Best Banana Bread Recipe Cooking Light

This Banana Bread Recipe uses brown sugar and lots of bananas for the BEST flavor. Plus, it takes only 15 minutes to make by hand–no mixer required! Recipe includes a how-to video!

This is it: the BEST banana bread recipe. After over half a dozen recipe tests, I finally landed on a winner. This recipe makes a moist, super flavorful (thanks to our key players: bananas, buttermilk, brown sugar, and vanilla), and easily customizable banana bread, a near cousin to my popular carrot cake recipe.

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Want to add nuts? Go for it! Like chocolate chip banana bread? Throw them in too. Or, go a little crazy and add both–this recipe can handle it!

Healthy Banana Bread Recipe

My banana bread recipe is closely based off of my popular banana muffins. That recipe has received nothing but rave reviews, and it took just a few modifications to make it perfect for baking in a bread pan. Serve yours warm with a little bit of honey butter (people do eat banana bread with butter, right?), and you’ve got yourself a slice of pure perfection.

VERY ripe bananas are ideal. We’re talking dark brown, spotty, and mushy–pretty much the opposite of what you’d like to eat! Super ripe bananas have the most flavor and will subsequently make your bread super flavorful too.

Absolutely! Stir in 1¼ cup coarsely chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts are great choices), chocolate chips, or even raisins at the end. Just remember to not over-mix!

Vegan Banana Bread (award Winning!)

Store at room temperature in an airtight container (or wrapped with plastic wrap) for up to three days. It can also be tightly wrapped and frozen for several months!

The bread, as this is the quickest way to make it dry. Once it’s cooked and cooled, store your banana bread tightly wrapped at room temperature and enjoy within 3 days for best results. Do NOT refrigerate–this will dry out the bread!

SAM’S TIP: If using nuts, try toasting them first for added flavor! To do this, simply spread the nuts on a baking sheet in an even layer and bake on 350F for 5-10 minutes, turning halfway through.

The Best Classic Banana Bread Recipe

Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe andvideobelow! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me onInstagram , and you can also find me onYouTube andFacebook .

²Adding nuts If you have nuts that aren’t already chopped, I recommend toasting them first for an even better flavor. To toast, layer 1 ½ cup of walnut or pecan halves over a baking sheet and bake on 350F for about 8 minutes. Allow the nuts to cool then use a large knife to coarsely chop.

Storing Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This recipe also freezes well, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and it will keep for several months!

Oatmeal Banana Bread (made With Greek Yogurt)

Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.This is the best Easy Banana Bread Recipe–it’s easy to customize with the ingredients you have and it always turns out moist, tender, and just sweet enough.

While there are dozens of banana breads out there, this might just be the last banana bread recipe you’ll ever need. It’s incredibly reliable, and my family has been making it since 1993. We first discovered it in Cooking Light magazine.

Perfect Vegan Banana Bread (super Moist)

In fact, this is one of my husband’s favorite recipes to make. It’s so forgiving that he never measures the bananas and substitutes whatever we have on hand. He usually makes some mini loaves with Craisins for me, one with walnuts for himself, and one with both craisins and nuts for the kids. Of course, he always generously sprinkles the tops with Sugar in the Raw.

Classic

Update: I’ve updated this post with new tips, tricks and photos so your family can enjoy this easy banana bread recipe as much as mine!

Before you get started baking this fast and easy recipe, check your bananas. It’s best to bake with very ripe bananas, as they’re softer, easier to mix, and naturally sweeter. The peels should have plenty of brown on them and the fruit should be soft and easily mashable with a fork.

One Bowl Banana Bread {light & Fluffy!) By Life Is But A Dish

In addition, make sure that all of your ingredients (yogurt, margarine, and eggs) are at room temperature. This will help the batter come together easily with no big lumps.

When mixing the batter, only stir until it just comes together. A few lumps will be visible, this is totally normal and actually a good sign. Overmixing can cause flat, dense, and chewy banana bread.

Then, when you pour the batter into your loaf pan, I recommend sprinkling the top with extra nuts and sugar. This adds a nice crunchy and sweet top crust to the bread that everyone loves.

Easy Banana Bread Recipe

Want to use a muffin or bundt pan? Go for it! And of course you can’t go wrong with a streusel topping.

Let the bread cool for 10 minutes in the pan after baking. This allows it to finish cooking all the way through.

Grandma's

Then you can let it cool the rest of the way directly on a wire rack. If you can’t wait for it to cool fully, you can serve it warm. Just note that the loaf will not cut cleanly if still hot.

The Most Amazing Banana Bread

As I said, this recipe is very easy to mix and match. You can swap the walnuts with pecans or another nut or add your favorite crunchy additions. Some of my favorite banana bread mix-ins include:

There are a few helpful tips from King Arthur Flour to ensure your banana bread bakes all the way through. Because there’s nothing worse than cutting into your freshly baked loaf to find a gooey, raw center!

Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container on the counter for up to three days. For longer storage, wrap the loaves tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze for up to six months.

The Best Banana Bread Recipe

When you’re ready to serve, let the loaves thaw on the counter for a few hours. If you like to serve warm bread, you can toast slices under the broiler or in a toaster oven. Or you can gently warm them in the microwave in 10-second increments until hot.

This is the best easy banana bread recipe you need to use your extra ripe bananas, with creamy yogurt and your favorite nutty or sweet mix-ins.

Best

South Your Mouth: Secret Ingredient Super Moist Banana Bread

As of June 2022 Melissa Griffiths now is the one adding recipes. So think of it as Barbara Bakes, and Melissa too! Melissa and Barbara have been blogging friends for over 10 years and when Barbara was ready to retire and spend more time with her family, Melissa took over the site. Read more...My Grandma’s tried and true Easy Banana Bread recipe is a classic favorite and hands down the BEST! Perfectly sweet, super moist and loaded with delicious banana flavor!

This has been one of my favorite banana bread recipes since I can remember and I have to give my Grandma ALL the credit. She literally makes the BEST and it was always a staple in her home growing up. This banana bread is so moist and fluffy, incredibly easy to make and is the perfect way to use up those overripe bananas! Everyone needs a staple banana bread recipe and I hope this one is yours!

Now for the disclaimer. This is definitely not considered a healthy banana bread as it does contain butter and sugar, but SO MANY people have asked me for this recipe over the years that I wanted to share it on my blog for those who wanted to make it. I mean hey, all things should be eaten in moderation anyway, right?? I have tried modifying this recipe several times to make it a bit healthier, but it just never comes out quite the same so I wanted you all to have the original recipe 😊

How To Cook Perfect Banana Bread

If you’re looking for healthier bread or muffin recipes, check out these banana breakfast muffins (can be made into bread as well!) or these chocolate chip banana zucchini muffins! You’ll also love this almond flour pumpkin bread and this healthy zucchini bread. Honestly guys, my Grandma’s banana bread recipe is just TOO good not to share so feel free to move along if this bread isn’t for you.

This particular recipe makes one standard loaf of

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Best Banana Bread Recipe Cooking Light