欧博allbetBanana Bread Recipe
Banana bread is one of our staples. It’s a quick and easy breakfast that you can take on the go and the perfect sweet homemade snack any time of day. No wonder it’s one of the most popular types of quick bread!
Even if this is your first time and you don't know how to make banana bread, this is the perfect place to start. This easy banana bread recipe only requires a handful of pantry basics, some ripened bananas, and 15 minutes of hands-on time. Pillsbury user @Sohoyle says, “I've made this recipe for 35 years now and I'm known for the best banana bread ever!”
As we were testing this recipe, we found that if you let the bananas get extra ripe before baking (we’re talking brown skin and fall-apart peels) the sweet banana flavor gets even better. Banana bread is also super easy to customize: add chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, or berries to please your family’s taste buds. And once you master this recipe, we have a bunch of other quick and easy banana bread and muffin recipes to satisfy your cravings.
Recipe Ingredients
We use simple pantry staples to create a moist, flavorful loaf that’s perfect any time of day. Here’s what you’ll need to make our classic banana bread recipe.
Bananas: You’ll need 2 medium-sized bananas for this recipe. Make sure they’re nice and ripe! If yours are still a little too green, place them in a brown paper bag at room temperature for 1 to 2 days. In a rush? Try this quick hack to ripen bananas: preheat your oven to 300°F, lay the unopened bananas on parchment paper or foil, and put them in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes. They’ll be perfect for making banana bread!
Nuts: In the test kitchen, we used walnuts to add a little crunch to this recipe, but you could use pecans, too. And don’t worry if you don’t use nuts, the bread will turn out just as tasty.
Other Ingredients: We rounded out this recipe with baking staples that we had on hand, including sugar, butter, eggs, milk, vanilla, flour, baking soda, and salt.
Ready to bake a loaf of homemade banana bread? This classic recipe is simple to make and packed with cozy, familiar flavors.
1. Combine the Wet Ingredients
Start by mixing together softened butter and sugar. Then, mix in eggs, mashed bananas, milk, and vanilla for a rich, moist base.
2. Add the Dry Ingredients
Stir in a blend of flour, baking soda, salt, and chopped nuts just until combined. You can also use a spoon to fold in chocolate chips or dried berries at this point. We tested this recipe with chocolate chips and found that semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips were a nice contrast to the sweetness of the banana. Once all the ingredients are combined, pour the batter into a greased loaf pan. If you want a nice split down the middle of your loaf, run a butter knife through the middle of the batter before baking.
3. Bake and Enjoy!
Bake in a 350°F oven until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the middle of the loaf comes out clean. After a quick rest, remove the banana bread from the pan and let cool completely before slicing.
Storing and ReheatingBanana bread is wonderful to have on hand for an easy breakfast or snack. Here’s how to keep it fresh.
Room TemperatureLet the bread completely cool, then wrap in plastic wrap and store on the counter for 2 to 3 days. We found that storing it in the fridge makes the outside of the loaf too sticky and gooey.
FreezerWrap the whole loaf (or individual slices) in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 6 months.
Reheating from Room TempSlices: Microwave for 10 to 15 seconds, or heat in the toaster oven for 2 minutes at 350°F. Add a dab of butter for extra goodness!
Whole Loaf: Remove plastic wrap, wrap the loaf in foil, and warm at 300 to 325°F for 10 to 15 minutes to bring out the moisture and make it taste fresh baked.
Reheating from FrozenSlices: Wrap in a paper towel and microwave for 20 to 30 seconds. For the oven, place slices on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil, and warm at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes.
Whole Loaf: Let thaw at room temperature for a few hours or overnight in the fridge. Remove plastic wrap, wrap in foil, and warm in a 350°F oven for about 30 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions Can you use previously frozen and thawed bananas for this recipe?
Yes, freezing is a great way to keep overripe bananas from going bad. Just make sure your bananas are completely thawed before using!
Can I make this into muffins?Yes! Just scoop the batter into muffin tins or baby loaf pans. The bake time will be faster though: about 20 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick in the middle comes out clean vs. 50 to 60 minutes for a whole loaf.
TIP FROM THEDoughboy
Try toasting a slice of banana bread and topping it with a swipe of peanut butter or a drizzle of honey. It makes the perfect breakfast or cozy snack!