This easy banana bread is super moist and fluffy, with sweet hints from ripe bananas. It’s simple to whip up and perfect for breakfast or a snack any time of the day!
The best part? It makes your kitchen smell amazing while it bakes! I love having a slice warm with a pat of butter. You will too—it’s hard to resist that melt-in-your-mouth goodness!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter your bread! If you don’t have fresh ripe bananas, you can use frozen ones—just thaw them fully. I personally love using bananas that have a few brown spots for maximum sweetness.
Butter: For a rich flavor, melted butter works great. If you’re looking for a healthier option, you might use coconut oil or applesauce. I’ve tried applesauce before, and it adds a nice moisture without the extra fat!
Sugar: You can modify the sugar to your taste. For a less sweet loaf, try using 1/2 cup. Also, brown sugar gives a hint of caramel flavor, which I find delightful. Just keep in mind it might make the bread slightly darker.
Flour: All-purpose flour is standard, but you can swap in whole wheat flour for added nutrition. Just remember to increase moisture slightly with a bit more banana or a splash of milk if needed.
How Do You Make Banana Bread Extra Moist?
To ensure your banana bread turns out super moist, focus on two things: the ripeness of your bananas and the mixing technique. Using very ripe bananas is key to that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Mix wet ingredients and bananas first, then gently fold in the dry ingredients. Overmixing is a common mistake—just mix until everything is combined!
- Also, avoid opening the oven while baking to keep the temperature consistent and the bread from sinking.
- Let the bread cool slightly in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack—this helps maintain moisture.
Easy Moist Banana Bread Recipe That Melts
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 3/4 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious banana bread recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 60–65 minutes to bake. After that, let it cool for another 10 minutes before slicing. In total, you’re looking at about 1 hour and 30 minutes from start to finish. It’s so worth the wait!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating, you can prepare your loaf pan. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
2. Mix the Wet Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas using a fork or potato masher until smooth. Stir in the melted butter until well combined. This will give your bread that lovely moist texture!
3. Add Sugar, Egg, and Vanilla:
Next, mix in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is nicely blended. The mixture should start to look shiny and smooth!
4. Combine Dry Ingredients:
Sprinkle the baking soda and a pinch of salt over your banana mixture. Gently mix to incorporate, then add the flour. Here’s where you want to be careful: fold the flour in gently until just combined! Overmixing can lead to a denser bread, and nobody wants that!
5. Pour into Pan:
Now it’s time to pour your batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spread it out evenly and make sure there are no large air pockets.
6. Bake the Bread:
Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 60–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will start to smell heavenly!
7. Let It Cool:
Once baked, remove the banana bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This helps it firm up a bit before transferring it to a wire rack for further cooling.
8. Serve and Enjoy:
Once cooled, slice your banana bread. It’s perfect warm or at room temperature! Spread a little butter on top for an extra treat. Enjoy every delightful, moist bite!
FAQ About Easy Moist Banana Bread
Can I Use Frozen Bananas for This Recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw the frozen bananas completely before mashing. You can speed up the process by placing them in a sealed plastic bag submerged in warm water. Once thawed, drain any excess liquid to keep the batter from being too watery.
What If I Don’t Have Eggs?
No problem! You can substitute the egg with 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water). Allow it to sit for a few minutes until it thickens before adding it to your mixture.
How to Store Leftover Banana Bread?
Store any leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it fresh longer, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze for up to 3 months. Just make sure to slice it before freezing for easy serving later!
Can I Add Mix-Ins to the Batter?
Definitely! Feel free to add chocolate chips, walnuts, or dried fruit for some extra flavor and texture. Just fold them in gently at the end, before pouring the batter into the pan. About 1/2 to 1 cup of mix-ins will do the trick!
