It’s the secret ingredient in this simple banana bread recipe that makes it so moist and so delicious. Plus, it’s easy, quick, and an addictive recipe you’ll make over and over.
Bread recipes are one of our favorite recipes to bake but this banana bread is the BEST and is now a favorite in so many kitchens!
Photos Updated: November 2018!
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Why You’ll Love this Banana Bread
- It’s the secret ingredient, buttermilk (or substitute with a combination of lemon juice and milk), that creates a moist, flavorful banana bread.
- It’s classic and flexible. You can add your favorite additions if you want something other than regular banana bread. For instance, chocolate chips, nuts, and blueberries are DELICIOUS in this recipe!
- It’s a great way to use up bananas that are turning brown!
Make sure you store it in an air-tight container and it has even been recommended to store the banana bread with paper-towels wrapped around it to help keep it fresh. There’s no need to store it in the refrigerator but do store in a cool, dry place. It should stay good for up for 4 days.
YES! Using too much banana can make the bread soggy and too dense. This recipe calls for only 3 bananas (about 1 1/2 cups of mashed bananas).
If you have bananas that are not ripened but you want to make banana bread, place the bananas, still in the peels, on a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 300° until they turn black.
How to Make Banana Bread
I’ve made this recipe using regular loaf pans and mini loaf pans. Honestly, it doesn’t matter to me which way I make it because it’s delicious either way. However, if making in mini loaf pans, you’ll want to bake it for less time.
Mini Loaf Pans
The first time I made this, I knew I wanted to use the CUTEST little mini loaf baking pan so I knew I need to adjust the bake time.
If you’re using a mini loaf pan (since all can be different) just start checking the middle after about 20 minutes of baking, and remove them when a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
Regular Loaf Pans
My oven cooks SUPER fast, so I had to be cautious when it came to baking this banana bread. So where I had to bake my banana bread in regular size loaf pans for 40 minutes, it may take anywhere from 40-55 minutes for your oven.
Periodically check with a toothpick until the center comes out clean after about 40 minutes.
SIDE NOTE: Since I used two different pans, they both cooked differently too. One pan was much thinner than the other, so that loaf of bread finished before the other.
How to Make this EASY Banana Bread
Start with RIPE Bananas
I’m not going to lie. When I see at least 3 bananas on my counter that are starting to turn a little brown, I get a little too excited.
I despise eating bananas by themselves. But turn them into banana bread, and you can’t keep me out of it.
For this recipe, start with ripe bananas.
Don’t worry… if you need to make it NOW, and the store only had underripe bananas… it’s ok. I’ve been impatient before and still make it. It turned out just fine! But see my tip above for ripening bananas if you want to!
Buttermilk
I truly believe there’s an ingredient in this banana bread recipe that makes it so good, and moist. Buttermilk. Yes, really!
Buttermilk Substitute
Don’t have buttermilk on hand, DON’T worry! In a small dish or bowl, mix together 1/2 cup milk with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice! Works perfect every time!
Banana Bread Batter
With a mixer, mix together the butter and the sugar.
Next, add in the mashed bananas and the eggs.
Pro Tip: Throw your bananas into a Ziploc bag, seal, and mash them with your hands through the bag or with a rolling pin!
In a separate bowl, mix together your flour, baking soda, and salt.
Next, fold in the dry ingredients, alternating the buttermilk (or milk and lemon juice) with the flour.
Once that is mixed, you’re ready to add to your desired, greased baking dish.
How Long to Bake Banana Bread in Oven…
Mini loaves take me about 20 minutes, and two regular loaf pans take about 40 minutes.
How Long to Cool Banana Bread
Once you remove your banana bread from the oven, let sit a few minutes and then release it from the loaf pan to fully cool on a wire rack. (I do this when we want to eat it in a hurry.)
Slice and serve!
But do me a favor… if you’re making it just for fun, give it a try when it’s warm. You won’t regret it.
More recipes like this one that you’ll love:
- Easy Bread Pudding Recipe
- Banana Bread Pudding with Chocolate Chips
- Donut Bread Pudding
- Sweet Potato Casserole Bread Pudding
- Cream Cheese Toffee Pumpkin Bread
Easy Banana Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup buttermilk or you can combine 1/2 cup milk with 2 teaspoons lemon juice & set aside to curdle
- 3/4 cup butter softened (1-1/2 sticks)
- 1-1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1-1/2 cup very ripe bananas mashed, which is about 3 large bananas
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Mix-Ins (optional):
- chocolate chips
- nuts walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F
- In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and the sugar.
- Add in the mashed bananas and eggs. Mix together until well combined.
- In a separate bowl. mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the flour mixture and the buttermilk alternately to the wet mixture, and mix with a hand mixer on low or by hand until combined.
- If you’re adding chocolate chips/nuts, add to mixture and hand stir to combine
- If baking in regular-size loaf pans (split batter in half between the two.) If using mini loaf pans, fill each cavities about half way.
- If baking in regular-size loaf pans, bake at 325 for 40-45 minutes. (Some have stated their ovens do better at baking for 50-55 minutes.) If baking in mini loaf pans, bake at 325 and begin checking after 20 minutes with a toothpick to see if it comes out clean. (Because each mini loaf size is different like mentioned above.)
Kelley says
This recipe was absolutely a hit. I’ve been making different types of banana bread for the entire 17 years I’ve been married and this one is by far the best tasting and gotten the most compliments. I also did the lemon juice milk trick!
Jessica says
Woo Hoo!!!! I’m so glad that you liked it and found a new one to use! Thank you so much for reviewing and taking the time to let us know!! 🙂
Mary says
Awesome banana bread, moist, buttery and delicious.
Jessica says
Eeeek! I’m so glad that you liked it. It really is the BEST in my opinion! 🙂 Thank you for letting me know too!
Jackie Richardson says
Your recipes sound great, I have another one for you all, put a can of crushed pineapple in the batter. DRAINED> Then drink the juice!
Jessica says
Mmmmm!!!! That sounds delightful!
Cindy Cormier says
I made the pineapple/banana bread a couple of weeks ago! Although it came out nice, moist & delicious, I’m still a purest… can’t beat the old fashioned Banana Bread with pecans! 🙂
Cindy Cormier says
I’ve used the “secret ingredient” for over 40 years! I’m making your receipe today! It’s really close to mine. Thank-you for posting it!
Jessica says
Haha!!! That’s fantastic! So glad you came by and dropped a note. Enjoy that banana bread Cindy! It’s the perfect day for it… but what day isn’t!? 🙂
Katie says
3rd time making this recipe. It is delish! I added some cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice (just a 1/2 teaspoon total) and topped both loaves with cinnamon sugar. Thank you!
Jessica says
So glad that you liked it! Thank you for letting me know!
Patty says
I was short on butter so I added half a cup of peanut butter and dark chocolate chips….They are in the oven now!
Jessica says
Yum! I hope you love it!
Lisa says
The one thing I have never been able to make is a good banana bread. Until I found your recipe! I’ve made this twice now in the last week because it doesn’t last in our house!
Thank you so much, this recipe is so easy and tastes perfect!
Jessica says
Awww! I’m so glad that it turned out for you and that you like it so much. I really do think it’s the best banana recipe that there is!
Natalie says
Mmmm…my favorite thing to make with bananas!! So soft & easy to make! We love adding chocolate chips!
Jessica says
YES! Adding chocolate chips sounds amazing!
Natasha says
This looks so moist and delicious! Love me a good banana bread!
Jessica says
Thank you so much Natasha!
Krissy Allori says
This bread is so good and so quick and easy. I loved the buttermilk them.
Jessica says
Thank you so much Krissy!!
Melissa says
Great recipe! Quick and easy packed with yummy flavor. I love that we were able to make enough to handout at Thanksgiving!
Jessica says
Thank you so much Melissa!!
Ive says
Best way to store? Fridge or no fridge?
Jessica says
Hi there! I leave it out of the fridge for the first two days or so and then place it in the fridge if there’s any left. But I’ll be honest, it rarely makes it after one day, because we eat it all. Haha!
Christopher says
Woh I love your articles, saved to favorites!
Beth says
This was so yummy and delicious!
Jessica says
I’m so glad, thank you!
Kara says
I had some buttermilk I needed to use up, and this was just perfect! My family finished off an entire loaf in a matter of minutes. 🙂
Jessica says
Oh I’m so glad, thank you so much!
Matt Taylor says
Super easy to make and super yummy! The buttermilk addition is on point for super moist banana bread. So good!
Jessica says
Right!? It makes such a difference, thank you!
Jen Bryant says
This banana bread comes out perfectly every single time! My kids request it weekly!
Jessica says
Woo Hoo! I’m so glad to hear it, thank you!
Kellee Sancken says
Heeeheeehee! That’s such an apt name for him! Aww!