This Easy Banana Nut Bread is a super moist treat packed with yummy banana flavor and crunchy nuts. It’s perfect for breakfast or a snack!
It’s so simple to make, even on a busy day! Just mix, pour, and bake. I love how the smell fills the house—so comforting, right? Who can resist a warm slice? 🍌
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Bananas: Ripe bananas are crucial here; use those with lots of brown spots. They provide natural sweetness and make the bread moist. If you don’t have ripe bananas, you can speed up the ripening by placing them in a brown paper bag for a day or two.
Butter: Unsalted butter adds a rich flavor, but if you need a dairy-free option, you can substitute with coconut oil or a vegan butter alternative. This will alter the taste slightly but still works well!
Buttermilk: This adds moisture and a slight tang. If you don’t have buttermilk, mixing ½ cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice can mimic it perfectly.
Nuts: Walnuts are classic, but feel free to swap in pecans or even chocolate chips for a sweeter twist. I sometimes skip the nuts for a nut-free version for kids!
How Do I Ensure My Banana Bread is Moist and Delicious?
The key to moist banana bread lies in not overmixing and using ripe bananas. Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Measure bananas properly—aim for around 1 ½ cups mashed.
- Once you combine the dry and wet ingredients, gently stir until just mixed. Overmixing can lead to hard bread.
- Check for doneness with a toothpick; a few crumbs sticking is fine, but wet batter means more baking time.
- Let it cool slightly in the pan. This helps keep the moisture in before transferring to a wire rack.
Follow these tips, and your banana nut bread will turn out perfectly every time!
Easy Banana Nut Bread Recipe for Moist, Delicious Loaves
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk or plain yogurt
- 1 cup (100g) chopped walnuts or pecans
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe will take about 15 minutes to prepare and about 60-70 minutes to bake. Don’t forget to let it cool for a bit before slicing! In total, you should set aside around 1 hour and 30 minutes for everything from start to finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare the Pan:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a 9×5-inch loaf pan and grease it well with butter or line it with parchment paper to make removing the bread easier later on.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This step is important because it helps distribute the baking soda evenly throughout the batter. Set this bowl aside for now.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and granulated sugar. Use a mixer to cream them together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add Eggs:
Next, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated into the batter.
5. Incorporate Bananas and Vanilla:
Toss in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is well incorporated. The bananas are what will give your bread that moist texture!
6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Now, it’s time to combine the dry and wet ingredients. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined—overmixing can make the bread tough.
7. Add Nuts:
Gently fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans. This will give your banana nut bread a lovely crunch!
8. Pour and Smooth the Batter:
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, spreading it out evenly and smoothing the top with a spatula.
9. Bake:
Place the pan in the oven and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If you notice the top is getting too dark, you can cover it loosely with aluminum foil.
10. Cool and Serve:
Once baked, allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before carefully removing it and placing it on a wire rack to cool completely. After that, slice, serve, and enjoy your delicious banana nut bread!
Happy baking!
FAQ for Easy Banana Nut Bread Recipe
Can I Use Other Types of Nuts?
Absolutely! While walnuts and pecans are traditional, you can use any nuts you like or even omit them for a nut-free version. Almonds or cashews also work well!
What Should I Do If I Don’t Have Buttermilk?
No worries! You can substitute buttermilk by mixing ½ cup of regular milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to curdle before adding it to the batter.
How Do I Store Leftover Banana Nut Bread?
Store any leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap it well in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Just thaw it at room temperature when you want to enjoy it!
Can I Add Chocolate Chips to This Recipe?
Definitely! Adding chocolate chips can bring a delicious sweetness to your banana nut bread. Just fold in about ½ to 1 cup of chocolate chips with the nuts if you’d like to try it!
