This Easy Banana Bread Recipe is the absolute BEST! Moist, loaded 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 – ready in under 30 minutes.
If you asked me what I bake most often, the answer would undoubtedly be banana bread. And if you went poking around this website looking for my favorite banana bread recipe you would not have found it. Because, until today, I had not yet shared a banana bread recipe. Gasp!
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.
Drumroll please… Here it is. Finally. The only Banana Bread recipe that I will make from here on out, and seriously – the best Banana Bread I have ever eaten.
Easy Banana Bread Recipe
Here’s what makes this recipe the best – and what sets it apart from others.
- 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. Bonus: the brown sugar topping creates sweet little pockets all over the top of the bread.
- 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 Cake 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.
- Mix-ins – You can keep this banana bread plain and simple, or you can add your favorite spices or mix-ins. Walnuts, chocolate chips or ground cinnamon would all be great!
This recipe requires NO mixer. Whisk the wet ingredients in a large bowl. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt and stir until combined. Pour the batter into a greased 9×9 square pan and sprinkle the top with brown sugar. Bake until golden, fragrant and cooked through.
Banana Bread Muffins
Wondering if you can make this Banana Bread into muffins? Absolutely! The batter makes about 12 standard-sized muffins. I bake the muffins for about 15 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
These Banana Bread Muffins make a great lunchbox treat or on-the-go breakfast.
Making muffins is also a great way to make a variety of banana bread – sprinkle walnuts in some, chocolate chips in others, and even add raisins to a few of them. Just don’t forget the brown sugar topping!
Healthy Banana Bread
Prefer your Banana Bread on the healthier side? I have made the following changes with success:
- Reduce the brown sugar to 1/2 cup (in the batter). I still recommend sprinkling brown sugar on top.
- Swap the melted butter for melted coconut oil. Olive oil might work, too (I haven’t tried that yet, though).
- Reduce the melted butter to 6 tablespoons.
- Swap 3/4 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.
This recipe will have you purposely overbuying bananas because you are going to want to have access to this bread every single day of your life. My current simple pleasure: a slice of Banana Bread slathered in honey butter and a piping hot cup of tea. It’s the little things, right?
BANANA BREAD 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).
MORE BANANA RECIPES: BANANA BUNDT CAKE – BROWN SUGAR BANANA FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE – BANANA PANCAKES – BANANA BAKED OATMEAL
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Easy Banana Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed, 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 3/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 - 1/3 cup brown sugar (or more, if desired), for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and 2/3 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, using a rubber spatula, lightly stir the batter until no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to over mix.
- Grease a 9x9 square baking pan and add the batter to the pan. Smooth into an even layer. Sprinkle the top of the batter with 1/4 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).
- 8x8 square: Adjust bake time to 35-45 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).
- Loaf pan (9x5): Adjust bake time to 45-55 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).
Nutrition
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. 🙂