The Best Banana Bread Recipe ~Sweet & Savory (2024)

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Table of Contents

• What makes this the best moist banana bread recipe
• Here’re 3 reasons you’ll love this recipe:
• The secret to moist banana bread
• Key Ingredient Notes
• How to prepare bananas
• How to thaw frozen bananas:
• How to make the best banana bread
• choose the right bowl
• To check the doneness
• Storing Tip
• Does banana bread need to be refrigerated?
• how to keep the banana bread moist
• Can you freeze banana bread?
• Banana Bread FAQs
• Watch Video: The BEST Banana Bread
• Best Banana Bread Recipe

First, a quick disclaimer.I’m guilty of claiming some of my recipes the best of the best. I do realize that it’s quite subjective. But I promise you, I don’t take this term lightly.

This banana bread recipe has been my go-to since 2013! And yes, I tried other recipes too, but I always come back to this one. I wouldn’t be lying if I said I make this quick bread recipe almost weekly and it never lasts more than 3 days!

And more than 3 dozens of readers confirm my claim! (Just scroll through the comments…)

The secret to moist banana bread

So, the secret to the moistest bread is frozen bananas!

You may have heard that super ripe bananas are key, and that’s definitely true.

However, over the years, I found that frozen over-ripe bananas turn a good banana bread into i-can’t-stop-eating-it kind!

Why?

Because when thawed, bananas get supermushy and liquid-y. And all that juices are gold! Don’t throw out the liquid, it makes the bread moist and flavorful.

Key Ingredient Notes

• Frozen bananas – are key in this recipe for moistest and most flavorful banana bread. Be sure to freeze ripe or over-ripe bananas. You’ll need about 3.5-4 cups of mashed bananas. Do NOT discard juices from thawed banana, use everything to make the batter.
• Sugar – Use granulated sugar. I don’t recommend reducing the sugar amount any further for proper texture.
• Flour – Use unbleached all-purpose flour for the best texture.
• Baking powder – is the main leavening agent for a tall and fluffy bread
• Baking soda – is added for browning the bread. Without it, the bread comes out pale.
• Add-ins – Feel free to add chopped pecans or walnuts, or even chocolate chips.

How to prepare bananas

When you get nice and ripe bananas with lots of dark spots all over, put them in the freezer. (And yes, black bananas are totally ok to use!)

Ideally, you’d want to peel the bananas before freezing.Call it lazy, but I never do that!

Instead, I just stick a cluster of ripe bananas,peels and all, straight into the freezer.

How to thaw frozen bananas:

1. Runhot tap water over the frozen bananas in a sink for 1-2 minutes.
2. Peel the skin when it softens and place the peeled bananas in a microwave-safe bowl.
3. Microwave until bananas are completely thawed, about 3 minutes.

Sounds like a lot of work? Nah, it’s not really that bad, and for that amazing banana bread, you won’t even mind it!

If you already mashed your bananas before freezing (kuddos to you!), you’ll need about 4 cups of mashed bananas.

How to make the best banana bread

Ok, now that the bananas are ready, let’s get baking!

1. Make the batter: mash the bananas, addsugar, butter and vanilla extract, and then stir in eggs.Lastly, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined.Optional, add chopped nuts or chocolate chips.
2. Bake: divide the batter into 2 greased bread pans. I use glass bread pans, but any bread pan would work. Bake for 50-60 minutes.

choose the right bowl

Use a very large bowl to make the batter. I use a 4qt bowl (the largest bowl of this set).

To check the doneness

Insert a long wooden skewer or a toothpick. If it comes out clean, the bread is done!

You can also make this recipe into muffins too!

And if you’d rather make half a batch (just 1 loaf, or 12 muffins), follow my banana muffin recipe instead. It’s the same recipe, but for a half batch.

Storing Tip

To serve, I microwave a slice for 30 seconds or so, and it’ll taste like fresh out of oven!

Can you freeze banana bread?

This bread also freezes well.

• Wrap the cooled bread well in plastic and put it in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

To thaw, transfer the bread into the fridge overnight.

Banana Bread FAQs