My go-to banana bread recipe since 2013, and it’s the BEST!! This recipe makes two moistest and most flavorful breads with simple ingredients and just a wooden spoon! The only banana bread recipe you’ll ever need!!
Read on for my secret to the best banana bread.
First, a quick disclaimer. I’m guilty of claiming some of my recipes the best of the best. I do realize that it’s quite subjective. But I promise you, I don’t take this term lightly.
This banana bread recipe has been my go-to since 2013! And yes, I tried other recipes too, but I always come back to this one. I wouldn’t be lying if I said I make this quick bread recipe almost weekly and it never lasts more than 3 days!
And more than 3 dozens of readers confirm my claim! (Just scroll through the comments…)
What makes it the best recipe:
Extra-moist, not too dense, but not fluffy either, this quick bread is truly the best!
Here’re 3 reasons you’ll love this recipe:
- basic ingredients – sugar, butter, flour, eggs, baking soda and bananas, obvi.
- no mixer required – just grab a large bowl and wooden spoon!
- totally customizable – add whatever add-ins you’d like, chocolate chips, nuts, anything!
THE SECRET TO THE MOISTEST BANANA BREAD:
So, the secret to the moistest bread is frozen bananas!
You may have heard that super ripe bananas are key, and that’s definitely true.
However, over the years, I found that frozen over-ripe bananas turn a good banana bread into i-can’t-stop-eating-it kind!
Why?
Because when thawed, bananas get super mushy and liquid-y. And all that juices are gold! Don’t throw out the liquid, it makes the bread moist and flavorful.
HOW TO PREPARE BANANAS:
When you get nice and ripe bananas with lots of dark spots all over, put them in the freezer. (And yes, black bananas are totally ok to use!)
Ideally, you’d want to peel the bananas before freezing. Call it lazy, but I never do that!
Instead, I just stick a cluster of ripe bananas, peels and all, straight into the freezer.
How to thaw frozen bananas:
- Run hot tap water over the frozen bananas in a sink for 1-2 minutes.
- Peel the skin when it softens and place the peeled bananas in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave until bananas are completely thawed, about 3 minutes.
Sounds like a lot of work? Nah, it’s not really that bad, and for that amazing banana bread, you won’t even mind it!
If you already mashed your bananas before freezing (kuddos to you!), you’ll need about 4 cups of mashed bananas.
HOW TO MAKE BANANA BREAD:
Ok, now that the bananas are ready, let’s get baking!
- Make the batter: mash the bananas, add sugar, butter and vanilla extract, and then stir in eggs. Lastly, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Optional, add chopped nuts or chocolate chips.
- Bake: divide the batter into 2 greased bread pans. I use glass bread pans, but any bread pan would work. Bake for 50-60 minutes.
Tip
Use a very large bowl to make the batter. I use a 4qt bowl (the largest bowl of this set).
Tip
To check the doneness, insert a long wooden skewer or a toothpick. If it comes out clean, the bread is done!
You can also make this recipe into muffins too!
And if you’d rather make half a batch (just 1 loaf, or 12 muffins), follow my banana muffin recipe instead. It’s the same recipe, but for a half batch.
Storing tips:
Technically, you don’t have to refrigerate banana breads.
- Cover the bread and keep it on the counter for 1-2 days.
However, I always put them in the fridge. Mostly to keep them out of sight, or they’ll be gone in matter of hours.
Tip
To keep the banana bread moist, make sure to cover it with plastic wrap or put it in an airtight container.
To serve, I microwave a slice for 30 seconds or so, and it’ll taste like fresh out of oven!
How to freeze banana bread:
This bread also freezes well.
- Wrap the cooled bread well in plastic and put it in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
To thaw, transfer the bread into the fridge overnight.
Hope you’ll try this recipe soon. And please snap a photo and share it on Instagram. Don’t forget to tag me @shineshka, so I can see it too!
Thank you!!
The Best Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 8 frozen medium-to-large bananas Note 1
- 1 ½ cups (300g) sugar
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter melted
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- 1- 1 ½ cups (120-180g) chopped pecans optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Peel and thaw frozen bananas in a microwave. Reserve all the juices and everything.
- Prepare two 9×5-inch bread pan and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, mash the thawed bananas with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth.
- Add sugar, melted butter, eggs and vanilla extract. Using a wooden spoon, mix everything until combined.
- Then add flour, baking soda and salt. Mix to combine.
- Optional, add chopped pecans and/or other add-ins, like chocolate chips, dried fruits.
- Divide the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
- Bake for 60 minutes, or until the inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before serving.
- Keep the banana bread in the bread pan, covered tightly, in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Facts:
This post was originally published on February 13th, 2013 and it was last updated on May 4th, 2020.
Judy S says
After baking and letting them sit in pan for 10 – 15 minutes, can I loosen them and remove and cool on a rack? Can I freeze them after they’ve cooled down?
Shinee says
Hi, Judy! Yes, you can remove the bread from the pan after 15 minutes. And this bread also freezes well!
Mary G says
Thank you!!! I always had soupy batter and sticky, gummy middle-parts. I was running out of room from all the frozen bananas so I thought I’d suck it up and try your recipe. So glad I did! Perfection! Hubs even asked if I was sure it wouldn’t fall in the middle. Guess it wasn’t a problem as he ate nearly half a loaf in one day! Keeper recipe!
Shinee says
Hi, Mary! Your comment made me smile!! So happy it turned out well and that you and your husband loved it! Thank you for trying my recipe and for your feedback!!
Debra says
Best ever banana bread!
Shinee says
Thank you, Debra!!!
Sandra says
I literally cried of nothing but joy and happiness because this is absolutely BEST BANANA BREAD EVER!! I have made many banana breads but this recipe of yours puts the others to shame lol! My family also agree that this is a winner in their book!❤
Shinee says
OMG, thank you so much for your feedback! So happy you tried and loved my recipe, Sandra!!
Blanca says
This recipe was delicious 😋. My family loves it. I didn’t freeze the bananas and used salted butter instead but left out the salt asked on the recipe.
Shinee says
So happy you loved the recipe. Thank you for your feedback, Blanca!!!
Joanne Parker says
Excellent recipe. My new banana bread recipe! Out with the old one.
I have always frozen overripe bananas, but had always drained the liquid after defrosting. I think that made a big difference along with a few other ingredient changes. I made one loaf and 9 muffins with 3 large bananas. Yum.
Shinee says
Yay, so happy you’ve tried and loved this recipe. Thank you for your feedback, Joanne!
Denise says
Omg what have you done to me ? I made this Banana Bread and shared with my neighbors and now they are bringing me their ove ripe Banana’s LOL I and my whole neighborhood Thank You for such a Delicious Banana 🍌 Bread Recipe.
Shinee says
Haha so happy you’ve become neighborhood banana bread person!! Thank you so much for sharing, Denise!!
Brittany says
So good!
Shinee says
Thank you!!!
Persica says
Super moist with bright banana flavor. Level of sweetness is perfect. Best recipe!
Rosemary says
I just found that I only have 4 frozen bananas. Can I cut the recipe in half successfully?
Shinee says
Hi, Rosemary. Absolutely, you can half the recipe with no problem. Hope you love it.
Rosemary Shew says
Yes it certainly is a winner banana nut bread thanks for sharing your recipe it’s now in my keeper file.
Shinee says
Fantastic! So happy you tried and loved it. Thanks for the feedback, Rosemary!
Kim Robinson says
Yummy and easy – minimal clean up. Especially since I made mine in a cake pan! Only took 30 minutes to bake.
Shinee says
Hi, Kim! So glad you tried and loved the recipe. Thank you for sharing your feedback!!
Pamela Strobbe says
I have a great granddaughter that is gluten free. So I substituted gluten free flour in the recipe and it made two loaves of banana nut bread and about a dozen muffins. She and her little brother who is 2, have given this recipe a two thumbs up and want me to make it again. My granddaughter is 8 and said the muffins were delicious. So there you go, kid tested and kid approved!
Shinee says
Yay, so happy gluten-free flour works just as great, and that your grandkids enjoyed the muffins!! Thank you so much for your feedback, Pamela!
Barb says
I made this using very ripe bananas and it was fine.
But today I baked it with frozen bananas, juice included. Really excellent flavour . Crisp on outside, moist and flavourful on inside.
Hint: using the muffin recipe proportions, please note that the baking time for one regular size cake has to be closer to 50 or 55 minutes because of the amount of batter.
Muffins cook way faster because they are small.
Shinee says
Hi, Barb. I’m so happy you tried and loved my banana bread recipe. Thank you so much for your feedback!