Description
Moist, tender banana bread made with ripe bananas and simple pantry ingredients. This classic loaf is easy to make and perfect for breakfast, snacking, or dessert.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- ½ cup granulated sugar (or brown sugar)
- ¼ cup melted butter or vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Optional: ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Optional Add-ins
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- Nuts (optional)
- Chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Bananas and Sugar: In a large bowl, combine the mashed ripe bananas with the sugar until fully blended, creating a sweet banana base.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Stir the melted butter (or vegetable oil), egg, and vanilla extract into the banana mixture until smooth and well incorporated.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon if using into the wet mixture. Mix gently just until the flour disappears to keep the bread tender.
- Fold in Optional Add-ins: If desired, gently fold in nuts or chocolate chips to distribute evenly without overmixing.
- Pour Batter and Smooth: Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula for even baking.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean.
- Cool: Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it onto a wire rack to cool completely for best texture.
Notes
- The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the bread.
- If the top starts to brown too quickly during baking, cover it loosely with foil to prevent burning.
- Store banana bread at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Bread / Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
