Moist banana nut bread recipe makes delicious banana bread! Add nuts, chocolate chips, or other mix-ins for the perfect loaf of banana bread!
I love coming up with recipes that put a twist on classic foods. It’s fun to give an old recipe a new spin.
There are times, though, when nothing beat a classic. This banana nut bread recipe is just that sort of classic recipe.
It’s a moist banana recipe that lets the banana flavor really shine. I like my banana bread to be just a little on the cakey side (rather than overly moist and gummy), and this one is.
It’s a great way to use up those extra overripe bananas! I made two loaves of this bread just this past week, and my two year-old and five year-old both love it as much as I do.
This banana nut bread recipe is also really simple. I mix it up (by hand) while the oven is preheating.
How to make moist banana bread
Quick breads like zucchini bread, pumpkin bread, and banana bread should be moist without being greasy.
This banana bread uses a combination of melted butter, mashed ripe bananas, and more brown sugar than granulated sugar for plenty of moisture in the bread.
Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk the mashed banana and melted butter together until well-combined.
Step 2: Whisk in the sugars until well-combined.
Step 3: Add the egg and vanilla and whisk in until combined.
Step 4: Whisk in the dry ingredients just until combined.
Top tip >> Don’t overmix. Overmixing will give you a dense or heavy loaf.
Step 5: Whisk in the nuts just until incorporated.
Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Step 7: Sprinkle the remaining nuts on top.
Step 8: Bake until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
How to store
I store it, covered, at room temperature. You can also cover and refrigerate banana bread.
Also, if you can wait, I find that the banana flavor is even stronger on the second day.
Tips
- Banana: It’s important to use very ripe bananas. I like to use bananas that are equal parts brown spots and yellow.
- Butter: This recipe uses melted butter. The butter shouldn’t be hot and sizzling. I melt it about 80% of the way and then whisk it to let it finish melted.
- Flour: It’s important to properly measure flour to avoid heavy or doughy banana bread. The proper way to measure flour is to stir it to break it up. Then lightly spoon it into a measuring cup and level it off.
- Nuts: The nuts are optional. If you decide to sprinkle them on top, make sure you chop them finely so that the weight doesn’t keep the loaf from rising.
- Mixing: I highly recommend mixing banana bread by hand. It’s easy and it helps to avoid overmixing, which can give you a dense or heavy loaf.
- Baking: Since banana bread has a fair amount of sugar, it can easily overbrown. I check the bread part-way through the baking time to check to see whether it’s browning too quickly. If it is, I tent a piece of aluminum foil over the top.
Can I freeze banana bread?
You can! Bake as directed, and then let the banana nut bread cool to room temperature on a wire cooling rack.
Wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap, and then wrap in aluminum foil. Freeze.
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Banana Nut Bread Recipe
Equipment
- 8×4-inch loaf pan
- Whisk
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed banana1
- 1/3 cup butter melted2
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour properly measured³
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2-2/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts plus extra for sprinkling on top4
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease an 8×4-inch loaf pan. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk mashed banana and melted butter together until well-combined.
- Whisk in sugars until incorporated.
- Add egg and vanilla, and whisk until well-combined.
- Stir in flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until combined.
- Add nuts, and whisk until just incorporated.
- Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, and sprinkle with additional nuts.
- Bake for 40-60 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. I check the bread around 35 minutes and tent with foil if it is browning too quickly.
- Let cool in pan for a 5-10 minutes.
- Remove bread to wire cooling rack, and let cool completely before slicing.
Video
Notes
- About 2 very ripe bananas, peeled
- The butter should just barely be melted. I melt it about 80% of the way and then whisk it until its completely melted.
- To properly measure the flour, stir it to break it up. Then lightly spoon it into the measuring up and level it off.
- Be sure to finely chop the nuts if sprinkling them on top. If nuts aren’t finely chopped, the weight can keep the bread from rising properly.
- Nutrition facts are estimates.
Nutrition
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Originally published 8/22/17. Last updated 10/16/19.
Reader Interactions
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Comments & Reviews
Nicole VanDriessche says
My husband loves this recipe
Kate says
Yay!! I’m so glad to hear that! =)
Ingrid says
This banana bread certainly delivers! It is amazing!
Kate says
Thank you! I’m so glad that you liked it. =)
CAROLYN SUE LAW says
I believe this is the best repice yet,ty
Kate says
Thank you! I’m glad that you like the banana bread. =)
Christine Faulkner says
Moist and delicious!
Kate says
Thanks so much! =)
Catina says
Could dark brown sugar be used? I am definitely not a baker, but I am trying lol
Catina says
First time ever making banana nut bread and it was wonderful. Thank you for sharing your awesome recipe
Kate says
Yay!! That’s fantastic! You are very welcome! =)
Silvia says
A new favorite recipe. Used even more walnuts than called for and it was great. Served it warm from the oven with a little spread of butter.
Kate says
Thank you! I’m so glad that you like it. Thanks for commenting!
George says
Hello I made your banana bread in the past my question is can I use bread flour instead of all purpose flour?
Kate says
Hi! I haven’t tried to use bread flour in this recipe. Bread flour is great for adding extra chewiness to baked goods, so I’m not sure how it will work in banana bread. If you try it, I’d be interested to hear how it works out.
Chase says
This makes for the most phenomenal French Toast! Melt down some raspberries with a bit of sugar and butter for a sauce and you’ll never go back to ordinary French Toast.
Hien Trinh says
My favorite banana nut bread recipe! I like to also add chocolate chips to this. Yummm! I’ve shared this recipe with my family and friends after trying my delicious bread. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Kate says
Thank you! I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks for commenting!
Lorraine says
I made it and is so delicious my husband love it call me queen of the banana nut bread lol
Kate says
Love that!! I’m so glad that you two liked it! Thanks for commenting. =)
Cynthia Sparks says
I haven’t got to taste it yet, but if the taste is even half as good as the smell , I’m going to love it. The whole house smells wonderful. Thanks for the recipe.
Kate says
Thanks! I hope you enjoy it. =)
Brianna C says
This is my go to recipe when I have bananas that are about to go bad! I’ve used this recipe at least 5 times and the results are consistent. Moist and delicious. It’s especially good if the bananas nearly black and super soft.
Kate says
Thanks! I tested so many recipes before I had one that I was happy with, and I’m glad that you like it, too! Thanks for commenting! =)
Melody Banks says
I shared this bread with a few friends and they loved it! Ot was my first time making this bread and it was so deliciously moist and flavorful!
Kate says
Yay!! I’m so glad that it came out well for you and that it was a hit! Thank you for taking the time to comment! =)
Joan says
Hi, my name is Joan. My family loves your banana nut bread.
My adult grandson asked me to make a loaf just for him. Thanks for this tummy recipe.
Kate says
Hi! Thank you! I’m so glad that it’s a hit with your family. =) Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Loretta says
My boyfriend says it’s the best banana bread he has ever ate!. Easy to make. Thank you
Kate says
Yay!! I’m so glad that it was a hit! Thanks for commenting!
Angelica says
Thank you! I made this with my 6 year old daughter yesterday since it was a little chilly. By far this is the easiest recipe ever and delivers delicious results. I now have more confidence in my baking skills.
Kate says
Yay!! That’s fantastic! I’m so glad that the bread turned out well for you and that you feel more condifent in your baking skills! =) Thanks for commenting!
Lynda Bullerwell says
I made this recipe this morning and it was delish! It got 2 thumbs up from my husband as well :) moist, held together so well and had just the right amount of sugar. The brown sugar and cinnamon made all the difference as well as the nuts on top! Thank you! I am looking forward to many more yummy recipes!
Kate says
Thank you so much! I’m so glad that you liked the banana bread. =) Thanks! I hope you find more recipes that you enjoy!
Debbie says
Love this recipe! It is so easy too!
Kate says
Thank you! I’m so glad that you liked it and that you found the recipe easy to make! Thanks for commenting! =)
Amy says
The best by far!
Kate says
Thank you! I’m so glad that you liked the banana bread. =) Thanks for commenting!
Kimberly Cooksey says
Made your bread today and wow! So very flavorful and moist. Love it! Will make it all the time now. Thank you!!
Kate says
Thank you! I’m so glad that you liked the banana bread! =) Thanks for commenting!