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This Easy Banana Nut Bread recipe is easy, can be made in under 15 minutes and is versatile with what you have in your pantry. This banana bread bakes up a delicious crumb, that is perfectly sweet, spiced with the perfect amount of add-ins.
If youโre anything like me, Iโm guessing you have 3 or 4 depressing-looking bananas sitting on your counter right now. Or that mightโve been last week and you already threw them in the freezer. If so, this recipe is for YOU.
What Youโll Need for Easy Banana Nut Bread
- Butter or oil. This recipe allows you to use butter or oil. I used olive oil and it was delicious. A neutral oil will also work (avocado oil, vegetable oil or canola oil).
- Nuts. Your choice of nuts is great! And you can also leave it out in case you donโt have any. Think pecans, walnuts, chopped walnuts or pine nuts.
- Seeds. Again, super optional. You can use pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, milletโyour choices.
- Bananas. I like to use 1 1/2 cups of mashed bananas. That equaled to about 4 small ripe bananas.
For the rest of the ingredients, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post!
How to Make Easy Banana Nut Bread Recipe
One of the best things about Banana Bread is how versatile, fuss-free and foolproof it is. Having said that, this is how I make mine:
1. Grease a 9×5-inch of 8×4-inch loaf pan. Line it with parchment paper.
2. Place the bananas on a cutting board and mash them. I find this to be the easiest way to mash bananas.
3. Transfer them to a large bowl. Add in the mashed banana, baking soda, oil (or buttere), sugar, vanilla extract (I like making my own Homemade Vanilla Extract) and eggs.
4. Pour in the salt and flour. Fold until just combined, being sure not to over mix. Next, fold in nuts (if using), the seeds (if using) and chocolate chips (if using).
5. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. And spread it out into an even layer.
6. If you like, you can add a sliced banana on the top, along with a sprinkling of seeds as garnish.
7. Transfer to the oven to bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Variations
- Nuts – use what you have in your pantry. Pictured, I used walnuts.
- Seeds – skip it all together or use what you have. I used pumpkin seeds.
- Chocolate chips – you can skip it OR you can use whatever you have. I used some random semi-sweet chocolate chips I had.
- Butter or oil – I used olive oil but have made this plenty with melted butter. Other oils like avocado oil, vegetable oil or canola work as well.
- Brown sugar or white sugar – Both work. I used brown sugar but have made this recipe with white sugar, too.
- Rum or bourbon – You could add 1 tablespoon to up the flavor. I personally didnโt use it for this recipe but it would be delicious.
Recipe FAQs
Quick answer: absolutely. But thereโs a caveat. You donโt want to use them straight from the freezer. Allow them to thaw in the fridge overnight OR thaw them in a bowl on your kitchen counter. And then youโll notice some residual liquid at the bottom of the bowl; dump that out and then continue using the and smashing the bananas.
Freezing banana bread couldnโt be simpler. All you have to do is let it come to room temperature completely. And then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. When Iโm freezing it, I like to do two layers of plastic wrap. I like to label it, add a date and then keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Store banana bread on the counter for up to 1 week. I just wrap it in plastic wrap. Itโs actually better the second or third day, in my humble opinion.
What to Serve with This Easy Banana Nut Bread
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Easy Banana Nut Bread Recipe
Equipment
- 1 (8×5-inch of 9×4-inch) loaf pan
- 1 Whisk
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar or granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups mashed bananas , (from 3-4 very ripe bananas)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, (optional)
- 1/2 cup melted butter or neutral oil, (I used olive oil)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup chopped nuts, (your choice and optional)
- 1/4 cup seeds, (your choice and optional)
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips, (optional)
Instructions
To Make Banana Bread
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 8×4-inch or 9×5-inch loaf pan; and set aside.I also like to put a piece of parchment that spans just the center length with its ends coming out for easy release.
- Place the bananas on a cutting board and mash them using a fork. I find this the easiest way to mash 'em up.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, baking soda, oil (or butter), sugar, vanilla extract, eggs and salt. Fold in the flour, until just combined, being sure not to over mix. Next, fold in nuts (if using), the seeds (if using) and chocolate chips (if using).
Add the Topping (if you like):
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. If you like, you can add a sliced banana on the top, along with a sprinkling of seeds as garnish. Transfer to the oven to bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then invert the loaf and cool it on a cooling rack. The banana bread will stay delicious and hydrated for up to 5 days when securely wrapped in plastic wrap.
Notes
- Nuts: Walnuts; Seeds: Pumpkin Seeds; Oil: Olive Oilย
- To Freeze Banana Bread: Cool completely to room temperature. Wrap tightly in two layers of plastic wrap, label, date it and transfer to the freezer for up to 3 months.
- ย
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’ve made this banana bread several times now, and it never fails! It’s a hit with family and friends; I make them using a muffin tin so that I can share them more easily. Thank you for a fool-proof recipe that works every time!