Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (2024)

Published: by Allison · 687 Comments

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This Easy Banana Bread Recipe is the absolute BEST! It is moist, packed with bananas, sweetened with brown sugar, and baked in a square pan for even and quick cooking. No mixer needed, grab a bowl and whisk, this bread is ready in under 30 minutes.

If you asked me what I bake most often, the answer would undoubtedly be banana bread. It took me years, and dozens of recipes, before I found the one that I’m sharing here. It became an immediate reader favorite and family staple.

Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (1)

For years, I have been on a search for the PERFECT Banana Bread. I wanted a recipe that is simple, with no fancy ingredients, and no trendy technique. Just a flat-out delicious Banana Bread that bakes up perfectly every single time. HERE IT IS!

This recipe is also the base for our Banana Nut Muffins and our Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.

Jump to:
  • What makes this recipe the best
  • Recipe overview
  • Tips: baking with bananas
  • Healthier options
  • Different pan sizes
  • More banana recipes
  • Recipe

What makes this recipe the best

  • Bananas – This banana bread is absolutely loaded with bananas. I use 3-4 overripe bananas to make this bread sweet, moist, and undeniably banana-flavored.
  • Brown sugar – The only sugar used in this bread is brown sugar. It is in the batter and it gets sprinkled on top before baking. The brown sugar gives the bread a deeper flavor and almost caramel-like sweetness.
  • Vanilla extract – Banana and vanilla is a match made in heaven! Two teaspoons of vanilla extract lend an underlying vanilla flavor that pairs perfectly with the banana.
  • Square pan – This here is the game changer. I bake the banana bread in a 9×9 square cake pan instead of a loaf pan. This allows the bread to bake in as little as 20 minutes (as opposed to 1 hour in a loaf pan). Plus, no worrying about overcooking the edges and undercooking the center. Since it is not a loaf, it bakes evenly every time. Note: If you’d prefer using a different size pan there are instructions below.
Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (2)

Recipe overview

*Full detailed recipe below in the recipe card.*

Whisk melted butter and brown sugar. Add mashed banana, vanilla, and eggs.

Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (3)

Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt.

Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (4)

Pour the batter into a greased 9×9 square pan and sprinkle the top with brown sugar. Bake until golden brown and cooked through.

Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (5)

Tips: baking with bananas

It’s important that you use overripe bananas for this recipe. The skin of the bananas should have brown speckles or even be turning dark brownish-black. This ensures that the bananas mash smoothly and are extra sweet.

You will need 3-4 bananas (2 cups mashed).

Mash the bananas using a fork or potato masher.

I mash the bananas on a paper plate then fold the plate in half and slide the mashed banana into the measuring cup.

Healthier options

Prefer your Banana Bread on the healthier side? I have made the following changes with success:

  • Reduce the brown sugar to ½ cup (in the batter). I still recommend sprinkling brown sugar on top.
  • Swap the melted butter for melted coconut oil or mild olive oil.
  • Reduce the melted butter/oil to 6 tablespoons.
  • Swap ¾ cup of all purpose flour for whole wheat flour.
  • Add a generous handful of chopped walnuts to the batter for a boost of omega-3’s.
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Different pan sizes

The recipe instructions are for a 9×9 square pan (my preference), but you can also use the following:

  • Muffins: Divide batter between 12 greased muffin cups, adjust bake time to about 15 minutes(or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).
  • 8×8 square: Adjust bake time to 35-45 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).
  • Loaf pan (9×5): Adjust bake time to 45-55 minutes(or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).
Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (7)

More banana recipes

  • Coconut Banana Cream Pie
  • Banana Bundt Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze
  • Brown Sugar Banana Pancakes
  • Pumpkin Banana Bread

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Recipe

Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (12)

Easy Banana Bread Recipe

This Easy Banana Bread Recipe is the absolute BEST! It is moist, packed with bananas, sweetened with brown sugar, and baked in a cake pan for even and quick cooking. No mixer needed, grab a bowl and whisk, this bread is ready in under 30 minutes.

4.99 from 300 votes

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Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 small (or 9 larger servings)

Calories: 212kcal

Author: Allison – Celebrating Sweets

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
  • cup packed light brown sugar, make sure it is fresh and soft
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 scant cups mashed very ripe bananas, about 3-4 bananas
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 ¾ cups all purpose flour*
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup brown sugar (or more, if desired), for topping

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.

  • In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and ⅔ cup brown sugar until well combined, about 1 minute. Add eggs, mashed banana, and vanilla, whisking until combined.

  • In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and use a rubber spatula to lightly stir the batter until no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to over mix.

  • Grease a 9×9 square baking pan and add the batter to the pan. Smooth into an even layer. Sprinkle the top of the batter with ¼ cup (or more) brown sugar. Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating once during the bake time. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Place on a wire rack to cool.

Video

Notes

FLOUR: Fluff the flour several times with your measuring cup, lightly scoop a heaping portion and level it off. If you’d like to add some whole wheat flour, I have successfully used 1 cup all purpose flour along with ¾ cup whole wheat flour.

PAN SIZES: The recipe instructions are for a 9×9 square pan (my preference), but you can also use the following:

  • Muffins: Divide batter between 12 greased muffin cups, adjust bake time to about 15 minutes(or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).
  • 8×8 square: Adjust bake time to 35-45 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).
  • Loaf pan (9×5): Adjust bake time to 45-55 minutes(or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).

Nutrition

Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 158mg | Potassium: 57mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 281IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.

Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (13) Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!

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Comments

  1. Alana Wilkes

    Can you freeze this?

    Reply

    • Allison

      Yes. You can freeze slices after baking and cooling.

      Reply

  2. Kyle

    Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (14)
    Great banana bread recipe – for the flour I recommend measuring by grams not cups it can be inaccurate. 210g flour

    Reply

  3. MACHELLE L LIETZ

    Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (15)
    I used a 7×11 glass dish and baked for 40-45 mins and it was perfect. My family expects this recipe all the time and I loved the perfect amount of sweetness.

    Reply

    • Allison

      I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

      Reply

  4. Tara

    Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (16)
    Really good! Will make again!

    Reply

    • Allison

      I’m so glad! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

      Reply

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About

Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (17)Hi, I'm Allison! I'm a busy wife and mom with a passion for cooking and baking. This is where you'll find my favorite homemade recipes, designed to help you make every day delicious! Read more....

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FAQs

When not to use bananas for bread? ›

The Ripeness Spectrum: Finding Your Perfect Banana

Green Bananas (Under-ripe bananas): These are a no-go for banana bread. They lack the sweetness and moisture needed for a delicious loaf.

What to use instead of a loaf pan for banana bread? ›

One day, when a craving hit particularly hard, I decided to pop the batter in two 9-inch cake pans instead of my trusty loaf pan. And folks—let me tell you—this method is a game-changer! Not only did my banana bread cook in less than half the time of a traditional loaf, but it was also less dense.

Is banana bread healthy to lose weight? ›

You may find banana bread delicious, but conventional banana breads tend to be high in added sugar, refined carbs, and calories. Thus, it's best to enjoy banana bread occasionally as part of a balanced, nutrient-dense diet.

Can I mix banana bread the night before? ›

A little bit of good vanilla extract really brings out the banana flavor. Did you know that you can make this batter the night before, and bake it fresh in the morning?

How do you cut banana bread for a party? ›

The best way to cut banana bread without it falling apart is to wait until it has cooled down completely. This will allow the bread to set and become less crumbly. Using a sharp serrated knife, gently saw back and forth while applying even pressure to create clean slices.

Should you Saran Wrap banana bread? ›

Banana bread is an excellent food gift. But if you're baking plenty of loaves for friends and family, you'll want to make sure it's wrapped to keep it moist and delicious. To ensure you're gifting the best freshly-baked banana bread, wrap the fully cooled loaf in plastic wrap first.

What time is not good to eat banana? ›

On top of that, our body's metabolism is at its lowest in the night. Therefore, one should ideally consume bananas in the morning or the evening and must avoid eating them at night.

Why does my banana bread not taste good? ›

Moisture is key when it comes to banana bread, and the ratio of flour to banana makes all the difference. If you use too much flour, you'll end up with dry bread. If you don't use enough, your bread will be too wet. The secret is actually in how you measure the flour.

What is the best bread to eat when trying to lose weight? ›

Like with all breads, a multigrain bread made with whole grains is better for weight loss than one made with white refined flour, but either multigrain bread or white bread can be a part of a weight loss diet plan when they're combined with other healthy foods and exercise.

Can I eat banana while losing belly fat? ›

Bananas are great belly fat-burning foods. Bananas when taken in moderation do not cause or increase belly fat. Bananas are versatile fruits that can be eaten to lose or maintain weight. Have it as a snack instead of a sugary option like cookies or pastries.

Should I avoid bread to lose belly fat? ›

Yes, you can eat bread while trying to lose weight.

There is no need to avoid it completely from your diet. Limit your intake of bread to 25 percent of your plate and enjoy it with vegetables to avoid overconsumption. The secret to losing weight is consuming fewer calories than you utilize during the day.

Can you eat 2 week old banana bread? ›

When stored properly, banana bread can last 2 to 3 days at room temperature. However, if you want to extend its lifespan, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. And if you really want to make it last even longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months!

Can you leave freshly baked banana bread out overnight? ›

How to Store Banana Bread at Room Temperature. Banana bread can stay fresh at room temperature for three days, if stored in a cool dry place. You can try one of a few different methods for storage: Plastic wrap and an airtight container.

What to use instead of eggs for banana bread? ›

WHAT TO USE INSTEAD OF EGGS WHEN BAKING
  1. MASHED BANANA. ...
  2. APPLESAUCE. ...
  3. SILKEN TOFU. ...
  4. GROUND FLAXSEED OR CHIA SEEDS & WATER. ...
  5. YOGURT. ...
  6. BUTTERMILK. ...
  7. SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK. ...
  8. ARROWROOT POWDER OR CORNSTARCH.

Is it better to bake banana bread in a glass or metal pan? ›

Is a Glass or Metal Pan Better for Baking? Since aluminum baking pans conduct heat more quickly and are easier to wash, store, and care for, I prefer them for baking in most circ*mstances. In fact, using glass or even ceramic baking pans for certain recipes, such as brownies or banana bread, may create adverse results!

Is it better to cut banana bread hot or cold? ›

So, despite the willpower-testing aroma of warm banana bread, I always recommend letting it cool completely before digging in. Patience is a virtue, and a cool loaf will slice and store much better. But hey, I get it – fresh-out-of-the-oven banana bread is pretty darn tempting!

Do you take banana bread out of the pan right away? ›

Let it cool for 10 minutes — this helps the loaf solidify and makes it easier to remove from the pan. Remove from pan and cool another 10 minutes. Grasping the parchment paper sling, lift the loaf out of the pan and place on the cooling rack. Cool for another 10 minutes before slicing.

What is the best wrap for banana bread? ›

Amidor suggests aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Le prefers wrapping banana bread in parchment paper and then placing it in sealable freezer bags. If you are freezing slices of banana bread, Roszkowski suggests arranging the slices in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray and freezing them.

Why is my banana bread moist on top? ›

Sugars are hygroscopic, meaning they attract water. Within baked goods, sugars help maintain a moist and tender crumb. Sugar on the exposed tops, however, will grab water from humid air, creating a wet or sticky top.

Is it better to wrap bananas in foil or plastic wrap? ›

Thus, foil wrap is a better way to preserve bananas than cling wrap.

When should bananas be avoided? ›

You can consume bananas in the morning along with other breakfast foods. However, you should avoid eating them on an empty stomach. Eating bananas at night should also be avoided if you have cough, cold, or breathing problems.

When can you no longer use a banana? ›

Mold on bananas is fuzzy white, gray, or greenish—it looks a lot like mold on bread. If a banana smells rotten or fermented or is leaking fluid, it's time to say goodbye. If the fruit inside, not just the peel, is black, that's a sign that your banana is too far gone to safely eat.

How to tell if a banana is ripe enough for banana bread? ›

Let the bananas ripen (and overripen) at room temperature. Depending on the weather, this could take a few days, or up to a week. The best bananas for banana bread aren't yellow; they're black. Or they're at least streaked with black/brown, with just the barest hint of green at the stem.

Are brown spots on bananas safe to eat? ›

But in most cases, the overripe fruit is still perfectly safe to eat, and there are many other ways to use brown bananas that you may find delicious and enjoyable. Next time you have a couple of brown bananas on your hands, try one of the creative suggestions we shared here.

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