Classic Banana Bread
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Classic Banana Bread

One bowl. Ripe bananas. Moist, tender, perfectly sweet. The only banana bread recipe you need.

Prep 10 minCook 55 minTotal 1 hr 5 minServes 10Cost $0.50/serving★ 4.9(678)

Servings

Est. total: $5.00 · $0.50/serving

Cost estimates are approximate and vary by location, store, season, and brand. Actual prices may differ.

Ingredients

  • 3 large ripe bananas (very ripe, brown-spotted)
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter (melted)
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.

  2. 2

    Mash bananas in a large bowl with a fork until mostly smooth with a few chunks remaining.

    3 large ripe bananas

    The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more moist the bread. Black bananas = best banana bread.

  3. 3

    Stir melted butter into the mashed bananas. Mix in sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla.

    1/3 cup unsalted butter3/4 cup sugar1 large egg1 tsp vanilla extract
  4. 4

    Sprinkle baking soda, salt, and cinnamon over the mixture. Stir to combine. Add flour and stir until JUST incorporated — a few streaks of flour are fine.

    1 tsp baking soda1/4 tsp salt1/2 tsp cinnamon1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

    Overmixing develops gluten and makes dense, tough bread. Mix gently.

  5. 5

    Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

    If the top browns too fast, tent with foil at the 40-minute mark.

  6. 6

    Cool in pan 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. Resist cutting for at least 15 minutes — the bread is still cooking inside.

Pairs With

🧃Coffee$

Medium roast drip coffee, black or with cream

Coffee and banana bread is the ultimate afternoon combination

🍷Moscato d'Asti$

Lightly sparkling Italian sweet wine

Delicate sweetness and bubbles pair beautifully with the banana

🍸Chai Latte$

Spiced black tea with steamed milk

Warm spices amplify the cinnamon in the bread

Nutrition

21

Calories

0

Proteing

4

Carbsg

1

Fatg

Per serving. Estimated values. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice.

Tips

  • •Freeze overripe bananas in their peel. Thaw and squeeze out the banana when ready to bake.
  • •Add ¾ cup chocolate chips or ½ cup chopped walnuts if you want to upgrade.

Substitutions

  • butter → equal amount of coconut oil or ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • sugar → ¾ cup brown sugar (more caramel flavor, slightly moister)
  • all-purpose flour → 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
  • egg → ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce for egg-free

Leftovers

Wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Room temp 3 days, refrigerated 1 week, frozen 3 months.

Leftover Ideas

Slice and toast with butterFrench toast made with banana bread slicesCrumble as a topping for yogurt or ice cream

Nutrition values are estimates calculated per serving and may vary based on brand, preparation method, and serving size. Not a substitute for professional dietary or medical advice. Consult a registered dietitian for specific nutritional needs.

Allergen Notice: Recipes may contain or come into contact with major allergens including milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, and sesame. Always verify ingredient labels for allergen information specific to the brands you use.

Drink pairing suggestions are for adults of legal drinking age only. Please drink responsibly.

Food Safety: Follow USDA safe minimum internal temperatures: Poultry 165°F (74°C), Ground meats 165°F (74°C), Beef/pork/lamb steaks 145°F (63°C) with 3-min rest, Fish 145°F (63°C). Use an instant-read thermometer — do not rely on visual cues alone. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.