Best Ever Banana Nut Bread Recipe

This moist banana nut bread recipe is a delightful blend of ripe bananas, melted butter, and vanilla, resulting in a sweet, aromatic treat that genuinely evokes comforting warmth in every bite. Enriched with a hint of crunchy walnuts or pecans, this classic loaf offers a satisfying and irresistible taste experience.

I first discovered this Best Ever Banana Nut Bread recipe when I needed a quick and energizing snack that was both tasty and had some solid nutrients. This moist banana nut bread uses 3 ripe bananas mashed together with 1/3 cup melted butter and a lightly beaten large egg for a rich, hearty base.

I mix in a teaspoon of baking soda and a pinch of salt to help balance the sweetness brought by 3/4 cup sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Adding 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour gives it a satisfying texture while the option of 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans lends a nice bite and extra nutrition.

I love how each ingredient contributes simple energy and vitamins that come from the bananas and nuts which makes this easy banana nut bread recipe a real winner in my book.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe for a bunch of reasons. First off, I love how moist and flavorful the bread is; when I take a bite, the natural sweetness of the bananas totally makes my day. I also dig how easy it is to make, with simple ingredients that I know will always produce something delicious in my kitchen. Another thing is that I like how you can change it up by adding walnuts or pecans, so I always feel like I can put my personal touch on it. Lastly, every time I bake this bread it fills the whole house with an amazing smell that reminds me of family gatherings and good times.

This banana nut bread is seriously the best ever. It’s really moist and flavorful, and it has that perfect balance between sweet and crunchy. I mean, who wouldn’t want a treat like this? The way the bananas mix with the butter and sugar creates a taste that makes everything better, and the recipe is simple enough that I can whip it up whenever I need a little comfort food fix. It’s a surefire recipe that always makes baking feel fun and rewarding.

Ingredients

• Mashed bananas: provide natural sweetness, essential fiber, vitamins, and moist texture.
• Melted butter: adds rich flavor and tender crumb, while ensuring a soft, moist finish.
• Baking soda: acts as a leavening agent, helping the bread rise light and fluffy.
• A pinch of salt: balances the flavors and enhances every ingredient in the recipe.
• Sugar: provides sweetness and a subtle caramel taste during the baking process.
• Egg: binds the mixture together, adding a bit of protein and creating smooth texture.
• Walnuts or pecans (optional): offer crunch, healthy fats, and add an extra nutty, delicious twist.
• Together these ingredients create a moist, delicious banana bread that warms hearts.

Ingredient Quantities

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• A pinch of salt
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan so your bread doesn’t stick.

2. In a large bowl, mash the 3 ripe bananas until they’re fairly smooth then stir in the 1/3 cup melted butter.

3. Add 1 teaspoon baking soda and a pinch of salt to the mashed bananas and butter mix; stir well.

4. Mix in 3/4 cup sugar, 1 lightly beaten large egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until everything is just combined.

5. Gently fold in the 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour until you don’t see any streaks of flour, but be careful not to over mix.

6. Optional step: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans if you like extra crunch in your bread.

7. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it out evenly.

8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

9. Remove the pan from the oven and let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes.

10. Transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely before you slice it up and serve. Enjoy your best ever banana nut bread!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven – make sure it’s preheated to 350°F so your bread cooks evenly
2. 9×5 inch loaf pan – you’ll need to grease it well so the bread doesn’t stick
3. Large mixing bowl – for mashing bananas and mixing in butter and other ingredients
4. Fork or potato masher – to mash the ripe bananas until they’re fairly smooth
5. Measuring cups and spoons – to accurately measure out sugar, flour, spices and other ingredients
6. Whisk or spoon – useful for stirring in the egg, vanilla extract, and sugar
7. Cooling rack – to let your bread cool completely after it comes out of the pan
8. Toothpick – to test if your banana bread is done by checking for any wet batter in the center

FAQ

Best Ever Banana Nut Bread Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• For the melted butter, you can use equal parts coconut oil or even olive oil if you’re in a pinch. They add a different flavor but still makes it yummy.
• If you dont have sugar, try substituting with honey or maple syrup. Remember to cut down on other liquids in the recipe when you do this.
• Not got vanilla extract? Almond extract can work pretty well, just use a little less since its stronger in taste.
• You can swap all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour to give it a healthier vibe, though it might make the bread a bit denser.
• If you dont like walnuts or pecans, dried cranberries or even chopped dates can add a nice burst of sweetness and texture.

Pro Tips

1. Try using bananas that are extra overripe, with plenty of brown spots because they add more natural sweetness and moisture to your bread, wich makes it taste even better.
2. When mixing the flour in, fold it in really gently and dont overmix it. Overmixing can make your bread heavy and a bit cakey instead of soft and light.
3. If you like nuts in your bread, toast them in a dry pan for a few minutes before adding. This trick brings out a better nutty flavor and makes them extra crunchy.
4. Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes then move it to a wire rack to cool completely. This extra waiting step helps the texture set right and makes slicing easier.