Banana bread is one of those classic comfort foods that never goes out of style. Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast, a sweet snack, or a way to use up those overripe bananas sitting on your counter, this easy banana bread recipe is here to save the day.
The best part? It’s incredibly simple to make and turns out perfectly moist every single time.
Let’s dive into how you can whip up this delicious treat in no time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You only need basic pantry staples and a few ripe bananas to make this recipe.
- Moist and Delicious: The addition of mayonnaise (trust me on this!) ensures a moist, tender loaf every time.
- Quick to Prepare: With minimal prep work, you can have this banana bread in the oven in just minutes.
- Customizable: Add your favorite mix-ins like chocolate chips, walnuts, or dried fruit for a personal touch.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy banana bread:
- 3 medium bananas (about 1 cup mashed) – Perfectly ripe bananas are key for flavor and sweetness.
- ½ cup mayonnaise or dressing – This may sound unusual, but mayo gives the bread its signature moist texture.
- 1 egg (room temperature) – Helps bind everything together.
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour – The base of your banana bread.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda – For that perfect rise.
- ½ teaspoon salt – Enhances the flavor.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar – Adds just the right amount of sweetness.
- ½ cup chopped pecans – Optional, but they add a delightful crunch.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat Your Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating, grease your loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
2. Mash the Bananas
Using a fork, mash the bananas in a medium-sized bowl until smooth. You should have about 1 cup of mashed bananas.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients
Add the mayonnaise and egg to the mashed bananas and mix until well combined.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and chopped pecans.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined. The batter will be thick—this is normal! Avoid overmixing, as this can make the bread dense.
6. Pour and Bake
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool and Slice
Once baked, remove the loaf from the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This step is crucial for clean slices and optimal texture!
Helpful Tips for Success
- Ripen Bananas Quickly: If your bananas aren’t quite ripe yet, bake them at 300°F for 15-20 minutes until the skins turn black. Let them cool before mashing.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing can lead to dense banana bread. Stir just until the ingredients are incorporated.
- Check Early: Start checking your bread about 10 minutes before the recommended bake time to avoid overbaking. Every oven is different!
- Use Parchment Paper: Line your loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving extra paper hanging over the edges for easy removal.
Variations to Try
This banana bread is incredibly versatile! Here are a few ideas to make it your own:
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: Fold in ½ cup of chocolate chips for a sweet twist.
- Nut-Free Option: Skip the pecans if you prefer nut-free banana bread.
- Cinnamon Swirl: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon to your dry ingredients or swirl in a cinnamon-sugar mixture before baking.
- Muffins Instead of Loaf: Divide the batter into 12 muffin cups and bake at 350°F for 14-18 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Here’s what you can expect per serving (based on approximately 10 slices):
- Calories: 231
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 17mg
- Sodium: 253mg
- Potassium: 146mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 16g
Final Thoughts
This easy banana bread recipe is truly a no-fail classic that you’ll want to make again and again. It’s perfect for breakfast with a cup of coffee, as an afternoon snack, or even as a thoughtful homemade gift for friends and family.
So grab those ripe bananas and get baking—you’re just an hour away from enjoying a slice of perfectly moist banana bread! Let us know in the comments how yours turned out or if you tried any fun variations.
Happy baking!
Print
Easy Banana Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 70 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
- Category: Baked Goods
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This banana bread is one of the easiest recipes and turns out perfectly moist every time.
Ingredients
- 3 medium bananas (about 1 cup mashed)
- ½ cup mayonnaise or dressing
- 1 egg (room temperature)
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Mash the bananas with a fork. In a medium bowl, mix together mashed bananas, mayo, and egg. In a separate large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and pecans.
Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture and stir just until combined. Note: The mixture will be very thick, do not overmix.
Pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Remove from the pan and place on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Love this recipe? Share it on Pinterest to spread the goodness! Save it, try it, and let others enjoy it too. Every pin helps inspire more delicious creations!
Notes
To ripen bananas quickly, bake at 300°F for 15-20 minutes. Cool before using.
Avoid adding extra bananas; this can make the bread too dense. You should have about 1 cup of mashed bananas—slightly more or less is fine.
As with all quick breads, do not overmix. Stir just until incorporated.
Check your bread at least 10 minutes before the bake time is up.
Line the loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving about 3 inches of paper folded over the top for easy removal.
To make muffins: Divide the batter into 12 muffin wells and bake for 14-18 minutes or just until a toothpick comes out clean. Do not overbake.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 231
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 253mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: —
- Trans Fat: —
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 17mg
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