Banana Bread
Classic moist banana bread with plenty of banana flavor, plus easy options for reducing sugar or changing the flour.
Ingredients
- 3 medium very ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9 × 5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mash the bananas until mostly smooth.
- Stir in the melted butter and brown sugar until combined.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture and stir just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the chopped walnuts, if using.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake for 50–60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer the loaf to a wire rack and allow it to cool before slicing.
Smart Substitutions
Reduce the added sugar: Cut the brown sugar to 1/4 cup for a less-sweet loaf, especially when using very ripe bananas. An allulose-based baking sweetener can also replace some of the brown sugar, although browning and texture may change.
Change the flour: For more fiber, replace up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole-wheat flour. Almond flour behaves very differently and should be used in a banana bread recipe specifically formulated for almond flour rather than as a 1:1 substitution.
Add healthy fats: Walnuts add crunch, healthy fats, and a little extra protein while keeping added sugar unchanged.
Control the carbs: Banana bread is still carbohydrate-dense because bananas and flour both contribute significant carbs. Cutting the loaf into smaller portions is the simplest way to reduce carbohydrates per serving.
Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature: Store tightly wrapped or in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Refrigerator: Refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Freezer: Wrap individual slices and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Microwave an individual slice for about 15–20 seconds, or allow frozen slices to thaw at room temperature.
Estimated Nutrition Per Serving
Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary based on brands, portion sizes, and substitutions used.