Banana Bread Recipe - Love and Lemons (2024)

This easy banana bread recipe is the BEST way to use ripe bananas! It's moist, delicious, and packed with banana flavor. You're going to love it!

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Banana Bread Recipe - Love and Lemons (1)

Banana Bread Recipe - Love and Lemons (2)

This banana bread recipe is the best way to use overripe bananas. Now that we have a little one in the house, we’ve been buying a LOT more bananas than we used to. Sometimes (ok, often), we don’t get to all of them before they ripen, and I end up with a heap of dark brown, spotty bananas on my counter. Banana bread to the rescue!

But not just any banana bread.

While some popular recipes call for 2 or 3 bananas, this banana bread recipe calls for 4. I love that it lets me use up lots of ripe bananas in one go, but that’s not the only benefit of adding so much fruit. It gives the banana bread an amazing moist texture and rich, sweet banana flavor.

Even if you already have a go-to banana bread recipe, I hope you’ll try this one. Easy to make and SO delicious, it’s my new favorite. It could be yours too!

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Banana Bread Recipe Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:

  • Bananas, of course! The riper, the better. You’ll need 2 cups mashed, about 4 large bananas.Tip:To quickly ripen bananas for this recipe (within 1 to 2 days instead of 3+), store them in a paper bag.
  • All-purpose flourSpoon and level it to avoid packing too much into your measuring cup.
  • Cane sugar – It sweetens the bread, bringing out the banana flavor. Brown sugar is fantastic here too—it makes the loaf extra-moist.
  • Melted butter – It perfects the moist texture and adds buttery flavor. Sub vegetable oil to make this recipe dairy-free!
  • Eggs and baking soda – They help the loaf puff up as it bakes.
  • Vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg – For warm depth of flavor.
  • Walnuts – For crunch! If you’d rather not add nuts, omit them, or replace them with an equal amount of raisins or chocolate chips.
  • And sea salt – To make all the flavors pop!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

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How to Make Banana Bread

This recipe is easy to make—no mixer required! Here’s how it goes:

First, combine the wet ingredients.Mash the bananas with a potato masher or fork, and place them in a large mixing bowl. Add the sugar, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla and whisk until well combined.

Can you use thawed frozen bananas for banana bread?

Yes! Previously frozen thawed bananas work well here.

To freeze bananas, peel them and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw overnight in the fridge before making this recipe.

  • Tip:Freeze bananas when they are ripe and spotty for the sweetest flavor.

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Next, whisk together the dry ingredients.In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture…

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…and mix until just combined. Careful not to overmix! If you do, the bread will be dense.

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Fold the walnuts into the batter.

Variations

Not a walnut person? Here are some other mix-ins that would be great:

  • Chopped pecans
  • Chocolate chips
  • Dried cranberries
  • Raisins

Or skip the mix-ins! The recipe is still delicious without them.

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Finally, bake!Transfer the batter to a greased loaf pan and sprinkle more walnuts on top. Bake at 350°F for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean and the top springs back to the touch.

  • Tip: Check the bread at 40 minutes. If the top is well browned but the loaf still needs more time, tent it with foil to prevent further browning as it continues to bake.

How to Make Banana Bread Moist

The best way to ensure that the bread comes out moist is to use the full amount of mashed bananas, 2 cups.

If you come up short on the banana, with 1 1/2 or 1 3/4 cups mashed, substitute plain yogurt or sour cream for the missing quantity to keep the loaf moist.

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How to Store Banana Bread

Proper storage will keep your quick bread moist after baking.

Allow it to cool to room temperature in the loaf pan. Then, transfer the loaf to an airtight container, or tightly wrap it in foil or plastic wrap. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Can you freeze banana bread?

YES! This banana nut bread freezes perfectly.

If you’d like to keep it on hand for more than 3 days, slice the cooled loaf and seal it in an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Transfer slices to the fridge to thaw overnight, or quickly defrost them in the microwave.

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More Quick Bread Recipes

If you love this recipe, try one of these easy quick breads next:

  • Healthy Banana Bread
  • Gluten-Free Banana Bread
  • Pumpkin Bread
  • Zucchini Bread
  • Chocolate Zucchini Bread
  • Lemon Blueberry Bread
  • Lemon Yogurt Cake

Got more ripe bananas?Make banana pancakes, banana muffins, or a peanut butter banana smoothie next!

Banana Bread Recipe - Love and Lemons (11)

Banana Bread

rate this recipe:

4.92 from 62 votes

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 55 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Serves 8

Save RecipePrint Recipe

The BEST banana bread recipe! This easy loaf is moist, delicious, and packed with banana flavor. I love to add walnuts for crunch, but feel free to swap in pecans, chocolate chips, or raisins if you prefer.

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 cups mashed very ripe banana, about 4 large
  • ½ cup cane sugar or brown sugar
  • ½ cup melted butter or vegetable oil, plus more for the pan
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts, plus 2 tablespoons for topping

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8x4 or 9x5-inch loaf pan.

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed banana, sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla.

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Don’t overmix. Fold in the ½ cup walnuts.

  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan and top with the remaining 2 tablespoons walnuts.

  • Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean and the top springs back to the touch. I like to check the loaf after 40 minutes. If the top is golden brown, I cover it with foil for the remaining bake time to prevent further browning.

Banana Bread Recipe - Love and Lemons (2024)

FAQs

Is banana bread healthy to lose weight? ›

You may find banana bread delicious, but conventional banana breads tend to be high in added sugar, refined carbs, and calories. Thus, it's best to enjoy banana bread occasionally as part of a balanced, nutrient-dense diet.

Can bananas be too ripe for banana bread? ›

Here's the secret: overripe bananas don't necessarily mean too-ripe bananas for banana bread. It really comes down to personal preference. Those brown-speckled, mostly yellow bananas are still ripe and will bake into a great loaf.

How many bananas are in 2 cups? ›

2 bananas: 1-1/3 cups chopped | 1 cup mashed. 3 bananas: 2 cups chopped | 1-1/2 cups mashed. 4 bananas: 2-2/3 cups chopped | 2 cups mashed.

Why is banana bread so high in calories? ›

"The nutritional value varies from recipe to recipe but generally speaking, banana bread contains flour, sugar, eggs, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and butter," she notes. "This is a carb-heavy food item, high in sugar, and low in fiber and protein."

Can I eat banana while losing belly fat? ›

Bananas are great belly fat-burning foods. Bananas when taken in moderation do not cause or increase belly fat. Bananas are versatile fruits that can be eaten to lose or maintain weight. Have it as a snack instead of a sugary option like cookies or pastries.

Should I avoid bread to lose belly fat? ›

Yes, you can eat bread while trying to lose weight.

Bread is a worldwide staple and enjoyed by everyone. There is no need to avoid it completely from your diet. Limit your intake of bread to 25 percent of your plate and enjoy it with vegetables to avoid overconsumption.

When to not eat a banana? ›

Rotten bananas will often have a fermented or alcohol-like smell. While it's okay if the banana peel is dark brown or even black, if the inside is too, then the fruit is beyond ripe and now on its way to rotten. Another sign that bananas have gone bad is if they start leaking any fluids.

What is the black stuff in the middle of a banana? ›

Black Spot Disease in Bananas

Black Sigatoka is one such fungal disease (Mycosphaerella fijiensis) that thrives in tropical climates.

Can I use moldy bananas for banana bread? ›

While black bananas are great for banana bread thanks to the moisture they add and the sweetness they bring to the baked good, there are some other things to look for in and on black bananas before adding them to your batter. If black bananas are spotted with mold, then it's time to step away!

What does a banana replace in baking? ›

One ripe banana replaces one egg in a cake recipe—the banana will flavor the cake, so only use them when they complement the other ingredients. Extra leavening may be needed. Bananas can also be a substitute for butter and oil in recipes. If using bananas for butter, replace in equal amounts.

How many bananas should I eat a day? ›

While there's no blanket rule, sticking to one to two bananas per day shouldn't cause issues for most people. With that said, remember that they are relatively high in carbohydrates, so eating them along with protein or fat is also advisable to support stable energy levels.

Can I use bananas instead of butter? ›

Banana can replace butter in many recipes as a 1 to 1 swap (1 c butter = 1 c mashed banana). However, it often works best when combined with another source of oil (such as coconut and canola). It is important to use a fully ripe banana.

Is it okay to eat banana bread every day? ›

Spending a large number of your daily allotted calories on banana-nut bread means you'll have less room for nutrient-dense foods such as green vegetables, fresh fruit, whole grains and lean protein. These foods are valuable for dieters because they contain few calories per serving.

Can you put too much banana in banana bread? ›

Fight the urge to use more banana than called for in your recipe. Using too much banana could make your bread heavy and damp in the center, causing it to appear undercooked and unappealing. If you have bananas leftover, you can always freeze them for later use.

Is banana good for dogs? ›

Yes, dogs can eat bananas. In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They're high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not part of your dog's main diet.

What bread is best when trying to lose weight? ›

Yes, whole grain bread is very good for weight loss. Eating whole grains have been shown to help eliminate more belly fat when compared to eating refined grains. Whole grain bread contains fiber, which may also help keep you full for longer, making it easier to eat less overall and help lose weight.

Is banana healthy for weight loss? ›

Although there are no studies that directly examine the effects of banana on weight, they're high in fiber and low in calories. When included as part of a balance diet, bananas may help support weight loss goals. People who want to improve their health are often advised to eat more fruits and vegetables.

What are the benefits of banana loaf bread? ›

Banana bread tends to have a high rate of protein which is beneficial to health. Protein is an essential nutrient needed for the growth, repair, and recovery of muscle. It also helps to stabilize blood sugar levels, satisfying a hungry appetite to prevent you from eating the full loaf of bread.

What is the lowest calorie bread for weight loss? ›

5 Healthiest Bread for Weight Loss – A Dietitian's Top Picks
  • Sara Lee 45-Calorie Whole Wheat. ...
  • Dave's Killer Bread Thin-Sliced Good Seed. ...
  • Old Thyme's 647 Bread Multigrain. ...
  • Food for Life Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread. ...
  • Carbonaut Low Carb Seeded Bread.
Jan 30, 2024

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