This is the best banana bread recipe you'll ever make. Moist and delicious every time! And it's infused with just the right amount of banana flavor. Homemade banana bread really is the best!
There's nothing better than the smell of homemade banana bread swirling around your kitchen as it bakes in the oven. Our whole family loves banana bread but didn't like it when it turns out dry and crumbly.
Problem solved with this recipe!
Not only is it soft and tender, but it also has the perfect amount of banana flavor, so it really is the best - a yummy loaf of goodness.
Readers absolutely love this bread and our Banana Oat Bars. Mmmm!
Table of Contents
Other Quick Bread Recipes
Try our fan-favorite Moist Zucchini Bread as well! Oh, and you need these Banana Almond Butter Muffins in your life!
Three things that are key for delicious and moist banana bread:
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- Good quality butter.
- Ripe, we mean really ripe bananas.
- The topping (don't skip this step, it's worth it).
We find it's perfectly okay to freeze the bananas and use them when it's convenient. Toss them in the freezer when they get brown, and then use them whenever the urge for banana bread strikes!
Related: What Fruits and Vegetable to Freeze
Other key Ingredients
- Yogurt - this is the secret ingredient that keeps the bread so moist. You can use regular plain or Greek yogurt.
- Melted Butter - make sure you cool to room temperature.
- Real Vanilla Extra - the better the quality, the better your result.
What If I Don't Have Ripe Bananas?
No problem, we have an easy solution.
For under-ripe bananas, bake them on a cookie sheet for 40 minutes at 300º F. The skins will turn black, but when cool, they’ll be ripe and ready to bake!
What Size Pan?
This recipe can be made in one tall 9-by-5-Inch Loaf Pan or 3 small. Sometimes when giving them as gifts, it's best to go for the small disposable kind as shown here...then you can keep one for the family 😉
How to Make - Step By Step Instructions
Step 1 - prepare oven and pans
First, adjust the oven rack to the lower-middle position and heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Then, grease and flour bottom only of a regular loaf pan, or grease and flour bottom and sides of a nonstick loaf pan.
Step 2 - mix dry ingredients
Whisk your flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and walnuts (if using) together in a large bowl and set aside.
Step 3 - mix wet ingredients
Next, mix the mashed bananas, yogurt, beaten eggs, melted butter, and vanilla with a wooden spoon in a medium bowl. Gently fold the banana mixture into dry ingredients with a rubber spatula until just combined.
Important: Do not over-mix.
Step 4 - prepare the topping
Prepare the topping by mixing the flour and sugar in a small bowl. Then add the cold butter and combine it into the flour mixture by chopping it into small bits.
Step 5 - place in pan
Now, place your batter into your prepared loaf pan and add sprinkle topping evenly over the top and bake in the preheated oven until the loaf is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean about 50-55 minutes.
Step 6 - cool
Cool in the loaf pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool the rest of the way.
Tip: This banana bread is amazing served warm with a little butter melted on top!
Other Banana Baking Ideas
Banana Oat Bars -an easy banana recipe that's also wholesome.
Banana Almond Butter Muffins - a gluten-free recipe that gets rave reviews.
Recipe Ideas
- If you're feeling chocolatey, you can cut back on the sugar a bit and add ¾ cup chocolate chips.
- This bread is also good if you make it into an orange spice loaf - follow the recipe, but add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and 2 tablespoon grated orange zest to dry ingredients. Mmmm, delicious!
- If you're a fan of banana nut bread, add 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans.
How to Freeze
Banana bread is one of the best baked goods to freeze! It keeps its banana flavor beautifully.
- First, let the bread cool completely.
- Next, wrap either the whole loaf or individual slices in 2 layers of aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
- Now, put the wrapped bread in a large freezer-friendly storage bag—seal, label, and date.
You should use it within about 3-4 months after it is placed in the freezer. Follow our tips for preventing freezer burn, and you'll always have fresh baked goods!
To thaw, take it out of the freezer and place it on the counter or in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
FAQs
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Best Banana Bread Recipe
Equipment
- loaf pan
- mixing bowls
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup toasted walnuts (chopped course {optional})
- 4 very ripe (soft darkly speckled large bananas mashed well)
- 2 eggs (beaten lightly)
- 6 tablespoon butter (cooled and melted)
- ¼ cup plain yogurt {you can substitute Greek yogurt}
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Topping
- 3 tablespoon cold butter
- 3 tablespoon flour
- 3 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour bottom only of a regular loaf pan, or grease and flour bottom and sides of a nonstick loaf pan.
- Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and walnuts if using together in a large bowl and set aside.
- Mix mashed bananas, yogurt, eggs, butter, and vanilla with a wooden spoon in a medium bowl. Gently fold the banana mixture into dry ingredients with a rubber spatula until just combined. Don't over mix.
- Prepare the topping by mixing the flour and sugar in a small bowl. Then add the butter and combine it into the flour mixture by chopping it into small bits.
- Place batter into prepared loaf pan and add topping evenly over the top and bake until loaf is golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean - about 50-55 minutes.
- Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool the rest of the way.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in August 2017. We updated with enhanced instructions and images on May 5, 2020.
Happy baking!
Or this recipe for Oatmeal Bars.
Julie Blanner says
Love this! I always enjoy trying new and different banana bread recipes!
April says
This banana bread was so good! The topping totally made it!
Erin Henry says
We agree! The topping totally takes this banana bread to the next level!
Anna says
I am obsessed with this banana bread! It's fantastic!
Lily says
I loved your tip of spreading of butter on the top it was amazing. I replaced the walnuts with a bit of chocolate chips and served it with coffee ice cream, ahhhh you have me hooked!!! The bread was so moist, I can't stop eating it!!
Erin Henry says
Wonderful substitution on the chocolate chips...they are great with this bread! Wow, coffee ice cream! Genius! Enjoy!
LauraOleksak@gmail.com Oleksak says
By far the best banana bread I ever made very moist !
Erin Henry says
Yes! That's what we think. Moist and delicious every time.
Mike says
Oh my gawd I love banana bread!! Especially with butter spread on it!! Put it in my cart please, Erin. Btw, that's big order over the past year ya know...LOL. Have a great week!! 🙂
Carol says
I'm going to have to get some bananas cause I've been craving banana bread even before I saw this recipe. I will try making this one because it sounds so good!
Meg says
This looks so yummy!Now I just need my boys to leave some bananas on the counter long enough to make it. 🙂
Erin says
I have to put some bananas away so they won't be eaten, so I know what you mean! Enjoy the recipe, Meg.
Katie says
Great recipe - I do the same with my brown bananas, but what really caught my eye was your orange spuce bread recipe, that sounds outstanding! Thanks for sharing, found you at Share the Wealth!
Erin says
Thanks, Katie! Yes, the orange spice is a good alternate to regular banana bread. Have a great day!
Angela says
My Kids & I love banana bread and this looks great, can't wait to try it!Thank you for sharing, I've pinned it 🙂
Erin says
I was hesitant to share because this recipe is a family secret, but I just had to...they are too good!
AnnMarie says
I thought I had the best banana bread recipe but that topping makes it worth trying this one! Yum! I add chocolate chips into mine....makes it extra good. Pinning this!
Dee says
We love banana bread, so I'll have to try this recipe -- sounds delish!Thanks for sharing!
Erin says
Banana bread is such good comfort food. Thanks for taking the time to check out the recipe, Dee!
Katrin says
These little baking pans are too cute! And I've made banana bread many times, but we also don't like when it turns out dry~ish and crumbly. I will have to try your version and also the topping sounds delicious on it! Also, great idea to freeze the bananas, I've never thought of that!
Mattie says
Okay, this sounds delicious!! I love making banana bread, and have a pretty good recipe that I currently follow - but this one looks like it will be even sweeter! I'm excited to try it out!
PS-did you get those holders at target? I feel like I saw them there! haha
~Mattie
Erin says
Hi Mattie - it is REALLY good! Thanks for checking it out! The holders were from Home Goods, but the same ones are probably at Target!
Stephanie, Somewhat Simple says
I need this right now! It looks amazing! Thanks for linking up to Link Party Palooza!
Erin says
Thanks for popping by Stephanie! See you next time!
Nikki Frank-Hamilton says
I love banana bread, and this one sounds terrific, moist is an absolute! When I worked in fine dining we would make homemade banana bread with chocolate chips, place a few slices in a bowl, warm it, top it with vanilla ice cream and a bit of our homemade hot fudge and a dollop of whipped cream. This dessert was a favorite of our customers, and of course it had fruit, dairy, grain...It really is a healthy option, right????
Erin says
Ohhh, I like that idea! Warm banana bread with vanilla ice cream - wow! Totally healthy 🙂
Charlotte says
We've never made banana bread, this looks delicious! I don't think we have tried any either!! I definitely feel like i'm missing out! Thanks so much for linking to #YumTum
Erin says
Banana bread is a staple in the US. People eat it for breakfast or just a snack! Since mine is so moist, it's almost like a cake.
Lou Lou Girls says
This looks so good! Pinned and tweeted. Thanks for coming to our party and sharing such an amazing recipe! I hope to see you next Monday @7 because we love to party with you! Happy Friday! Lou Lou Girls
Erin says
Thanks! You're party is a good one! Have a great week!
Sammi says
Love your recipe and your gorgeous photos 🙂 Yum! Pinning!
Erin says
Thanks, Sammi! The topping really does make this recipe the bomb! Thanks also for the pin!
Sarah James says
Your banana bread looks delicious Erin, I love the idea of the topping. Popping over from #WAYWOW & pinned for later 🙂
Erin says
Banana bread is good anytime of year, so good thing you save the recipe! Thanks for popping over!
Ilka says
These little banana breads look so super sweet and yummy! Such a great idea even for Valentine's Day! Love it!:) Pinning!
Erin says
Thanks for the pin! Appreciate you coming by, Ilka. Enjoy the recipe with your family.
Morgan (Morgan Manages Mommyhood) says
Oh man, that topping!! Banana bread is one of my all time favorites and I cannot wait to try this one!Pinning, thanks for sharing!
Erin says
You're right, The topping is the best part 🙂 Thanks for the pin! Appreciate it! XO