This is the best banana bread recipe with Streusel Topping you'll ever make. Sink your teeth into a slice of pure heaven as you savor the perfect balance of soft, moist banana bread and a crunchy, buttery streusel layer.
And it's infused with just the right amount of banana flavor, just like my soft-baked Banana Oat Bars.
There's nothing better than the smell of homemade banana bread swirling around your kitchen as it bakes in the oven. Each bite reveals the sweet aroma of ripe bananas blended with hints of warm cinnamon and a touch of buttery goodness. Heavenly!
My entire family, who are banana bread enthusiasts, says this is their favorite recipe. Not only is this recipe soft and tender, but it also has the perfect amount of banana flavor, so it really is the best.
Banana lovers absolutely adore this bread and our simple No-Bake Banana Cream Pie. Mmmm! It’s one of those classic recipes you start to know by heart, just like our incredible Zucchini Bread.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Banana Bread
- SUPER MOIST. The bananas and yogurt create a loaf that stays moist for days.
- INCREDIBLE STREUSEL TOPPING. With the addition of the sweet, buttery topping, this bread outshines others and will be your go-to recipe.
- EASY, STRAITFORWARD RECIPE. This is a basic recipe that doesn't require a stand mixer.
- FREEZER-FRIENDLY. This streusel-topped bread freezes well for up to 3 months.
Three things that are key for delicious and moist banana bread:
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- Good quality unsalted butter.
- Ripe, I mean really ripe brown bananas.
- The streusel topping (don't skip this step, it's worth it).
I 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
For this moist banana bread recipe, you'll also need:
- All-Purpose Flour - provides the structure of the recipe.
- White Granulated Sugar - provides sweetness to the recipe. You'll also need a tablespoon of brown sugar for the streusel topping.
- Yogurt - this is the secret ingredient that keeps the bread so moist. You can use regular plain yogurt or plain Greek yogurt. In a pinch, you can use sour cream.
- Melted Butter - for irresistible butter flavor and texture, use melted butter and make sure you cool it to room temperature.
- Large Eggs - eggs give baked goods stability, structure, and a moist texture.
- Real Vanilla Extract - the better the quality, the better your result.
Variation Ideas
- If you're feeling chocolatey, you can cut back on the sugar a bit and add ¾ cup of chocolate chips to your quick bread recipe.
- This bread is also good if you make it into an orange spice loaf - follow the recipe, but add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and 2 tablespoons grated orange zest to dry ingredients. Mmmm, delicious!
- If you're a fan of banana nut bread with streusel topping, add 1 cup of chopped walnuts or whatever nuts you have on hand to the batter before baking.
- If you're jonesing for icing on top of this banana bread, this is the absolute best cream cheese frosting recipe I've come across, and I use it for everything!
What If I Don't Have Ripe Bananas?
No problem, I have an easy solution to make overripe bananas.
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?
You make this recipe in one tall 9x5-Inch Loaf Pan or 3 small ones. 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 (Image 1). You can line the bottom with parchment paper for ease of getting the bread out, but it's not necessary.
STEP 2 - stir dry ingredients. Whisk your spooned and leveled flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and walnuts or pecans (if using) together in a large bowl and set aside (Image 2).
STEP 3 - mix wet ingredients. Next, mash bananas in a medium mixing bowl and mix in the yogurt, beaten eggs, melted butter, and vanilla with a wooden spoon (Image 3). Gently fold the banana mixture into dry ingredients with a rubber spatula until just combined (Image 4).
Important: Do not over-mix for best results.
STEP 4 - prepare the topping. Prepare the streusel recipe by mixing the sugars, flour, and melted butter in a small bowl. It should resemble course sand (Image 5).
PRO TIP: If you want to infuse the streusel topping with cinnamon, add a teaspoon before mixing in the butter.
STEP 5 - place in pan & bake. Now, pour batter into your prepared pan (Image 6), and sprinkle streusel evenly over the top of the banana bread with a spoon (Image 7). Then 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.
PRO TIP: This banana bread is incredibly good served warm with a little butter melted on top!
How to Freeze Banana Bread
Banana streusel bread is one of the best baked goods to freeze! It keeps its banana flavor beautifully.
- First, let the bread cool completely.
- Next, wrap the whole loaf or individual slices in 2 layers of aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
- 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 placing it in the freezer. Follow my tips for preventing freezer burn; you'll always have fresh baked goods!
To thaw, take it out of the freezer and place it on the kitchen counter or in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
More Banana Recipe Ideas
Recipe 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, and it will last 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, 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 with Streusel Topping
Equipment
- loaf pan
- mixing bowls
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup toasted walnuts (chopped coarsely {optional})
- 4 very ripe (soft darkly speckled large bananas mashed well)
- 2 eggs (beaten lightly)
- 6 tablespoons butter (salted or unsalted, cooled and melted)
- ¼ cup plain yogurt (you can substitute Greek yogurt)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Streusel Topping
- 3 tablespoons white granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour the bottom only of a regular loaf pan, or grease and flour the 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.
- Place batter into prepared loaf pan, add streusel layer evenly over the top with a spoon, and bake until loaf is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean - about 50-55 minutes.
Steusel Topping
- Mix the sugars, flour, and melted butter in a small bowl to prepare the topping. It should resemble course sand.
- Cool in pan for 5 - 10 minutes, then transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool the rest of the way.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in August 2017. We updated with enhanced instructions and images on May 5, 2020, and again on July 31, 2023.
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