Tasty Banana Bread Recipe

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Do you ever make a recipe and then wonder why you don’t make it more often? I think it every time I make this super easy and moist banana bread. 

This banana bread recipe uses just a handful of ingredients and is a slightly healthier version of the classic recipe. I use maple syrup for sweetness and protein-rich Greek yogurt for moisture.

Banana Bread served on a plate with bananas next to it

The result is deliciously sweet and soft banana bread! 

Keep reading to learn how I make it.

Ingredients

Banana Bread ingredients (see text for details)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • 2 eggs
  • ⅓ cup full-fat greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla 
  • 1½  cup mashed banana (3 large ripe bananas)

How To Keep Bananas at Their Peak Ripeness

What if your bananas are perfectly overripe and soft, but you aren’t ready to make banana bread yet? That’s easy. You can freeze them!

Once your bananas turn dark brown and are ready for bread making, just pop them in the freezer with the peel on or off. Before baking, thaw for 2 hours at room temperature. Or run them under hot water in a zip-top bag for 2 minutes. You’ll have ready-to-use ripe bananas anytime!

Instructions

Here are all the steps to make this simple and tasty banana bread. 

Step 1 – Mash the Bananas

Mashed bananas

Peel the ripe bananas and put them into a bowl. Use a fork to mash them into a paste. Set aside.

While you mash the banana, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9×5 loaf pan. 

Step 2 – Mix the Dry Ingredients

Banana Bread Dry Ingredients

Use a whisk or fork to mix together the flours, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Set aside.

Step 3 – Whisk the Wet Ingredients

Banana Bread Wet Ingredients

In a medium bowl, gently combine the mashed banana, eggs, yogurt, oil, maple syrup, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth. 

Step 4 – Combine the Ingredients

Banana Bread combined ingredients

Pour the wet ingredients into the large bowl with the dry ingredients. Use a wooden spoon to mix, just until combined. Do not over mix or your moist banana bread will turn out too dense. 

Step 5 – Pour Batter into Loaf Pan and Bake

Banana Bread Batter in a loaf pan

Pour the batter into a greased 9×5 loaf pan. Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 30 minutes then cover loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for another 20-30 minutes until cooked through.

A toothpick inserted into the center of the bread will come out clean if the banana bread is fully cooked.

Step 6 – Remove Foil and Cool Completely

Just baked banana bread in a loaf pan ready to serve

Once the moist banana bread is fully cooked, remove the foil and let it rest until completely cool. Slice and enjoy!

Cookware Used

Loaf Pan: I used a 9×5 glass pan. You could also use a metal pan and the sides may not brown as quickly as with glass. Whichever pan you use, be sure to grease it well. 

How to Quickly Ripen Bananas for Banana Bread

What if you’re ready to make banana bread but your bananas aren’t? Try placing them in a brown paper bag and loosely rolling it shut. This can speed up the ripening process. Also, adding another ripe fruit to the bag speeds things up even more.

If you’re really short on time, you can ripen bananas in your oven! Just preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) and place 2-3 bananas on a foil-lined cookie sheet. Bake for 8 minutes and then flip and bake for another 5-10 minutes until the peels are black and the banana is soft.

You can peel them and use them in any recipe that calls for very ripe bananas.

How to Store Banana Bread

This moist banana bread is best kept at room temperature for only 2-3 days at room temperature.

To make it last a little longer, can place it in an airtight container or zip-top bag and keep it for up to a week in the fridge. 

How to Freeze Banana Bread

You can also wrap the entire loaf in foil before placing it in a zip-top bag and keep it for up to four months in the freezer. If frozen, just thaw it at room temperature for four hours before eating. 

You can also freeze individual slices of banana bread. Wrap the slice first in plastic wrap and then in foil so it doesn’t dry out. Place the wrapped slice in a freezer-safe bag and remove all air. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes, or microwave for 30 seconds. 

Ways To Serve Banana Bread

  • Pop a slice in the toaster and then spread butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top
  • Use banana bread instead of white bread to make banana bread french toast
  • Layer pieces of banana bread with fresh bananas and whipped cream for a trifle
  • Use banana bread instead of the usual bread in your favorite bread pudding recipe

Banana Bread Variations

With a few tweaks, you can make this banana bread recipe to fit different dietary needs.

Vegan Banana Bread

To make vegan banana bread, omit the eggs and instead use ½ cup unsweetened applesauce. Swap out the yogurt for ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk.

Gluten-Free Banana Bread

To make this gluten-free banana bread, just follow the recipe above but substitute the all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour for 1¾ cups of 1-to-1 gluten-free flour. No other adjustments are necessary.

Now, It’s Your Turn!

Banana Bread cut and ready to serve

Follow these simple steps to make this easy and moist banana bread. Use overripe bananas, don’t overmix the batter, and be sure to check for doneness so you don’t overbake. And if you’ve made too much, you can freeze the extra and enjoy it for the next few months. 

Whether you start your day with a warm slice covered in butter or toss a slice in your bag for lunch, I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!

Print

Tasty Banana Bread Recipe

Banana bread is a relatively healthy and tasty bread that can do double duty as a snack or dessert.

  • Author: Beatriz Garcia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 10 servings 1x
  • Cuisine: Dessert
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 cup full-fat greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 1/2 cup mashed banana (3 large ripe bananas)

Instructions

Mash the Bananas and Prepare

Start preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C)

Peel the ripe bananas and mash them in a bowl, then set aside.

Grease a 9×5 loaf pan.

Mix the Dry Ingredients

Use a whisk or fork to mix together the flours, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl, then set aside.

Whisk the Wet Ingredients

In a medium bowl, gently combine the mashed banana, eggs, yogurt, oil, maple syrup, and vanilla, then whisk until smooth.

Combine the Ingredients

Pour the wet ingredients into the large bowl with the dry ingredients. Use a wooden spoon to mix, until just combined. Do not over mix.

Pour Batter into Loaf Pan and Bake

Pour the batter into a greased 9×5 loaf pan. Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 30 minutes then cover loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for another 20-30 minutes until cooked through.

Remove Foil and Cool

Once the moist banana bread is cooked, remove the foil and let it rest until completely cool.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 105 g
  • Calories: 269 kCal
  • Sugar: 14.2 g
  • Sodium: 117 mg
  • Fat: 12.9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9.4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.001 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35.1 g
  • Fiber: 2.2 g
  • Protein: 5.4 g
  • Cholesterol: 93 mg

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