Are you looking for the perfect banana nut bread recipe? Look no further! This homemade version is guaranteed to be the best you’ve ever tasted. Moist, flavorful, and easy to make, it’s sure to become a family favorite.
This delicious bread has just the right amount of banana flavor, walnuts, and cinnamon. It can be prepped and put in the oven in about ten minutes. If you love bananas, you must try my banana fritters, banana milk, banana muffins, or banana cream pie.
It makes the house smell good and tastes better than any bakery loaf. This is one of our favorite classic banana bread recipes, with the perfect balance of sweetness and banana and cinnamon spice flavors.
Why You’ll Love This
- This tried and tested recipe has been in my family for generations. Even Grandma approved of this bread.
- The bread is made with common pantry ingredients.
- This tasty bread stays moist for days thanks to very ripe bananas and nuts.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients in the recipe card below.
- Ground cinnamon: to give it that perfect taste
- Butter: unsalted. If using salted, omit the added salt
- Bananas: very ripe is best
- Vanilla extract: the pure stuff, please
- Nuts: walnuts or pecans
How to make Banana Nut Bread
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
Start by whisking the flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Then, using a stand or hand mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and sugar together until smooth and creamy. Turn the mixer to medium-low and beat the eggs one at a time until incorporated. Beat in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract.
Next, turn the mixer to low or stir, and add the flour mixture to the wet mixture, beating it until incorporated. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Do not overmix the batter. Remove from the mixer and fold in the nuts. Remember, do not overmix.
Pour into a greased loaf pan and sprinkle more chopped nuts on the top. Bake for about one hour or until a toothpick inserted in the top comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Once completely cool, store in a larger zipper bag or wrap with plastic wrap and store on the countertop for about 3-4 days.
Preparation Tips and Storage
- Use very ripe bananas and mash them with a fork. The riper the bananas, the naturally sweeter and more moist the bread.
- Do not overmix the bread, as this can make the loaf tough. The mixer should be on low when the flour mixture is incorporated and should only be mixed until combined.
- After 50 minutes, start checking the loaf. It is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool thoroughly before wrapping. Store it wrapped in plastic wrap or in a Ziploc storage bag on the counter for up to 4 days.
Recipe Variations
- Nuts: pecans, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews, macadamia nuts
- Chips: semisweet chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, peanut butter
- Dried fruit: raisins, cranberries, cherries, or blueberries
Frequently Asked Questions
Banana bread freezes exceptionally well. Wrap it in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and place it in a heavy-duty freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to three months. To thaw, put the wrapped bread on the counter overnight. You can even freeze individual slices in quart-size heavy-duty freezer bags.
Banana bread lasts 4-5 days at room temperature. The best way to store it is to wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in a Ziploc storage bag on your kitchen counter. The bread will remain moist and tasty at room temperature, similar to the day you baked it.
You can prolong the shelf life of the bread by wrapping and storing it in the refrigerator, although the cold from the refrigerator will dry the bread out some. Be sure to wrap it well with plastic wrap and a Ziploc storage bag. The bread will last about one week in the refrigerator.
More Banana Recipes
Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 2 cups mashed bananas
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease or spray a 9×5 inch loaf pan with nonstick baking spray.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. Using a stand or hand mixer on medium, beat the butter and sugar together until smooth and creamy. Turn the mixer to medium-low speed and beat the eggs in one at a time until incorporated. Beat in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract.
- Turn the mixer to low or stir and add the dry ingredients, beating just until incorporated. Do not overmix the batter. Remove from the mixer and fold in the nuts just until combined.
- Bake for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the top comes out clean. Cool in pan for 5-10 minutes, and then invert bread onto cooling wire rack. Cool completely before wrapping.
Video
Notes
- Use very ripe brown bananas. The riper the bananas, the naturally sweeter and more moist the bread will be.
- Do not overmix the bread, as this can make the loaf tough. The mixer should be on low when the flour mixture is incorporated and should only be mixed until combined.
- Start checking the loaf after 50 minutes. The loaf is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool fully before wrapping. Store wrapped in plastic wrap or in a Ziploc storage bag on the counter for up 4 days.
Nutrition
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Tiffany
This banana bread is delicious! Perfect for a sweet treat or breakfast!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Tiffany! So glad that you liked the banana nut bread!
DK
Wow – made this the other day and our whole house smelled like delicious, warm banana bread. And it was so tasty!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, DK!
Pauline
This banana nut bread was so moist and delicious! I served it hot with butter and coffee and loved every bite.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Pauline! We feel the same way about the bread!
Ann
I always love adding nuts to my banana bread. Thanks!
Beth Pierce
Me too, Ann!
Clarice W
Wow! This was delicious. The combination of walnuts and cinnamon is a perfect way to level up our usual banana bread. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Clarice!
Mel Edwards
This is such a great recipe. It’s a super popular one with my family. I like to substitute walnuts and add about 1 cup of white or dark chocolate chips.
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the tips, Mel!
Marilyn
This is by far my favorite banana bread. I would give it 10 stars if I could. So moist and tasty. It bakes up perfectly everytime. Thank you. Beth.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome. Marilyn!
Hannah Bures
I love this recipe! It has so much taste and is a great dish for when family comes to visit. Thank you for sharing.
Jennifer P
Yes!!! This banana nut bread is such a tasty morning treat (or anytime, really!).
Robert L
I love this banana nut bread. It is just good as my Mom’s. Thanks for bringing back great memories.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Robert!
Paige
This banana-nut bread was outstanding. I think it was the best loaf of banana bread I have ever eaten. Next time I am going to try pecans in place of the walnuts and double the cinnamon. I love cinnamon.
Beth Pierce
Me too Paige! I am so glad that you liked the bnanana bread!
Ivan
We love this banana nut bread. I didn’t realize that it’s so easy to make. I am going to make some extra loaves and freeze them for Easter.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Ivan! I hope that your guests enjoy the bread!
Kimberley
Your recipe for banana nut bread was absolutely scrumptious! The combination of ripe bananas and crunchy nuts was a winning one! My sister and I enjoyed it with a hot pot of coffee and some great conversation. Thanks for sharing such a delightful recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Kimberley! I am so glad that you and your sister liked the banana bread!
Claudette
This banana bread is so good! I love how moist and tender it is, and it’s extra nutty which I appreciate!
Maureen D
A classic treat! We love this banana bread. It’s so satisfying and goes so well with a nice cup of coffee!
aimee amala
I’d never thought of combining nuts with banana bread. What a great recipe! It is really delicious, thanks!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Aimee!