Introduction
Banana bread is a timeless comfort food — soft, moist, and bursting with natural sweetness. This classic recipe transforms overripe bananas into a golden, aromatic loaf that’s perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert. No fancy equipment needed — just a bowl, a whisk, and a craving for something delicious.
Ingredients
Dry ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
Wet ingredients:
- 3 ripe bananas (about 1 ¼ cups mashed)
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar (or use ½ cup for less sweetness)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional additions:
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Instructions & Method
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- (Add cinnamon if using)
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until smooth.
- Add the melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk until well combined.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture. Do not overmix — stir just until you no longer see flour.
- If using nuts or chocolate chips, fold them in now.
Step 5: Bake
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs.
(If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil during the last 10–15 minutes.)
Step 6: Cool
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes.
- Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Tips for Best Results
- Banana ripeness: The riper, the better — dark brown spots are your friend!
- Texture: For a moister loaf, don’t overmix the batter.
- Storage: Keeps well wrapped at room temperature for 2–3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. It also freezes beautifully.