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.
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
- 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.
Recipe overview
*Full detailed recipe below in the recipe card.*
Whisk melted butter and brown sugar. Add mashed banana, vanilla, and eggs.
Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt.
Pour the batter into a greased 9×9 square pan and sprinkle the top with brown sugar. Bake until golden brown and cooked through.
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.
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).
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Recipe
Easy Banana Bread Recipe
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 light brown sugar (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
- 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
Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
Yvonne
I made this recipe this evening exactly as printed and it was easy and delicious. I only added a sprinkling of chopped walnuts on top before baking. My husband is now on his second piece.
Celebrating Sweets
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Gina
Everyone loved it
Celebrating Sweets
I’m so glad! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Andersen
Wow! This is soo easy to make compared to all of the 2-3 hr recipes
Celebrating Sweets
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Abigail
Can I make 1½ of this recipe and bake it all in a 9×5 inch pan???
Celebrating Sweets
I would not suggest increasing the recipe as it will take too long to cook. I have notes in the recipe card for baking the recipe (as written) in a 9×5. Enjoy!
Star
Best recipe ever! My 9 year old daughter helps me with this and feels like such a great chef because it’s fantastic everytime! The brown sugar give a little crunch to the top the seals the deal. It’s super easy and never lasts long.
Celebrating Sweets
Thanks for the kind review. I’m so glad that you enjoyed it! 🙂 -Allison
Vickie
Made this recipe. First time ever to make banana bread. Super easy and my family loved it. I added sugar glazed walnuts. Definitely a plus! I’m making it right now and this time I’ve added peanut butter. My son loves peanut butter and banana sandwiches…so why not! Hope it works
Celebrating Sweets
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Margaret
I just made this with my 3 year old and it was so good. Everyone wanted more than one piece.
I substituted coconut oil for the butter and just sprinkled a small amount of brown sugar on the top. I baked this in an 8.5 x 8.5 square glass pan for 30 minutes (my oven runs hot) Excellent recipe! Next time I make this I will add raisins and/or zucchini
Celebrating Sweets
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Kjerstin Fogo
I cooked it for a LONG time and it still came out very gooey. But other than that it was delicious
Celebrating Sweets
What size pan did you use? I’m glad you still enjoyed it! 🙂
Breyanna
I made this exactly as written (4 bananas). It came out amazing. This is my first banana bread and I’m so happy. I baked mine for 30 mins. The brown sugar was nice. I might add some cinnamon next time I make it though. Thank you for this recipe!
Celebrating Sweets
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Nancy
Super easy and delicious!! Will definitely be making this yummy banana bread again and again! Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Celebrating Sweets
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Kathy
I have made many different banana bread recipes but this is my favorite! Followed the recipe except I added cinnamon to the brown sugar on top. Excellent! I can’t keep my husband away from it!
Celebrating Sweets
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. 🙂