Easy Homemade Banana Nut Bread Recipe

Transform those overripe, spotted bananas sitting on your counter into the most delicious homemade banana nut bread you’ve ever tasted. This beloved quick bread recipe has been passed down through generations, creating perfectly moist, tender loaves studded with crunchy pecans in just about an hour.

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Why Homemade Beats Store-Bought Every Time

Making banana bread from scratch allows you to control every ingredient, ensuring the perfect balance of sweetness, moisture, and texture that boxed mixes cannot achieve. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and versatility. Those bananas that look past their prime are actually at their peak for baking, with concentrated sugars and soft texture that create the moistest bread possible.

Why This Recipe Works

The secret to exceptional banana nut bread lies in the proper ratio of wet to dry ingredients and the mixing technique. Starting with flour and dry ingredients prevents overmixing, while the two-stage mixing process ensures even distribution without developing strict gluten. The combination of butter and milk creates richness and tenderness, while the eggs provide structure and binding. Overripe bananas contribute their natural sweetness and incredible moisture, which keeps this bread fresh for days.

Banana Nut Bread Ingredients

Dry Base:

• All-purpose flour – Provides structure and tender crumb when properly measured and mixed
• Sugar – Adds sweetness and helps create the golden crust
• Baking powder – Provides primary leavening for a light, fluffy texture
• Baking soda – Works with acidic ingredients to create additional lift
• Salt – Enhances flavors and balances sweetness

Wet Components:

• Ripe bananas – The star ingredient that provides moisture, sweetness, and signature flavor
• Butter – Adds richness and contributes to tender texture
• Milk – Provides moisture and helps create a smooth batter
• Large eggs – Bind ingredients and add structure

Finishing Touch:

• Nuts – Pecans are recommended for their buttery flavor and perfect crunch contrast

How to Make Banana Nut Bread

1. Place 1 cup of flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk to combine thoroughly.
2. Add mashed banana, softened butter, and milk. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until well blended, then increase the speed to high and beat for 2 minutes. 
3. Add the eggs and remaining flour, and beat until well blended. Stir in nuts.
4. Pour the batter into a greased 8x4x2-inch loaf pan. 
5. Bake at 350°F for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. 
6. Cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack. Remove the bread from the pan and cool thoroughly on the wire rack.
7. Wrap and store overnight before slicing.

Banana Bread Baking Tips

I love to use King Arthur all-purpose flour, it is milled differently than other flour, and your result is a dense bread that is tender.

Use imperfect bananas for this recipe. Bruised, browned, and mushy bananas are perfect for this recipe.

Top the bread with pecan halves.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

• Room Temperature Storage: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The bread improves in flavor and texture after the first day.
• Reheating Method: Warm individual slices in a toaster or microwave for 10-15 seconds. For the whole loaf, wrap in foil and warm in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes.
• Freezing: Wrap cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight at room temperature before serving.

Love homemade bread and muffins? Try these great recipes!

• Apple Bread
• Donut Muffins
• Easy Apple Muffins
• Homemade Zucchini Bread
• Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
• Panera Apple Crunch Muffins
• Starbucks Pumpkin Bread
• Whole Wheat Banana Bread

Great Banana Recipes to Make

• Banana Cake
• Banana Foster
• Banana Milkshake
• Banana Pudding from Scratch
• Banana Split Cake

Check out more of my easy bread recipes and the best breakfast recipes here on CopyKat!