This is the best banana bread recipe ever! It is easy to make, moist and bursting with banana flavor! It's made in one bowl (no mixer required). You can add walnuts or chocolate chips for delicious variations! A great recipe to use overripe bananas!

I'm a firm believer that everyone needs an amazing banana bread recipe in their repertoire! So today I'm sharing our family's favorite, go-to recipe for the best banana bread ever! It's buttery, moist, and loaded with banana flavor. Plus it's easy to make and most definitely the best way to use overripe bananas!
It took me many years and lots of testing and tweaking to finally arrive at this banana bread recipe and feel like I can truly claim that it is the best of the best. It only takes a handful of simple ingredients and a few minutes to make, and I promise you will LOVE it as much as we do!

The Best Banana Bread: Ingredients & Substitutions
Let's take a minute to chat about the ingredients used in this best banana bread recipe, and possible substitutions. Remember, the quality of ingredients used in a recipe will determine the quality of the final product!

- Overripe Bananas. Buy some extra bananas and let them get extra brown just to make this recipe! If you use yellow/green bananas (which are seen in the photograph below, but are only for show, the mashed bananas were super brown and therefore not very photogenic), your bread will lack moisture and sweetness.
- Butter. I always bake with salted butter, however unsalted butter works equally well in this banana bread recipe. You can substitute up to half of the butter (¼ cup) with canola oil or even applesauce if you would like. I tested all of these substitutions, but I found that using ½ cup melted butter makes the absolute best banana bread! For a dairy-free version use vegan butter (like Earth Balance), ghee or coconut oil (however coconut oil will leave the bread with a little coconut flavor)!
- Granulated sugar. I use organic cane sugar or regular white sugar.
- Brown Sugar. This recipe calls for light brown sugar, but if you want a little more molasses flavor you may use dark brown sugar instead!
- All-purpose flour. For the best results I recommend using all-purpose flour. However bread flour also works well in this banana bread recipe. You could substitute up to ¾ cup of the flour with whole wheat pastry flour...but it will change the final product slightly. For a gluten-free version, use 1:1 all purpose gluten-free baking flour.
Looking for a healthier banana bread recipe? Then try my beloved Paleo Banana Bread or this Double Chocolate Chocolate Zucchini Banana Bread! This healthy banana bread is so good! This classic pumpkin bread is another favorite quick bread of ours too!

How to make banana bread
This banana bread recipe is easy to make, but lets walk through the process step-by-step so that you all end up with perfect banana bread every single time! And don't forget to watch the video.
Mash the bananas
The very first step in this banana bread recipe is to mash the bananas.
Add the whole bananas to a large mixing bowl and use a fork or a potato masher to mash them! I have had this potato masher for over a decade, and it's the only way I ever mash anything (bananas, potatoes, beans, etc). I love it!

Combine wet ingredients
Next, mix the wet ingredients together. Be sure the butter is melted and the eggs are room temperature for the best results!
To quickly make a cold egg room temperature, simply submerge the egg in warm water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes!

Add sugars
I always recommend adding sugar to the wet ingredients before adding the dry ingredients. Especially in recipes, like this easy banana bread, that are mixed by hand.
Stir the mixture thoroughly until you are certain the sugar is dissolved and there are no lumps.

Add dry ingredients
The next step in this banana bread recipe is adding the dry ingredients. You can mix them together in a separate bowl and then add them to the wet ingredients, however that just makes one more dish to clean! So I usually just add the dry ingredients to wet mixture and stir them a little bit on the surface before combining the two!

Stir
Be sure to stir all the ingredients together until you are certain there are no clumps of dry ingredients hiding in the banana bread batter! (This can be tricky because the mashed banana sometimes looks like clumps of flour)! We have done a less-than-perfect job of this in the past (especially when my kids are helping) and end up with flour clumps in the final product - no bueno.
Mix ins
If you want to add some mix-ins to this banana bread recipe, this is the place in the process when you would do that. You can add up to 1 cup of the following:
- Chocolate Chips
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Cinnamon chips
- White chocolate chips
- Blueberries
- Dried fruit (cranberries, rasins, etc.)
- Swirl of peanut butter or Nutella

Pour batter into pan & bake!
Next pour your well-mixed batter into a greased loaf pan! Use a spatula to spread the batter evenly in the pan. Then pop the pan into the preheated oven and wait!
Note: It's very important to grease your loaf pan well to ensure easy removal! I use a non-stick spray. However you can rub the sides with butter or shortening if desired!

Cool
Let the banana bread cool in the loaf pan on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes. This will ensure that the loaf doesn't tear or come apart when it's removed.
To remove the banana bread from the pan, take a knife or a thin spatula and gently separate the bread from the sides of the loaf pan. Shake the pan to see if you have released the sides.
Once the bread is released from the pan, turn it out onto a wire rack to finish cooling!

To store/freeze
Store this moist banana bread in an airtight container or plastic bag to ensure it does not dry out. If you plan on eating the entire loaf in a day or two, feel free to store it at room temperature. If it will take longer, I recommend storing this best banana bread in the refrigerator.
I recommend freezing this banana bread in slices in an airtight container. That way you can pull out a slice at a time to enjoy.

Serving suggestions
Since this is absolutely the best banana bread ever, it stands on it's own beautifully and doesn't need anything extra to taste amazing! However, here are a few of our favorite toppings that we like to slather on our warm banana bread:
- Peanut butter or any other nut/seed butter. Try making this homemade peanut butter, vanilla peanut butter or vanilla almond butter!
- Nutella
- Jam
- Slather it with this cinnamon honey butter!
- Butter with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar
- Drizzle of honey or maple syrup
- A dollop of homemade whipped cream.

FAQs about Banana Bread
Make sure you use overripe, brown bananas! They have the best flavor, maximum sweetness, and are the easiest to mash! They should be very dark brown or almost black and soft to the touch!
If you're looking to add some mix-ins to this banana bread recipe, this is the place in the process when you would do that! You can add up to 1 cup of the following with great results!
Chocolate Chips
Walnuts
Pecans
Cinnamon chips
White chocolate chips
Blueberries
Dried fruit (cranberries, rasins, etc.)
Swirl of peanut butter or Nutella
This easy banana bread recipe is done when the following occurs:
The top is golden-brown and set (not jiggly).
The sides of the bread start to slightly pull away from the loaf pan.
A cake tester inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean or with very few crumbs.
Side note: I am obsessed with this cake tester. My mom bought it for me one Christmas and I honestly thought I would never use it....but I was SO wrong. I use it every time I bake and even purchased a second one! $6 well spent!
Yes. I recommend freezing this banana bread in slices in an airtight container! That way you can pull out a slice at a time to enjoy!
The key to keeping this easy banana bread super moist after it has baked is storing it in an airtight container or ziploc bag as soon as it is cut into. Don't leave the cut loaf sitting out, exposed to the air, for longer than necessary!

If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

Best Banana Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 bananas (large, overripe - 1 ½ cups mashed)
- ½ cup salted butter melted *
- 2 eggs beaten
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease a 9x5” loaf pan, set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together melted butter, mashed bananas, eggs and vanilla. Stir until combined.
- Add granulated sugar and brown sugar. Stir until combined and the mixture is smooth.
- Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, sea salt and cinnamon and stir until the mixture is smooth and uniform throughout.
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
- Bake in preheated oven for 55-60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center of the bread comes out with just some moist crumbs.
- Cool in the baking pan on a wire rack for 1 hour.
- Use a butter knife to release the sides of the bread from the pan if necessary.
- Turn the bread out onto a cooling rack and let cool completely.
Video
Notes
Store
Store this banana bread in an airtight container or plastic bag to ensure it does not dry out. If you plan on eating the entire loaf in a day or two, feel free to store it at room temperature. If it will take longer, I recommend storing it in the refrigerator.How to freeze banana bread:
To freeze, individually wrap slices in plastic wrap an d store them in an airtight container. That way you can pull out a slice at a time to enjoy.Ingredient Substitutions
- Overripe Bananas. Buy some extra bananas and let them get extra brown just to make this recipe.
- Salted Butter. Unsalted butter, canola oil, coconut oil, ghee, vegan butter, etc. all work well in this recipe. You can substitute up to half of the butter (¼ cup) with canola oil or even applesauce if you would like.
- Granulated sugar. I use pure cane sugar or regular white sugar.
- Light Brown Sugar. If you want a little more molasses flavor you may use dark brown sugar instead.
- All-purpose flour. For the best results I recommend using all-purpose flour. However bread flour also works well in this banana bread recipe. You could substitute up to ¾ cup of the flour with whole wheat pastry flour...but it will change the final product slightly. For a gluten-free version, use 1:1 all purpose gluten-free baking flour.
Nutrition
More of our favorite breakfast & banana recipes:
We take breakfast seriously! Here are some of our most favorite breakfast recipes!
- Who doesn't love french toast?! Our recipe is the best ever!
- Try this healthy banana bread! It's delicious and no one can tell it's good for you!
- These are literally the best banana muffins you will ever make or eat! Seriously the best.
- This banana cake is better than Sara Lee and you have to make it asap!
- These cinnamon rolls are to die for! Plus they can be made ahead!
- I love a good quiche, like this crustless quiche or this quiche with a hash brown crust!
- Other egg dishes like this frittata and egg casserole (egg bake) are easy and healthy!
- If you love baked oatmeal try our pumpkin baked oatmeal, apple cinnamon baked oatmeal, blueberry baked oatmeal, and everyone's favorite - peanut butter banana baked oatmeal.
- These mocha chocolate scones and these cinnamon chip scones are some of my all-time favorites.
- Everyone needs to try this BEST green smoothie recipe! And this strawberry banana smoothie and this chocolate peanut butter green smoothie!
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine!
Tina
So yummy!! My daughters, 3 & 2, adore this banana bread... so does Momma & Daddy! Delish!
Crishelle Lopez
Amazing recipe! The banana bread turned out super moist and delicious. I only put in 1/2 cup of brown sugar in terms of sugar and added chocolate chips.
Sheila
Finding this recipe was the best thing to happen to me this week!
Reminds me of my grandma’s.
It is perfect. Moist, banana-y and golden brown.
I did have to cook mine 10 min longer but I think it’s because I used an inch smaller loaf pan.
Your tips & comments throughout recipe were so awesome!
Laura
Thank you SO much Sheila! Your feedback means so much to me!
Veronica Smith
Banana bread is one of my favorite things! I made this into muffins, and they came out with the perfect light, fluffy texture. I also subbed half the butter for peanut butter, doubled the cinnamon, and added chocolate chips. I think I'll soon do this recipe again and add some blueberries! I only have frozen ones, though. Should I coat them with flour before adding to the batter?
Kat
I just baked a loaf and it is delicious! Nice and moist I will be making it again:)
Meredith P. Swan
Best ever! I added chopped pecans and dates. Love it! Thanks for sharing.
Vanessa
This banana bread is so easy to make and so yummy! I made it as muffins because I have issues making bread 🤷🏼♀️ My two year old loved helping me make this yummy treat 🙂
Laura
I love that you and your two-year-old worked together!
Phyllis
Is it ok to use frozen small smashed bananas
Laura
Hello! Yes just be sure to thaw them before baking with them!