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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Yancy
This banana nut bread recipe is so good. I do love banana bread and often make it at home. This turned out very well
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Yancy! I am so glad that you liked it!
Sandra
This banana bread is seriously amazing!! Such an amazing recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Erik
It was moist and incredibly delicious. The best banana nut bread! This is my new go to recipe.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Eric! So glad that you liked it!
Kerry
This bread is so good. It has become my favorite afternoon snack. Thanks for the recipe!
Nikki
Looking so good and delicious! My family will love this for sure.
Aggie Furnica
Very nice. Family loved it. My first time making banana bread. I’ll stick to this recipe from now on, yummy!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Aggie So glad that you and the family liked the banana bread!
Rami
The combination of ripe bananas and nuts is a classic winner, but what got me hooked was the buttermilk twist. That’s a game-changer for sure! It’s the kind of recipe that makes you want to start baking ASAP.
Julie
This Banana Nut Bread recipe is an absolute delight, and your step-by-step guide makes it feel like a baking adventure rather than a task! I appreciate the simplicity and efficiency of your instructions, making it clear that in just about ten minutes, anyone can have this delectable bread prepped and ready for the oven. The addition of walnuts, a touch of cinnamon, and your tips for not overmixing the batter show the attention to detail that ensures a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Julie! I sure hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Sally
I am so glad that I found this banana bread recipe. It has been my go to recipe for at least a year. It is moist, easy, and foolproof. Thanks for sharing.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Sally!
Stephanie
I was about to throw out some super ripe bananas then I came across this recipe. Oh la la! Probably the best banana bread I’ve ever had.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Stephanie! So glad that you liked the banana bread.
Heather
Love the contrasting textures in this bread! It’s soft and moist and crunchy. So wholesome and delicious.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Heather! So glad that you liked it!
Ben
Om nom nom. You can’t beat really good banana bread, and this is some of the best I’ve ever made. I used bananas that were so ripe the skin was almost black, and the bread was AH-mazing.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Ben! So glad that you liked it.
Brian
Banana bread is ONE of those things I NEVER get tired of. SOMETIMES, I top it with Nutella.
Holly
This recipe was moist and absolutely delicious! I made it for a baby shower I went to this weekend and got so many compliments. Thanks for the great recipe.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Holly! So glad that everyone liked it!
Brandi
This is such a classic bread and it works out perfectly every time. Everyone loves it!
Andrea
My family loved this quick, easy and fabulous banana nut bread. Looks like I’ll be making this often.
Angie
This recipe tasted just like my favorite bakery’s banana nut bread! It was super moist, fluffy, and packed with banana flavor! Yum!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Angie! I am so glad that you liked the banana nut bread. It is a favorite of ours too!