Do you have ripe bananas sitting on your counter? Don’t toss them! Those dark, spotty bananas are perfect for making delicious, moist banana bread. I love turning them into a comforting treat for breakfast or a snack.
Today, I’m sharing some of my favorite banana bread recipes. From classic nut bread to fun new versions, there’s a recipe here for everyone. You’ll find simple steps and helpful tips to make the best banana bread right in your kitchen.
Jump to Recipe:
- 1. Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe With Walnuts
- 2. Moist Buttermilk Banana Bread Recipe
- 3. Moist Chocolate Espresso Banana Bread Recipe
- 4. Moist Honey Vanilla Banana Bread Recipe
- 5. Moist Sour Cream Banana Bread Recipe
- 6. Moist Zucchini Banana Bread Recipe
Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe With Walnuts
This is the classic banana bread recipe everyone loves. It’s packed with flavor and walnuts for a nice crunch, making it a truly satisfying treat.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Banana Nut Bread
- Walnuts: These add a lovely texture and nutty flavor. You can lightly toast them first for even more taste.
- Cinnamon: A touch of ground cinnamon brings warmth and pairs perfectly with the banana flavor.
What You Need for Walnut Banana Bread
- 2-3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup melted unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
⏱️ Time: 1 hour 10 mins🍽️ Yields: 1 standard loaf
How to Make This Moist Banana Nut Bread
Step 1: Get Ready to Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan. In a medium bowl, mash the ripe bananas well.
Step 2: Mix Everything Together
In a large bowl, mix together the mashed bananas, melted butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined. Stir in the chopped walnuts.
Step 3: Bake Until Golden
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
📝 Final Note
For the best banana flavor, make sure your bananas are very ripe with lots of brown spots.
Moist Buttermilk Banana Bread Recipe
Buttermilk adds a wonderful tang and incredible moisture to this banana bread. It creates a tender crumb that everyone will love, making this loaf extra special.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Buttermilk Banana Bread
- Buttermilk: This acidic ingredient reacts with baking soda to create a very light and moist texture.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix until just combined to keep the bread tender. Overmixing can make it tough.
What You Need for Buttermilk Banana Bread
- 2-3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup melted unsalted butter
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⏱️ Time: 1 hour 15 mins🍽️ Yields: 1 standard loaf
How to Make This Moist Buttermilk Banana Bread
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×5 inch loaf pan by greasing and flouring it. In a bowl, mash the very ripe bananas until mostly smooth.
Step 2: Combine Wet and Dry
In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, melted butter, sugar, egg, buttermilk, and vanilla. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gently add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Step 3: Bake and Cool Your Loaf
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center. Allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
📝 Final Note
If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup and filling the rest with regular milk to ½ cup. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
Moist Chocolate Espresso Banana Bread Recipe
This recipe combines the sweetness of banana bread with rich chocolate and a hint of espresso. The espresso helps deepen the chocolate flavor, making each slice extra delicious.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Chocolate Espresso Banana Bread
- Espresso Powder: Don’t skip this! It enhances the chocolate taste without making the bread taste like coffee.
- Chocolate Chips: Use good quality semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips for the best flavor.
What You Need for Chocolate Espresso Banana Bread
- 2-3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup melted unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
- ½ cup chocolate chips
⏱️ Time: 1 hour 15 mins🍽️ Yields: 1 standard loaf
How to Make This Moist Chocolate Espresso Banana Bread
Step 1: Get Your Oven Ready
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×5 inch loaf pan by coating it with non-stick spray or butter and flour. Mash the ripe bananas in a bowl.
Step 2: Mix the Batter Carefully
In a large bowl, mix the mashed bananas, melted butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
Step 3: Bake and Enjoy
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a wooden skewer comes out clean. Let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then move it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
📝 Final Note
For an even richer flavor, you can sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top of the batter before baking.
Moist Honey Vanilla Banana Bread Recipe
This recipe uses honey for a natural sweetness and an extra warm flavor. The vanilla really shines through, making this banana bread extra comforting and fragrant.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Honey Vanilla Banana Bread
- Good Quality Honey: Using a flavorful honey (like clover or wildflower) will really make a difference in taste.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Double the vanilla to highlight this sweet, fragrant note.
What You Need for Honey Vanilla Banana Bread
- 2-3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup melted unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
⏱️ Time: 1 hour 10 mins🍽️ Yields: 1 standard loaf
How to Make This Moist Honey Vanilla Banana Bread
Step 1: Prep Oven and Bananas
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×5 inch loaf pan by greasing and flouring it. Mash your ripe bananas until they are smooth.
Step 2: Mix the Wet and Dry
In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, melted butter, granulated sugar, honey, egg, and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
📝 Final Note
This bread tastes even better the next day as the flavors settle. Store it in an airtight container.
Moist Sour Cream Banana Bread Recipe
Adding sour cream makes this banana bread incredibly rich and tender. It gives the bread a soft, melt-in-your-mouth crumb that is simply delicious.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Sour Cream Banana Bread
- Full-Fat Sour Cream: This is key for the richness and moisture. Don’t use light sour cream.
- Creaming Butter and Sugar: This step adds air and makes the bread even lighter.
What You Need for Sour Cream Banana Bread
- 2-3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup melted unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⏱️ Time: 1 hour 20 mins🍽️ Yields: 1 standard loaf
How to Make This Moist Sour Cream Banana Bread
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Spot
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan. Mash the ripe bananas in a bowl and set aside.
Step 2: Mix Ingredients for Softness
In a large bowl, cream together the melted butter and sugar. Beat in the egg, then stir in the mashed bananas, sour cream, and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until everything is combined.
Step 3: Bake and Cool Thoroughly
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes before taking it out to cool completely on a wire rack.
📝 Final Note
This bread freezes well! Wrap cooled slices tightly in plastic wrap and then foil for up to 3 months.
Moist Zucchini Banana Bread Recipe
Sneak some extra veggies into your day with this tasty zucchini banana bread. The zucchini adds even more moisture, making each slice wonderfully soft and flavorful.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Zucchini Banana Bread
- Grated Zucchini: Make sure to lightly squeeze out any excess water from the zucchini before adding it to the batter.
- Nutmeg: A pinch of nutmeg pairs nicely with both banana and zucchini, adding a warm spice note.
What You Need for Zucchini Banana Bread
- 2-3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup melted unsalted butter
- 1 cup grated zucchini, lightly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⏱️ Time: 1 hour 20 mins🍽️ Yields: 1 standard loaf
How to Make This Moist Zucchini Banana Bread
Step 1: Prep Oven and Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan. Mash the ripe bananas and lightly squeeze any excess moisture from your grated zucchini.
Step 2: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, melted butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir in the grated zucchini. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined.
Step 3: Bake and Let Cool
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove it and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
📝 Final Note
You can add chopped nuts or chocolate chips to this recipe if you like, just fold them in with the zucchini.