If you have a soft spot for bananas and a serious love for Nutella, you are going to adore this Nutella Banana Bread Recipe. It combines the natural sweetness and moistness of ripe bananas with creamy, dreamy swirls of Nutella, giving classic banana bread a decadent twist that feels like a warm hug in every bite. Whether you serve it for breakfast, indulge in it as an afternoon pick-me-up, or treat yourself to a cozy dessert, this recipe is sure to become a beloved favorite in your baking repertoire. It’s rich without being heavy, sweet but balanced, and incredibly easy to make with ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Nutella Banana Bread Recipe is delightfully simple, relying on a handful of essential ingredients that each play a key role in crafting that perfect loaf. From ripe bananas bringing moisture and flavor to the flour providing structure, each component works in harmony to create a tender, flavorful bread with irresistible Nutella ribbons throughout.
- Ripe bananas: Choose deeply speckled bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Large eggs: They help bind the ingredients together and provide richness.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps achieve a light crumb.
- Brown sugar: Contributes a slight caramel note and moist texture.
- Vegetable oil or melted butter: Keeps the bread tender and moist.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances and rounds out the flavors beautifully.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone that gives the bread its structure.
- Baking soda: Helps the bread rise for a light, fluffy texture.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavors.
- Nutella: The star ingredient adding creamy chocolate-hazelnut swirls that make this banana bread truly special.
How to Make Nutella Banana Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan carefully—this ensures that your lush banana bread won’t stick and will release easily after baking.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together your mashed ripe bananas, large eggs, granulated and brown sugars, vegetable oil or melted butter, and vanilla extract until everything is blended smoothly. This base gives your bread that moist, sweet foundation and rich flavor.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients separately prevents clumps and helps distribute the leavening agent evenly for consistent rising.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture, stirring just until combined. Overmixing can toughen the bread, so a gentle hand here keeps your crumb tender and soft.
Step 5: Swirl In the Nutella
Fold in half a cup of Nutella gently, allowing luscious chocolate-hazelnut ribbons to remain visible. Then pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Dollop additional Nutella on top and use a knife to create beautiful swirls that will bake into the bread’s surface for extra indulgence.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Pop the loaf into the oven and bake for 55 to 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs. Let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely—this prevents sogginess and allows the flavors to meld.
How to Serve Nutella Banana Bread Recipe
Garnishes
A dusting of powdered sugar or a light spread of Nutella on a warm slice instantly elevates the experience. Toasted hazelnuts sprinkled on top add a satisfying crunch and enhance the Nutella’s nutty goodness.
Side Dishes
Pair your Nutella Banana Bread with a cup of creamy coffee or frothy latte for an unbeatable breakfast combo. For dessert, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream complements the rich flavors perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice the bread thick and serve it as French toast with a drizzle of maple syrup. For a party, cut into mini squares and arrange on a platter with fresh berries and nuts for an elegant treat that will wow guests without hours in the kitchen.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover Nutella Banana Bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays deliciously moist for up to three days, making it easy to enjoy fresh bites without fuss.
Freezing
This bread freezes beautifully. Slice before freezing and separate layers with parchment paper for easy grab-and-go portions. When wrapped well, it keeps up to three months without losing flavor or texture.
Reheating
To bring your banana bread back to life, warm slices in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or toast gently until heated through. The warmth revives the Nutella swirls and enhances the aroma, making every bite feel freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I substitute Nutella with other spreads?
Absolutely! While Nutella gives this banana bread its signature chocolate-hazelnut flavor, you can experiment with other chocolate spreads, peanut butter, or even almond butter to create your own unique twists.
Do I have to use ripe bananas?
Yes, very ripe bananas are key to this recipe because they provide natural sweetness and moisture. If your bananas aren’t quite ripe, you can speed up ripening by placing them in a paper bag for a day or two.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Definitely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free baking mix that’s designed to replace flour cup-for-cup. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum or a similar binder for the best texture.
Is it possible to reduce the sugar in this recipe?
You can reduce the sugars slightly, but keep in mind the bananas and Nutella already contribute sweetness. Reducing too much may impact the bread’s texture and moistness, so start by cutting the sugar by a quarter and adjust to taste next time.
Why does the recipe use both brown and granulated sugar?
The combination gives the bread a nicer depth of flavor—the granulated sugar provides sweetness and softness, while the brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle caramel note, making the bread rich and complex.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly magical about the Nutella Banana Bread Recipe that brings comfort and delight to any occasion. It’s quick to bake, uses simple pantry ingredients, and gives you that perfect balance of sweet, moist banana bread with irresistible swirls of Nutella. I can’t recommend enough giving this recipe a try—you might just discover your new favorite way to enjoy banana bread.
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Nutella Banana Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (10 slices)
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Nutella Banana Bread is a rich, moist quick bread made with ripe bananas and swirls of creamy Nutella. This indulgent twist on classic banana bread is perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon treat.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
Additional
- ½ cup Nutella (plus extra for swirling)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed ripe bananas, eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil (or melted butter), and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Mix wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until combined to avoid overmixing which could make the bread tough.
- Fold in Nutella: Gently fold in ½ cup of Nutella into the batter, taking care to leave some visible swirls for a marbled effect.
- Pour and swirl batter: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Add extra Nutella on top and use a knife to swirl it throughout the batter for additional bursts of chocolate hazelnut flavor.
- Bake the bread: Bake in the preheated oven for 55–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with only a few moist crumbs attached.
- Cooling process: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely to avoid sogginess from steam.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender and moist.
- If the top of the bread browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil to prevent burning while baking through.
- Store the banana bread wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days to extend freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Bread / Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
