Description
Classic Banana Bread (Moist & Simple) is the easy, foolproof loaf you’ll make on repeat—tender crumb, big banana flavor, and simple pantry ingredients. This moist banana bread recipe is perfect for breakfast, snacks, and meal prep, and it freezes beautifully in slices. Pinterest tip: save this classic banana bread for ripe bananas, easy baking, and cozy homemade treats—add chocolate chips, walnuts, or cinnamon for fun variations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 2/3 cup sugar (brown sugar or half brown/half white)
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly (optional: swap 2 tbsp for oil)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream (optional, for extra tenderness)
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp fine salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
- Optional mix-ins: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or 3/4 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment if desired.
- Mash bananas in a large bowl until mostly smooth.
- Whisk in sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and yogurt/sour cream (if using) until glossy.
- Add flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using). Fold gently just until no dry flour remains.
- Fold in walnuts or chocolate chips if using.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake 50–65 minutes, tenting with foil if the top browns too quickly. Bread is done when a toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool 10–15 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a rack to cool before slicing.
Notes
- Riper bananas = sweeter, more flavorful banana bread.
- Don’t overmix; fold just until combined for a tender crumb.
- If your loaf browns early, tent loosely with foil for the last 10–15 minutes.
- For extra moistness, replace 2 tbsp of butter with neutral oil.
- Store wrapped at room temp 3–4 days or freeze slices up to 2–3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Classic Banana Bread (Moist & Simple), moist banana bread, easy banana bread, banana bread recipe, banana nut bread, chocolate chip banana bread