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 I 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.
Banana Nut Bread 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
More Banana Recipes
Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ 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
Nutrition
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https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
dana
Absolutely delicious! Nuts in a banana bread are an absolute MUST for me.
Beth Pierce
Me too!
Shadi H
I Just tried this recipe and my family loved it. It was so easy and the flavors were fantastic.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Shadi! We love it too!
Charles
Your Banana Nut bread is delicious and moist. A great go-to for my coffee!
Thanks for sharing!
Shelby
This is a perfect banana bread recipe filled with lots of sweet banana flavor and crunchy nuts. So incredibly delicious!
Sandie
Love how easy this recipe is. It’s perfect for our family!
Kim
This was such a hit! I loved the bread! So tasty and easy.
Alicia J.
I love to repurpose things, including food! I found this recipe very easy to put together. I love the taste of vanilla so I added a bit more. Only had two bananas so I tweaked the recipe and added a little bit of applesauce. I loved the suggestion to add raisins which just gave it that extra pop of flavor and sweetness. I will be adding this recipe to my list of faves. Thanks for sharing!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Alicia! I love the addition of applesauce to sweet bread!
Anna
Hi I made this banana bread recipe twice Already and it gets finished quickly now I have a question I have some ripe bananas hitnim out of butter what can I substitute olive oil or vegetable oil in its place
Beth Pierce
Could you please clarify your question/
Ronnie
Hello I am trying to reduce our sugar intake. This recipe calls for 3/4 cup of sugar. Do you have a suggested reduced amount of sugar that I can use and this still “taste good”? I have tried sugar alternatives and do not like them.
Beth Pierce
I would reduce it to 1/2 cup and then go from there. If it is still yummy, try 1/3 cup.
Dan Gaiser
Try Monkfruit
diana v.
apple sauce
Alicia M Hodges
WOW! This recipe is so easy, and super delicious.
I’ve always wanted to make a Banana Nut Bread and I’m grateful I waited until now to do it. This recipe is perfect all the way around and I’ll definitely be adopting it into the family. I cut it fresh out of the oven, because I’m impatient, it tastes as good as it looks.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Alicia! So happy that you and your family enjoyed it.
Alicia M Hodges
You’re so welcome Miss Beth, thanks for sharing!