Simple and Delicious Banana Bread Recipe

Full Flavor Banana Bread

Banana bread is one of my favorite baked goods. It brings comfort and satisfaction with each slice. Known for that unique flavor and moist texture, banana bread is an excellent way to use overripe bananas and have fun with different flavor and texture combinations with your choice of mix-ins. In this article, we will explore a simple and delicious recipe that anyone can follow! I hope you have as much fun with this one as I do.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 55–65 minutes
Total time: ~1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (8–10 slices)

Gathering Your Ingredients

3 medium ripe bananas, mashed
½ cup unsalted butter, melted (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
¾ cup brown sugar (or coconut sugar for a less refined option)
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional but adds warmth)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
Mash bananas in a large mixing bowl until mostly smooth with a few small chunks.
Add wet ingredients: Stir in melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla until well combined.
Mix dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
Combine: Add dry ingredients to the banana mixture and stir gently until just combined—don’t overmix.
Pour into pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

picture of finished, sliced and plated banana bread on a white platter with blackberries, raspberries and strawberries lining th esides of the sliced bread.

Optional Add-Ins (Mix ½–¾ cup into batter):

Chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
Chocolate chips (semi-sweet, dark, or white)
Dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, chopped dates)
Shredded coconut for tropical flavor
Swirl-ins: Peanut butter, Nutella, or cream cheese can be marbled in before baking

Gluten-Free Version

Substitute the flour with 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (with xanthan gum included) or 2 cups of fine ground oats.
Check for doneness around 50 minutes, as gluten-free flours can brown faster.

Pro Tips for Flavor

Use extra ripe bananas (lots of brown spots = more natural sweetness).
A pinch of nutmeg or 1 tsp of espresso powder enhances depth.
For extra moistness, add 2 Tbsp sour cream or Greek yogurt to the batter.

Mom’s Easy Delicious Holiday Banana Bread Recipe for the Family