Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (2024)

Published: by Allison · 687 Comments

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This Easy Banana Bread Recipe is the absolute BEST! It is moist, packed with bananas, sweetened with brown sugar, and baked in a square pan for even and quick cooking. No mixer needed, grab a bowl and whisk, this bread is ready in under 30 minutes.

If you asked me what I bake most often, the answer would undoubtedly be banana bread. It took me years, and dozens of recipes, before I found the one that I’m sharing here. It became an immediate reader favorite and family staple.

Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (1)

For years, I have been on a search for the PERFECT Banana Bread. I wanted a recipe that is simple, with no fancy ingredients, and no trendy technique. Just a flat-out delicious Banana Bread that bakes up perfectly every single time. HERE IT IS!

This recipe is also the base for our Banana Nut Muffins and our Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.

Jump to:
  • What makes this recipe the best
  • Recipe overview
  • Tips: baking with bananas
  • Healthier options
  • Different pan sizes
  • More banana recipes
  • Recipe

What makes this recipe the best

  • Bananas – This banana bread is absolutely loaded with bananas. I use 3-4 overripe bananas to make this bread sweet, moist, and undeniably banana-flavored.
  • Brown sugar – The only sugar used in this bread is brown sugar. It is in the batter and it gets sprinkled on top before baking. The brown sugar gives the bread a deeper flavor and almost caramel-like sweetness.
  • Vanilla extract – Banana and vanilla is a match made in heaven! Two teaspoons of vanilla extract lend an underlying vanilla flavor that pairs perfectly with the banana.
  • Square pan – This here is the game changer. I bake the banana bread in a 9×9 square cake pan instead of a loaf pan. This allows the bread to bake in as little as 20 minutes (as opposed to 1 hour in a loaf pan). Plus, no worrying about overcooking the edges and undercooking the center. Since it is not a loaf, it bakes evenly every time. Note: If you’d prefer using a different size pan there are instructions below.
Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (2)

Recipe overview

*Full detailed recipe below in the recipe card.*

Whisk melted butter and brown sugar. Add mashed banana, vanilla, and eggs.

Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (3)

Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt.

Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (4)

Pour the batter into a greased 9×9 square pan and sprinkle the top with brown sugar. Bake until golden brown and cooked through.

Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (5)

Tips: baking with bananas

It’s important that you use overripe bananas for this recipe. The skin of the bananas should have brown speckles or even be turning dark brownish-black. This ensures that the bananas mash smoothly and are extra sweet.

You will need 3-4 bananas (2 cups mashed).

Mash the bananas using a fork or potato masher.

I mash the bananas on a paper plate then fold the plate in half and slide the mashed banana into the measuring cup.

Healthier options

Prefer your Banana Bread on the healthier side? I have made the following changes with success:

  • Reduce the brown sugar to ½ cup (in the batter). I still recommend sprinkling brown sugar on top.
  • Swap the melted butter for melted coconut oil or mild olive oil.
  • Reduce the melted butter/oil to 6 tablespoons.
  • Swap ¾ cup of all purpose flour for whole wheat flour.
  • Add a generous handful of chopped walnuts to the batter for a boost of omega-3’s.
Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (6)

Different pan sizes

The recipe instructions are for a 9×9 square pan (my preference), but you can also use the following:

  • Muffins: Divide batter between 12 greased muffin cups, adjust bake time to about 15 minutes(or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).
  • 8×8 square: Adjust bake time to 35-45 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).
  • Loaf pan (9×5): Adjust bake time to 45-55 minutes(or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).
Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (7)

More banana recipes

  • Coconut Banana Cream Pie
  • Banana Bundt Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze
  • Brown Sugar Banana Pancakes
  • Pumpkin Banana Bread

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Recipe

Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (12)

Easy Banana Bread Recipe

This Easy Banana Bread Recipe is the absolute BEST! It is moist, packed with bananas, sweetened with brown sugar, and baked in a cake pan for even and quick cooking. No mixer needed, grab a bowl and whisk, this bread is ready in under 30 minutes.

4.99 from 300 votes

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Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 small (or 9 larger servings)

Calories: 212kcal

Author: Allison – Celebrating Sweets

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
  • cup packed light brown sugar, make sure it is fresh and soft
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 scant cups mashed very ripe bananas, about 3-4 bananas
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 ¾ cups all purpose flour*
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup brown sugar (or more, if desired), for topping

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.

  • In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and ⅔ cup brown sugar until well combined, about 1 minute. Add eggs, mashed banana, and vanilla, whisking until combined.

  • In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and use a rubber spatula to lightly stir the batter until no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to over mix.

  • Grease a 9×9 square baking pan and add the batter to the pan. Smooth into an even layer. Sprinkle the top of the batter with ¼ cup (or more) brown sugar. Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating once during the bake time. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Place on a wire rack to cool.

Video

Notes

FLOUR: Fluff the flour several times with your measuring cup, lightly scoop a heaping portion and level it off. If you’d like to add some whole wheat flour, I have successfully used 1 cup all purpose flour along with ¾ cup whole wheat flour.

PAN SIZES: The recipe instructions are for a 9×9 square pan (my preference), but you can also use the following:

  • Muffins: Divide batter between 12 greased muffin cups, adjust bake time to about 15 minutes(or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).
  • 8×8 square: Adjust bake time to 35-45 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).
  • Loaf pan (9×5): Adjust bake time to 45-55 minutes(or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).

Nutrition

Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 158mg | Potassium: 57mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 281IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.

Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (13) Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!

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Comments

  1. Alana Wilkes

    Can you freeze this?

    Reply

    • Allison

      Yes. You can freeze slices after baking and cooling.

      Reply

  2. Kyle

    Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (14)
    Great banana bread recipe – for the flour I recommend measuring by grams not cups it can be inaccurate. 210g flour

    Reply

  3. MACHELLE L LIETZ

    Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (15)
    I used a 7×11 glass dish and baked for 40-45 mins and it was perfect. My family expects this recipe all the time and I loved the perfect amount of sweetness.

    Reply

    • Allison

      I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

      Reply

  4. Tara

    Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (16)
    Really good! Will make again!

    Reply

    • Allison

      I’m so glad! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

      Reply

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About

Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (17)Hi, I'm Allison! I'm a busy wife and mom with a passion for cooking and baking. This is where you'll find my favorite homemade recipes, designed to help you make every day delicious! Read more....

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FAQs

What is the formula for banana bread? ›

The basic banana bread formula

Most banana bread recipes have the same formula, roughly: 115 grams (½ cup) butter (or oil) + 200 grams (1 cup) sugar (white or brown) + 2 large eggs + 2 or 3 mashed bananas + (190 grams) 1-½ cups flour + 1 teaspoon baking soda + ½ teaspoon salt.

What to use instead of a loaf pan for banana bread? ›

Square pan – This here is the game changer. I bake the banana bread in a 9×9 square cake pan instead of a loaf pan.

How to gift someone banana bread? ›

Idea 2: Wrap in Parchment

Once the loaf fully cools, wrap it in plastic wrap then use parchment or wax paper to create a fun little gift wrap! You can also use this method to wrap any kind of quick bread as a gift, as long as it fits on the parchment paper.

Is baking soda or powder better for banana bread? ›

From looking at some of the oldest recipes, it seems that baking powder, rather than baking soda, is the most traditional ingredient used in banana bread. However, when you understand how both leavening agents function, you'll understand why you can use one or the other. They'll both work.

Why do you not put baking powder in banana bread? ›

Simply, batter is wet and your baked good is dry, so all of the moisture mixed into the batter will be driven off to rise. Its mind boggling, but rising agents like baking powder and baking soda do NOT make baked goods rise. They simple create the bubbles for steam to expand and grow in the baked good.

Is glass or metal loaf pan better for banana bread? ›

If you've ever baked brownies or banana bread that turn out raw, underbaked, gummy, or sunken in the center, it may be due to a glass pan. Oppositely, if you've ever baked cookies that burnt on the bottom or a lemon loaf that got too crispy on the edges, it could be due to using a dark nonstick aluminum pan.

Should I grease loaf pan for banana bread? ›

Grease Your Pan

For a picture-worthy loaf of banana bread, don't go overboard with greasing your loaf pan. Grease the bottom of the pan just ½ inch up the sides for a uniform loaf with a slightly rounded top. If you grease all the way up the sides of the pan, the loaf can sink, resulting in a flat top.

Can you line a loaf pan with parchment paper for banana bread? ›

Cooking sprays or a good slathering of “cake goop” can do the trick, but one of the most reliable ways to ensure that your loaf comes out of the pan easily is to line the pan with parchment, which you can grasp and use to pull the loaf out of the pan.

Why is my banana bread always so dry? ›

Moisture is key when it comes to banana bread, and the ratio of flour to banana makes all the difference. If you use too much flour, you'll end up with dry bread. If you don't use enough, your bread will be too wet. The secret is actually in how you measure the flour.

How to check banana bread without toothpick? ›

Our Favorite Alternative to Toothpicks

Look at your knife set and find the one with the thinnest blade. Then insert the blade into the center of the cake. If the knife comes out clean, the cake is done. If batter or crumbs stick to the blade, let your cake bake a few minutes more and retest with a clean knife.

Why is my banana bread still gooey in the middle? ›

Excess moisture (when compared to the recipe's dry ingredients) means a greater potential for banana bread to sink in the middle. Recipes that provide you with the exact amount of mashed bananas by measuring cup (e.g. 1 ½ cups of mashed bananas) or by weight (e.g. grams) tend to have fewer problems.

When not to use bananas for bread? ›

While it's okay if the banana peel is dark brown or even black, if the inside is too, then the fruit is beyond ripe and now on its way to rotten. Another sign that bananas have gone bad is if they start leaking any fluids. When in doubt, just toss the bananas out.

Should you Saran wrap banana bread? ›

To store banana bread in the fridge, wrap it in plastic wrap, making sure the entire loaf is covered. Place the wrapped loaf in an airtight container or airtight storage bag. Store the banana bread in the fridge for seven days.

What do you eat with banana bread? ›

The best side dishes to serve with banana bread are fondue, chocolate pudding, rice pudding, apple crisp, candied pecans, strawberry cobbler, chocolate ice cream, vanilla yogurt, peanut butter, cream base souffle, banana cream custard, dark chocolate sauce, orange jam, fruit salad, vanilla custard, tempura, and cold ...

What is the formula for bread? ›

The Baker's Formula (for basic breads) can also be weighed:
Flour100%500 g
Water60%300 g
Yeast (Fresh)3-4%15-20 g
Salt2%10 g

What is the equation of banana? ›

From the banana picture above, we can see that a quadratic function is able to model the banana quite accurately, with a=0.1, b=0, and c=0. Therefore, the equation is f(x)=0.1x2.

What is the chemical equation for bananas? ›

Explanation: The chemical formula for a banana is not a simple matter as a banana is made up of many different compounds. However, one predominant compound is glucose, which has a chemical formula of C6H12O6. This formula represents a molecule containing 6 carbon (C), 12 hydrogen (H), and 6 oxygen (O) atoms.

What is the chemical equation for making bread? ›

The Chemistry of Bread Making
Baking SodaBaking Powder
Before BakingHCO−3+H2O↔H2CO3+OH−HCO−3+HA→CO2+H2O+A−
During BakingHCO−3+H2O+heat→CO2+H2OHCO−3+H2O+heat→CO2+H2O
Jan 27, 2021

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