Got a bunch of ripe bananas sitting on your counter? Don’t toss them! This collection of banana bread recipes is perfect for using them up and making something truly special. I’ve gathered my favorite ways to bake moist, flavorful banana bread, so you can pick the one that sounds best to you.
Whether you like it plain, with nuts, or with a little extra something, you’ll find a new go-to banana bread recipe here. Each one promises a soft, tender crumb and delicious flavor. Let’s get baking!
Jump to Recipe:
- 1. Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe For Simple Baking
- 2. Moist Buttermilk Banana Bread Recipe
- 3. Moist Chocolate Espresso Banana Bread Recipe
- 4. Moist Honey Vanilla Banana Bread Recipe
- 5. Moist Sour Cream Banana Bread Recipe
Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe For Simple Baking
This classic banana nut bread is wonderfully soft and packed with crunchy walnuts. It’s a simple recipe that anyone can make, perfect for breakfast or a snack.
Key Ingredients & Baking Tips
- Ripe Bananas: Use very ripe, spotty bananas for the best natural sweetness and moisture in your bread.
- Toasted Nuts: Lightly toast your walnuts before adding them to boost their flavor and crunch. It makes a difference!
What You Need for Banana Nut Bread
- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) melted unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
⏱️ Time: 1 hour 10 mins🍽️ Yields: 1 loaf (8-10 slices)
How to Make This Banana Nut Bread
Step 1: Prep & Mash Your Bananas
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan. In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until they are mostly smooth with a few small chunks remaining.
Step 2: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add the melted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Stir until well combined. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Stir in the chopped walnuts last.
Step 3: Bake Until Golden
Pour the batter evenly into your prepared loaf pan. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
📝 Final Note
Let the banana nut bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents it from getting soggy.
Moist Buttermilk Banana Bread Recipe
Buttermilk makes this banana bread extra tender and moist, with a subtle tang that balances the sweetness. It’s a lovely choice for a slightly lighter texture and rich flavor.
Key Ingredients & Buttermilk Tips
- Buttermilk Magic: Buttermilk reacts with baking soda to create a light, soft crumb. If you don’t have buttermilk, make your own by adding 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to regular milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix your batter until just combined to keep the bread tender. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make it tough.
What You Need for Buttermilk Banana Bread
- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted unsalted butter or vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
⏱️ Time: 1 hour 15 mins🍽️ Yields: 1 loaf
How to Make This Buttermilk Banana Bread
Step 1: Prep and Mix Wet Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan. In a large bowl, mash your ripe bananas. Whisk in the melted butter or oil, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until everything is smooth. Stir in the buttermilk last.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients Gently
In a separate medium bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until no streaks of flour remain. Remember not to overmix!
Step 3: Bake Until Perfect
Pour the banana bread batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake for 60-70 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
📝 Final Note
This bread stays moist for days if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. It often tastes even better the next day!
Moist Chocolate Espresso Banana Bread Recipe
Chocolate and espresso make this banana bread a truly special treat. The coffee enhances the chocolate flavor without making the bread taste like coffee.
Key Ingredients & Espresso Tips
- Espresso Powder: Use instant espresso powder, not regular coffee grounds. It melts into the batter and boosts the chocolate flavor beautifully.
- Good Quality Chocolate: Chocolate chips or chunks work best. Dark chocolate provides a lovely contrast to the sweet banana, but milk chocolate is fine too.
What You Need for Chocolate Espresso Banana Bread
- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) melted unsalted butter or oil
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips or chunks
⏱️ Time: 1 hour 20 mins🍽️ Yields: 1 loaf
How to Make This Chocolate Espresso Banana Bread
Step 1: Prep and Mix Dry Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure there are no lumps.
Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a separate large bowl, mash your ripe bananas. Stir in the melted butter or oil, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Finish Batter and Bake
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips or chunks. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and bake for 65-75 minutes, or until a wooden skewer comes out clean.
📝 Final Note
For an extra chocolatey top, sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips over the batter before baking. It looks beautiful and adds more chocolate!
Moist Honey Vanilla Banana Bread Recipe
This banana bread gets its unique sweetness from honey and a warm aroma from vanilla. It’s a comforting bake that fills your home with lovely smells.
Key Ingredients & Honey Vanilla Tips
- Real Vanilla: Use good quality vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste for the best flavor. It makes a big difference in the final taste of your bread.
- Liquid Sweetener: Honey adds moisture and a different kind of sweetness than just sugar. Ensure it’s fully incorporated into the wet ingredients.
What You Need for Honey Vanilla Banana Bread
- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
⏱️ Time: 1 hour 10 mins🍽️ Yields: 1 loaf
How to Make This Honey Vanilla Banana Bread
Step 1: Cream Wet Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan. In a large bowl, mash the bananas. Stir in the melted butter, granulated sugar, honey, egg, and vanilla extract until everything is well combined and smooth.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just blended. Do not overmix.
Step 3: Bake Until Golden
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
📝 Final Note
Serve warm slices with a little extra honey drizzled on top for an extra delicious treat. It adds another layer of sweetness.
Moist Sour Cream Banana Bread Recipe
Sour cream is the secret ingredient for super moist and tender banana bread. It adds richness and a slight tang that makes this recipe stand out from the rest.
Key Ingredients & Sour Cream Tips
- Sour Cream for Moisture: Full-fat sour cream provides excellent moisture and creates a soft texture. Greek yogurt can be a good substitute if you prefer.
- Don’t Rush Cooling: Allowing the bread to cool completely before slicing helps it set and keeps it from crumbling. Patience makes for perfect slices!
What You Need for Sour Cream Banana Bread
- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) melted unsalted butter or oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
⏱️ Time: 1 hour 15 mins🍽️ Yields: 1 loaf
How to Make This Sour Cream Banana Bread
Step 1: Prep and Mash Bananas
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan. In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until they are mostly smooth.
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients Thoroughly
Stir in the melted butter or oil, granulated sugar, egg, sour cream, and vanilla extract with the mashed bananas. Mix until everything is well combined and smooth.
Step 3: Combine Dry and Bake
In a separate medium bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and bake for 60-70 minutes.
📝 Final Note
This banana bread freezes really well! Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then foil for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for a quick treat.