These banana bread recipes offer some wonderful flavor twists on classic banana bread. If you’re looking for something just a bit different, give one of these a try!
The Best Banana Bread Recipes
Despite the fact that the majority of recipes here at BoB are for desserts, the banana bread recipes I’ve shared over the years are incredibly popular. I’m certainly on board with baking banana bread pretty much any time I have the chance.
It’s one of those baked goods that is so versatile that there always seems to be a good reason to bake it. A sweet morning treat? Check. A slice for snacking? Yep. A homemade gift? The best. An easy recipe when you’ve got a hankering to bake? Absolutely!
Traditional banana bread is always welcome, but these recipes will show you how to make banana bread that’s just a little different. Whether it’s the addition of berries, chocolate, cream cheese, or something else equally delicious, one of these recipes is destined to become your favorite homemade banana bread!
How to Choose Bananas for Banana Bread
Here’s the thing about bananas. The riper they are, the more flavor they have and the sweeter they are. That’s why those extra ripe bananas on your counter are perfect for making flavorful banana bread! Soft bananas with black spots on the peel are excellent choices.
How to Ripen Bananas Faster
If your bananas aren’t quite ready for baking, you can speed up the ripening process in a few easy ways. Simply placing the bananas in a paper bag will move the ripening along nicely as the ethylene they give off will circulate around them and make them ripe faster. Heat will also expedite ripening, so just placing the bananas in a warm spot can help. For the fastest ripening action, bake the bananas on a baking sheet in a 300°F oven for about an hour. Get more details and options: How to Ripen Bananas
Tips for Making Banana Bread
- Use ripe bananas. The riper they are, the more banana flavor they have. (See my notes above.)
- Measure accurately. This is always true in baking! If the recipe you’re using provides weight measurements, then using your digital kitchen scale is the most accurate way to measure. In particular, too much flour will make your banana bread dry and dense.
- Don’t over-mix. Too much mixing means tough, dry bread. For any type of quick bread, you want to mix just enough to get everything combined. Leaving a few small streaks of flour in the batter is usually just fine. For banana bread recipes that follow the muffin method, there’s no need to get out your stand mixer or hand mixer. Just a big mixing spoon will do!
- Use room temperature ingredients. Unless otherwise specified in the recipe, bringing eggs, milk, sour cream, or other refrigerated ingredients to room temperature will make mixing easier and give your bread a better texture.
- Checking for doneness. The recipe you’re using should specify how to check for doneness, but the usual check is the toothpick test. A pick inserted into the center should come out clean.
How to Store Banana Bread
Most banana breads can be store at room temperature after they’ve cooled. Wrap well in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. For longer storage, wrap and store in an airtight, freezer-safe container or bag. Check the specific storage recommendations for the recipe you’re making.
Must-Make Banana Bread Recipes
Banana bread is a classic comfort food. It's easy to make, and there are endless variations on the recipe. These are some of my favorite banana bread recipes, from more classic versions to more adventurous options. Get out your mixing bowl and aprons, and let's get baking!
Cream Cheese Banana Nut Bread is by far the most popular banana bread recipe I've ever shared with you. I discovered it several years ago, and I still can't get enough of it! The recipe makes two loaves, so you'll have one to share and one to keep all for yourself!
I find dulce de leche absolutely irresistible, and its sweet, rich flavor is such an amazing complement to bananas in this Dulce de Leche Banana Bread. It's such a simple tweak but it's SO good!
Brown Butter Banana Bread takes a fairly basic banana bread and turns it into something downright amazing with the addition of brown butter. That one simple step makes this bread a favorite!
Blueberries and bananas are a perfect pair in this simple Blueberry Banana Bread. I prefer baking with fresh berries, but you can use frozen. Either way, just be sure to rinse and dry them well before adding them to the bread to help keep the color from bleeding into the bread.
A little chocolate is always a good idea in my book, and that's certainly the case with Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread. This recipe is a great choice if you want a little bolder flavor out of your banana bread. All that chocolate will certainly do the trick!
After making Caramelized Banana Bread for the first time, I wondered how I'd never caramelized bananas until that point. That brown butter glaze doesn't hurt, either. The flavor is just fantastic!
I eat granola fairly often, so I always have plenty of it in my kitchen. Adding it to a simple banana bread adds such great flavor and crunch, making this Granola Banana Bread a definite favorite.
A simple swirl of your favorite chocolate-hazelnut spread is the perfect addition to banana bread!
Recommended Tools and Equipment for Making Your Best Banana Bread
- standard size loaf pan: I recommend a good, sturdy metal pan for the best results. I occasionally use stoneware, but more often than not I go with metal. (Be sure you’re using the correct size pan for your recipe, as a “standard” pan can mean a 9- x 5-inch loaf pan or a 8 1/2- x 4 1/2-inch loaf pan.)
- mixing bowl: A medium-size bowl should be just right for mixing the batter for one loaf of banana bread.
- mixing spoon: Picking a spoon is certainly a matter of preference, but I have an abiding love of Le Creuset’s.
- potato masher: While certainly not essential, my potato masher sees more action mashing bananas than potatoes. A fork works just fine for mashed bananas, although the potato masher will get the job done more quickly.
- offset spatula: I have several of these and use them often. For quick breads, I often use one to even the top of the batter in the pan before baking.
- wire rack: This is an indispensable tool for cooling baked goods. Learn more: Why Every Baker Needs Wire Cooling Racks
I hope you’re inspired to grab those overripe bananas on your kitchen counter and bake some banana bread. It’s such a quick and easy baking project that it’s hard to resist baking a loaf anytime you’ve got a craving!
Happy baking!
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One Comment on “8 Must-Bake Banana Bread Recipes”
Hello Jennifer…! i really like your must bake banana bread recipes & these looks soooo good & delicious and i will trying to making this recipe in some few days after. Thanks for sharing……!