Homemade Banana Nut Bread

One of my favorite breakfast treats is a slice of this Homemade Banana Nut Bread. This easy banana bread recipe is so moist and delicious. Made with simple ingredients such as over-ripe bananas, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar and walnuts for the perfect balance of flavors.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• It's so easy to make!
• Moist and delicious with lots of banana flavor.
• Makes 2 loaves. One to keep and one to share.
• Stores and freezes well.

If you love a good quick bread recipe a few of our favorites include this Cinnamon Raisin Quick Bread, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread and Frosted Carrot Cake Loaf.

The banana nut bread is a favorite at our house especially when it's warm out of the oven slathered with some soft butter. You can change up this recipe by adding your favorite optional add-ons such as raisins, chocolate chips or switching out the walnuts and adding pecans instead.

Tips For Making Banana Bread

• Use VERY ripe bananas. Using bananas with lots of brown spots gives you a more flavorful and sweeter banana bread.
• Don't overmix! Overmixing the batter results in tough dry bread. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until they are incorporated.
• Bake the banana bread on the middle oven rack for more even cooking.  
• Mash the bananas in a separate bowl BEFORE adding to remaining ingredients. I use the back of a fork to mash them.
• Soften the butter to room temperature before using to make it easier to cream with the sugar. It's ready when you press it with your fingers and it leaves a slight indent in the butter. 
• If you think the top of the banana bread is browning too fast you can loosely cover the top with aluminum foil.
• If using a non-stick pan, choose a light-colored pan instead of dark for best results.
• Baking time for this recipe is between 50 to 60 minutes due to differences in ovens and type of baking pan. Start checking the loaf at 50 minutes to avoid over-cooking.

Ingredient Notes

See printable recipe card below for all ingredients, specific measurements, and complete instructions.

• All-Purpose Flour - When measuring your flour be sure to spoon it into a dry measuring cup and level off the excess with the smooth edge of a butter knife.
• Spices - Ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg.
• White Sugar - Adds sweetness to bread.
• Brown Sugar - Adds extra depth of flavor and you can use light or dark brown sugar. 
• Butter - This recipe uses butter instead of oil for a richer more flavorful loaf.
• Bananas - Mashed bananas adds extra moisture and tons of flavor.
• Vanilla Extract - For best flavor use pure vanilla extract.
• Walnuts - I love chopped walnuts in banana bread but you can use pecans instead.
• Other Ingredients - beaten eggs, salt and baking powder.

How To Make Banana Bread

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease two loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt until well combined. Set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, beat together the sugar, brown sugar, and butter until smooth.
4. Add the mashed bananas, vanilla and eggs and stir to mix.
5. Next add in the dry ingredients to the bowl and stir until just combined.
6. Fold in the chopped walnuts.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for on middle oven rack 50 to 60 minutes until the bread is golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Don't overbake.
8. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for five minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

How to Store

Allow bread to completely cool before storing. Once cooled it's best to wrap your loaf with plastic wrap or foil to lock in moisture and prevent it from becoming dry. You can store on the counter at room temperature for up to 3 days. Or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

To Freeze: Once loaf is completely cooled, tightly wrap in plastic wrap then either cover with heavy foil or place in large freezer-friendly storage bag. This helps to avoid freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

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I hope you enjoy this Homemade Banana Nut Bread! If you try this recipe, please come back and rate it and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from you!