Best Easy Banana Bread Recipe
A classic and easy banana bread recipe that yields moist, flavorful bread perfect for breakfast or a snack. Made with ripe bananas, warm cinnamon, and a choice of walnuts or chocolate chips for added texture and taste.
- Author: Cleo
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Main Ingredients
- 3–4 ripe bananas (about 2 cups mashed)
- 1/3 cup salted butter (melted)
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups (212g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (or chocolate chips, plus extra for topping if desired)
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (177℃). Lightly grease and flour an 8.5×4.5-inch loaf pan or spray it with baking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas with melted butter. Add the granulated sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract, stirring well using a large wooden spoon until fully combined.
- Add Leavening and Spices: Sprinkle baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt over the banana mixture. Stir everything together to evenly distribute these ingredients.
- Incorporate Flour and Mix-ins: Add the all-purpose flour and chopped walnuts or chocolate chips if desired. Stir gently just until no streaks of flour remain; avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a knife in the center; it should come out clean when the bread is ready.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing into 10 thick slices and serving.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Optionally, substitute walnuts with chocolate chips for a sweeter variation.
- Ensure not to overmix the batter once flour is added to keep the bread light and fluffy.
- Check the bread around 50 minutes; oven temperatures vary, so baking time may differ slightly.
- Store banana bread wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Keywords: banana bread, easy banana bread recipe, homemade banana bread, moist banana bread, banana walnut bread, banana chocolate chip bread