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.
I haven’t tried this yet but I am looking forward to trying it soon. I am curious about why you use butter with salt and then add additional salt into the recipe. Since I never use salted butter, I will just have to adjust the total amount of salt to compensate for the lack of salt in the butter.
You can definitely adjust the salt based on butter preference.
should the butter be melted for this recipe??
Softened not melted so it can cream with the sugar.
Did anyone run into needing to leave the muffins in the oven a lot longer?
This is the BEST bread – sweet and a bit crunchy on top but dense and doughy inside… LOVE IT.
This bread was amazing. I have made countless banana bread recipes. This one by far ,is the best. Very moist and tasty. I gave my husband two big pieces for breakfast. He said that it was so good that he wanted another . Give it a try you won’t be disappointed.😁
Jacqueline, thank you for the very kind review! I’m so happy you and your husband love the banana bread :) It is a favorite at my house too!
Perfect for coffee or tea…So good….Thank you for the recipe!
I’m always looking for recipes that say “the best.” Well I finally found the best banana bread recipe. This is delicious and so easy. Highly recommend you try it. This is the only one I will use from now on.
Love this, it’s my go-to recipe for banana bread. I always get asked for it by other people. Thanks!
This is the first time I make this recipe. My boyfriend loved the banana bread. I will have to make it again.
He eat the bread in less than a week.
Best banana bread!! It is so yummy and never lasts long, my family loves it.
That is great to hear! So glad that you love this banana bread.
To die for recipe!!
I made these as gluten free muffins by just substituting the flour with a gf flour and it turned out excellent. this recipe is a keeper. Thank you
That is great to hear! I am glad that it worked out. Thank you for sharing your experience.
How many bananas does that equal? I don’t want to measure mashed bananas. Lol
About 6 medium sized bananas :)
Just mash them in the two cup Pyrex – easy
This is my go-to recipe for banana bread! It’s easy to make and always turns out yummy! My kids ask for it all the time! ❤️
Love to hear it’s a family favorite! Thanks for your comment and review, Katie!
when ever I want to make a banana bread i just look up a recipe, I will not be doing that again as this is the best best best banana bread I have made by far. I turned my back on it and half a loaf was gone literally with my son who doesn tlike sweet things. I had some apples that needed to be used so i cut them up in little pieces and added them to the recipe AMAZING
Mmm apples sound like a delicious addition! So happy to hear you loved the recipe so much, Donna! :)
I loved your pumpkin brownies and so when I had some brown bananas I knew where I needed to go to find a banana bread recipe and I’m so glad I did. I used half stevia and half the sugar to help cut the calories and they turned out great. Thank you!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks for your kind comment and review, Jessica :)
Not yet BUT thank you for leaving directions for muffins and mini loaves.
Of course! Enjoy :)
why did the author of , Banana nut bread , leave off the baking Powder?
You don’t need baking powder for this recipe :)
I loved this recipe, the only change I made was to put the baking soda and sour cream in separate bowl and let it raise. Stir it into mashed bananas.
I’m so glad you loved it! I’ll have to try that sometime :)