This easy banana bread is our favorite recipe with a sweet, moist, buttery crumb and the best fresh banana flavor. It’s so yummy and the perfect way to use up ripe bananas!
More ways we love to use bananas include making banana bread muffins, mini banana muffins and cake mix banana bread!
Easy Banana Bread
Banana bread is one of my favorite quick breads to make. My chocolate chip banana bread is probably the best on the planet (more like dessert), but I decided it was time to post my favorite classic recipe.
It uses a little less sugar, a little less sour cream and overripe bananas to really make the banana flavor come through. Just like my whole wheat bread recipe it is a family favorite, makes two loaves and comes out perfect every time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make: All you need is one bowl to make this no-fail, straightforward recipe!
- Simple ingredients: You probably have everything on hand right now to make this quick bread.
- Moist and flavorful: With 2 cups of ripe bananas, this is the best banana bread recipe with a tender crumb that is mouthwatering.
- Stores well: It makes two loaves, enjoy one now for breakfast or snack and freeze the other for later.
Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Salted butter: Softened butter adds buttery taste and a soft crumb.
- Granulated sugar:
- Large eggs: 2 large eggs add binding and stability to the bread.
- Sour cream: This adds moisture without thinning your batter. You can use plain Greek yogurt or even mayo if in a pinch.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a sweet taste that compliments the
- All-purpose flour: Adds structure. You might be able to use white whole wheat flour, although it may affect the texture.
- Baking soda: A leaveners that provides lift and rise.
- Salt: Enhances the flavor.
- Bananas: Ripe, spotty bananas that are mashed. You will need two cups of mashed bananas which are about 4 – 6 bananas.
How to Ripen Bananas Quickly
Here’s a few ways you can try and ripen your bananas quickly if your store doesn’t have any ripe ones.
- Place your bananas in a brown bag for 12-24 hours. If you add a ripened apple (or other fruit), the process will go faster.
- You can bake your bananas at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or until they have browned.
- You can also microwave your bananas (30 seconds – 1 minute). Allow to cool before placing in the bread.
How to Make Banana Bread
- Prepare. Preheat the oven to 325°F and spray two 8×4″ baking loaf pans with nonstick spray. Line with parchment paper for easier removal if desired.
- Mix. Cream butter and sugar together in a large bowl. Then mix in eggs, vanilla and sour cream. Add your dry ingredients of flour, baking soda and salt and stir just until combined. Then fold in mashed bananas.
- Bake. Pour the batter into the loaf pans and bake for 55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool. Once bread is slightly cooled, remove from pan and place on wire rack. Store in a zip top bag or wrap in foil.
Expert Tips
Here are my best tips for a perfectly moist banana bread recipe every time!
- Do not overmix batter: This is a great tip for any quick bread recipe! Only mix the batter until it is combined.
- Do not add extra bananas or liquid: Follow the recipe as is and use only 2 cups of mashed bananas. Using more will make your bread too dense.
- Add-ins. Feel free to fold in 1/2 cup chopped nuts for banana nut bread or 1 cup chocolate chips. Drizzle with a powdered sugar glaze like this strawberry bread recipe or cream cheese frosting like cinnamon swirl banana bread!
- Browning too quickly: If your bread is browning too quickly on the top, cover it loosely with aluminum foil.
- Testing for doneness: Start checking 10 minutes before it’s done. Insert a toothpick into the center of the bread, if it comes out clean, your bread is ready to be removed from the oven.
Storing Banana Bread
- How long does it keep? If stored correctly, it should keep for about 1-2 days at room temperature or 5-7 days in the fridge. To store, place in a zip top bag or wrap in foil.
- Can it be frozen? Yes! Because the recipe makes two loaves, I love to store one of the loaves in the freezer. Just wrap in aluminum foil and place in a zip top bag. It will last in the freezer for about 2 to 3 months.
Have more bananas? Make banana pudding, strawberry banana smoothie, these easy banana pancakes or banana zucchini muffins.
More Favorite Banana Recipes
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Easy Banana Bread Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup sour cream , or plain greek yogurt
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups very ripe bananas , mashed
Optional add-in's: 3/4 cup chopped walnuts or chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Spray 2 8×4-inch or 1 9×5-inch loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray and line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer. Mix in the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla.
- Stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt just until combined. Fold in bananas and any desired add-in's.
- Pour into the 2 8×4-inch loaf pans and bake 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted int he center comes out clean and the top is lightly browned. If using a 9×5-inch pan, cook 10 to 15 minutes longer, or until a toothpick inserted int he center comes out clean and the top is lightly browned. If the top is browning too fast, cover lightly with foil.
- Remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and place on a cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
FAQs
You may be wondering how ripe does a banana need to be for banana bread? Ripe bananas will have dark brown spots and are the best to use. NEVER use yellow or green bananas. A soft banana also mashes super easily and makes the bread super moist. The browner the banana, the sweeter flavor it will give. See picture in post of the bananas that I use most often.
There are a few ways and it is entirely up to preference! You can mash your bananas in a bowl with a fork or a potato masher. You can also use an electric mixer if you would like! Peel your bananas, break into large pieces and beat on low then medium speed to mash your bananas.
Yes! Learning how to freeze bananas is a great way to always have some on hand to make this bread whenever the mood strikes. To use the frozen bananas in bread, thaw, drain any excess liquid and then proceed with mashing.
If you have used too much mashed bananas, your bread could be soggy in the middle! Follow the recipe and use only 2 cups of mashed bananas for best results.
Both! Cool in the pan for 10 minutes and then remove from the pan to cool completely on a wire baking rack.
Categorized as: American, Bread, Freezer-Friendly, Kid-Friendly, Quick Bread
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Thank you. I just made this today and it is delicious. One is a loaf and the other is a muffins.
So glad you liked the recipe! Great idea to make a loaf and muffins :)
My kids could hardly wait once they smelled this in the oven. Everyone was quick to grab their share for fear it would disappear quickly, which it did!
Love it! So glad the family enjoyed it :)
Banana bread is one of my go to recipe is that we probably make every week! The spread is moist and delicious and my whole family loves it!
So glad the recipe is a hit with your family!
This comes out perfectly every time! Thanks for a yummy recipe!
So glad you liked it :)
This is THE BEST recipe I’ve found for banana bread! I love the taste and that it actually gets baked all the way through in 55 minutes!
I’m so happy to hear that you have loved it! :)
Please help. The first time I ever made this it was perfect !!! But since then I’ve done this three more times . And every time it comes out not cooked in the middle. I am using the same pans as I did the first time and adding chocolate chips just as I did the first time. Idk if I need to cook on higher temp as I’ve tried that and the top comes out too crispy and middle still not done. I’ve tried putting back in and still the same results. What am I doing wrong ? I’m using throw away pans that are 8.7 x 6.3×2.2 please help I don’t want to have to find a whole new recipe. Thank you.
Hi Tasha! So sorry it didn’t come out the second time. It’s hard to say without being there in your kitchen. Every oven cooks so differently. I wouldn’t cook on higher temp, I would just cook longer at the same temp. If it starts to brown before it’s done (check with a toothpick), place a piece of foil over top. Also, make sure you’re placing in the middle rack in the oven. Hope that helps!
Easy and tastes great
I followed instructions and made 2 loaves. I love the texture of the bread as it is dense and moist, but I think I will add 1/4 cup more of sugar and a bit of cinnamon next time. The family loves it. Thank you for sharing.
Do you use salted or non salted butter. In your double chocolate banana bread it states salted but this recipe just says butter.
I typically use salted!
Can I use other flour instead of all purpose flour? Cake, bread, wholemeal or a mix? Thanks
Hi Lillian! I’ve only use all purpose flour in this recipe, but I think it should be fine. It may just change the texture a bit. :)
I’ve seen a dozen recipes for banana bread and tried half that number and they were OK.
Not great but OK. This recipe is the best ever! I baked it exactly to recipe as called. You will never find better.
Your comment made my day! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
Followed the recipe and it looks amazing. The only change that I made was splenda instead of sugar. Absolutely amazing!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them and that it worked with splenda. Thanks for your comment Debbie!
I love this bread! I have to bake it up asap!
I’m so happy to hear that you love it! Thanks for leaving a comment and review Krista! :)
Love everything about this banana bread! Such an easy and delicious way to use over-ripe bananas!
I’m so happy to hear that! :)
Confession time; I have never tried banana bread but this looks super tasty. I might have to have a go at making this!
Definitely give it a try! You won’t be disappointed! :)
This looks so moist and delicious!
Hope you enjoy!
So easy and tasty! Perfect for a quick breakfast AND a snack
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
I always feel like my kids purposely stop eating bananas so they get over ripened so I have to make banana bread, haha! They love it especially as muffins.
Smart kids, banana bread is the best! :)
Banana bread is always a hit in our house! It’s usually eaten very quickly.