The BEST Banana Nut Bread

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Banana Nut Bread is one of those recipes that never goes out of style. This version bakes up soft and moist with plenty of banana flavor, crunchy walnuts, and a perfectly golden top. If you’ve got a few ripe bananas on the counter, you’re already halfway to a loaf you’ll want to make again and again.

 

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A Family Favorite Recipe

Today, I’m so happy to be sharing the Best Banana Nut Bread Recipe because, truth be told, I prefer banana bread with nuts. Some people love banana bread in its classic form, and others prefer it with added chocolate chips, but I am in the nut category (though, if I’m being honest, I’ve never met a banana bread I didn’t like).

This is a delicious, adaptable, moist banana bread recipe that is nearly fail-proof. It’s the epitome of comfort and happiness, and by the end of the week, I always seem to have spotty bananas around.

Ingredient Notes

A handful of simple pantry staples come together to make this moist, flavorful banana nut bread. Here’s what each ingredient brings to the recipe:

• Very ripe bananas– The darker and spottier, the better. They bring natural sweetness and deep banana flavor.
• All-purpose flour– Gives structure while keeping the loaf soft.
• Salted butter– Adds richness and helps create that soft, tender crumb.
• Canola oil– Keeps the loaf extra moist for days. This is the secret weapon.
• Buttermilk– Gives the bread a lighter texture while adding subtle tang.
• Pure vanilla extract– Rounds out the flavor and adds warmth.
• Walnuts– Add crunch and texture in every bite. Pecans work beautifully too.
• Eggs – Help bind the ingredients together while providing structure and richness.
• Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the bread and helps create a tender texture.
• Baking Powder – Gives the loaf its lift, helping it bake up light and fluffy.

How to Make Banana Nut Bread

My wonderful recipe for banana nut bread obviously calls for walnuts (classic), but be sure to check out my adaptations below. For full recipe details and ingredient measurements, see the printable recipe card down below.

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan

Preheat the oven. Spray a light-colored loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Batter

In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, oil, and sugar until smooth. Stir in the eggs, mashed bananas, and pure vanilla extract until fully combined.

Stir in the flour, baking powder, salt, and buttermilk. Mix just until the batter comes together. Overmixing makes the loaf dense, and we’re aiming for soft, fluffy slices.

Step 3: Add the Walnuts

Fold in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and sprinkle the remaining walnuts over the top.

Step 4: Bake Your Loaf, Cool + Slice

Bake until completely cooked through, and a toothpick comes out clean with a few moist crumbs. Cool for at least 15 minutes before transferring from the hot pan to a cooling rack and slicing once fully cooled.

In a large bowl, mix cake mix and other ingredients indicated on the box together. Then bake the cake according to the package directions. Allow to cool completely.

Stir in the flour, baking powder, salt, and buttermilk. Mix just until the batter comes together. Overmixing makes the loaf dense, and we’re aiming for soft, fluffy slices.

Love bread as much as I do? Check out these quick bread recipes: Soft Zucchini Bread Recipe (super easy!), Lemon Poppy Seed Bread, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread, EASY Homemade Bread Recipe, and Seriously *the best* Cornbread Recipe.

Tools You’ll Need

A few simple kitchen tools help this banana nut bread come together quickly and bake up beautifully every time.

• Large Mixing Bowls – You’ll need enough room to mix everything evenly without flour launching itself across your kitchen.
• Whisk – Perfect for blending the wet ingredients smoothly before adding the dry ingredients.
• 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 Loaf Pan – This size gives the loaf the perfect height and bake time.
• Rubber Spatula – Helps scrape every bit of batter into the pan. Leaving batter behind feels rude.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons – Banana bread rewards accuracy.

Pro Tips For Success

Before you grab your mixing bowl, take a quick look through these helpful tips. They’ll help you get the best flavor, texture, and rise from your banana bread.

• Use Very Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more delicious banana flavor you will get in your bread. You can even freeze ripe bananas and then thaw them when you’re ready to bake. 
• Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing can make your bread tough and dense. Mix the ingredients until they’re just combined.
• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Room-temperature ingredients blend together more easily, creating a smoother batter and a more even bake. Letting the butter, eggs, and milk sit out before baking helps the banana bread rise evenly and gives it a better texture.
• Keep Banana Bread Moist: Mashed bananas, oil, butter, and buttermilk all help keep this banana bread soft, tender, and moist. Be sure to watch the baking time closely, as overbaking can dry out the loaf and reduce its flavor.
• Use the Right Loaf Pan: A light-colored loaf pan helps the bread bake more evenly and prevents the sides from getting too dark or crispy. If your loaf ends up with firmer edges, wrap it in plastic wrap once it’s slightly cooled to help soften the crust.
• Use Fresh Walnuts. Fresh walnuts add the best flavor and texture to banana bread. Give them a quick taste before baking, and if they taste bitter or stale, replace them with a fresh batch for the best results.
• Add Cinnamon or Nutmeg: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to your banana bread batter for a warm, cozy flavor.
• Bake at the Right Temperature: Bake your banana bread at 320°F for about an hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Let the Loaf Cool Before Slicing: For neat, clean slices, let the banana bread cool completely before slicing. If you can’t wait, warm banana bread is still delicious, though the slices may be a little less tidy.

What to Serve with Banana Nut Bread

Banana nut bread is versatile enough to enjoy for breakfast, brunch, or even as a snack. Pair it with one of these recipes to round out the meal:

• Fruit Salad – A fresh and colorful side that pairs well with the sweet banana flavor.
• Homemade Greek Yogurt – Creamy, tangy yogurt makes an easy breakfast or snack pairing.
• Frittata – A savory egg dish that balances the sweetness of the bread.
• Banana Berry Smoothie – A simple smoothie that complements the flavors in the loaf.
• Creamy Ranch Chicken Casserole – A comforting main dish that pairs nicely with banana nut bread at dinner.
• Compound Butter – Spread it on a warm slice for an extra touch of flavor and richness.

Storing + Make Ahead Directions

Store any leftover banana bread in a zip bag or airtight container to retain the moisture and softness for as long as possible: usually for 4 days when kept on the counter. After that, it’s still fine to eat; you’ll just notice it’s drying out a little.

To freeze: Allow the loaf to cool completely. Wrap the loaf in 2-3 layers of plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing it in a zip bag or freezer-safe container. Banana bread will stay fresh in the freezer for up to three months.

Make-Ahead: This is a great recipe to bake a day or two in advance since the flavor often improves as it sits. Once cooled, wrap the loaf tightly and store it at room temperature until ready to serve. You can also bake and freeze the entire loaf ahead of time for easy breakfasts, snacks, or last-minute guests.

FAQs

Variations to Try

If walnuts aren’t your thing, here are a few common and delicious options!

• Purist– simply omit nuts and bake plain banana bread.
• Change the nuts – if you don’t like or don’t have walnuts on hand, chopped pecans, almonds, or cashews are a great option to add to this excellent recipe!
• Chocolate chips – substitute the chopped walnuts for chocolate chips. 1/2 cup in the batter and 1/4 cup sprinkled on top. Delicious!
• Dried fruit – introduce some fruity flavor to this classic banana bread recipe by adding some dried fruit, such as raisins, dried cranberries, or dried cherries.

Even More Banana Bread Recipes to Try!

• Classic Banana Bread
• Banana Bread Muffins
• Spiced Banana Bread
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
• Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

If your bananas are sitting on the counter looking a little too spotted, this is their moment. Bake the loaf, cut a thick slice, and enjoy. The printable recipe card is below. Have a great day, friends!

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.