Simple and Delicious Banana Bread Recipe

Simple & Delicious Banana Bread Recipe

Homemade banana bread is comforting, effortless, and a fabulous way to use up ripe bananas. This classic recipe delivers a moist, tender loaf with minimal fuss—perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.

🛒 Ingredients (1 loaf / ~12 slices)

• 1½ cups (≈345 g) mashed overripe bananas (~3 large bananas)
  
• ⅓ cup (75 g) melted unsalted butter
  
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar (or split ½ cup brown + ¼ cup white for richer flavor)
  
• 1 large egg, beaten
  
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
  
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional, especially if bananas aren’t ultra-ripe)
  
• ¼ tsp salt
  
• 1½‑2 cups all‑purpose flour (start with 1½ cups; add more if batter is overly wet)
  

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 °F (180 °C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
   
2. Mash bananas until mostly smooth.
   
3. Mix wet: whisk mashed bananas, melted butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla in a large bowl.
   
4. Add dry: gently stir in baking soda, cinnamon (if using), salt, and flour. Stir just until moistened—don’t overmix!
   
5. Bake for about 50 min or until a toothpick comes out clean. Start checking around 40 min—bake until a few moist crumbs cling, then stop.
   
6. Cool: Let it rest in the pan ~10 min, then transfer to a rack to cool completely before slicing.
   

💡 Expert Tips

• Use really ripe bananas—yellow with heavy brown spots or blackened. They bring sweetness and moisture.
  
• Don’t overmix—stir just until ingredients combine to keep the loaf tender.
  
• Customize with add-ins: stir in 1 cup of chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, dried berries, or oats.
  
• Avoid dryness: don’t over-bake. Check early and tent with foil if the top browns too quick.
  

🥡 Storage & Freezing

• Room temperature: Wrap in plastic or store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
  
• Freezing: Cool completely, wrap slices or whole loaf in plastic/foil, freeze up to 3 months. Thaw at room temp or microwave a slice before serving.
  

🧪 Variations to Try

• Espresso boost: Add 1 tsp espresso powder to deepen sweetness and complexity
  
• Five-ingredient blender version: Banana‑egg‑oats‑baking soda‑maple syrup made in a blender—whole-grain and less sweet
  
• Classic upgrade: Toss in ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt for extra moistness
  

✅ Why You’ll Love It

• Quick & easy—ready in under 10 minutes prep, and under an hour total
  
• Ultra-moist & full of flavor—thanks to ripe bananas and optional yogurt or sour cream
  
• Super customizable—turn it into banana nut, chocolate chip, blueberry, or even maple‑sweetened blends
  

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Pair warm slices with butter, peanut butter, or cream cheese. Great on its own or alongside coffee or tea. Leftover slices are perfect for sandwiches, frozen snacks, or breakfast on the go.