Homemade Banana Bread

5 from 15 votes
35 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.

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.

A loaf of banana bread with two slices cut off of one end.
Featured with this Recipe
  1. Banana Bread from Over Ripe Bananas
  2. Ingredients in Banana Bread
  3. Baking Tips for the Perfect Banana Bread
  4. Frequently Asked Questions
  5. Tips for Freezing
  6. More Bread Recipes To Try
  7. How To Make Banana Bread
  8. Banana Bread Recipe

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
A handheld slice of banana bread with a bite taken out of it.


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.
A close up view of two slices of banana bread cut from the end of the loaf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t you use ripe bananas for banana bread?

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.

Can this be made Gluten-Free

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.

Can You Freeze Banana Bread?

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

  1. Make sure the bread is cooled completely to room temperature.
  2. Wrap the banana bread TWICE in plastic wrap.
  3. Wrap it once more in aluminum foil or place it in a resealable freezer bag.
  4. Freeze for up to 3 months.
  5. To thaw, remove the bread from the freezer bag or take off the foil layer.
  6. Keep the plastic wrap on the bread until it is thawed.
  7. Slice and serve.
  8. Keep unused portion in an airtight container or plastic bag.
A loaf of banana bread on a white tray sitting on a floral napkin.

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 slices on a plate with bananas

Banana Bread

5 from 15 votes
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.


Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Video

Equipment

  • Bread Pan
  • Conventional Oven

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Mix together everything but the flour and bananas until smooth.
    Mixing wet ingredients for banana bread
  • 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.
    mashing bananas in a bowl
  • Slowly blend in flour, then add the bananas and walnuts (if you are using them).
    Adding mashed bananas to batter
  • Spray a regular size bread pan and fill with batter.
    Adding banana bread batter to bread pans
  • 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.
    Cooked banana bread in the pan

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.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 73gProtein: 7gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 375mgPotassium: 557mgFiber: 3gSugar: 41gVitamin A: 590IUVitamin C: 5.1mgCalcium: 137mgIron: 2.3mg

Love this recipe?

We want to hear from you! Please leave a review.

Rate and Review



Share This With the World

PinYummly

About the author

Emily Walker

Emily lives in Meridian, Idaho, with her husband, Beau, a physician assistant, and her three incredible children: a son and two daughters. Travel is one of her favorite ways to experience new cultures and cuisines, and she has a love for all things Disney.

More about Emily Walker

Similar Recipes

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How many stars would you give this recipe?




Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This banana bread reminds me of the recipe my Grandmother used to make! It’s moist and the banana flavor is just perfect.

See More Comments