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Home » Muffins & Bread » Easy Banana Bread Recipe

Easy Banana Bread Recipe

Published: May 23, 2022 · Modified: May 24, 2022 by Allison · 623 Comments

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This Easy Banana Bread Recipe is the absolute BEST! It is moist, packed with bananas, sweetened with brown sugar, and baked in a square pan for even and quick cooking. No mixer needed, grab a bowl and whisk, this bread is ready in under 30 minutes.

If you asked me what I bake most often, the answer would undoubtedly be banana bread. It took me years, and dozens of recipes, before I found the one that I’m sharing here. It became an immediate reader favorite and family staple.

Slices of banana bread stacked on a plate.

For years, I have been on a search for the PERFECT Banana Bread. I wanted a recipe that is simple, with no fancy ingredients, and no trendy technique. Just a flat-out delicious Banana Bread that bakes up perfectly every single time. HERE IT IS!

This recipe is also the base for our Banana Nut Muffins and our Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.

Jump to:
  • What makes this recipe the best
  • Recipe overview
  • Tips: baking with bananas
  • Healthier options
  • Different pan sizes
  • More banana recipes
  • Recipe

What makes this recipe the best

  • Bananas – This banana bread is absolutely loaded with bananas. I use 3-4 overripe bananas to make this bread sweet, moist, and undeniably banana-flavored.
  • Brown sugar – The only sugar used in this bread is brown sugar. It is in the batter and it gets sprinkled on top before baking. The brown sugar gives the bread a deeper flavor and almost caramel-like sweetness.
  • Vanilla extract – Banana and vanilla is a match made in heaven! Two teaspoons of vanilla extract lend an underlying vanilla flavor that pairs perfectly with the banana.
  • Square pan – This here is the game changer. I bake the banana bread in a 9×9 square cake pan instead of a loaf pan. This allows the bread to bake in as little as 20 minutes (as opposed to 1 hour in a loaf pan). Plus, no worrying about overcooking the edges and undercooking the center. Since it is not a loaf, it bakes evenly every time. Note: If you’d prefer using a different size pan there are instructions below.
Easy Banana Bread ingredients: butter, sugar, flour, bananas, eggs baking soda.

Recipe overview

*Full detailed recipe below in the recipe card.*

Whisk melted butter and brown sugar. Add mashed banana, vanilla, and eggs.

Mashed banana, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla in a white bowl.

Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt.

Mashed banana and flour in a white bowl.

Pour the batter into a greased 9×9 square pan and sprinkle the top with brown sugar. Bake until golden brown and cooked through.

Brown sugar on top of banana bread.

Tips: baking with bananas

It’s important that you use overripe bananas for this recipe. The skin of the bananas should have brown speckles or even be turning dark brownish-black. This ensures that the bananas mash smoothly and are extra sweet.

You will need 3-4 bananas (2 cups mashed).

Mash the bananas using a fork or potato masher.

I mash the bananas on a paper plate then fold the plate in half and slide the mashed banana into the measuring cup.

Healthier options

Prefer your Banana Bread on the healthier side? I have made the following changes with success:

  • Reduce the brown sugar to ½ cup (in the batter). I still recommend sprinkling brown sugar on top.
  • Swap the melted butter for melted coconut oil or mild olive oil.
  • Reduce the melted butter/oil to 6 tablespoons.
  • Swap ¾ cup of all purpose flour for whole wheat flour.
  • Add a generous handful of chopped walnuts to the batter for a boost of omega-3’s.
Slices of banana bread on a white plate.

Different pan sizes

The recipe instructions are for a 9×9 square pan (my preference), but you can also use the following:

  • Muffins: Divide batter between 12 greased muffin cups, adjust bake time to about 15 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).
  • 8×8 square: Adjust bake time to 35-45 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).
  • Loaf pan (9×5): Adjust bake time to 45-55 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).
Loaf of banana bread on a wire rack.

More banana recipes

  • Coconut Banana Cream Pie
  • Banana Bundt Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze
  • Brown Sugar Banana Pancakes
  • Pumpkin Banana Bread

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Recipe

Stack of banana bread slices on a white plate.

Easy Banana Bread Recipe

This Easy Banana Bread Recipe is the absolute BEST! It is moist, packed with bananas, sweetened with brown sugar, and baked in a cake pan for even and quick cooking. No mixer needed, grab a bowl and whisk, this bread is ready in under 30 minutes.
4.99 from 231 votes
Print Pin
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes
Servings: 12 small (or 9 larger servings)
Calories: 212kcal
Author: Allison – Celebrating Sweets

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
  • ⅔ cup packed light brown sugar, make sure it is fresh and soft
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 scant cups mashed very ripe bananas, about 3-4 bananas
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 ¾ cups all purpose flour*
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup brown sugar (or more, if desired), for topping

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. 
  • In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and ⅔ cup brown sugar until well combined, about 1 minute. Add eggs, mashed banana, and vanilla, whisking until combined. 
  • In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and use a rubber spatula to lightly stir the batter until no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to over mix. 
  • Grease a 9×9 square baking pan and add the batter to the pan. Smooth into an even layer. Sprinkle the top of the batter with ¼ cup (or more) brown sugar. Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating once during the bake time. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Place on a wire rack to cool.

Video

Notes

FLOUR: Fluff the flour several times with your measuring cup, lightly scoop a heaping portion and level it off. If you’d like to add some whole wheat flour, I have successfully used 1 cup all purpose flour along with ¾ cup whole wheat flour. 
PAN SIZES: The recipe instructions are for a 9×9 square pan (my preference), but you can also use the following:
  • Muffins: Divide batter between 12 greased muffin cups, adjust bake time to about 15 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).
  • 8×8 square: Adjust bake time to 35-45 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean). 
  • Loaf pan (9×5): Adjust bake time to 45-55 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).

Nutrition

Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 158mg | Potassium: 57mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 281IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.

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Comments

  1. Kaitlin R.

    June 19, 2022 at 2:48 pm

    5 stars
    This is my favorite banana bread recipe. I love the brown sugar on top and how it doesn’t take forever to cook. It’s moist and just sweet enough.

    Reply
  2. Caitlin

    June 20, 2022 at 5:24 pm

    I made this using vegan butter and they turned out amazing! The only thing I adjusted was the baking soda. I used 1/2 a teaspoon because of the elevation I am at. They are super moist and flavorful. I topped mine with some chopped walnuts. I think adding a streusel topping or some cinnamon to the batter would also be amazing!

    Reply
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aboutHi, I'm Allison! I'm a busy wife and mom with a passion for cooking and baking. This is where you'll find my favorite homemade recipes, designed to help you make every day delicious! Read more....

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