The Best Banana Bread Recipe – This easy, moist banana bread is made with ripe bananas, brown sugar, and walnuts for the perfect balance of sweetness and crunch. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert baker, this simple banana bread recipe is guaranteed to satisfy. With its soft, fluffy texture and irresistible aroma, this homemade banana bread is the ultimate comfort food for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. Try it with a dollop of butter, or enjoy it with a cup of coffee for the perfect treat. Plus, this recipe includes options to customize with rum, nuts, and more!

This Best Banana Bread is the ultimate comfort food, boasting rich, moist texture and a perfect balance of sweetness. Infused with the delightful crunch of toasted walnuts and the natural sweetness of overripe bananas, this recipe yields a perfect loaf that everyone will love. Ideal for breakfast, dessert, or a snack, this banana bread is as delicious as it is easy to make.

Table of Contents

Ingredients:

For the Banana Bread:

1 1/4 cups walnuts, coarsely chopped
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large overripe bananas, mashed
1/4 cup plain whole-fat yogurt
2 large eggs, beaten lightly
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons rum (optional, such as Captain Morgan)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray.
Toast the walnuts: Spread the walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes, until fragrant. Allow them to cool.
Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour, toasted walnuts, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.
Prepare the wet ingredients: In a medium bowl, stir together mashed bananas, yogurt, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. If using, add the rum.
Combine the wet and dry ingredients: Gently fold the banana mixture into the dry ingredients with a rubber spatula. Mix until just combined – the batter will be thick and slightly chunky.
Transfer to the pan: Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly.
Bake the bread: Place the pan in the oven and bake for about 55 minutes, or until the surface is golden brown, and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and serve: Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, remove it from the pan, slice, and serve warm.

Tips

Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and moister your bread will be. Brown, spotty bananas work best.
Don’t Overmix: Mix just until combined to avoid dense banana bread.
Test for Doneness: If the top of the bread is golden but the inside isn’t quite done, cover the top with foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.
Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

Variations and Substitutions

Nuts: If you don’t like walnuts, try pecans, almonds, or any other nuts you prefer.
Spices: Add cinnamon, nutmeg, or a pinch of ginger to enhance the flavor.
Dairy-Free: Replace the butter with coconut oil and use non-dairy yogurt for a dairy-free option.
Rum: If you don’t like rum, you can omit it or substitute it with a splash of vanilla extract or almond extract for added flavor.

FAQs

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of whole wheat flour?
Yes, this recipe calls for all-purpose flour, which works perfectly for a light, fluffy texture. However, you can try using whole wheat flour for a denser, heartier loaf.

What if I don’t have walnuts?
You can use any type of nut or dried fruit in place of walnuts, or leave them out entirely for a smooth texture.

Can I freeze banana bread?
Absolutely! Once cooled, wrap the loaf in plastic wrap or foil and place it in an airtight container. It will last up to 2 months in the freezer.

Serving Suggestions

Breakfast: Serve warm slices with a dollop of butter or peanut butter for a filling breakfast.
Dessert: Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate syrup for a decadent treat.
Snack: Perfect for a mid-day snack with a cup of tea or coffee.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Moist & Fluffy: Thanks to overripe bananas and yogurt, this banana bread is soft, moist, and full of flavor.
Simple Ingredients: Most of the ingredients are pantry staples, making this banana bread easy to prepare without a trip to the store.
Customizable: Add your favorite nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruits to personalize it to your taste.
Quick & Easy: This recipe comes together quickly and bakes in under an hour, perfect for busy mornings or when you’re craving something homemade.

Best Banana Bread Recipe

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

hour

Ingredients

For the Banana Bread:
1 1/4 cups walnuts, coarsely chopped
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large overripe bananas, mashed
1/4 cup plain whole-fat yogurt
2 large eggs, beaten lightly
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons rum (optional, such as Captain Morgan)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray.
Toast the walnuts: Spread the walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes, until fragrant. Allow them to cool.
Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour, toasted walnuts, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.
Prepare the wet ingredients: In a medium bowl, stir together mashed bananas, yogurt, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. If using, add the rum.
Combine the wet and dry ingredients: Gently fold the banana mixture into the dry ingredients with a rubber spatula. Mix until just combined – the batter will be thick and slightly chunky.
Transfer to the pan: Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly.
Bake the bread: Place the pan in the oven and bake for about 55 minutes, or until the surface is golden brown, and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and serve: Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, remove it from the pan, slice, and serve warm.