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!
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 Vegetables 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 😉
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 the bottom only of a regular loaf pan, or grease and flour the 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 with the flour mixture by chopping it into small bits.
Step 5 - place in pan
Now, place your batter into your prepared loaf pan, 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.
Variation Ideas
- If you're feeling chocolatey, you can cut back on the sugar a bit and add ¾ cup of 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 of 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
To store banana bread at room temperature and keep it moist, cool it completely first, then place a paper towel at the bottom of an airtight storage container or zipper plastic bag. Place your bread on the paper towel. Now, place another paper towel on top. The paper towels will absorb excess moisture and not let it escape.
For best results, store your banana bread on the counter for up to 4 days.
Let your banana bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then take it out and place it on a wire rack to cool the rest of the way. This will prevent the bottom from becoming too soggy.
Generally, banana bread does not need to be refrigerated and can be kept at room temperature. However, if you live in a hot climate, you may want to keep it in an airtight container in the fridge to extend its shelf life.
Love this Banana Bread recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down.
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Printable Recipe
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.
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!