This banana nut bread is both moist and delicious, and easy to make! It only takes 10 minutes to prep before it's baked into a perfectly golden brown loaf. With a subtle combination of cinnamon and spice and added nuts, every bite is irresistible!
You can never go wrong with a good homemade loaf of banana nut bread. And just like my homemade pumpkin banana bread recipe and my quick and easy peppery cheese bread, it's really easy to make.
I use basic pantry ingredients in so many of my recipes, like this easy to make three beans chili and my creamy tuna noodle casserole recipe, and this recipe is no different. This recipe calls for basic pantry ingredients and you can prep and bake it in an hour. It doesn't really get much better than that.
And, it can be made with or without a streusel topping. And it's absolutely delicious either way. Just like this cinnamon rum cake, this banana nut bread is incredibly moist with just the right amount of warm spice.
It's so easy to make in just a few simple steps! And it will quickly become one of your all time favorite recipes!
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✔️ Quick Recipe Overview
Why This Is The Best Banana Nut Bread: Made with melted butter and overripe bananas, it's extremely moist and dense. Truly, this is the best ever banana bread!
How Long It Takes: 10 minutes to prep, 55 minutes to bake
Equipment You'll Need: loaf pan, bowl, mixer or spoon
ℹ️ Why This Recipe Works
1. Eat It Anytime: It's perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert!
2. Extra Moist: It's extra moist because I use slightly overripe bananas.
3. Streusel Nut Topping: Even though it's optional, it really puts the flavor over the top in every bite!
🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
For the banana nut bread, you'll need these ingredients:
- Flour - Since you will be adding baking soda and baking powder, use all-purpose flour, not self rising.
- Butter - Since we are adding salt, use unsalted butter. Do not use margarine. Melted butter paired with the overripe bananas is the secret ensuring your banana nut bread turns out super moist.
- Brown Sugar - Use light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar contains molasses and tends to make the texture of this bread even more dense and taste a bit too sweet.
- Spices - Ground cinnamon and nutmeg add a hint of fall warm spice in every bite.
- Bananas - Use bananas that are a bit overripe and have started turning brown. When you peel them, they should be slightly mushy.
For the streusel nut topping, you'll need these ingredients:
- Flour - Use all purpose flour.
- Butter - Using salted butter helps balance out some of the sweetness.
- Brown Sugar - Dark brown sugar contains molasses and tends to make the streusel topping too sweet. Use light brown sugar.
- Walnuts - This is the key ingredient and adds a nice crunch to the topping. Peacans also work well.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
📋 Variations & Substitutions
- Loaf Pan: A standard loaf pan is typically used for making this banana nut bread recipe which is 9" x 5", but you can use a mini loaf pan (anything less than 5"x3") , or you can even use a muffin pan. If you have a silicone bread loaf pan, it works extremely well. I use to make this healthy meatloaf recipe, lemon blueberry loaf, and this healthy zucchini bread recipe.
- Whole Wheat Flour: Get additional nutritional value by using 1 cup of whole wheat flour and 1 cup of all purpose flour.
- Gluten Free Option: To make a gluten-free version, I only make 2 changes to the ingredients list. Use an all purpose gluten free flour and add in ½ teaspoon Xanthan Gum. It not only locks in the moisture, but also helps hold the bread together.
- Add Nuts: Try using chopped pecans instead of walnuts. They can be finely chopped or larger pieces, it's all about preference! Almonds or macadamia nuts also work well. Or, leave out the nuts.
- Chocolate Chips: Add in ½ cup of chocolate chip morsels to add a chocolate touch.
- Dried Fruit: Raisins taste great when added. Add in ¼ cup or ½ cup depending on your preference.
- Streusel Nut Topping: Adding a streusel topping is optional, but makes this banana nut bread even more delicious!
🔪 How To Make Banana Nut Bread
This banana nut bread recipe makes one loaf.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Step 2: Generously grease the loaf pan with cooking spray or butter. Set aside. Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, add all the dry ingredients and mix well with a spoon or whisk.
Step 4: In a separate large bowl, combine the eggs, bananas, sugar, and melted butter.
Step 5: With a mixer or whisk, mix just until the ingredients have been combined. Make sure the bananas are smashed up but don’t over-mix!
Step 6: Add the liquid mixture to the center of your flour mixture and mix well. Fold in the chopped nuts.
Step 7: Pour the batter into the loaf pan. If you want to add the streusel nut topping, just sprinkle it over the batter in this step.
Step 8: Cook for 55 minutes or until done.
👩🍳 Expert Tip: Use a toothpick to test for doneness. At the 50 minute mark, insert a toothpick into the center of the bread loaf. If it comes out with any trace of batter, the bread needs more time to cook. Check in 5 minute intervals until done.
Step 9: When the bread is done, remove it from the oven and allow to cool for about 20 minutes before removing it from the loaf pan. Slowly and carefully remove the loaf from the pan and place on a wire rack until completely cooled.
This is by far one of the easiest and most delicious banana nut bread recipes you'll ever make and it will become a staple in your kitchen! Slice is and top it with butter and serve with coffee or a glass of milk!
🙋♀️ Recipe FAQs
The reason a lot of banana bread recipes turn out dry is because they don't use melted butter, they don't use enough bananas, and/or the bananas aren't overripe. This recipe calls for 5 medium size slightly overripe bananas and when mixes with melted butter and the other ingredients, texture is incredibly moist, every single time!
You can, just ensure they are completely thawed before adding them to the batter.
After the banana loaf has completely cooled, either store it in a gallon-sized sealable plastic bag or wrap it in plastic wrap. This banana nut bread can be stored at room temperature on the counter or in the refrigerator. It will last 4-5 days.
To freeze, place in a sealable plastic bag and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can also freeze individual pieces in plastic wrap. To thaw, place on a counter at room temperature. Once thawed, heat in the microwave or enjoy at room temperature!
💭 Expert Tips
- The key to success is not over mixing the batter. You can use a standing mixer, hand held mixer, or a spoon to mix. Over mixing the batter can result in a chewy texture and could prevent the bread from rising properly.
- Do not overfill the loaf pan with batter or it will spill over while baking in the oven. Fill the loaf pan just slightly over half way full with the batter and then place it in the oven.
- To prevent overbrowning, place the loaf pan in the middle or lower rack in the oven.
- To add even more flavor, try roasting the chopped pecans in a skillet or in the oven before adding them to the batter.
🍌 More Recipes Using Ripe Bananas
If you tried this Banana Nut Bread or any other recipes on my website, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below. I love hearing from you! And, please leave a 🌟 rating while you're there!
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Banana Nut Bread Recipe
Equipment
- 9x5 loaf pan
Ingredients
Banana Nut Bread Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 5 overly ripe medium bananas, mashed
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup walnuts, chopped
Streusel Topping Ingredients
- ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 3 Tablespoon flour
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ⅓ cup walnuts, chopped
Instructions
For The Streusel Topping
- In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup packed brown sugar, 3 Tablespoons of flour and the chopped walnuts.
- Add the room temperature butter to the small bowl.
- Using a hand mixer or a whisk, mix the ingredients together. The consistency should be coarse crumbles. Set aside.
For Banana Bread
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Generously grease the loaf pan with cooking spray or butter. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix well to combine. Set aside.
- In a separate large bowl, combine the eggs, smashed bananas, sugar and melted butter.
- With a mixer or spoon, mix until the ingredients have been combined. Don’t over mix!
- Add the liquid mixture in the bowl to the center of the flour mixture in the other bowl and mix to combine. Fold in the walnuts.
- Pour the mixture into the loaf pan, a little over half way full.
- If adding the streusel topping, sprinkle it on top of the batter in the loaf pan.
- Bake for 55 minutes, or until done. Important Note: Use a toothpick to test for doneness. At the 50 minute mark, insert a toothpick into the center of the bread loaf. If it comes out with any trace of batter, the banana nut bread needs more time to cook. Check in 5 minute intervals until done.
- When the bread is done, remove it from the oven and allow to cool for about 20 minutes before removing it from the loaf pan. Slowly and carefully remove the loaf from the pan and place on a wire rack until completely cooled.
- Slice the loaf and enjoy with a little butter spread on each slice and a cup of hot coffee!
Notes
- Adding the streusel topping is optional, but makes bread even more delicious!
- A standard loaf pan is typically used for making this recipe which is 9" x 5", but you can use a mini loaf pan (anything less than 5"x3") , or you can even use a muffin pan.
- If you have a silicone bread loaf pan, it works extremely well.
- To make a gluten-free version, I only make 2 changes to the ingredients list. Use an all purpose gluten free flour and add in ½ teaspoon Xanthan Gum. It not only locks in the moisture, but also helps hold the bread together.
- Try using chopped pecans instead of walnuts.
- The key to success is not over mixing the batter. You can use a standing mixer, hand held mixer, or a spoon to mix. Over mixing the batter can result in a chewy texture and could prevent it from rising properly.
- Do not overfill the loaf pan with batter or it will spill over while baking in the oven. Fill the loaf pan just slightly over half way full with the batter and then place it in the oven.
- To prevent overbrowning, place the loaf pan in the middle or lower rack in the oven.
Ginny
That topping really sets this banana bread apart. Sounds so good!
Amanda Mason
Yes - the topping is wonderful, but it is optional! I like with and without to be honest!
Jessie Gunaseelan
Mmmm! Yummy!! Perfect healthy snack for tea time.
Amanda Mason
This banana bread goes perfect with coffee or tea!
Linda
I never made banana bread before but reading about your tips and tricks and seeing how it came out makes me feel like trying out! And I 'll look for that flour brand for sure 🙂
Amanda Mason
IF you can't find the flour at your store, just order it off Amazon! I put a link to the exact flour I use in the ingredients list! Enjoy!
Kathi @ LaughingSpatula
I have a gluten intolerant person on my list that would love a loaf of this! Thanks for the hints on how to make it perfect!
Amanda Mason
Absolutely!! Thanks for sharing my recipe!!
Andrea@CookingwithMammaC.Com
I love the idea of adding streusel to banana bread! And I agree that the brand of flour really matters. They're not all the same.
Amanda Mason
So true! That flour matters!!! I hope you love it!!