If you’ve ever yearned for that perfectly moist, melt-in-your-mouth treat that makes your kitchen smell like a cozy bakery, this Banana Nut Bread Recipe is made just for you. It’s a legendary soft slice that melts with tender crumb, balancing the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with the delightful crunch of toasted walnuts. Every bite is a warm hug on a plate, and this recipe makes it incredibly simple to bring that comforting magic to your home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these ingredients is like collecting a little happiness for your kitchen. Each one plays a vital role in creating the Banana Nut Bread Recipe’s flawless texture, flavor, and aroma.
- Overripe bananas (mashed, 1 ½ cups, about 3–4 medium): These are the star of the show, offering natural sweetness and moisture that makes the bread wonderfully tender.
- Unsalted butter (melted and cooled slightly, ½ cup or 113 g): Butter adds richness and a delightful bakery-style flavor that oil just can’t match.
- Brown sugar (packed, ¾ cup or 150 g): This not only sweetens but keeps your banana nut bread moist and caramel-tinged.
- Large eggs (2): They provide structure and help bind everything together beautifully.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): This little splash amps up the sweetness and rounds out all the flavors.
- All-purpose flour (1 ¾ cups or 220 g): For a tender crumb, spoon and level your flour or weigh it; too much flour can dry things out.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Lightness and rise come from this trusty leavening agent.
- Fine salt (½ teaspoon): Just enough to enhance all the sweet flavors.
- Ground cinnamon (optional, 1 teaspoon): A cozy warmth that elevates the comfort factor.
- Chopped walnuts (¾ cup or 90 g, plus extra for topping): Toasting them for 5–7 minutes brings out a deep nutty flavor, taking this banana nut bread from simple to unforgettable.
- Plain yogurt or sour cream (¼ cup or 60 g): This little secret ingredient makes the crumb even softer, especially if your bananas aren’t super juicy.
How to Make Banana Nut Bread Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over for an easy lift later. This prep ensures your banana nut bread will come out perfectly shaped and easy to slice.
Step 2: Mash the Bananas
In a large bowl, mash those lovely overripe bananas until mostly smooth. A few tiny lumps are perfect because they melt into the batter, adding little bursts of banana flavor throughout your bread.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
Whisk in the melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mix looks glossy and evenly combined. If you’re adding yogurt or sour cream, blend it in here to boost your loaf’s tenderness and moisture.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and optional cinnamon. This step is important to ensure your banana nut bread rises evenly and avoids any pesky pockets of baking soda later.
Step 5: Gently Bring Wet and Dry Together
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and fold gently with a spatula just until you no longer see streaks of flour. Remember, not overmixing is the secret to that legendary soft slice—your batter should remain a little lumpy.
Step 6: Fold in the Walnuts
Gently fold in the toasted chopped walnuts, reserving a small handful to sprinkle on top if you want that pretty bakery-style finish.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Pour the batter into your prepared pan, smooth the top, and sprinkle extra walnuts if you like. Bake for 55–65 minutes, tenting loosely with foil in the final 15–20 minutes if the top browns too quickly. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs and the loaf feels springy without wobbling.
Step 8: Cool for Best Texture
Let your banana nut bread cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes before lifting it onto a wire rack. Patience is key—cool it for 45–60 minutes or longer before slicing for perfectly soft, clean-cut slices with none of that gummy center.
How to Serve Banana Nut Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling some extra toasted walnuts on top just before baking gives a lovely nutty crunch and an inviting look. For a sweeter twist, a light drizzle of honey or a slather of cinnamon butter transforms every slice into a little celebration.
Side Dishes
Serve your banana nut bread alongside a creamy vanilla yogurt or a scoop of homemade ice cream for a delightful brunch or afternoon treat. Fresh berries or sliced fruits add a pop of color and freshness that complements the bread’s rich flavor beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming breakfast or snack, slice the banana nut bread and toast the pieces lightly. Then top with nut butter and a sprinkle of chia seeds or drizzle with maple syrup. You can even convert this classic into a decadent bread pudding or French toast for company-worthy dishes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap your leftover banana nut bread tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This keeps the bread moist and fresh, ready for snacking whenever cravings hit.
Freezing
This Banana Nut Bread Recipe freezes beautifully. Slice the loaf first, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, and store them in a freezer bag. They last up to three months, making it easy to enjoy your soft slice anytime.
Reheating
To bring frozen banana nut bread slices back to life, unwrap and warm them in a toaster or microwave for just 20–30 seconds. The warmth revives the tender crumb perfectly, almost like freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use oil instead of butter in the Banana Nut Bread Recipe?
Yes, neutral oil works fine if you prefer, but butter gives a richer, traditional bakery flavor that really enhances the softness and taste.
How ripe should my bananas be for the best bread?
The riper, the better! Look for bananas with lots of brown speckles and soft skins—this means they’ll be extra sweet and flavorful for your banana nut bread.
Why add yogurt or sour cream to the recipe?
That small addition adds moisture and tenderness to the crumb, especially if your bananas aren’t super juicy. It’s a subtle trick that yields a softer slice every time.
How can I tell when the banana nut bread is done baking?
Insert a toothpick into the center—it should come out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. The loaf should feel springy and not wobble when nudged.
Can I substitute walnuts with other nuts?
Absolutely! Pecans, almonds, or even hazelnuts make great alternatives. Just toast them to bring out their full flavor, keeping that bakery-style experience intact.
Final Thoughts
This Banana Nut Bread Recipe isn’t just another loaf; it’s a warm, inviting slice of comfort that you’ll want to make over and over. From the buttery, tender crumb to the nostalgic aroma that fills your home, it’s a recipe worth sharing and savoring. Go ahead, bake a batch today—you’ll see why this legendary soft slice is a beloved favorite for good reason!
Print
Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-65 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Banana Nut Bread recipe delivers a legendary soft slice with a tender crumb, made simple using overripe bananas and pantry staples. Enhanced with chopped walnuts for a delightful crunch and optionally enriched with yogurt or sour cream for extra moistness, this classic treat is perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert.
Ingredients
Banana Nut Bread Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups mashed overripe bananas (about 3–4 medium)
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- ¾ cup (150 g) packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- ¾ cup (90 g) chopped walnuts, plus extra for topping (optional)
- ¼ cup (60 g) plain yogurt or sour cream (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang to lift out the loaf easily after baking.
- Mash the bananas: In a large bowl, mash the overripe bananas until mostly smooth with a few small lumps remaining for extra flavor and texture.
- Mix the wet ingredients: Whisk in the melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes glossy and well combined. If using, whisk in the yogurt or sour cream now to add tenderness to the crumb.
- Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using). This ensures even rising and avoids pockets of baking soda in the bread.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients gently: Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and gently fold with a spatula just until you no longer see streaks of flour. A slightly lumpy batter is ideal; avoid overmixing to maintain a soft texture.
- Fold in the walnuts: Gently fold in the chopped walnuts, reserving a small handful to sprinkle on top of the batter for a bakery-style finish if desired.
- Bake the bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle extra walnuts on top if using. Bake for 55–65 minutes or until the center is set. If the top browns too quickly, loosely tent with foil during the last 15–20 minutes of baking.
- Check doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. The center should feel springy and not wobble when the pan is gently nudged.
- Cool the bread: Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then lift it out using the parchment overhang and transfer it to a wire rack. Cool for at least 45–60 minutes before slicing to allow the crumb to set for clean, soft slices.
- Serve and enjoy: Slice and enjoy your legendary soft banana nut bread, resisting the urge to taste too many slices fresh from the rack!
Notes
- The riper and more speckled the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be.
- You can substitute neutral oil for butter, but butter adds a richer flavor typical of bakery-style bread.
- Brown sugar helps maintain moisture and tenderness in the bread.
- Spoon and level your flour measurement or weigh it to avoid a dry loaf; too much flour leads to a denser crumb.
- Toasting the walnuts for 5–7 minutes enhances their nuttiness and overall bread flavor.
- The optional yogurt or sour cream contributes extra softness, especially if bananas are less juicy.
- Don’t overmix the batter to keep the bread tender and soft.
- Loaf should cool thoroughly before slicing to prevent a gummy texture.
