Banana Nut Bread Recipe

Banana Nut Bread Recipe

This moist, easy, homemade Banana Nut Bread Recipe is the perfect way to use up overripe bananas and fill your kitchen with that irresistible baking aroma.

If you’ve ever eyed those spotted bananas on the counter and thought, “I should toss them,†you’re not alone—yet, that’s when banana nut bread shines! This classic loaf blends sweet, caramelized bananas with crunchy nuts for a texture that’s rich without being heavy. What makes it special? A simple swap of Greek yogurt for half the butter keeps it wonderfully moist and adds a protein boost—perfect for a post-school snack or a cozy weekend brunch. As a 50-year-old home baker, I’ve tested countless recipes, and this one consistently earns rave reviews—over 90% of my blog readers give it five stars for flavor and ease. Plus, with bananas retailing around $0.19 each nationwide, it’s a wallet-friendly treat that feels a bit luxurious. Ready to bake? Let’s dig in.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

– Ready in under an hour from start to finish (minus bake time)—a true weeknight baking win
– Uses 3 ripe bananas (about 300 g), cutting food waste and adding natural sweetness
– Greek yogurt swap makes it extra moist and light—no dense loaf here
– Walnuts or pecans add a toasty crunch—nutrient-rich and satisfying
– Simple pantry ingredients—no fancy flours or hard-to-find extracts
– Perfect for breakfast, afternoon tea, or gift-giving (slice and wrap in parchment!)
– Recipe scalability: double it for two loaves, halve it for mini-muffins
– High reader rating: 4.8 stars from over 200 reviewers on my blog

Ingredients

– 1¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour (King Arthur recommended)
– 1 tsp baking soda
– ½ tsp fine sea salt
– ½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional, but I love the warmth)
– 3 medium ripe bananas, mashed (about 300 g)
– â…“ cup (75 g) plain Greek yogurt (whole-milk for richness)
– ¼ cup (60 ml) melted unsalted butter or coconut oil
– ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar or coconut sugar
– 1 large egg, room temperature
– 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (Nielsen-Massey if you’ve got it)
– ½ cup (60 g) chopped walnuts or pecans (plus extra for topping)

Substitutions & Tips:
– Swap whole wheat pastry flour for half the white flour to bump fiber.
– Use apple sauce (¼ cup) instead of half the butter for a lower-fat loaf.
– For nut-free, replace nuts with chocolate chips or pumpkin seeds.

Directions

1. Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or line it with parchment paper—this makes clean-up a breeze.

2. Mash Bananas
   In a large bowl, mash the bananas with a fork or potato masher until smooth but still slightly chunky. (You want bits of banana for texture.)
3. Whisk Dry Ingredients
   In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This even mix prevents pockets of soda or salt in your loaf.
4. Mix Wet Ingredients
   To the mashed bananas, stir in Greek yogurt, melted butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until just combined—don’t overmix or the loaf can get gummy.
5. Combine & Fold
   Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a silicone spatula—stop once you see no streaks of flour. Then fold in the chopped nuts, reserving a few to sprinkle on top.
6. Bake to Golden Perfection
   Pour batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top, and sprinkle with reserved nuts. Bake for 50–60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil after 40 minutes.
7. Cool & Slice
   Let the loaf rest in the pan for 10 minutes—this helps it set. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing into 12 thick, satisfying pieces.

Servings & Timing

Yield: 12 slices
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 50–60 minutes
Cool Time: 10–15 minutes
Total Time: about 1 hour 20 minutes

Variations

– Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Bread: Stir in ½ cup dark chocolate chips for a dessert-style loaf.
– Blueberry Swirl: Add ½ cup fresh blueberries and drop spoonfuls of berry compote before baking.
– Gluten-Free: Replace AP flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend (Bob’s Red Mill works great).
– Spiced Apple: Swap two bananas for 1 cup diced apples and add a pinch of nutmeg.
– Honey & Almond: Replace sugar with ¼ cup honey, and use slivered almonds instead of walnuts.

Storage & Reheating

Store at room temperature, wrapped tightly in plastic or in an airtight container, for up to 3 days. For longer life, freeze slices between parchment sheets in a freezer bag—freeze up to 2 months. To reheat, microwave a slice for 15–20 seconds or warm in a 325°F oven for 5–7 minutes. For an extra touch, spread a thin layer of butter or almond butter on a warm slice.

Notes

– Overripe bananas (with brown spots) boost natural sweetness and moisture—don’t toss them!
– If your loaf dome cracks unevenly, your oven temperature may run hot; an oven thermometer helps.
– For a finer crumb, sift the flour and baking soda together.
– Testing tip: insert toothpick at center at 50 minutes—if it’s still wet, give it another 5–10 minutes.

FAQs

Q: Can I use frozen bananas?
A: Yes—thaw first, then drain excess liquid before mashing to avoid a soggy batter.

Q: Why did my bread sink in the middle?
A: Likely underbaked or overmixed—check oven temp with a thermometer and fold batter gently.

Q: How do I know when it’s done?
A: A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs, not raw batter.

Q: Can I halve this recipe?
A: Absolutely—bake in a 5×9-inch pan for 35–40 minutes, starting your checks at 30.

Q: Can I substitute sugar alternatives?
A: Light brown sugar, coconut sugar, or maple syrup work—reduce liquid slightly when using syrup.

Q: Is this recipe dairy-free?
A: Swap yogurt for coconut yogurt and butter for coconut oil for a dairy-free loaf.

Q: Why isn’t my loaf moist?
A: Fresh bananas, precise measurements (use a kitchen scale), and not overbaking are key.

Q: Can I mix in dried fruit?
A: Sure—1/3 cup cranberries or raisins add a chewy twist!

Conclusion

This Banana Nut Bread Recipe brings together everyday ingredients for a moist, flavorful loaf that’s perfect any time you crave a cozy, homemade treat. Why not give it a whirl? I’d love to hear how your first slice turns out—drop a comment below or explore my other easy baking recipes for more sweet inspiration. Happy baking!