Save There's nothing quite like the comforting aroma of freshly baked banana bread filling your home. This recipe yields a perfectly moist and tender loaf, bursting with sweet banana flavor and customizable with your favorite add-ins like walnuts or chocolate chips. It's an easy-to-make classic that turns overripe bananas into a delightful treat for breakfast or a cozy afternoon snack.
Save Whether you enjoy a slice warm from the oven, toasted with a pat of butter, or as a simple on-the-go snack, this banana bread is sure to become a family favorite. The combination of simple ingredients creates a rich, satisfying flavor that feels both nostalgic and special.
Ingredients
- Wet Ingredients
- 3 large ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 large eggs
- 120 ml (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 100 g (½ cup) granulated sugar
- 50 g (¼ cup) brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Dry Ingredients
- 220 g (1¾ cups) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
- Add-ins (optional)
- 80 g (½ cup) chopped walnuts or pecans
- 70 g (½ cup) chocolate chips
Instructions
- 1
- Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch (23x13 cm) loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
- 2
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, eggs, melted butter, sugars, and vanilla until well combined.
- 3
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- 4
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
- 5
- Fold in nuts and/or chocolate chips if using.
- 6
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- 7
- Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- 8
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
For extra moisture and a sweeter flavor, use very ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots on the peels. They are easier to mash and contribute the best flavor to the bread.
Varianten und Anpassungen
Feel free to customize your loaf. You can swap the walnuts or pecans for seeds like pumpkin or sunflower, or leave them out entirely for a simple, nut-free version.
Serviervorschläge
This banana bread is delicious on its own but is also wonderful when served lightly toasted with a pat of butter or a spread of cream cheese. It pairs perfectly with a hot cup of coffee or black tea for a comforting break.
Save Baking this banana bread is a simple joy that rewards you with a delicious, homemade treat. We hope you enjoy every last slice of this classic comfort food!
Recipe FAQs
- → How ripe should the bananas be?
Use very ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots for maximum sweetness and moisture. The darker the peels, the more intense the banana flavor will be in your finished loaf.
- → Can I make this bread gluten-free?
Yes! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a reliable gluten-free flour blend. The texture will remain moist and tender, though the crumb may be slightly denser.
- → How should I store banana bread?
Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze individual slices for up to 3 months.
- → Why is my banana bread dense?
Overmixing the batter can create a dense, tough texture. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined—some small lumps are perfectly fine and will bake out.
- → Can I reduce the sugar content?
The sugars contribute to both flavor and moisture. You can reduce the granulated sugar slightly, but the bananas themselves provide natural sweetness. For a lower-sugar version, use very ripe bananas and reduce the added sugar by about 25%.
- → What can I use instead of walnuts?
Pecans work beautifully as a direct substitute. For nut-free versions, try sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or simply omit the add-ins altogether. Chocolate chips are another popular option that pairs wonderfully with banana.