There’s nothing quite like the smell of banana bread baking in your kitchen, especially when you’ve got a pile of overripe bananas just sitting there. This is my go-to banana bread recipe that I’ve been making for years – it’s incredibly moist, packed with banana flavor, and so simple that my 12-year-old can make it solo.
Table of contents
Best Easy Banana Bread Recipe
Super moist banana bread made with simple ingredients that delivers incredible flavor every single time.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat brown sugar and softened butter until smooth.
- Stir beaten eggs and mashed bananas into the butter mixture.
- Gently fold banana mixture into flour mixture until just combined.
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire rack.
Notes
- Use bananas that are very ripe with brown spots for best flavor.
- Don't overmix the batter - lumps are okay.
- Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped walnuts if desired.
- Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 285Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 338mgCarbohydrates: 53gFiber: 2gSugar: 23gProtein: 6g
Nutrition info is an estimate based on typical ingredients and portions - I calculate these to give you a helpful starting point! For specific dietary needs or accurate counts, I recommend double-checking with your favorite nutrition app or talking to a health professional. You can read more about my approach to nutrition info at notetherecipe.com/disclaimer
What You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple pantry staples – nothing fancy required:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- 2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas (about 4-5 bananas)
- 9×5-inch loaf pan
- Electric mixer or large wooden spoon
Detailed Cooking Instructions
Time needed: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Simple banana bread that’s perfectly moist and packed with banana flavor.
- Prep oven and pan
Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Mix dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar
Beat brown sugar and softened butter until smooth and creamy.
- Add wet ingredients
Stir in beaten eggs and mashed bananas until well combined.
- Combine mixtures
Gently fold banana mixture into flour mixture until just combined – don’t overmix.
- Bake and cool
Pour into prepared pan, bake 60 minutes until toothpick comes out clean, then cool.
Tips & Tricks
- Use bananas that are very brown and soft – the more spots, the better the flavor.
- Don’t overmix the batter once you add the flour – lumps are totally fine and keep the bread tender.
- Let your butter soften at room temperature for easier mixing, or microwave for 10-15 seconds.
- Test for doneness with a toothpick in the center – a few moist crumbs are okay, but no wet batter.
- For extra flavor, add a splash of vanilla or a pinch of cinnamon to the wet ingredients.
You Might Also Like
If you love this banana bread, you’ll definitely want to try some of my other family favorites! My Easy Edible Cookie Dough Recipe is perfect when you want something sweet but don’t feel like turning on the oven – my kids are obsessed with it. For busy mornings, I always recommend my Blueberry Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bake because you can prep it the night before and just pop it in the oven. And when it’s hot here in New Orleans, nothing beats my Ultimate 5-Layer No-Bake Summer Berry Icebox Cake – it’s so refreshing and requires zero baking!
Frequently Asked Questions
The secret is using very ripe bananas with lots of brown spots and not overmixing the batter. I also use brown sugar instead of white sugar for extra moisture.
Overmixing the batter is the biggest mistake. Once you add the flour, just stir until you can’t see dry flour anymore – lumps are perfectly fine.
Use very overripe bananas, add a splash of vanilla extract, and try brown sugar instead of white. I sometimes add a pinch of cinnamon too.
Adding an extra egg can make banana bread more dense rather than moist. Stick with 2 eggs and focus on very ripe bananas for the best texture.
Variations & Add-Ins
- Chocolate Chip: Fold in 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips for a kid-friendly twist.
- Walnut Banana Bread: Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts for extra crunch and protein.
- Healthier Version: Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
- Spiced Banana Bread: Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg to the dry ingredients.
- Brown Sugar Crumb Top: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons brown sugar on top before baking for a sweet crust.
Dietary Notes
| Diet | Friendly? | Adjustments |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-Free | No | Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend |
| Dairy-Free | No | Replace butter with vegan butter or coconut oil |
| Vegan | No | Use flax eggs and vegan butter |
| Keto | No | Not suitable – too high in carbs |
| Nut-Free | Yes | Already nut-free as written |
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Fridge: Store wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 5 days at room temperature or 1 week refrigerated.
- Freezer: Wrap individual slices or whole loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then foil – keeps up to 3 months.
- Thawing: Let frozen slices thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Reheat: Toast slices in toaster or warm in 300°F oven for 5-8 minutes for that fresh-baked taste.
- Make-ahead tip: This banana bread actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld together.
Save This Recipe for Later
This banana bread recipe is definitely one to keep handy for those overripe bananas! Save it to your Pinterest board or share it with someone who loves homemade treats.
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