I’ve been making this banana bread with frozen bananas since 2013 and can confidently say it’s the best version you’ll ever taste! Soft, moist, and sweet, it comes together with simple ingredients and is so easy to make.
Why you’ll love this banana bread recipe
There are endless banana bread recipes out there, but this frozen banana bread recipe is one I come back to over and over again. My family loves it, too, and never lets it last longer than 3 days!
- Simple ingredients – You only need ten ingredients, and I’m willing to bet you already have them all on hand. No fancy tools needed!
- Moist and flavorful – Everyone who tried this recipe raves about how moist and flavorful this banana bread is! The BEST for sure!
- Foolproof recipe – This recipe is forgiving and foolproof; it works every time!
- Makes 2 loaves – One to enjoy now and one to freeze or gift. This bread freezes well!
I’ll share all my tips and tricks for achieving an ultra-moist banana bread recipe with ease. You’ll never need another recipe again! Take it from readers who have given this recipe a five-star rating with dozens of reviews.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This is now my go-to banana bread recipe. Everyone I have shared the Bread with loves it! It’s moist and just the right amount of sweetness! Love it!” ~Jana
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This has been my go-to banana bread recipe for years now. My husband begs for it and it’s a crowd-pleaser with the rest of my family as well. My husband likes to add a little strawberry cream cheese on top after warming it up. It’s perfect every time!” ~Kaylen
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Pin ItKey Ingredient Notes
- Frozen bananas are my secret to the moistest, most flavorful banana bread! You’ll need about 3.5 to 4 cups of mashed bananas, which is about 8 medium to large whole bananas. Do NOT discard the juices; we’ll use everything to make the batter.
- Sugar – Use granulated sugar over other types of sugar to sweeten the batter. Also, I don’t recommend reducing the sugar amount, or the texture of the bread will change.
- Vanilla extract adds rich vanilla flavor throughout the bread and enhances the rest of the ingredients. I almost always have homemade vanilla extract on hand, but storebought is fine. Just make sure to use pure vanilla, not the imitation stuff!
- Eggs add structure and help the bread hold its shape.
- Flour – Unbleached all-purpose flour forms the base of the batter. I haven’t tested any other types of flour for this recipe and can’t guarantee your results if you do.
- Baking powder is the main leavening agent, creating a tall, fluffy loaf.
- Baking soda – I include this to help create a beautiful golden color. Without it, the bread turns out pale.
- Optional mix-ins – Feel free to add chopped pecans, walnuts, or even chocolate chips.
How to make banana bread with frozen bananas
Before you begin, preheat the oven to 350°F. And grease two 9×5-inch loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray and set them aside.
1. Thaw the bananas
- Run hot tap water over the frozen bananas in the sink for 1-2 minutes.
- Remove the peels and place the bananas in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave until the bananas are completely thawed. This typically takes 5-8 minutes!
- Mash the thawed bananas in a large mixing bowl. I usually use a wooden spoon, but a potato masher works well, too. You want them to be mostly smooth, but it’s okay if there are a few small lumps.
The perfect bowl
Use a very large bowl to make the batter. This 4-quart bowl is the perfect size!
2. Prepare the batter
- Add the sugar, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla.
- Mix until well combined.
- Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt and mix again to incorporate the dry ingredients.
- Fold in any mix-ins, if using.
3. Bake
- Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans.
- Bake until the tops are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This takes about an hour!
- Cool in the pan completely.
Tips for Success
- Use ripe bananas. Make sure your bananas are nice and soft with spots all over or even black. The riper they are, the sweeter your bread will taste.
- Avoid overmixing. Be careful to combine the ingredients just until they’re smooth and no lumps remain. Continuing to mix will result in dense, tough bread.
- Keep an eye on the oven! The exact baking time will vary. So, keep a close watch on your bread and remove it as soon as it’s golden and cooked.
- Cool completely. I know it’s hard to wait, but trust me! If you slice into your moist banana bread recipe too soon, it will crumble and fall apart.
Make-Ahead Tip
Mash the bananas before freezing. These souper cube freezer trays are perfect for it! Then, all you have to do is microwave the fruit before using it!
Storing Tips
- To store, wrap leftover banana bread tightly with plastic wrap. Or, transfer it to an airtight container. It will stay fresh at room temperature for 1-2 days. However, I much prefer to store it in the refrigerator.
- To freeze, wrap the cooled bread with plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- To serve, thaw frozen bread in the fridge overnight. Then, enjoy cold or microwave individual slices for 30 seconds. They’ll taste like they came fresh out of the oven!
FAQs
Yes! Follow the recipe, preparing the batter as usual. Then, divide it between two greased muffin pans and bake, adjusting the time as needed. Or, if you’d rather make a half-batch (one muffin pan), follow my banana muffin recipe instead.
Yes, frozen bananas must be thawed to properly mix the batter.
Roughly two medium-sized bananas equal one cup when mashed.
More Banana Recipes
Watch Video: The BEST Banana Bread
Best Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 8 frozen medium-to-large bananas Note 1
- 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter melted
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- 1- 1 ½ cups (120-180 g) 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 (4qt) 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, baking powder 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.
⭐️ Did you make this recipe?
Please leave a review and let us know how you liked it!
Video
Tips & Notes
– To store, wrap leftover banana bread tightly with plastic wrap. Or, transfer it to an airtight container. It will stay fresh at room temperature for 1-2 days. However, I much prefer to store it in the refrigerator.
– To freeze, wrap the cooled bread with plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
– To serve, thaw frozen bread in the fridge overnight. Then, enjoy cold or microwave individual slices for 30 seconds. They’ll taste like they came fresh out of the oven!
Nutrition
I found this recipe a couple of years ago and have been making it ever since. Only one I use, either as ‘muffins’ or bread. My husband is a banana bread machine and asks for this on a regular basis. Thank you for the perfect recipe.
OMG, banana bread machine. Love that term!! I’m SO happy you tried and loved my recipe. Thank you for your awesome feedback, Dawn!!
Best banana bread recipe ever
Love it. So glad you tried and enjoyed the recipe. Thank you for your feedback, Nancy!
This turned out great! I’ve made a number of different banana breads this year using different recipes in an attempt to make a bread that comes close to the one my mother used to make. This is by far the closest and the best. I added a bit of cinnamon and a tiny bit of nutmeg. Very good. I’ll be saving this recipe as my new go to.
Yay, I’m so happy you found my recipe and loved it!! Thank you for sharing your feedback, Jen!
Delicious, best banana bread ever! The second time I baked this, I did not freeze the bananas. Instead, I put it in my oven for 10 min at 180 C, the result was the same as with the freezing. Thank you so much for this recipe 🌸
Hi, Frieda! I’m so happy you loved this recipe. And thank you so much for sharing your experience with baked bananas. I’ve never tried that and I have to try it next time!!
The most moistiest and tastiest banana bread I ever made and ate.
Hi, Jolene! I’m so happy you tried and loved the recipe. Thank you so much for your feedback!
This banana bread recipe is the best, sometimes I make granola and add some to your recipe.
Everyone loves this banana bread.
Thank you Shinee!
Cheers
Mary
Yay, so happy you love this recipe!! And granola additions sounds interesting, I’ll have to try that!! Thank you for your feedback, Mary!
I’ve just made this with the help of two grand daughters. I like this recipe because you don’t have to wait and thaw the butter and cream it with the sugar. It’s faster this way. I’m sure it will taste good it’s still in oven
Hi, Paula!! Sounds like a lovely time in the kitchen with your granddaughters!!! Hope you all enjoyed the bread!
This recipe is delicious i will make again, thank you
So glad you tried and loved this recipe. Thank you for sharing your feedback, Luzminda!
Thank you for this recipe. I have a neighbor that will leave old bananas hanging on my front door for this bread. It is a very reliable recipe. Everyone enjoys it
Mickey, I’m so happy you and your neighbor enjoy this banana bread recipe!! How lucky is your neighbor!! Thanks so much for your feedback!!
can I thaw the frozen bananas in room temperature?
Yes, you can, Val.