Melt-in-your-mouth moist, packed with rich flavor, & encased in a silky crumb, this banana bread recipe is a knock-out. The best way to use up overripe bananas!
Do yourself a favor and don’t limit yourself to banana bread only during the holidays. Make a loaf today and have it on hand for a grab-and-go breakfast, lunchbox surprise or a snack with a pat of good-quality butter. C’mon, you deserve it.
How to Make Banana Bread Video
How do You Keep Banana Bread Moist?
You will see a lot of banana bread recipes out there using butter. Through trial and error, I have found that using vegetable oil makes and keeps the bread WAY more moist. On top of adding a better texture, I find using oil allows the banana flavor to better shine through.
How do you Cool Banana Bread?
Nothing is worse than trying to remove your banana bread from the pan and having it fall apart! Sidestep this blunder by following these steps:
- Take your banana bread out of the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 15-20 minutes.
- Using pot holders (the pan will still be pretty hot at this point!), invert the pan and slowly guide the banana bread out. If it doesn’t want to budge, allow it to sit a bit longer. If it is still being stubborn, take a knife/spatula and guide it around the outer edges of the loaf to loosen it.
- Place the banana bread on a wire rack to cool. If you don’t have one, a cutting board will do the trick.
- Allow the bread to reach room temperature before attempting to slice it.
- Store the bread in an airtight container on your counter for up to a week.
How to Freeze Banana Bread
Freezing banana bread is a no-brainer. Here are the steps:
- Let your banana bread cool down completely. Don’t skimp on this step, as it could really affect the texture and composition of your banana bread.
- Cut your loaf into slices. Wrap each individual slice in several layers of plastic wrap. Put all your wrapped slices into a plastic storage bag or an airtight container and pop it in the freezer.
- Ready to chow down on a slice? Take a slice out of the freezer and allow it to thaw in the refrigerator or on the counter. Thawing takes about an hour-and-a-half, so time your craving accordingly!
Some folks like to freeze the entire loaf instead of individual slices, which is totally fine. I, however, like to freeze individual slices so that my boys can easily grab a piece when they want it. It’s also an easy way to monitor portion control.
Tips for Making Banana Bread
- Let your bananas get COMPLETELY black on the outside if you can wait. The darker the skin, the sweeter the banana pulp will be.
- Get creative and add some fun toppings to the mix. I like to add walnuts, sunflower seeds, raisins, dried cranberries or chocolate chips.
- Avoid completely pureeing the bananas. Instead, break them down with a fork, that way you’ll have chunks of banana in the banana bread.
Why Did my Banana Bread Sink in the Middle?
You may have baked banana bread before and been disappointed to find that it had sunk in the middle after it cooled. But, why? The main culprit in this classic mistake is adding more bananas than the recipe called for. It may be tempting to use up all those overripe bananas you have, but trust me, it will only weigh your bread down.
Do you love Banana Bread Recipes? You have to try these!
- Whole Wheat Banana Bread Recipe – a healthier twist to a Banana bread classic.
- Banana Apple Bread Recipe – If you love apple cakes, this is the best of both worlds!
- Banana Zucchini Bread – extra moist banana bread with the greens!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Eggs
- 3/4 cup Sugar
- 4 Bananas large
- 2 cup Flour
- 1 tbsp Baking Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
- 2/3 cup Raisins (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients for the banana bread.
- Whip eggs together with sugar. In a separate bowl, combine flour, together with baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
- Mash bananas. Combine bananas, vanilla and oil into the egg mixture.
- In thirds, using spatula, combine the flour mixture with the egg mixture. in the end, add raisins to the dough.
- Apply oil to the sides of the baking sheet. Pour dough into the brad pan or a baking sheet. Bake bread at 350F for about 50 minutes. Using a toothpick, check to see if the dough is cooked.
Like the idea of the raisins Would coconut ruin the LOAF?
Hi Catherine, I am not sure I understand your question. Are you wanting to substitute coconut for the raisins?
Such a delicious and easy recipe!!!
Thank you so much!!! Will definitely be making it again and again!!
You're so welcome, Inna! Glad you enjoyed it.
Hello Natalya, what if I only have 3 large bananas? Would I still be able to use this recipe?
Hi Emily- yes, I think it should still work. Enjoy! 🙂
I only have olive oil and I am snowed in can I use that?
Hello, Sue. Yes olive oil would be fine- a lighter olive oil ideally! Enjoy!
Hi,
I'm a bit confused. Is the batter baked in a loaf pan?
And what size?
Hi Patty - Yes! It's baked in a loaf pan. You can see a pic if you scroll down to the bottom of the page. 8.5in. x 4.5in is standard. Hope it helps!
Thank you
You're welcome, Patty!
Truly is the best banana bread recipe i have made and i made a lot! Thank you so much!!! Will definitely be making it again and again!!
Yuliya, I'm so glad you enjoyed the banana bread recipe, thank you for your feedback!
What kind of flour i will need? Bread flour or all purpose flour. Thank you.
Hey Ruby, all-purpose flour would work the best in this recipe. Enjoy
Thank you Natalya. Have a good day ❤
Hi. Do you add oil to the egg mixture or just pour it in the pan? I put 1/2 cup of oil in the baking pan and it feels like it's too much.
Hey Erica, you would add oil in step 3. Let me know if you have a question. Hope it helps!
Hi Natalya,
Can I use extra light olive oil? Or does it have to be vegetable oil?
Yes, you can use extra light olive oil. Enjoy!
The best and only banana bread recipe I use. My kids always get excited when they see me making it. They love to spread Nutella on top too! Easy and delicious recipe, thank you!
Hey Nellie, thank you for sharing you Nutella tip. I need to try it.
Such a delicious and easy recipe!!! I’ve tried many of your recipes and we love them all! Thank you!☺️
Hey Veronica, thank you for sharing your feedback. Means a lot to me that you liked it! 🙂
Yummy recipe 👌🏻❤️ Thank you for sharing
Dianna, I am glad you loved the recipe. 🙂
You should probably add that you need to spray the pan. Bc mine stuck all to it and was ruined.
I am so sorry, I hope you still got to enjoy the bread. I should add that to baking tips and tricks video. It would help others as well. Thank you for sharing your feedback.
Yes I enjoyed it! Can’t wait to remake it next time 😂
Thank you for sharing your feedback! It will help others for sure. Some steps are just natural for me and I forget to write them down 🙂
Can you use maple syrup instead of sugar?
I haven’t tested adding maple syrup. I think it will change texture of the bread, but I am not sure. If you try it, please let me know how it goes.
I am using a microwave. Can you tell the microwave settings to use here.
You bake in a microwave? I have never baked in a microwave so I am not sure
so you only need a mixer to whipe eggs and sugar? how long do you mix it? about 5 min? im just not that good at baking so i dont want to it to not turn out right!
Kathy.... You can use a wire Whisk and do it by hand. I use the wisk a lot.
Mixt eggs and sugar until they double in volume, become a bit foamy. Let me know how it goes? I use to say that all the time but just keep on trying 😉
so you mix the eggs and sugar with blender, and everything else by hand? and i assume you dont even need to grease the pan? u didnt mention it in the recipe. but i still did jus in case, cuz other recipes ive looked says to butter n flour the pan! also what size is the pan?
Mix everything else by hang. I usually use parchment paper of grease the pan with everything I bake.
Made it today. Absolutely loved it! My daughter said she wants to have banana bread for breakfast everyday!
Oh, so glad it worked out for you. Now you just have to remember to buy extra bananas.
When I bake it on a baking sheet its more of a cake style with more crust. But Often make it in a bread pan.
This bread is to runnie to pour on sheet i put in bread pans will see what happens
Yum
Yes, for sure!