Banana Bread

Published April 14, 2018. Updated April 13, 2020

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Banana Bread! After making many many loaves over the years, I’d have to say this is definitely the best! It’s easy, so tender, perfectly moist, it’s packed with banana flavor and it has a delicious richness from the sour cream and butter.

It’s a a tried and true recipe you’ll use time and time again! Continue reading as I share step by step pictures and a video to learn how to make it.

A loaf of homemade banana bread on a white plate

The All Time Best Homemade Banana Bread Recipe!

Banana bread has been one of my favorite treats since I was a kid, so after 30 years I hope by now I could have perfected it :).

My easy banana bread recipe uses staple ingredients that I always keep on hand, so when those bananas turn from vibrantly yellow to golden and well speckled you’ll know exactly what to make with them.

Watch the Banana Bread Video Below

 

This really is one of the easiest baking recipes! You don’t even need a mixer. Just back to basics with a few bowls, a spatula and a whisk. The hardest part is just waiting for it to bake and cool. That smell of a loaf of fresh banana bread is heavenly.

Every time I make this ultra moist banana bread we polish it off in no time. There’s just something so comforting about a loaf of homemade banana bread. I think it takes us all back home because we all ate it growing up. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!

Banana Bread Ingredients

Here’s the basic ingredient’s you’ll need to make a loaf:

  • Flour – all-purpose flour works best.
  • Baking powder and baking soda – these make the bread rise.
  • Salt – keeps it from tasting flat.
  • Butter – it’s melted in this recipe which means easy mixing!
  • Granulated sugar – in a pinch brown sugar would work too.
  • Eggs – the eggs bind everything together for a nice sturdy slice.
  • Bananas – you’ll need about 3 large or 3 1/2 medium bananas. Don’t use underripe bananas that aren’t sweet enough or overripe with an off flavor.
  • Sour cream – don’t have any of this on hand? I’ve also just used an extra 1/4 cup banana in it’s place.
  • Vanilla – this isn’t crucial if you don’t have it but a nice background flavor if you do.

homemade banana bread ingredients on a gray surface

How to Make Banana Bread from Scratch

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 by 5-inch or 8 1/2 by 4 1/2-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray (or rub with butter and lightly flour).
  • Mash bananas: Set the peeled bananas on a plate and mash all of them to a nearly smooth puree using a fork (another reason using overripe bananas is great, not only do they taste sweeter but they mash easier too).

well mashed bananas for banana bread on a plate

  • Mix dry ingredients: In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Make a well in center of flour mixture, set aside.

whisk dry ingredients for banana bread in a glass bowl

  • Mix sugar and wet ingredients: In a separate medium mixing bowl whisk together melted butter and granulated sugar.

butter and sugar mixture for banana bread in a bowl

  • Whisk in both eggs.

eggs in banana bread mixture in a glass bowl

  • Mix in bananas, sour cream and vanilla extract.

bananas vanilla and sour cream for banana bread in a bowl

  • Combine wet and dry mixtures: Pour banana mixture into flour mixture and fold with a rubber spatula just until combined (you shouldn’t see any more streaks of flour, just be careful not to over-mix for a fluffier bread).

wet ingredients and dry ingredients being incorporated for banana bread

How to Cook Banana Bread

  • Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
  • Bake until just set: Bake in preheated oven until toothpick inserted into center comes out free of batter (a moist crumb or two is fine but top should be set), about 50 – 58 minutes.

banana bread mixture poured into loaf pan

  • Cool before slicing: Cool in pan 5 minutes. Run knife around edges to loosen then invert onto a wire rack.
  • Let cool on wire rack about 30 minutes then transfer to an airtight container to finish cooling.

loaf of moist banana bread on cooling rack

Can I Add Nuts or Chocolate Chip?

Want to make this recipe into banana nut bread? Simply add in 1/2 cup to 1 cup of chopped nuts (I recommend walnuts or pecans) and add them when you mix in the bananas. Then, be sure to use a 9 by 5-inch pan as the batter will have more volume.

Do you love chocolate chips in your banana bread? Then just mix in 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips for a bit of added decadence.

Can I Make Two Loaves Instead of One?

Yes. I’ve doubled this recipe successfully. Just divide mixture evenly among two greased pans.

Can I Make the Batter into Muffins?

Yes. Divide among paper lined muffin cups filling each 3/4 full. Bake 350 approximately 20 minutes.

How Should I Store Banana Bread?

Banana bread can be kept on your counter for a few days in an airtight container, or refrigerate for 1 week.

Can I Freeze Banana Bread?

Yes. Wrap the loaf in foil and place in an airtight container and freeze it for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat the frozen banana bread, simply set it in on the counter to thaw.

homemade banana bread cut into slices on a large plate

More Flavor Add In Ideas:

  • Add a cinnamon sugar topping. To do so sprinkle top evenly with a mixture of 1 1/2 Tbsp raw sugar and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon. It gives it that special bakery-style touch.
  • Swirl the top with Nutella or a sweetened cream cheese filling.
  • Mix in 1/2 cup shredded coconut and 1/2 cup diced pineapple for a tropical twist.
  • Add some peanut butter chips. Who doesn’t love that peanut butter banana combo?
  • Try it with fresh blueberries or diced strawberries. Smoothie flavors in dessert form.
  • Or serve it warm ala mode with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and drizzled with caramel sauce. Yum!

individual slice of banana bread on small plate

Tips for the Best Banana Bread

  • Be sure to use very well ripened spotted bananas they offer the best flavor and sweetness. Avoid black bananas though because they’re usually starting to rot and they don’t have a good flavor.
  • Don’t pack flour when measuring. Better yet use a kitchen scale if you have one.
  • Only use real butter. No shortening, no margarine, no oil.
  • Check dates on baking soda and baking powder. If they’re outdated the loaf may not rise the same.
  • Adjust salt if needed. Only have salted butter on hand? Reduce salt to 1/4 tsp so it’s not overly salty.
  • Once you are folding in the flour be careful not to over-mix so you get a nice tall loaf. Just fold until there’s no longer streaks of flour.
  • Careful not to over-bake for a supremely moist loaf.
  • Serve it the next day if possible. Banana bread is even better one day after it’s made.

three slices of homemade banana bread on three black plates

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Banana Bread
4.99 from 69 votes

Banana Bread

This is the best banana bread recipe! Quick and easy to make and no mixer is required. It's perfectly moist and amazingly tender, it's buttery and brimming with banana flavor. Simply put, everyone will have a hard time stopping at just one slice!
Servings: 14 servings
Prep10 minutes
Cook1 hour
Ready in: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9 by 5-inch or  8 1/2 by 4 1/2-inch loaf pan.
  •  In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Make a well in center of flour mixture, set aside. 
  • In a separate medium mixing bowl whisk together melted butter and granulated sugar. 
  • Whisk in eggs, then whisk in bananas, sour cream and vanilla. 
  • Pour banana mixture into flour mixture and fold with a rubber spatula just until combined (you shouldn't see any more streaks of flour). Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
  • Bake in preheated oven until toothpick inserted into center comes out free of batter (a moist crumb or two is fine but top should be set), about 50 - 58 minutes. 
  • Cool in pan 10 - 15 minutes. Run knife around edges to loosen then invert onto a wire rack.
  • Let cool on wire rack about 30 minutes then transfer to an airtight container to finish cooling. Store at room temperature or refrigerate for longer shelf life.

Notes

  • *You can adjust the sweetness to suite your taste. I prefer 3/4 cup sugar but if you like it really sweet use 1 cup, if you like it lightly sweetened use 1/2 cup.
  • Be sure to use very well ripened spotted bananas though, because they offer the best flavor and sweetness.
  • In a pinch, if you don't have sour cream just add 1/4 cup more mashed banana.
  • If you only have salted butter on hand, reduce salt in recipe to 1/4 tsp.
  • Recipe source: Cooking Classy
Nutrition Facts
Banana Bread
Amount Per Serving
Calories 190 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Cholesterol 43mg14%
Sodium 142mg6%
Potassium 143mg4%
Carbohydrates 27g9%
Sugar 13g14%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 275IU6%
Vitamin C 1.9mg2%
Calcium 29mg3%
Iron 0.9mg5%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

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209 Comments

  • Christin

    Hey Jaclyn!
    This recipe is awesome and the bread tastes totally delicious! And i love that fact that you’re also adding the measuring in gramms. I’m from germany and we’re not measuring in cups, so most of the american recipes are hard to try out but yours is so good, a big thanks for that!

  • Toniann Gordon

    Good evening, Can i substitute the granulated sugar for brown sugar?

      • Alexia Owens

        Hi! i’m making it right now and I replaced the 3/4 cup of sugar with 1/2 cup of honey. will that affect the consistency a lot?

        • Jaclyn

          Jaclyn Bell

          The loaf may brown a bit more but i don’t think it shouldn’t effect the consistency of the baked loaf.

          • Shiann Allshouse

            Just made this recipe. Waiting for it to finish baking. Smells really amazing. Can’t wait to taste it.

          • Dylan

            All the shared photos of this recipe looking AMAZING. I’m making two batches. What would you suggest for a bake time if I make some into muffins?

  • Emily

    Hi there! So excited to try this recipe out. I’m in Colorado Springs, CO. Do you have any high altitude alterations/suggestions? Luckily quick breads usually do ok. Thank you!

  • Nada

    This recipe has become a staple at our house. My husband and all 3 kids love it.

    I use whole wheat flour only. 2%yogurt instead of sour cream and cut the butter in half and add 1/4 cup applesauce as a replacement for the butter cut out.

    With all that, it still comes out delicious !!
    Cook on convection for a full hour and 5-10 minutes as we like the edges slightly over done. (Still have to try replacing all the butter with applesauce!)

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      I’ve seen some recipes that use applesauce instead probably about 6 tbsp here, though I haven’t tested this yet myself.

  • Barbara hopkins

    I just made this banana bread and I love it,it’s so moist,alot of flavor!! I definitely will be making alot more. Thanks,barbara

  • Monica

    We absolutely love this recipe… I also did it in small batches. Made 6 donuts and 2 small bread loads

  • Maria

    About to make this today. Can I substitute white flour for wheat flour or combine both half and half.. I don’t want ti mess with it if it’s going to take away from tung flavor. And can I use I can’t believe it’s not butter instead of regular butter. Thanks for ur time.

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Half white flour and half wheat flour should work fine. And the butter substitute should be ok too.