Banana Nut Bread

There aren’t many tasty recipes you can whip up with a single fork, in one bowl, and with 8 pantry staples.

This banana nut bread recipe is one of those, and the result is excellent.

The loaf has a soft crumb that slices perfectly. It’s nutty with the occasional crunch from the walnuts. It’s sweet but not excessively, and it has plenty of banana flavor.

Not sure why one would add eggs to the batter; there’s no need to do so. Try without, and let us know what you think.

Have a slice for a quick breakfast, as a snack, brunch, or dessert.

Our recipe is naturally dairy-free and vegan (but no worries, there are no weird substitutes) so that most people can enjoy this delicious treat.

Banana

Try to use ripe or overripe bananas. The ones with dark spots on their peel are best because they are sweeter and easier to mash.

If you don’t have ripe bananas, you can use regular ones, but I’d recommend adding 1/4 cup more sugar.

Nuts

Walnuts are our favorite. Chopped coarsely, not too small. You can substitute pecans, almonds, and hazelnuts for walnuts.

Flour

We use all-purpose flour.

To make this banana nut bread recipe a little more wholesome, you can use half all-purpose and half whole-wheat flour. In this case, add 1/4 cup more milk.

Milk

You can use any milk. We like to use almond milk or soy milk.

Want a moister banana bread? Substitute yogurt for milk.

Fat

Some people like butter in their banana bread; we prefer a light neutral flavored vegetable oil because it produces a softer crumb, the banana bread stays moister, is easier to digest, and is better for the heart.

Our top picks are canola oil and sunflower oil, or if you want an even healthier banana nut bread go for avocado oil or light olive oil.

For butter lovers, you can easily substitute 1/3 cup of melted unsalted butter or dairy-free butter for oil.

Butter produces a denser, more compact, drier, and slightly heavier loaf.

Sugar

We use plain white sugar, but you can also use brown sugar, coconut sugar, and palm sugar.

Vanilla

Vanilla adds a comforting aroma we love in banana nut bread. You can add vanilla extract or the seeds of a vanilla pod.

Baking powder

Baking powder helps the bread dome a little, which we like because it makes the loaf lighter and nicer to eat. There’s no need for baking soda.

Salt

Don’t worry; your bread won’t be salty. Adding salt brings out the other flavors and makes the loaf taste better and richer.

If you are on a low-sodium diet, keep the salt out.

Optional add-ins

• Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon
• Dark chocolate chips: 1/2 cup
• Raisins or cranberries: 1/2 cup

Equipment

• This recipe is developed for a 9 x 5 Inches loaf pan (23cm x 12cm). It’ll also work in an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 loaf pan (taller and narrower loaf).
• Mixing bowl
• Fork

Preheat the oven to 350°F or 180°C. Line your loaf pan with parchment paper or brush it with oil.

In a mixing bowl, mash the banana with a fork.

Add milk, oil, sugar, and vanilla extract, to the mashed banana and mix well with the same fork.

Stir in flour, salt, and baking powder until barely combined. Lumps are fine.

Stir with the fork, don’t overmix the batter, and avoid hand mixer or whisks.

Stir in chopped walnuts.

Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake immediately at 350°F or 180°C for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the loaf is golden-brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry.

If you have a rubber spatula, you can use it to wipe the bowl clean.

Tip: check for doneness at the 40-minute mark to prevent the loaf from overcooking. If it’s not ready, cook in 2.5-minute increments until the toothpick comes out dry.

Let it cool down for 15 minutes in the pan, then pull overhung parchment paper to take it out.

Cool down completely on a wire rack (at least 1 hour) before slicing with a bread knife.

We like to cut our slices 0.8 Inches or 2 cm thick for maximum enjoyment.

Vegan banana bread

Simple, no-fuss vegan banana bread recipe made with pantry staples (no flax egg or aquafaba here). It has a beautifully soft crumb, a mild natural sweetness, and it slices perfectly.

Check out our vegan banana bread recipe.

Zucchini bread

Zucchini bread is probably even more delicious than banana bread. We make it with a few pantry staples, shredded zucchini, nuts, and chocolate chips. If you like banana nut bread, you’ll love and devour our zucchini bread.

Check out our zucchini bread recipe.

Banana muffins

You can use this batter to make 12 delicious and wonderfully soft banana muffins. To make them extra tall and fluffy, add in 1 more teaspoon of baking powder.

Bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F or 180°C for about 20 to 23 minutes. Let them cool down before eating them.

Room temp: wrap leftover banana bread in plastic wrap and store it at room temperature for up to 3 – 4 days.

Freezer: let cool down completely, wrap well in plastic or aluminum foil, and freeze for up to six months. You can also slice it and wrap each slice to have single portions ready. Do not freeze multiple times.

Thaw in the microwave or at room temperature.

Tips

Don’t overmix the batter: overmixing is the worst thing you can do to a quick bread because you’ll develop the gluten, which makes the loaf heavier, gummier, and dry.

Our advice is to mix the batter with a fork for literally 10 seconds until it just comes together. Avoid using a hand or standing mixer; even at low speed, you’ll probably overmix the batter.

Don’t overcook it: overcooking will dry out the banana nut bread. Instead, check your bread at the 40-minute mark with a wooden toothpick or skewer. If it comes out dry, your bread is ready. If not, cook in 2.5 minutes increments.

More easy dessert recipes

If you love quick breads and easy cakes with simple ingredients, get more baking inspiration from these fuss-free and tasty sweet recipes:

• Vegan zucchini bread with shredded zucchini and chocolate chips.
• Easy apple cake with 8 ingredients.
• Lemon pound cake: easy and tangy sweetbread that whips up in just 5 minutes!
• Blueberry lemon pound cake: a quick dessert ready and baked in 30 minutes.

• Oat muffins for a naturally sweet and wholesome brunch.
• Quick vegan french toast with fresh berries and syrup drizzled on top.
• Oatmeal pancakes: light and airy served with apple compote.
• Fluffy pancakes served with apple-raisin compote or fresh banana on top.
• Vegan cinnamon rolls with frosting for special occasions, such as holidays and Sunday mornings.
• Tofu scramble: an excellent savory breakfast idea.

For many more sweet ideas, check out our desserts category page.