Easy Banana Bread

This easy banana bread recipe is very simple to put together with very few ingredients. Very ripe bananas make the best banana bread that is moist, tender, and filled with banana flavor. Learn how to ripen your bananas quickly in the oven if you do not have ripe bananas. Pin it for later>>

Banana Bread Overview

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Techniques Used: Muffin Mixing Method

Banana bread is one of the easiest recipes you can learn. It is categorized as a “quick bread” meaning that it is leavened with chemical leavening instead of yeast. This means it is very quick and easy to make.

One of the things I love about banana bread is how forgiving it is. The ratios in the recipe are not as finicky as they are in many other baked goods which makes it a very approachable baked good to make.

How Ripe Should Bananas Be for Banana Bread?

To make the very best banana bread you want to start with really ripe bananas. Overly ripe bananas shouldn’t be thrown out! Save them in the freezer to make bread!

Ideally you want to use bananas that are turning black and are very soft. Really ripe bananas are going to have the most concentrated banana flavor and the most natural sweetness.

How to Quickly Ripen Bananas

If you do not have really ripe bananas you can quickly “ripen” them in the oven. To ripen your bananas in the oven, leave the skin on and bake them at 300 F (150 C) for about 40 minutes. Allow the oven ripened bananas to cool before making your banana bread.

How do You Make Moist Banana Bread?

To make moist banana bread I use a high ratio of bananas as well as fat in the recipe. You also want to be sure that you are not over-mixing the batter or it will become more tough and dry.

I prefer to use melted butter as the fat because of the flavor it adds and the bread is still plenty moist this way. However, to make banana bread that is even more moist you can use oil in place of butter. Because oil does not solidify at room temperature it keeps the bread extra moist.

How to Make Banana Bread

The method used for making banana bread is called the muffin mixing method.  The method involves mixing together all of the dry ingredients in one bowl, mixing all of the wet ingredients together in a separate bowl, and then combining the wet and dry ingredients together.

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients

Classic banana bread lineup is pretty simple: ripe bananas, melted butter (or oil), eggs, sugar, flour, salt, and baking powder. You can also add ground cinnamon and vanilla extract to add more flavor to your bread.

Step 2: Mix Together all of the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all of the dry ingredients. I like to use a whisk for this so that all of the ingredients are incorporated evenly and aerated a bit.

Step 3: Mix Together the Wet Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, peel and mash the banana. Then add the eggs, melted butter or oil, and vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined.

Step 4: Combine the wet with the dry ingredients

Pour all of the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Use a spoon or a rubber spatula to gently combine the two parts together.

Less is more with the stirring here. It will be lumpy and should only take about 20-30 seconds of mixing. Avoiding over-mixing will keep your bread moist and tender.

Step 5: Bake the Banana Bread

Pour the batter into a loaf pan that has been greased or lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 F (177 C) until a tester comes out of the bread with moist crumbs.

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Banana Bread FAQ

• Can you make this banana bread with self-rising flour?: Yes, you can make this recipe with self-rising flour. Substitute the all-purpose flour for self-rising flour and remove the salt and the baking powder from the recipe.
• Does banana bread freeze well?: Yes! Banana bread freezes exceptionally well. To freeze, allow the bread to cool completely. You can then wrap the entire loaf or individual slices in plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 3 months and allow to thaw at room temperature.
• Can I make this banana bread with pecans or walnuts?: Yes! You can use this recipe as a base to make banana walnut bread, banana pecan bread, or even chocolate chip banana bread. Add 3/4 cup- 1 cup add ins during the last step of mixing.