Description
This easy banana bread is soft, moist, and full of rich banana flavor. Made with ripe bananas and simple pantry ingredients, it’s the ultimate comfort food that’s perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. Customizable with mix-ins like nuts, chocolate chips, or spices, this foolproof recipe is a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup sugar (or honey/maple syrup)
- 1/2 cup melted butter or oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional add-ins: chocolate chips, nuts, cinnamon, dried fruit
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×4-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Mash 3–4 ripe bananas in a bowl until smooth.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, melted butter or oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually stir in the dry mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in optional mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips.
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Add yogurt, sour cream, or applesauce for extra softness.
- Store at room temperature for 3 days, refrigerate for a week, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- For vegan version: use flax eggs and plant-based butter.
- For gluten-free version: use certified gluten-free flour.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg