Best Banana Bread Recipe (2024)

Published: December 4, 2021Updated: August 25, 2022Author: Amy

This is the absolute Best Banana Bread recipe made with a cinnamon-sugar crust, moist from butter and sour cream, a combination of mashed bananas and sliced bananas, and chocolate chips and walnuts in every bite! Bonus, it’s all made in one bowl!

Got more bananas then you know what to do with? Put them to use in a banana smoothie or oatmeal banana pancakes.

The Best Banana Bread Recipe

How many banana bread recipes do you have? 37? Lol. You only think you don’t need another one, but you do! This Ultimate Banana Bread Recipe is the queen of all banana breads.

Can’t remember the last time, if ever, I had a bad slice of banana bread. But let’s get real – they’re not all created equal. This recipe takes the ingredients to the next level, and yet remains so easy to make.

• The pan is greased with butter and then coated in cinnamon-sugar, which creates a fantastic crust for the bread.
• There are mashed bananas in the batter and sliced bananas on top for a double whammy of awesome banana flavor.
• It’s made with butter, not oil, for the best flavor!
• Sour cream is added to the batter for extra moistness and a hint of tanginess.
• Nuts and chocolate are mixed in, so every bite is loaded with goodies.
• A sprinkle of turbinado sugar finishes it off to create a special crispy topping.
• It’s all made in one bowl, so clean up is a breeze!

How to Make Banana Bread

Banana bread is pretty straight forward and hard to mess up, but there are definitely some tips to achieve the best loaf possible.
(For all the details, scroll down to the complete printable recipe card and don’t miss the video below.)

• How ripe should bananas be for banana bread? Use overly ripe (a lot of black!) bananas. This will deliver the best natural sweetness with plenty of banana flavor, but also provide moisture.
• Thoroughly mash those bananas. This helps incorporate the bananas throughout the mixture and makes it easier to test for doneness.
• Gently fold wet and dry ingredients together with a spatula for tender texture.
• Don’t over mix! It can make your bread tough.
• Start checking the bread at 5-10 minutes before it’s supposed to be finished cooking. When just a few moist crumbs cling to the tester, remove the bread immediately. Don’t bake it one minute longer. (Some ovens run hot!)
• Test banana bread for doneness in three places: center, and both sides.
• Wrap banana bread in plastic wrap while slightly warm to keep it from drying out overnight.

Recipe Variations

I personally wouldn’t change a single thing about this recipe, but I know people like to tinker. These are some alterations that can be done without ruining the end result.

• Sprinkle a little cinnamon into the flour mixture in addition to the cinnamon-sugar crust.
• Try a different nut. Swap out the walnuts for a different nut, or just omit the nuts all together.
• Make it a little bit healthier. Plain Greek yogurt can replace the sour cream.
• Glaze the loaf. Skip the turbinado sugar and glaze the bread with icing instead! Whisk together some powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until drizzling consistency.
• Make muffins instead. If you want to make muffins instead, I highly recommend this recipe for Banana Bread Muffins!

How To Store Banana Bread

A loaf of this moist banana bread doesn’t last long in my house – two days at best! But if you’ve got extra, here’s how to store it properly.

• Does banana bread need to be refrigerated? Ideally, you want to avoid the refrigerator, since the cool air removes moisture and will dry the bread out.
• How long does banana bread last? Place cooled banana bread on a plate and cover with plastic wrap and again in foil, or store in an airtight container, and set on the countertop. It will keep for up to 3 days.
• To Freeze: You can extend the life of this banana bread by freezing it. Wrap the loaf or individual slices in plastic wrap and also foil, then place in a freezer-safe plastic bag, removing as much air as possible. It will stay safe to eat for countless months, but for optimal taste, serve within 2 months.
• To Thaw: To thaw slices, unwrap and simply leave on the counter for 20-30 minutes or pop it in the microwave for about 30 seconds. To thaw an entire loaf, remove from the plastic bag, but leave the plastic wrap and foil on, set it on the counter and wait about 4 hours and then enjoy!

More Banana Recipes:

• Coffee Banana Smoothie
• Banana Oatmeal Pancakes
• Quick One-Bowl Banana Muffins
• Banana Bread Muffins
• Pan Fried Bananas
• Sheet Pan Banana Cake

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full onFacebook,Instagram,Pinterest, andYouTube!