I try to keep everyone from eating all the bananas so I have an excuse to make this more often.
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Banana Bread from Over Ripe Bananas
It’s a classic kitchen scene. The week is drawing to a close and most of the produce has been consumed, even though you’re still a couple of days from grocery shopping day. But on the counter, there they are. A few bananas piled together. Their once greenish yellow skin now aging to brown. If your kids are anything like mine, they won’t touch the banana after it has reached a specific yellow to brown ratio on the peel. But you hate to waste them. Of course there’s always one thing you can do: Banana bread!
This easy Banana Bread recipe is delicious for breakfast, a side at a brunch, or a snack anytime. It also is a great gift to give around the holidays to friends and neighbors. Everyone loves it, it is the best banana bread recipe!
Ingredients in Banana Bread
- sugar
- eggs
- butter – softened
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt
- vanilla extract
- flour (avoid using whole wheat flour)
- mashed bananas – very ripe
Optional Mix Ins
- chopped walnuts, pecans, or other favorite nuts
- cinnamon
- chocolate chips
Baking Tips for the Perfect Banana Bread
As with all baking, there are a few things that can get in the way of a successful loaf of banana bread.
- Avoid cooking the bread on too high a temperature. Lower temps mean longer baking time, but it also means the inside is done at the same time as the outside of the bread. If you find your banana bread is overdone on the outside and underdone in the middle, try lowering the baking temperature by a few degrees. In addition, make sure the bread is baked in a preheated oven. This will ensure perfectly moist banana bread.
- Grease and flour the pan. Some people favor the grease and flour technique. This works well. But you can also use a baking specific spray like Pam with Flour or Baker’s Joy. A regular canola oil cooking spray will not be enough to keep the bread from sticking to the pan.
- Cool on a wire rack. Turn the bread out onto a wire rack to cool. This cools the bread faster as the air circulates around all sides of the bread.
- Transfer bread to a Ziplock bag or airtight container after baking. This will hold in the moisture, especially if you aren’t planning on serving it right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can but it won’t taste as good or have as good of texture. The over ripened bananas have much more rich flavor for cooking and baking.
Of course, just sub out the flour for a cup for cup gluten free flour blend. My favorite is the Namaste brand that I find at Costco.
Yes! In fact, banana bread freezes beautifully for up to three months. Double or triple this recipe and freeze the extra loaves to enjoy later. For the best results when freezing follow the steps listed below.
Tips for Freezing
- Make sure the bread is cooled completely to room temperature.
- Wrap the banana bread TWICE in plastic wrap.
- Wrap it once more in aluminum foil or place it in a resealable freezer bag.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- To thaw, remove the bread from the freezer bag or take off the foil layer.
- Keep the plastic wrap on the bread until it is thawed.
- Slice and serve.
- Keep unused portion in an airtight container or plastic bag.
READ NEXT: 33+ Breakfast Ideas
More Bread Recipes To Try
If you like this yummy banana bread, here are a few more sweet bread recipes to try:
How To Make Banana Bread
Banana Bread
house. Is there anything better? Sometimes I try to keep everyone from
eating all the bananas so I have an excuse to make this more often.
Equipment
- Bread Pan
- Conventional Oven
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 3 bananas very ripe
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts optional
Instructions
- Mix together everything but the flour and bananas until smooth.
- Mash the bananas in a small bowl. You can mash the bananas as much or as little as you like. If you want chunks of banana in your bread, don't mash them too much. If you just want banana flavor, mash thoroughly.
- Slowly blend in flour, then add the bananas and walnuts (if you are using them).
- Grease and flour a regular size bread pan and fill with batter.
- Bake at 325 for 60 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting toothpick or knife in the center of the loaf. When it comes out clean, it's ready to take out of the oven.
Video
Notes
Recipe Tips:
As with all baking, there are a few things that can get in the way of a successful loaf of banana bread.- Avoid cooking the bread on too high a temperature. Lower temps mean longer baking time, but it also means the inside is done at the same time as the outside of the bread. If you find your banana bread is overdone on the outside and underdone in the middle, try lowering the baking temperature by a few degrees. In addition, make sure the bread is baked in a preheated oven.
- Grease and flour the pan. Some people favor the grease and flour technique. This works well. But you can also use a baking specific spray like Pam with Flour or Baker’s Joy. A regular canola oil cooking spray will not be enough to keep the bread from sticking to the pan.
- Cool on a wire rack. Turn the bread out onto a wire rack to cool. This cools the bread faster as the air circulates around all sides of the bread.
- Transfer bread to a Ziplock bag or airtight container after baking. This will hold in the moisture, especially if you aren’t planning on serving it right away.
What size loaf pan should I use?
You can use a typical 8.5″ x 4.5″ x 2.5″ or 9″ x 5″ x 2.5″ pan for this recipe.
Can I add half white sugar and half brown
How much cinnamon should be added?
You can try adding 1-2 teaspoons!
Question: Why does step 4 say to spray the pan but the recipe tips state spray will not prevent bread from sticking? Should it not say to use a flour spray or grease & flour?
Thanks for catching that! I fixed it in the recipe.
Bananas very greatly in size. How many cups would be equivalent to 3 bananas?
About 1 1/2 cups mashed!
LOVE IT
We make this often! And, you are right, the house smells absolutely amazing!! So soft & gone in minutes!
This banana bread reminds me of the recipe my Grandmother used to make! It’s moist and the banana flavor is just perfect.
This was delicious and easy. I love this banana bread in the morning so thank you verymuch.