Easy Banana Bread Recipe: My Go-To Comfort Bake (Print Version)

Easy Banana Bread Recipe that's moist, flavorful, and incredibly simple to make. My tried-and-true recipe for the best homemade comfort food.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 55 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 70 minutes
Servings: 10 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Wet Ingredients for Banana Bread

01 - 3-4 very ripe large bananas, mashed
02 - 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
03 - 1 large egg, at room temperature
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Dry Ingredients for Banana Bread

05 - 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
06 - 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
07 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Optional Mix-ins & Flavor Boosters

09 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
10 - 1/2 cup (85g) chocolate chips or chopped nuts

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, grab a 9x5 inch loaf pan. I usually grease it with a bit of butter and then dust it with flour, or line it with parchment paper leaving an overhang. Honestly, the parchment paper is a game-changer for easy removal, especially when I'm feeling clumsy. This step sets you up for a perfect loaf, so don't rush it like I sometimes do and end up with stuck bread!
02 - In a large bowl, mash your super ripe bananas. You can use a fork, a potato masher, or even your hands if you're feeling primal! I like to leave a few small lumps; it gives the Easy Banana Bread Recipe a nice texture, you know? This is where all that incredible banana flavor really comes alive. I remember once I under-mashed them, and the bread was a bit too chunky for my liking, so find your sweet spot!
03 - Now, to your mashed bananas, add the melted butter, the egg, and that lovely vanilla extract. Whisk it all together until it's just combined. Don’t overmix here; we're just getting acquainted! The mixture will look a bit rustic, which is totally fine. I love how the creamy butter and the sweet vanilla start to smell when they hit the warm bananas – it's pure baking magic.
04 - In a separate medium bowl, whisk together your flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt. Make sure everything is well combined. This ensures that the leavening agents are evenly distributed, preventing any weird dense spots in your Easy Banana Bread Recipe. I once forgot to whisk the dry ingredients and had a patch of pure baking soda in my slice – not my proudest moment!
05 - Gently add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. Seriously, *just* combined. Overmixing is the enemy of moist banana bread; it develops the gluten too much, leading to a tough loaf. I usually stop when I still see a few streaks of flour. If you're adding chocolate chips or cinnamon, fold them in now! This is where the kitchen chaos sometimes happens for me, flour flying, but it’s all part of the fun.
06 - Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and pop it into the preheated oven. Bake for about 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. I start checking around 50 minutes because every oven is different. The top should be golden brown, and your kitchen will smell absolutely heavenly – that's how you know it's ready! Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This Easy Banana Bread Recipe is best warm!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overmix the batter; it's the number one rule for a moist loaf, I learned that the hard way.
02 - Always use really ripe, spotty bananas – they're the secret to incredible flavor and sweetness.
03 - Let it cool in the pan for a bit before moving it; it helps prevent cracks and keeps its shape.
04 - Serve warm with a smear of salted butter for pure bliss, trust me.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - 9x5 inch loaf pan
02 - large mixing bowls
03 - whisk
04 - potato masher (optional)
05 - measuring cups and spoons

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 280
Total Fat: 12g
Total Carbohydrate: 40g
Protein: 4g

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