Easy Banana Bread Recipe: Moist, Simple, and Full of Banana Flavor

What Does Banana Bread Taste Like?

This banana bread has a soft, buttery texture with plenty of natural banana flavor.

The edges become lightly golden and a little firmer while the center stays tender and moist.

The bananas provide sweetness, while vanilla adds a warm background flavor.

If you add cinnamon, you’ll get an extra little touch of cozy spice.

And if you fold in chocolate chips or chopped walnuts?

Well…

Now we’re really talking.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make one standard loaf.

For the Banana Bread

• 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• • • 2 large eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose  flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional
  Baked Goods

  Optional Add-Ins

   

  Discover more

  Flour

  Fruits & Vegetables

  Bread

   

  You can absolutely keep this loaf plain, but these additions are delicious:

  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/3 cup shredded coconut
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar sprinkled over the top

  What Kind of Bananas Should You Use?

   

  Discover more

  Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

  Pan

  Home Appliances

   

  This is important.

  Cooking & Recipes

  Don’t be afraid of ugly  bananas.

  The bananas that are covered in brown spots and getting very soft are often perfect for  banana bread.

  They’ve developed more sweetness and a stronger banana flavor as they ripen.

  Yellow bananas with a few spots will work, too, but if you have bananas that are soft, heavily spotted, and almost begging to be used, that’s when I’d make this recipe.

  What If My Bananas Aren’t Very Ripe?

   

  Discover more

  Cake

  desserts

  Soups & Stews

   

  You can still make banana bread.

  Bananas

  The flavor just may not be quite as sweet or pronounced.

  If your bananas are still mostly yellow and firm, you can let them ripen at room temperature for a few more days.

  Necessary Tools

  You don’t need a kitchen full of equipment.

   

  Discover more

  Herbs & Spices

  Salt

  Dessert

   

  You’ll need:

  • • 9 x 5-inch loaf pan
    • Mixing bowl
    • Fork or potato masher
    • Whisk or wooden spoon
    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • Rubber spatula
    • Wire cooling rack
  Cookware & Diningware

  A sheet of parchment paper is optional but makes removing the finished loaf especially easy.

   

  Discover more

  French Onion Brisket

  French Cuisine

  Language Resources

   

  Ingredient Substitutions

  One of the best things about banana bread is how flexible it can be.