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!
Sharon
I love how simple this recipe is. Perfect use of bananas that are ripe and great for snacks and breakfast.
Homemade & Yummy
Simple perfection at it’s best for sure.
Kelly Anthony
You are SO right! Banana bread NEVER goes out of style 🙂 Going to make over spring break. Can’t wait!
Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY…we sure love this simple recipe.
Jenni LeBaron
I love that this is a true classic simple banana bread recipe because that’s exactly what I like best. One of my favorite treats my mom would make growing up was banana bread and this makes we want to make a batch immediately.
Homemade & Yummy
Nothing better than a slice of banana bread and butter.
Jennifer
This banana bread is sooo good!!!!! I just made this for the weekend!
Homemade & Yummy
So glad you like the recipe…we do too.
Tammy
This is so easy to make and I love it! It’s been quite a while since I’ve treated myself to banana bread…yours looks so moist and irresistible! 😀
Homemade & Yummy
I made 2 loaves yesterday. It is so delicious.
Anna
Love recipes with history attached to them! Your banana bread looks absolutely perfect, that texture is so on point! I always have some ripe bananas in my kitchen reserved just for the banana bread, and I think my next time, I will be definitely using this recipe!
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you enjoy this recipe. My family LOVES this bread.
Toni
I love how easy this is to make! Looks delish!
Homemade & Yummy
Easy and delicious. It doesn’t get better than that.
Denise
Simple recipes are usually the best! Your banana bread does look perfect, and I love the fact that your family eats it any time of the day, as does mine!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes…my kind of breakfast, lunch, snack or dessert.
Trish Bozeman
I love how simple this banana bread recipe is! It’s so hard to beat basic banana bread warm from the oven with some coffee in the morning. I’m off to check out that rocky road banana. YUM!
Homemade & Yummy
I just made 2 loaves this afternoon. My grandson was bugging me to make one just for him.
Kirsten
Simple recipes like grandma used to make are always so comforting. I happen to have an abundance of bananas, so this recipe comes at the right time. I don’t have to worry about storing it–my family will eat ever bit that I bake within the day.
Homemade & Yummy
I just made 2 more loaves this afternoon. Now the kids are getting their fair shares!!
Arlene Mobley
My husband would eat that in no time. I need to grab some banana’s when I go shopping.
Homemade & Yummy
My grandson is asking for his OWN personal loaf.
Debra
Sometimes simple really is best. This reminds me of my grandmothers recipe which also had very few, wholesome ingredients. A wonderfully easy recipe that I look forward to making…and wouldn’t you know it, I have a few ripe bananas on the countertop.
Homemade & Yummy
I need to make more this week. The bananas are getting ripe was we speak.
Lindsay Cotter
Banana bread is such a classic that everyone loves! This recipe may be simple, but the flavors are always so cozy and delicious! Love all the different add-ins you can use too to take banana bread up to the next level!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes it can be simple and delicious, or decadent as well.
Tracy
Oh I love a classic. And you’re so right, back when there weren’t any fancy appliances or ingredients, that’s when recipes were more simple but gosh sometimes more delicious!! Simple and basic, 5 ingredients, what else do you need? Great recipe!
Homemade & Yummy
I agree, the fewer the ingredients, the better the results.
Marisa F. Stewart
After seeing your recipe I grabbed our bananas and decided to make a loaf of banana bread. It turned out deliciously moist and flavorful. I followed your recipe and included some toasted pecans to the recipe. I had some extra nuts leftover from another recipe. I had a slice this morning for breakfast and it was soooo good. It brought a bit of sunshine to the day after all this ugly weather.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes you certainly can add nuts to this simple and basic recipe.