Name: The Best Banana Bread Recipe (Moist, Easy, and Delicious)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: Bread
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¾ cup brown sugar; ½ cup butter; 2 large eggs, beaten; 2 ⅓ cups mashed overripe bananas

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If you’ve ever wished for a foolproof way to make the best banana bread — the kind that’s perfectly moist, packed with banana flavor, and just sweet enough — you’re about to have a new go-to recipe. This easy banana bread recipe comes together in just 15 minutes and fills your kitchen with the coziest, most irresistible smell.

Using simple pantry ingredients and ripe bananas you probably already have sitting on your counter, this loaf bakes up soft, rich, and deeply satisfying. No fancy techniques, no hard-to-find ingredients — just a tried-and-true method for how to make banana bread that actually turns out every single time. Whether you’re baking for a family treat, bringing something homemade to a friend, or just needing to use up those spotty bananas, this recipe is a total winner.

Why You’ll Love This Banana Bread

It’s hard not to love a warm slice of banana bread, especially when it’s homemade with real ingredients you can trust. I still remember the first time I nailed this recipe — the crust was golden, the inside was soft and packed with banana flavor, and everyone went back for seconds before it even had time to cool completely!

Here’s why you’ll love this easy banana bread recipe:

Super Moist Texture: Thanks to overripe bananas and brown sugar, every bite is soft and rich without being soggy.
Simple Ingredients: Everything you need is basic pantry staples — nothing fancy required.
One-Bowl Mixing: Less cleanup means you can enjoy your banana bread even faster.
Perfect for Freezing: Bake a loaf now and freeze slices for quick breakfasts or snacks later.
Crowd Favorite: Whether it’s breakfast, a snack, or dessert, this loaf disappears fast!

Banana Bread - EVRYFOODIE — Banana Bread EVRYFOODIE

Key Ingredients Breakdown

Let’s take a closer look at what makes this moist banana bread so perfect:

All-Purpose Flour: The base of the loaf, giving it structure while staying soft.
Baking Soda: Helps the bread rise without needing baking powder — just be sure your soda is fresh!
Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the banana flavor.
Brown Sugar: Adds extra moisture and a caramel-like depth you don’t get from white sugar alone.
Butter: Gives richness and that melt-in-your-mouth texture. If you prefer, you can swap with melted coconut oil for a twist.
Eggs: Help bind everything together for a sturdy, sliceable loaf.
Mashed Overripe Bananas: The star! The more brown spots, the sweeter and more flavorful they are.

Tip: If your bananas aren’t ripe yet, you can ripen them quickly by baking them in the oven at 300°F for about 15 minutes until the skins turn black.

Choosing the Right Bananas

Bananas make or break your loaf!
The best banana bread uses very ripe bananas — the kind that are heavily speckled or almost blackened. They mash easier, sweeten naturally, and add deep banana flavor.

Banana Readiness Tips:

Perfect: Deep yellow with lots of brown spots or fully black.
Too Green: Not ready — your bread will taste bland and dry.
Quick Tip: Need them faster? Bake unpeeled bananas at 300°F for 15–20 minutes until black and soft.

Variations + Substitutions

Want to make it your own? Here are some easy ideas:

Gluten-Free Banana Bread: Swap the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
Add-Ins: Stir in chocolate chips, walnuts, or even a swirl of peanut butter before baking.
Dairy-Free: Replace the butter with a plant-based alternative or melted coconut oil.
Spiced Banana Bread: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon, a dash of nutmeg, or even a little cardamom for extra cozy flavor.
Lower Sugar: Cut the brown sugar to ½ cup if you like a less sweet loaf.

STEP BY STEP SUMMARY INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In another large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. This step adds air to the batter and helps the bread stay fluffy.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Bananas

Stir the beaten eggs into the butter mixture, then fold in the mashed bananas until well blended. You want it smooth but not overmixed.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Pour the banana mixture into the flour mixture. Gently stir until just combined. Overmixing can make your loaf tough, so it’s okay if you see a few streaks of flour.

Step 6: Bake

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake for about 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Check around 50 minutes to make sure it’s not overbaking.

Step 7: Cool and Slice

Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. It’s tempting, but slicing too soon can cause the loaf to crumble.

A Few Helpful Tips

Don’t Overmix: Stir just until the ingredients are combined to keep the bread tender.
Use Overripe Bananas: The darker the peel, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be.
Room Temp Ingredients: Butter and eggs mix better and help the loaf bake evenly when they aren’t cold.
Grease Well: Even with a nonstick pan, greasing helps the loaf slide out easily.
Test Early: Oven temperatures vary, so start checking doneness a few minutes before the timer goes off.

How to Ripen Bananas Quickly

If your bananas aren’t ready yet, here’s how you can help them along:

Oven Method: Bake bananas (unpeeled) at 300°F for 15–20 minutes.
Paper Bag Method: Place bananas in a brown bag with an apple and leave overnight. Both methods boost the natural ripening process and make them perfect for banana bread!

Serving Suggestions + Pairings

Banana bread is so versatile! Here are some delicious ways to enjoy it:

Classic: Warm with a little butter melting on top.
Breakfast: Pair with Greek yogurt and berries for a balanced meal.
Dessert: Top a slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Coffee Time: It’s the perfect partner for your morning cup of coffee or afternoon tea.

Flavor Boosters and Fun Mix-Ins

Want to take your loaf up a notch?

Chocolate Chips: ½ cup stirred into the batter.
Walnuts or Pecans: ½ cup for crunch.
Spices: 1 teaspoon cinnamon, or a pinch of nutmeg.
Swirls: Add a swirl of peanut butter or Nutella into the batter before baking for extra richness.

Storage, Reheating, and Freezing Tips

Storage: Keep banana bread tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Refrigerate: If your house is warm, refrigerate it to keep it fresh longer (up to 1 week).
Freeze: Wrap slices individually in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Warm slices in the microwave for about 15 seconds to bring back that fresh-baked softness.

Troubleshooting Common Banana Bread Issues

Sinking Middle: Your bread needed a little more baking time.
Dry Texture: Usually from using under-ripe bananas or overbaking.
Dense or Gummy Bottom: Batter wasn’t fully mixed or too much banana.

FAQ

Can I use frozen bananas for banana bread?

Yes! Thaw them first and drain any extra liquid before using them in the batter.

Why is my banana bread dry?

Usually from overmixing or overbaking. Be sure to mix just until combined and check doneness early.

Can I make muffins with this recipe?

Absolutely! Just divide the batter into muffin tins and bake at 350°F for about 18–20 minutes.

What if I don’t have brown sugar?

You can substitute white sugar, but brown sugar gives a richer flavor and more moisture.

How to Make Mini Loaves for Gifting

Want smaller loaves perfect for gifting?

Use mini loaf pans (about 5×3-inch) and reduce the bake time to 25–30 minutes.
Check with a toothpick around 25 minutes.

They make adorable holiday, teacher, or hostess gifts!

Enjoying This Banana Bread

There’s something almost magical about pulling a fresh loaf of banana bread out of the oven. It’s that warm, sweet smell that wraps around you, making the whole kitchen feel a little cozier.

When I bake this banana bread, I always save the end pieces for myself — the ones with the perfect golden crust and the soft, buttery middle. Whether you’re savoring a slice in the quiet of a Sunday morning or grabbing a piece to-go on a busy weekday, this banana bread fits every mood. It’s comfort you can hold in your hand.

If You Try It, We’d Love to Hear About It

Don’t forget to snap a pic and tag us @evryfoodie on your favorite social media!
We’d love to see your delicious creation.

Tried this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a rating and a comment below! We’d love to hear how it turned out for you. If you made any tweaks or added your own spin, let us know how it went, we’re all about seeing how y’all make it your own!

The Best Banana Bread Recipe (Moist, Easy, and Delicious)

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Print Recipe

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 12 Servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter

2 large eggs, beaten

2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Beat brown sugar and butter with an electric mixer in a separate large bowl until smooth. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture until just combined. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.
Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 60 minutes. Let bread cool in a pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.