Name: The Best Easy Banana Bread Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3-4 overripe bananas, mashed; 2 eggs; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup (113 grams or 1 stick) unsalted butter, melted; 3/4 cup sugar (white or brown); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped nuts

Jump to Recipe

If you have some overripe bananas sitting on your counter and you’re craving something warm, comforting, and utterly delicious, look no further. This is The Best Easy Banana Bread Recipe you’ll ever try—moist, flavorful, and packed with just the right balance of sweetness and texture. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll come back to again and again, whether it’s for breakfast, a cozy snack, or a simple dessert. Trust me, once you make it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!

The Best Easy Banana Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of The Best Easy Banana Bread Recipe lies in its simple and wholesome ingredients. Each one plays an important role, giving the bread its moist crumb, delightful aroma, and that perfect golden color that makes it so inviting.

3-4 overripe bananas: The star of the show, providing natural sweetness and incredible moistness.
2 eggs: They bind everything together and add richness to the bread.
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: Offers structure while keeping the bread tender.
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted: Adds buttery depth and helps keep the bread soft.
3/4 cup sugar (white or brown): Balances the banana’s flavor with just the right amount of sweetness.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Introduces a warm, aromatic touch that elevates the flavor.
1 teaspoon baking soda: The leavening agent that makes your bread light and fluffy.
1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the other flavors and keeps sweetness in check.
Optional: 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped nuts: A fun way to add texture and extra flavor, if desired.

How to Make The Best Easy Banana Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan

Start by heating your oven to 350°F and readying a 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick spray or parchment paper. This helps ensure your banana bread will slide out effortlessly once it’s baked to perfection.

Step 2: Mash the Bananas

Grab those overripe bananas and transform them into a silky smooth mash using a fork or a potato masher right in a spacious mixing bowl. This step is key to releasing all the natural sweetness and moisture for your bread.

Step 3: Mix in the Wet Ingredients

Next, add the melted butter, sugar (white or brown works beautifully), beaten eggs, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Stir everything together until the mixture is homogenous and slightly glossy—that’s the perfect base for your bread batter!

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening and seasoning, helping your bread rise evenly and taste balanced.

Step 5: Gently Fold the Batter

Slowly add the dry ingredients into the banana mixture, folding gently just until combined. You want to avoid over-mixing to keep the bread tender and airy, so delicate folding is essential here.

Step 6: Add Mix-Ins (Optional)

If you’re feeling adventurous, fold in half a cup of chocolate chips or chopped nuts. These extras take The Best Easy Banana Bread Recipe up a notch with delightful bursts of flavor and crunch.

Step 7: Bake Your Loaf

Pour the velvety batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the surface for an even bake. Place it in the oven and bake for around 55 minutes, checking doneness by piercing the center with a wooden skewer—it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.

Step 8: Cool and Set

Once baked, let the bread cool in the pan for 12-15 minutes to firm up and make it easier to remove. Then transfer it onto a wire rack to cool completely so every slice you cut is perfect and not too crumbly.

How to Serve The Best Easy Banana Bread Recipe

Garnishes

A simple spread of butter is pure bliss, but you can also delight your taste buds with a drizzle of honey, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or even a light dusting of powdered sugar for a beautiful finishing touch.

Side Dishes

This banana bread pairs wonderfully with a side of fresh fruit or a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream if you’re ready to turn it into a decadent dessert. For breakfast, a dollop of Greek yogurt and a drizzle of maple syrup create a nourishing start to your day.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving slices of this banana bread toasted with a swipe of nut butter or cream cheese. Or, get inventive and make mini banana bread muffins for a grab-and-go treat that everyone will love at brunch or a party.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your banana bread fresh by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or storing it in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay moist and delicious for up to 3 days, making it an easy treat to enjoy whenever hunger strikes.

Freezing

If you want to extend the joy, slice the bread and freeze it in a zip-top bag with parchment layers between slices. Frozen banana bread can last for up to 3 months and is perfect to thaw slowly or pop directly into the toaster.

Reheating

To bring your banana bread back to life, warm slices in a toaster oven or microwave just until slightly heated—this restores that fresh-baked softness and aroma, giving you a cozy, comforting bite every time.

FAQs

Can I use less sugar in The Best Easy Banana Bread Recipe?

Absolutely! You can reduce the sugar slightly without losing much sweetness because the bananas provide natural sugar. Just keep in mind it might alter the texture slightly, making it less moist.

What if I don’t have overripe bananas?

The flavor and texture improve the more ripe the bananas are, so if your bananas are still firm, try ripening them in a paper bag for a day or two before baking for the best results.

Can I substitute the butter with oil?

Yes, you can swap melted butter for vegetable oil or coconut oil in the same amount. This will keep your bread moist, but expect a slightly different flavor and crumb.

Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?

Definitely! Just replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup and includes xanthan gum for structure.

How do I know when The Best Easy Banana Bread Recipe is done baking?

The banana bread is ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached. Also, the top should be golden brown and spring back when lightly pressed.

Final Thoughts

You can never go wrong with The Best Easy Banana Bread Recipe in your baking repertoire. It’s simple to make, uses ingredients you likely already have, and fills your home with an irresistible aroma. I encourage you to give it a try today—you might just discover your new favorite comfort food!

The Best Easy Banana Bread Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 14 reviews

Author: Olivia
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (about 10–12 slices) 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This easy banana bread recipe delivers a moist, flavorful loaf made with ripe bananas, melted butter, and a hint of vanilla. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, it’s simple to prepare and customizable with optional chocolate chips or nuts for added texture and flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

3–4 overripe bananas, mashed
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (113 grams or 1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup sugar (white or brown)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Optional Ingredients

1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped nuts

Instructions

Preheat the Oven and Prepare Pan: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Mash Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash the overripe bananas with a fork or potato masher until smooth and creamy.
Mix Wet Ingredients: To the mashed bananas, add melted butter, sugar, beaten eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir thoroughly to combine all wet ingredients evenly.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until well distributed.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gently fold the dry mixture into the banana mixture, being careful not to overmix which can make the bread tough.
Add Optional Mix-ins: If desired, fold in chocolate chips or chopped nuts gently to integrate them evenly throughout the batter.
Transfer Batter to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top for even baking.
Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Rest in Pan: Let the bread cool in the pan for 12-15 minutes to let it set and firm up before removing.
Cool Completely: Carefully remove the banana bread from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

Use very ripe bananas with lots of brown spots for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
You can substitute brown sugar for white sugar to add a richer, more caramel-like flavor.
For a dairy-free version, replace butter with coconut oil or a plant-based margarine.
Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to avoid a dense loaf.
Check the bread at 50 minutes to avoid overbaking; oven temperatures can vary.
Store leftover banana bread wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Category: Snack, Breakfast, Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American