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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Brandon
perfect !!!11
Beth Pierce
Thank yoy, Brandon!
Kandy
I own a Cafe’ in a very small town and last week (during the freeze) I had several ripened bananas and time on my hand, so I searched for a recipe and stumbled across one that proved to be without a doubt, the BEST BANANA NUT BREAD ever!! I ventured to try a variation you suggested by throwing in a handful of chocolate chips and OMG it was the best decision I’ve made this year! As soon as the first slice went out, it was continuous orders til completely gone (quadrupled the recipe). Let me remind you this is a small town, the next morning I received calls asking if we had any of that banana bread they had heard about left. Long story short, I’m making your banana nut bread again today and wanted to THANK YOU for a real winner!
Beth Pierce
That is AWESOME! I am so glad that your small town liked my banana nut bread recipe. The pleasure is all mine, without a double, Kandy!
Nathan
I love the combination of walnuts and banana, and the nuts add a fantastic crunch to the bread for some texture variation! Thanks so much for sharing, one of my favorite banana bread recipes I’ve tried 🙂
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Nathan!
Bobby
The walnuts really make a huge difference – best banana bread I’ve ever had!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Bobby! So glad that you liked it!
Justine
So moist and delicious! Easy to make, there’s nothing not to love about this!
Steph
There isn’t many things more satisfying than banana bread and walnuts. The house smells amazing while baking and the bread is so tasty. We even toasted some for breakfast this morning.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Steph! So glad that you like the banana nut bread!
Mahy
Well, what can I say… Give me a glass of milk, and I am ready to go. Fantastic start to a day – banana nut breads are my favorite!
Kira
Now this bread was perfect. It was moist and tasty with the best texture. It is our new favorite banana bread. Thanks for the recipe.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Kira!
Mawrean
This is literally my favorite banana nut bread recipe I make it all the time very good!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Mawrean! So glad that you like the banana bread.
Candie
This is the banana bread to enjoy! I love nuts, and that is why this recipe truly resonates with my affinity to this ingredient.
Lavanda Michelle
The perfect balance of sweetness, cinnamon spice, and the moist texture make it a winner.