Easy Banana Bread Recipe

If you love our Cinnamon Swirl bread recipe, banana bread with applesauce, Oatmeal Banana Bread and our Applesauce Bread, I think you are going to love this easy quick bread recipe.

By the way – if you want a healthier version try our healthy banana bread recipe for new twist on the traditional banana bread. And if you like pumpkin, our recipe for Pumpkin Banana Bread is so delicious.

Why This Recipe Works

We love making this banana bread because if the rich banana flavor and amazing texture. We make it every Christmas for gifts and for our holiday dinners. You may even like Air Fryer Banana Bread, if you have an air fryer.

We have use this best banana bread recipe to make banana muffins for a delicious breakfast or an after school treat.

Ingredients

• Ripe Bananas – If you have them in the freezer, just allow to thaw. Check out these tips on How to Freeze Bananas.
• Egg – If you are out, check out The Best Egg Substitutes.
• Baking Soda – Check out these Baking Soda Substitutes

Scroll to the bottom for the full list of ingredients and recipe in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

• Chocolate – Add a handful of chocolate chips when you add in the flour. I would add in ½ cup of chocolate chips to make chocolate chip banana bread.
• Nuts – Add a handful of chopped nuts to this Easy Banana Bread batter if you like those. Walnuts are really delicious in banana bread. You can start about a ½ cup of chopped nuts in the batter.
• Dried Fruit – You can try a variety of dried fruit to your banana bread recipe. Smaller dried fruit like dried cranberries, blueberries, and raisins work best.
  If you want to try larger dried fruit like peaches and pears, you will want to chop them first before mixing into the batter.
• Spices – Warming spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice tend to be very compatible with many sweet quick breads including banana bread.
• Brown Sugar – You can substitute brown sugar instead of the white sugar. I like to substitute ¼ cup brown sugar for a sweeter quick bread.

Everyone enjoys this Easy Banana Bread Recipe plain but adding in something else just makes it even more special.

How to Make Banana Bread

Step 1 – Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 5×9 loaf pan with cooking spray.

Step 2 – Peel the bananas. (these can be from the freezer, just thaw first) Mash the bananas with a hand mixer or a spoon.

Step 3 – Stir in melted butter, eggs and vanilla extract, sugar,  and salt. Stir sugar egg mixture well.

Step 4 – Add all purpose flour, baking soda and stir dry ingredients well in large bowl. 

Step 5 – Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake.

Step 6 – Cook for 60 minutes. Use a toothpick inserted after 50 minutes into the center to make sure it comes out clean. 

Step 7 – Let cool on a wire cooling rack before removing from pan. Set aside to cool completely.

How Long Do You Leave Bread in the Pan after Baking?

Cool in pan about 10 minutes before taking out of the pan. Note this can vary based on different types of pans.

The bread will need to be room temperature. Let the bread cool completely.

How Do You Keep Banana Bread Moist?

The best way to keep banana bread moist for days is to wrap it tightly. Once your bread is baked and cooled, I recommend wrapping tightly in plastic wrap. 

Stored this way on the counter, your bread will stay moist up to 3 days.  If you’d like, you can store the bread wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.

However, this recipe never lasts long in my house. I’m lucky if I can get it to last one day. The entire family fights over the last slice.