Hi there! 💛
Can I tell you a little secret? I wasn’t always the biggest fan of banana bread. I thought it was fine but nothing special—until one day, I found myself staring at three very ripe bananas on my counter, and I just couldn’t let them go to waste. So, I decided to give banana bread a try, and let me tell you… it completely won me over.
The moment it came out of the oven, my whole kitchen smelled amazing—the kind of smell that makes you want to curl up with a warm blanket and a cup of coffee. My family took one bite and instantly loved it. I could barely slice it fast enough before they were asking for more! Now it’s one of our favorite treats, and I honestly can’t believe I waited so long to fall in love with banana bread.
What I love most about this recipe is how simple it is. You don’t need any fancy tools or hard-to-find ingredients—just a bowl, a fork, and a few pantry staples. It’s soft, moist, and perfectly sweet with just the right amount of flavor. Plus, it’s one of those recipes that makes you feel good knowing you didn’t let those bananas go to waste.
So if you’ve got a few ripe bananas sitting around, don’t throw them out—turn them into something delicious instead. This banana bread is cozy, comforting, and always a crowd-pleaser. I’m so excited to share this recipe with you, and I hope it becomes a favorite in your home too!
Let’s get started! 😊
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 3 ripe bananas – The riper, the better! Soft and spotty bananas add the most sweetness.
- 1/3 cup melted butter – Unsalted butter works best, but salted is fine too.
- 3/4 cup sugar – Feel free to use 1/2 cup if you like it less sweet.
- 1 large egg – For fluffiness and structure.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Adds a warm, sweet flavor.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder – Helps the bread rise beautifully.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda – Makes it light and airy.
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional) – A cozy touch of flavor—highly recommended!
- 1/2 teaspoon salt – Balances out the sweetness.
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – Keeps it soft and fluffy.
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional) – Add crunch, or swap for chocolate chips if you prefer!
Let’s Bake It! 🍞
Step 1: Preheat the oven and prepare your pan.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
Step 2: Mash the bananas.
- Peel your ripe bananas and place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Use a fork to mash them until smooth, leaving a few small lumps for texture, if you like.
Step 3: Mix the wet ingredients.
- Add the melted butter, sugar, egg, vanilla extract, cinnamon (if using), and salt to the bowl with the bananas.
- Stir everything together until fully combined. The mixture should look creamy.
Step 4: Add the dry ingredients.
- Sprinkle the flour, baking powder, and baking soda over the wet mixture.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients in with a spatula or spoon. Mix until there are no streaks of flour, but don’t overmix—this keeps the bread soft and fluffy.
Step 5: Pour the batter and add toppings.
- Pour the batter into your greased loaf pan.
- Sprinkle the chopped walnuts (or chocolate chips) evenly on top for a little crunch and flavor.
Step 6: Bake to perfection.
- Place the pan in the oven and bake for 45–50 minutes.
- Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean, it’s ready!
Step 7: Cool and slice.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
- Carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. (I know it’s tempting, but this step helps it set and makes slicing easier!)
Helpful Tips for Perfect Banana Bread 🌟
- Ripe Bananas Work Best: The spottier and darker the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing can make the bread dense instead of light and soft. Just stir until combined.
- Add Extra Moisture: For even more softness, stir in 2 tablespoons of sour cream or plain yogurt to the batter.
- Fun Add-Ins: Try mixing in chocolate chips, shredded coconut, or blueberries for a fun twist.
- Make It Gluten-Free: Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend if needed.
Final Thoughts 💛
This banana bread is such a hit in my house—my family asks for it all the time! It’s so soft, moist, and flavorful that we never let bananas go to waste anymore.
I hope this recipe becomes a favorite in your home, too. If you try it, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you—leave me a comment or send me a picture. Happy baking, sweet friend! 🥰✨