Name: Best Banana Bread Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup sugar; 3/4 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 cup toasted walnuts (chopped course {optional}); 4 very ripe (soft darkly speckled large bananas mashed well); 2 eggs (beaten lightly); 6 Tbsp butter (cooled and melted); 1/4 cup plain yogurt {you can substitute Greek yogurt}; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 3 Tbsp cold butter; 3 Tbsp flour; 3 Tbsp sugar

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!

This is the best banana bread recipe I've found. Moist and delicious every time! And it's infused with just the right amount of banana flavor. Homemade banana bread really is the best!

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!

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 3/4 cup chocolate chips.
This bread is also good if you make it into an orange spice loaf – follow the recipe, but add 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, and 2 Tbsp 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

How do you keep banana bread moist?

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.

How long can you store banana bread at room temperature?

For best results, store your banana bread on the counter for up to 4 days.

Should banana bread cool in the pan or out?

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.

Does banana bread need to be kept in the refrigerator?

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.

We Love To Hear from YOU!

If you try this Banana Bread recipe or any other recipe on Suburban Simplicity, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let us know how it went in the comments below; we love hearing from you! Better yet, use the hashtag #suburbansimplicity if you make the recipe.

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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.

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Best Banana Bread Recipe

Other Quick Bread Recipes