Simple Banana Bread says it all. Basic ingredients, simple to make, moist and foolproof. The old-fashioned classic never goes out of style.
This banana quick bread only uses 5 ingredients. Not too sweet. Filled with dark flecks. The best recipe for using ripe bananas.
Homemade easy banana bread from scratch is ideal toasted for breakfast, and paired with coffee or tea in the afternoon. We even enjoy it as a dessert too. A family favourite.
I love when the simple things in life give us so much pleasure. You know what I am talking about. Those simple yet so delicious foods grandma used to make. Minimal ingredients. Minimal effort.
Back in the day when my baba had no fancy equipment to help her mix, cut or even measure the correct temperature. No gourmet ingredients, just simple, basic stuff out of the garden and a few standard store staples.
Classic Banana Bread Ingredients
- butter
- sugar
- eggs
- mashed bananas (ripe bananas work best)
- flour
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt
This ultimate banana bread recipe is a reflection of those good old days. The days when food was a labour of love. When some of the best dinners were made with only a few ingredients, yet they tasted as if they came out of a Michelin Star restaurant. If you have watched the Nonnas on Netflix, you will know what I am talking about.
How ripe should bananas be for baking? For baking, ripe bananas are best. They usually are soft to the touch with lots of black spots on the peel.
You can place them in a paper bag for 1-2 days. If you need to ripen them in a hurry, use the oven. Warm unpeeled bananas on a baking sheet for 15-20 minutes at 250ºF (and cool before using).
You can also use the microwave. Using a fork or knife, poke through the peel on all sides. Place the banana in the microwave for 30 second intervals until they soften.
Can you freeze ripe bananas? Yes, all you have to do is peel them and place them in freezer bags for use later.
Simple Banana Bread From Scratch
You don’t need fancy equipment. I used a *(affiliate) handheld mixer. I know baba would have only used a *(affiliate) wooden spoon. Full instructions are in the recipe card.
- In a small bowl mash the bananas with a fork.
- In a large bowl cream the butter and sugar.
- Add the eggs.
- Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix in the mashed bananas.
- Put the batter in a *(affiliate) loaf pan.
- Bake until done.
This recipe is perfect for anyone just learning to bake. Only a few ingredients, simple directions and delicious results.
My grandkids beg me to make this all the time. My grandson has a hard time deciding between this and baked pumpkin donuts as his favourite snack.
Suggestions / Recipe Tips
- Do not over-mix, it will create a solid batter. Overmixing will cause the bread to not rise properly, and be under-baked.
- Be sure to test your bread for doneness before the allotted baking time. You don’t want to over-bake it. I use a *(affiliate) cake tester.
- Use the exact amount of bananas stated in the recipe. If you add more, the bread will be very dense.
- Add some chocolate chips or peanut butter chips to the batter before baking. Don’t use more than a cup.
- Add some nuts to the batter. Walnuts and pecans would be great.
- Don’t worry if your banana loaf cracks on the top. This happens because the loaf continues to rise after the top has set.
Store wrapped on the counter. Have you tried *(affiliate) Abeego beeswax wraps? They are amazing. The bread is kept fresh for 3-4 days, and these are environmentally friendly. We all need to pitch in and help save the planet. You can also keep it wrapped in the fridge for longer storage.
Banana bread is perfect for freezing too. I like to make several loaves at a time. You can freeze the whole loaf by tightly wrapping it in food film. You can also wrap up individual slices.
This banana bread recipe is easily converted into muffins. Pour the batter into a *(affiliate) muffin pan and bake for approximately 20 minutes.
Still looking for some delicious banana recipes? I have a few right here:
- You can never go wrong with this Best Banana Cake recipe. It is a secret family recipe.
- Rocky Road Banana Bread is decadent and delicious.
- How about a banana split for breakfast? A healthy way to start the day.
- Banana Popsicles are a huge hit in the summer.
Super Simple Banana Bread
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup mashed banana (2 medium ripe bananas)
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º F. Prepare a 9-inch loaf pan and set aside.
- Place all the dry ingredients (except the sugar) in a small bowl, and mix with a whisk to combine.
- In a small bowl, mash the ripe bananas (enough to produce 1 cup) and set aside.
- In a large bowl cream the butter and sugar. (I used a hand held mixer. Feel free to just use a spoon like the old-fashioned method).
- Combine the eggs one at a time. Mix well.
- Add in the mashed banana. Mix well.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix well.
- Scrape batter into a prepared loaf pan. Bake for about 50 minutes until done. Bread should be nice and brown. Use a cake tester to make sure it is done in the middle.
- Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Let stand for at least 10 minutes before removing from pan.
- Once cool (or until you can’t wait anymore) slice and ENJOY!
Kari Heron
Gloria, I kept on looking for the milk or some variant for extra liquid because your banana bread looks so moist and you only have the mashed bananas? Seriously? I am floored!
Homemade & Yummy
NO milk…the bananas and eggs do the trick in this recipe.
Maman de sara
Who doesn’t like banana bread! Your recipe is easy to follow, thanks for sharing.
Homemade & Yummy
I have not met a person that does not devour banana bread.
Dana
Nothing beats a good banana bread. I love the simple approach to this recipe. I always like adding walnuts or chocolate chips when I make it, mostly because I feel like I have to constantly jazz things up. But whenever my mom would make a simple banana bread like this when I was young, I didn’t miss any of those additions. Sometimes simple is best, and this recipe is worth having around! (I have so many brown bananas in my freezer. So this needs to happen. 🙂 )
Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY…make it however your heart desires. You can never go wrong with any version of banana bread.
Christina
I love banana bread and I’m definitely a fan of how simple yours is! Such a classic! I wish I had a slice with my coffee right now. And then also another after dinner. Aaaaaand probably one for a snack in the afternoon. LOL Looks delicious, Gloria!
Homemade & Yummy
My grandson asked for a slice after school today. This is a keeper (well it doesn’t last long) in our house.
Mimi
What I like about this recipe is the fact that you need only 5 ingredients to make this delicious banana bread. I think I prefer it this way because all other recipes I’ve tried either had more ingredients or required more time to cook. Definitely giving this a try this weekend!
Homemade & Yummy
This really is BASIC banana bread, but it does not disappoint in flavour. Hope you give it a try.
April
You can never dissapoint with a banana bread because everyone loves it. I haven’t met a single person in my life who would say: “I don’t like banana bread”. It is great for breakfast, dessert, party box, you name it. Perfect, versatile recipe that anyone will enjoy.
Homemade & Yummy
Don’t you just love when you can bake something and enjoy it ALL day long??
Krista Price
You can’t go wrong with an amazing banana bread recipe, and this is one is absolutely perfect. I don’t like a “cakey” bread and this has the perfect amount of moisture. Nothing “cakey” about it. You nailed it!
Homemade & Yummy
This is simple, basic PERFECTION for sure.
Byron Thomas
Gloria, this is the exact recipe that I have! Did our moms/grandmas know each other too? 😉 We love banana bread in our home; in fact, I think I make it at least once a month. Oftentimes, we’ll buy extra bananas just so that they will over ripen and then we can make banana bread. Next time you make yours, add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon – it’s heaven!
Homemade & Yummy
Well since it is such a basic recipe, I imagine there was not much room for variation back in the day. I know my mom and baba did not do much adding of anything to recipes. Your cinnamon suggestion does sound delicious.
Jacqueline Debono
Your banana bread looks great! I love that it’s such a simple recipe. I agree with you often the simplest foods are the best and usually the healthiest too! Can’t wait to try this!
Homemade & Yummy
Enjoy! I will be baking a couple more this week. My grandson has requested on for himself.
Cheese Curd In Paradise
I think of recipes like this one nice back pocket recipes. I love to have a recipe that I can count on for recipes, like banana bread or spaghetti sauce, and I know it will come out perfect each time I make it!
Homemade & Yummy
I love all the basics for sure.
Kacie Morgan
Banana bread is one of those dishes that just never goes out of fashion! Simple and subtle, yet always goes down a treat.
Linda
I second that! Simple thing that brings so much joy like this banana bread always makes me smile. Will definitely give this a try!
Homemade & Yummy
Making two more this week.
Fiona Maclean
My mum used to make banana bread – and I don’t have her recipe. It’s so good, isn’t it, that our own kids and grandchildren will have that heritage now thanks to the internet. And I am just going to steal yours – which looks exactly the sort of thing my mum would have made!
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you like it. My grandson has asked for a loaf all this own.
Veena Azmanov
Banana bread is an absolute favorite and this recipe looks so moist. Loving the texture of this bread. Thanks for sharing it
Homemade & Yummy
You are welcome. ENJOY!
Marisa F. Stewart
Frankly, I don’t have a favorite banana bread — I love them all. I would love to have a slice right now. We always have extra bananas and we freeze them. I wait to get enough of them and then make some bread. Right now we have several in the freezer waiting for me to make something delicious. This recipe is it!!
Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY…my grandson has asked for his OWN loaf. Gramma bought bananas…so he will get his wish.