Homemade Banana Bread Recipe (Video)
Published October 9, 2020. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Learn how easy it is to make the most delicious homemade banana bread recipe that is light, fluffy, and nothing short of delicious.
We are huge bread fans in our house, especially when it’s homemade. If you love baking bread then you have to check out my pretzels recipe or my dinner rolls.
Banana Bread
There is nothing like homemade bread, and if you happen to have quite a few bananas on hand then banana bread should be on your baking list. There is no firm date on when it was created but it’s said to be created in Southeast Asia quite a long time ago, i.e. 77 a.d. It is very easy to make and can definitely be made with just a whisk and a bowl, with no need for a stand mixer.
How Ripe do the Bananas Need to Be?
It is debatable how ripe bananas need to be to make banana bread. It seems nowadays that it is made with leftover bananas that have begun to go brown. My personal take is that the bananas definitely need to be ripe, but they do not have to be brown.
With that being said, the browner they become, the more intense in flavor the banana will be, and ultimately your bread. I usually look for bananas to be bright yellow with a few brown spots on them for me to use in this recipe.
How to Make It Moist
The trick to ensuring that your banana bread is moist lies in a few different factors being:
- Fat – You have to have plenty of fat such as butter or oil in banana bread for it to be moist, this is the most important factor.
- Cooking Time – Often times people overcook baked goods and they immediately dry out. I believe if you cook it just to 197° to 198° internally and pulling it out and letting it sit until cool is the perfect recipe for success.
- Over Mixing – Do not over mix this, you want some of those small chunks of ingredients in the batter before baking it.
How to Make Banana Bread from Scratch
Follow these simple instructions for making this amazing banana bread recipe:
In a large bowl completely whisk together the melted butter and sugar until combined.
Next, add in 1 egg at a time until they are completely mixed in.
Pour in the vanilla, oil, and milk into the batter and whisk until mixed in.
Add in the mashed bananas and whisk until combined.
Now, add in the baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon until they are mixed together.
Whisk in the flour and salt just until combined.
Fold in the walnuts into the batter and evenly divide it between two 9×5 greased loaf pans.
Top off with a little mixture of walnuts and brown sugar and bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean in the center, or until it reaches 197° to 198°.
Cool in the pan for 20 minutes before slicing and serving.
Variations
There are a few different things you can do to alter the flavor and overall texture of this recipe to make it work for your needs.
- Pecans – Simply swap out the walnuts for pecans in this recipe.
- Gluten-Free Flour – Exchange the current amount of all-purpose flour for 1 to 1 gluten-free flour.
- Almond Flour – Swap out the all-purpose flour for the same amount of almond flour.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: You can make this banana bread recipe up to 1 day ahead of time.
How to Store: Keep covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or covered and in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This will freeze well covered for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator until soft.
chef notes + tips
- You can just use oil, or just use milk, or a combination of both like I did in this recipe. Feel free to also swap out the milk for full-fat yogurt.
- You can easily make 24 muffins using this recipe if you prefer banana muffins instead. Bake them for 25-28 minutes.
- In addition to the walnuts in this recipe, you can also add 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
More Amazing Bread Recipes
Be sure to follow me on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest, and if you’ve had a chance to make this then definitely drop me a comment and a rating below!
Video
Homemade Banana Bread Recipe (Video)
Ingredients
- 2 sticks melted unsalted butter
- 1 ¾ cup sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 8 mashed bananas
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- pinch of sea salt
- 1 ½ cups roughly chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- In a large bowl whisk together the butter and sugar until completely mixed.
- Next, add in 1 egg at a time until mixed in.
- Pour in the vanilla, oil, and milk until combined and then pour in the bananas and mix them in.
- Now, whisk in the baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon until completely mixed together.
- Whisk in the flour and salt until combined and then fold in the walnuts using a rubber spatula.
- Divide the batter between 2 9×5 loaf pans that have been sprayed with nonstick spray.
- This part is optional but mix together ¼ cup of packed light brown sugar with ¼ cup of roughly chopped walnuts and evenly sprinkle it over the top of the bread.
- Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until browned and cooked in the center. If you press a toothpick in the center it should come out relatively clean. In addition, it will have an internal temperature of 198°.
- Remove from the oven and set on a rack and cool for 20 minutes before slicing and serving.
I have made this easy recipe! It was great and instructions so easy to follow👏wowon
I’ve tried many recipes and this one is the BEST
Good luck, thank you!
Made this today. Absolutely love it! Wonderful texture and flavor.
Thanks!
This is the best banana nut bread I’ve ever had! I like to spread some butter on my slice. I didn’t have any milk so I substituted buttermilk. So delicious! 😋
Nice tweak, thank you for trying this!
Thank you . Will try gluten free option.
my pleasure
Yummy plus butter 😋👋😁
Thank you!
Yum! The only thing I changed was to swap out the oil and milk and added sour cream instead.
glad you liked it!
I’ve made multiple times! Best ever!
Thank you for trying it!
Literally the PERFECT recipe. I have tried old family ones, many online and cookbook versions… This is hands down the best!
That’s great, thank you!
Absolutely amazing, easy and so satisfying
Thanks for trying it!
One of my favorites!
Thank you!
Loved it
my pleasure!
The best recipe yet for banana bread! Love the topping.
This is my new favorite!!
so good!!
My husband loved it , it’s a keeper in are house
I had a banana bread recipe I used for years but this is SO MUCH BETTER. I absolutely love it. The topping is delicious. I make one loaf with and one without the topping. Mmmmmm
The best I’ve ever made, I brag about how good this recipe is & I end up giving half to my daughter every time. So moist & delicious. Ty Chef Billy
WONDERFUL Banana bread!! Great to make two loaves I slice it and freeze it…
Best banana bread recipe ever!
I cut the recipe in half and it works perfectly. Thanks Billy.
What would be the least amount of white sugar to use ? Is only using 1/3 of the suggested amount too little ?
Made this so many times. People love it. They always ask me for the recipe and I tell them to visit Billy Parisi. Billy should have a TV show.
excellent!
I have never baked before only store bought cake box but Chef Billy explained everything in detail and made it look easy and not complicated. I finally baked and it was delicious I even baked this with my grandkids❤️
appreciate you trying it
Made this a few weeks ago and it was DELICIOUS! Thank you for a great recipe.
my pleasure!
It is very easy and very good recipe of banana bread! One of the best I have made!
love it!
We LOVE this recipe. Not only is it delicious, I feel like it’s a “2fer,” 2 loaves for no more effort than preparing and baking one.
so good!!
I have made it before, we loved it. I have another mix in the oven. Love all your recipes. Use them all the time.
excellent!
Wow! I have made banana bread many times in the past, but this is among the best keeper recipes, for sure. Thanks!
thanks for giving it a shot!!
I made this yesterday. Followed every step to the letter and it was absolutely amazing. Will definitely make this again. Yummy!
love it!
I made this today…..it was wonderful…..moist and delicious! I had bought a 16”x4” long loaf pan and this was the perfect recipe for it! I posted a picture on your Facebook page.
excellent!
Banana bread going in! Baking in an Angel food round cake pan (we are moving it’s all I got 🙏
make it work!
Best Banana Bread ever!
thank you so kindly!!
Yes, threw my old trusted recipe away. This one is way better.
fantastic!
My favorite banana nut recipe!!
fantastic!
Hi Chef Billy! What are the pans you used in this video? I usually use the Chicago Metallic Professional ones that are very dark. Those were the only ones available in Hong Kong but now that I’m back in NY I’d rather buy what my favorite chef is using! 😁
Are they uncoated like the ones in this link? Thank you! I have some bananas ripening as we speak!
Chicago Metallic Uncoated Textured Aluminum 1-Pound Loaf Pan, 9.2 x 5.2 x 2.75 inches Inner dimensions are 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.7, Silver
https://a.co/d/eb5gicy
those are what these are
Chef Billy’s recipes are always so easy to make. This banana bread looks so delicious, it tastes even better!
thank you so kindly!!
Hi Chef Billy! Can I halve this recipe with no problem?
yes
I have been searching for my go to banana nut muffin recipe and I finally found it. Thank you so much for sharing all your delicious recipes and cooking tips.
Can’t wait to try another.
appreciate you trying it
I love nuts. My daughter hates nuts. So happy to see this recipe makes two loaves so I could make one with nuts for me and one without nuts for her. We both loved it and I’m sure I will be making this many, many times in the future. Thank you Chef Parisi!
my pleasure!
Im wanting a “different” bread pan than what im using…i saw yours, are they the USA bakeware pans?
chicago metallic
I made this banana bread and it was the best I ever had!
So moist and flavorful! Thanks Chef Parisi.
many thanks!
Best banana bread ever. Our Wednesday coffee group meetings love it and rave about the honey butter topping. I love that it makes 2 loaves. The chocolate chip version is another favorite. Your website along with Natasha’s Kitchen are my go-to sites for the best of the best!
many thanks!
Excellent banana bread! Thanks for the recipe Billy!
so good!!
I wasn’t sure about the amount of nuts, but it’s delicious!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
yes indeed!
Simply delicious!
so good!!
Delicious
excellent!
Made this receipe, and made into muffins. Do not usually like banana bread or muffins, but these are the best I have ever eaten. Thank you for receipe. I will definitely make again
Amazing!
Best banana bread ever
Appreciate it.
These are Amazing,
I substituted Gluten Free 1:1 flour. made into muffins.
Thank YOU for this delicious recipe!
Perfect!
This is the very best Banana Bread recipe I’ve ever tried. Turned out perfect and the topping was delicious. I got many compliments and I can’t wait to make it again. Thank you, Chef
Appreciate it!
How fresh does baking poder and baking soda need to be. ? Not a fan baking powder taste.
Thank MJ
within the best by date
Easy recipe with amazing results. Definitely the best tasting and most moist banana bread I’ve ever made. Another hit Chef Parisi, thank you!
My pleasure.
Came out moist and delicious!! Thank you for the recipe!
of course!
Hi Chef. How many cups is a banana? I realize it depends on medium or large etc. and does it make a difference, say in your homemade banana bread?
1/2
OMG, I have baked banana bread for more than 50 years, and I have never found one I wanted to bake a second time, guess what, I have found my forever banana bread recipe, Thank You, Chef Billy, Chef Billy❤️ outstanding!!
That’s amazing, thank you!
Me too my grandson absolutely loves this banana bread he ate 4 little Lolves of bread the miniature ones
I’ve made this recipe several times now and each time it has come out delicious. I add mini chocolate chips to mine.
This will be the only recipe I follow from now on😀
thanks for giving it a shot!!
Absolutely my favourite banana bread recipe use this all the time now delicious 😋
thank you so kindly!!
My favourite sweet bread just got a whole new 😋
nice
Delicious best Banana Bread
thank you
I’ve made this several times. Either in loaf pans or muffins. Very good
fantastic
Made this several times- perfect every time!
One of my favorites!
Best banana bread recipe!
thank you so kindly!!
OH. MY. GOSH!!!!! 💖This banana bread is HEAVENLY!!! 💖 It is so moist, and I love love LOVE the topping!!! I really let my bananas get super ripe (they looked pretty gross), by separating them and then putting them in a tightly closed paper bag for about five days. But the end result was well worth it. This is my new go-to banana bread recipe!!
Awesomeness!
So very good!!!
so good!!
Great recipe as I continue making it at least every other week. I have added this and the honey butter in gift baskets and they are a hit.
Thank you so kindly!!
Best banana bread ever!
thank you so kindly!!
Tasty and not to sweet. I am now adding this to gift baskets. Makes the perfect gift.
Perfect!
My husband literally said ‘these are the best banana nut muffins I’ve ever had! Where did you get this recipe?!’ I gave you all the credit Chef! And I’ve made them 5 times since!! Delicious!!!!
That’s awesome!
Absolutely awesome thank you so much for your recipes 😊
My pleasure!
The BEST banana bread recipe ever. The step by step instructions were so helpful and informative. Every time I make this recipe I give most of it away. The recipients always rave about it and want more.
I appreciate that!
Best ever!!!
so good!!
My new favorite banana bread recipe!! I only wished I actually read ahead on the recipe because it makes two loafs and ended up making way more than I could possibly eat. Cut the recipe in half if you only want to make one loaf.
DEEELISH!!
amazing
UNBELIEVABLE!!
I’ve had many banana breads, but none have even come close to this one.
If you have not tried this recipe it’s a must for everyone!!
Should be 6 stars.
Thanks Billy!!
Amazing! Thanks for making it.
This was absolutely the best banana bread I have had. Family loved it also.
Love it.
This is really easy and really tasty. I cut the recipe in half for just one loaf. Turned out moist and flavorful. I will be making this again and again.
Fantastic!
Excellent. Best recipe ever- Was a Hit by all. Young and old. !!!
The very best Banana Bread recipe ever!!! I adore the topping..
I’ve made so many of his recipes
Banana Nut Bread is outstanding
I’m making his french bread 🥖 loaves today. His dad’s meat sauce is out of this world. Thank You Ched
Have made this recipe twice. It’s the best banana bread I’ve ever tasted. Made into muffins this time. So good. Cooked exactly 27 mins. Have shared the recipe with all the bakers I know. Keep it up Chef Billy, still waiting for that cookbook!!
This is the absolute best Banana Bread recipe. Thanks!!!!
Oh my.. the best 👌 banana bread ever.. I cut it to one batch. My mistake. it’s gone after one hour.. your videos are the KEY. thank you.
Best recipe! I’ve been looking for an abundant banana tasting bread recipe and finally found it. I used my spiced rum vanilla and doubled it for an additional kick without altering the banana flavor. The addition of nuts and sugar on top were super delicious. This will be my go to from now on! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Chef!
February we celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary. And Valentines today!
What do I gift my husband you ask?……
He love homemade banana bread.
So while he is golfing today, he will return to a fresh loaf of your banana bread recipe!
Thank you and Happy Valentines Day to you and yours!
Lived this my two loaves came out perfect
Sine banana varies in size, approximately how many cups of banana should be used?
it’s about 2 cups, but it’s ok if it’s a little more or less as it won’t change the recipe.
Hey Chef Billy Parisi,
This recipe is foolproof. I am no cook, always use less sugar than recipe states, only had two large bananas so I included two large apples, nonetheless excellent results! Delicious. I note there is quite a bit of flexibility re oil/yoghurt etc, and obviously the fruit too. What a useful recipe – cake, loaf, muffins any size … This recipe is a keeper! Thank you,
Nice to know for pancake batter.
Thanks for that
It turns out my “inherited” family recipe is almost exactly like yours! HA! But a a couple of additional tricks I’ve learned over the years takes it over the top: Don’t be in a rush to make the bananas into a baby-food textured mush – absolutely leave some large pieces the size of prunes, almonds and cashews – I usually just use a fork, and just mash it JUST enough to be able to measure it. And secondly, if you wrap the loaf up and leave it sit for a day – the bananas mature – and seem to develop a banana ‘liqueur’ scent/flavor which is divine. Finally – if you can – make your own butter: there’s something about fresh butter on the sliced banana bread that just blows up my brain and I can no longer work for at least an hour or two. Enjoy!!!
DELICIOUS!!
The best! It’s yummy and beautiful!
I have been trying banana bread recipes for a while…. No more this is it! Thank you
Oh! My goodness, this is definitely the best ,I mean the best ever banana bread recipe, congratulations to you,and congratulations to me for being a good student,🤣🤣I wish I could send you a photo, but I have to find out how 🤔 .Please stay safe God bless ❤
Thanks so much for the recipe. How much butter do you put in..Sometimes a stick of butter is 1 cup and the small sticks are 1/2 cup cutter. Please tell me how much cups of butter. Thanks – my bananas are getting too ripe.
Thanks so much, Linda
1/2 cup sticks
Love this recipe. I have looked for a great one for years. When I saw 8 bananas and the butter I knew it would be good.
Can you make without nuts?
yes
This is the best banana bread ever. So moist and flavorful. I’ll never use another recipe for banana bread!
I like to add mini chocolate chips, maraschino cherries and crushed pineapple ( in place if one banana) and give as Holiday gifts. It looks like Fruitcake but taste like a banana split!!
I also like to serve with Crème Anglaise. Kind of a reverse Banana Split.
Hi Billy this banana bread recipe looks like a winner. Is there any way of substituting honey/stevia for all that sugar?
Possibly, but that’s just not my area of expertise to offer substitution amounts, sorry.
How many grams of butter equals 2 sticks.
I live in the U.K. and we only get blocks of 250g or more.
113g per stick
Just made banana nut chocolate chip muffins with my 12-year old daughter following Billy’s recipe.. SO GOOD! Cooking is not my “thing” but my daughter loves to bake, she was able to do this pretty much on her own and they are absolutely delicious. Way better than anything in the store. Thank you Chef Billy!! Five Stars – Yum
Made this Banana bread with my 3 grandsons tonight….
What a fabulous recipe! Truly best ever
They had the leftover smothered pork chops for lunch!!
We are enjoying your recipes 👨🍳
The recipe says 50-55 minutes and the idea says 85-90 minutes. Which is more correct. Dont want to over cook when I need to check internal temp and dont want to over stick it to check
it’s 50-55
Banana bread with homemade espresso is my kind of breakfast. Your bread look amazing!
Wow!! It’s incredible, I loved this recipe, it’s amazing, wow! I can’t say another words just thank you thank you chef Billy! You offer us what is delicious, healthy and beneficial to us.❤
I use butter so much and so fast I’ve never had to worry about it!