Make delicious banana bread at home with this simple step-by-step recipe. Soft, moist, and perfect for tea time or breakfast!
This easy banana bread recipe is soft, moist, and full of flavor! Perfect for using overripe bananas, with optional eggless and whole wheat variations.
🍌 Classic Banana Bread Recipe (Moist & Easy)
🕒 Total Time: 60 minutes
Prep Time: 15 mins
Bake Time: 45 mins
Servings: 8–10 slices
🧾 Ingredients:
- 3 ripe bananas (medium-sized, mashed)
- 1 cup sugar (can reduce to ¾ cup for less sweetness)
- ½ cup oil or melted butter
- 2 eggs (or ½ cup yogurt for eggless)
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat flour)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or chocolate chips
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat Oven (⏱ 5 minutes)
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Grease a loaf pan with oil or butter and dust with a little flour (or line with parchment paper).
Step 2: Mash Bananas (⏱ 2 minutes)
- In a mixing bowl, mash the 3 ripe bananas until smooth.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients (⏱ 5 minutes)
- Add sugar, eggs (or yogurt), oil, and vanilla extract to the bananas.
- Whisk well until combined and creamy.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients (⏱ 3 minutes)
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
Step 5: Combine Wet & Dry Mix (⏱ 3 minutes)
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mix.
- Fold gently (don’t overmix).
- Add walnuts or chocolate chips if using.
Step 6: Bake (⏱ 45 minutes)
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 40–45 minutes.
- Check with a toothpick — it should come out clean.
Step 7: Cool & Serve (⏱ 10 minutes)
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 5 mins, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Slice after cooling completely.
✅ Tips:
✅ 1. Use Overripe Bananas
- The blacker the bananas, the better. Overripe bananas are sweeter, mash easier, and give your bread a deeper banana flavor.
✅ 2. Don’t Overmix the Batter
- Stir until just combined. Overmixing makes banana bread dense and chewy instead of soft and fluffy.
✅ 3. Use Oil for Extra Moisture
- While butter gives flavor, vegetable oil or coconut oil keeps the bread super moist for days.
✅ 4. Add Yogurt or Curd
- Adding 2 tbsp of yogurt (even with eggs) enhances moisture and gives a soft texture.
✅ 5. Room Temperature Ingredients
- Make sure eggs, butter/oil, and bananas are at room temperature. This helps everything mix evenly.
✅ 6. Customize the Add-ins
- Add chocolate chips, nuts, seeds, or a swirl of peanut butter or Nutella for a twist.
✅ 7. Line the Pan Properly
- Use parchment paper or grease + flour the pan to avoid sticking and for easy removal.
✅ 8. Tent with Foil if Browning Too Fast
- If the top browns too quickly before the inside is cooked, loosely cover it with foil after 30 minutes.
✅ 9. Rest Before Slicing
- Let it cool completely before slicing. This helps set the texture and avoids crumbling.
✅ 10. Store It Right
- Wrap in cling film or foil. It stays moist for 3–4 days at room temperature. For longer storage, freeze slices in zip-lock bags.
🍌 Banana Bread Recipe – 35+ Frequently Asked Questions
🧁 Baking Basics
What is banana bread?
Banana bread is a moist, cake-like quick bread made using mashed ripe bananas, typically baked in a loaf pan.
How ripe should bananas be for banana bread?
Use bananas with dark brown or black spots—they should be very soft and sweet for the best flavor.
Can I make banana bread without eggs?
Yes. Use yogurt, applesauce, mashed banana, or flax eggs as substitutes.
How long should I bake banana bread?
Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
At what temperature should banana bread be baked?
180°C (350°F) is the ideal temperature for a perfect rise and moist texture.
How do I know if banana bread is done baking?
Insert a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean or with dry crumbs, it’s done.
Should I preheat the oven before baking?
Yes, always preheat for even baking and accurate cook time.
Can I use a cake tin instead of a loaf pan?
Yes, but the baking time may reduce depending on the depth of the tin.
🥄 Ingredients & Substitutions
Can I make banana bread without sugar?
Yes, use jaggery, dates, honey, or maple syrup as natural sweeteners.
What can I substitute for eggs in banana bread?
Try ¼ cup yogurt, mashed banana, or 1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water per egg.
Can I replace butter with oil?
Yes. Oil makes it more moist. Use equal amounts.
Can I use jaggery instead of sugar?
Yes, melt jaggery with a little water and adjust liquids in the batter accordingly.
Can I make banana bread with whole wheat flour?
Yes, though it may be slightly denser. Mixing half AP flour works great.
Can I add oats to banana bread?
Yes, replace up to ¼ cup of flour with rolled oats for added texture.
Is banana bread healthy?
It can be! Use whole wheat flour, less sugar, and healthy fats like coconut oil.
How can I make vegan banana bread?
Skip eggs and dairy. Use plant-based milk and flax eggs or applesauce.
🍫 Add-ins & Variations
Can I add chocolate chips to banana bread?
Yes! Mix in ½ to ¾ cup of chips in the batter.
Can I add walnuts or almonds?
Absolutely. Use ½ cup chopped for crunch and flavor.
What other mix-ins can I try?
Raisins, dried coconut, sesame seeds, blueberries, peanut butter swirls.
How do I make chocolate banana bread?
Add ¼ cup cocoa powder and chocolate chips to the batter.
Can I swirl Nutella or peanut butter?
Yes. Add dollops and swirl gently with a knife before baking.
Can I make muffins from banana bread batter?
Yes. Bake muffins at 180°C for 18–22 minutes.
Can I flavor it with spices?
Yes! Add ½ tsp cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg for aroma.
❄️ Storage & Shelf Life
How long does banana bread last?
3–4 days at room temperature when stored in an airtight container.
Can I refrigerate banana bread?
Yes. Wrap it tightly to keep it from drying out. Lasts up to a week.
Can I freeze banana bread?
Yes. Wrap slices or the whole loaf in cling wrap and freeze for 2–3 months.
How do I reheat banana bread?
Warm slices in a microwave for 20–30 seconds or in the oven at 160°C for 5–8 mins.
🧑🍳 Troubleshooting
Why did my banana bread sink in the middle?
It may be underbaked or the batter was overmixed.
Why is my banana bread dry or crumbly?
You may have overbaked it or added too much flour.
Why is my banana bread too moist inside?
It may be underbaked or you used too many bananas.
Why does my banana bread crack on top?
This is normal. It’s a good sign that the batter rose properly.
Why does banana bread taste bitter?
Possibly due to too much baking soda or unripe bananas.
How to prevent banana bread from sticking to the pan?
Grease and flour the pan or line with parchment paper.
🍽️ Serving & Presentation
Can I frost banana bread?
Yes! Cream cheese or chocolate frosting works well.
Best way to serve banana bread?
Warm with butter, peanut butter, or just plain like Sandwich with tea or coffee.
Can I use banana bread for French toast?
Yes! Slice thick and soak in egg-milk mixture before frying.
