The Best Moist Banana Bread

by Sofi | Broma Bakery

This moist banana bread is rich, buttery, and packed with sweet banana flavor, making it irresistibly soft and tender. Made in one bowl with just 8 simple ingredients, this classic banana bread will be a staple in your house.

The Best Classic Banana Bread Recipe You’ll Ever Make

Is there anything better than a warm slice of classic banana bread slathered with butter? Nope, didn’t think so. This is the only banana bread recipe you’ll ever need—moist, perfectly sweet, and packed full of banana flavor. Whether you’re baking for breakfast, an afternoon treat, or just to use up those overripe bananas sitting on your counter, this easy banana bread recipe has you covered.

What makes this banana bread recipe the *best*

Banana bread is one of those nostalgic, feel-good baked goods that never goes out of style. It’s a staple recipe that everyone should have in their baking repertoire. Plus, it’s super simple to make—no fancy equipment needed, just a bowl, a whisk, and some basic pantry ingredients. And the best part? Your kitchen will smell absolutely amazing while it bakes.

There are a million banana bread recipes out there, but this one? It’s truly the best. Here’s why:

• Ridiculously moist: Thanks to the perfect balance of ripe bananas, butter, and just the right amount of sugar, this banana bread stays soft and tender for days.
• She’s a one-bowl wonder: Minimal dishes = maximum enjoyment. This batter comes together in just one bowl, making cleanup a breeze.
• Sweet enough for dessert, hearty enough for breakfast: Not too sweet, not too bland—just the right amount of sugar to enhance the natural banana flavor.
• Customizable: Want to jazz things up? Toss in some chocolate chips, nuts, or even a swirl of cinnamon sugar.

Tips for the Best Banana Bread

A great banana bread starts with the right ingredients and a few key techniques. If you’ve ever had dry, dense, or bland banana bread, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. Follow these foolproof tips to ensure a perfect loaf every time.

• Use Overripe Bananas – The browner, the better! Overripe bananas add natural sweetness and extra moisture to your bread. If your bananas aren’t ripe yet, pop them in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes to soften them up.
• Don’t Overmix – Stir the batter until just combined. Overmixing will develop the gluten too much, resulting in a dense and tough loaf.
• Butter vs. Oil – Butter adds richness and flavor, while oil can make it even more moist. For the best of both worlds, you can use a mix of the two!
• Don’t Overbake – Banana bread continues to cook as it cools, so take it out of the oven when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Ingredients for the best homemade banana bread

Sometimes, simple is best. This banana bread recipe is made with just 8 ingredients that you probably always have in your kitchen. You probably have most of these hanging around in your pantry or fridge already, but if you need a trip to the store here’s your list:

• Overripe bananas: The riper the better. I personally like to wait until my banana peels are dark brown or even black to make banana bread, but if you prefer a less intense banana flavor, use a banana that’s spotted rather than brown all over.
• Sugar: I like to use a combination of granulated sugar and light brown sugar in banana bread. The granulated sugar will give you a little bit of a crisp around the edges and the brown sugar deepens the flavor and adds moisture to your bread!
• Butter: We tried this bread with both oil and melted butter, but found that you just can’t beat the buttery flavor. Oil will create a denser, tighter crumb that’s uber moist so if you prefer (or it’s all you have on hand!) you can swap out the melted butter for any neutral flavored oil.
• Greek yogurt: This is the secret sauce to that dense, moist texture. Using greek yogurt instead of milk in your banana bread adds a little bit of tang to offset the sweetness, gives the baking soda a little extra oomph, and also adds a little protein. Eat it for breakfast!
• All-purpose flour: Regular all purpose flour will give your bread a beautiful structure. I’ve also had success making this with Bob’s Redmill 1:1 Gluten Free Baking Flour swapped out cup for cup. If you want to make this a little heartier you could also swap in a whole wheat flour or half whole wheat half all-purpose!
• Baking soda: We prefer baking soda in banana bread–it’s gives a great rise and creates a tight crumb without any huge holes!
• Salt: All baked goods need a little salt to offset the sweetness so don’t forget to toss it in with your dry ingredients!

Step by step easy banana bread

Let’s break it down step by step to take out any guess work on this moist banana bread.

How to store this banana bread? Can you freeze it?

Banana bread is one of those magical baked goods that gets even better the next day! The flavors deepen, and the texture becomes even softer. But to keep it fresh and delicious, proper storage is key.

• At Room Temp: Wrap in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• In the Fridge: If you like your banana bread chilled (hello, cake-like texture!), store it in the fridge for up to a week.
• Freezing: Slice and freeze individual pieces wrapped in plastic wrap, then pop them in a freezer-safe bag. When a craving hits, just microwave for 30 seconds or let it thaw on the counter.

Add-Ins & Variations

Want to level up your banana bread? Try these fun twists:

• Chocolate Chip Banana Bread – Because chocolate makes everything better.
• Walnut or Pecan Banana Bread – Adds a crunchy contrast to the soft, fluffy crumb.
• Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread – Mix sugar and cinnamon and swirl it through the batter before baking.
• Maple or Brown Sugar Banana Bread – Swap out granulated sugar for brown sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup for deeper caramel notes.

Now that you’ve got all the tips, it’s time to get baking. Whether you enjoy it warm out of the oven, slathered with butter, or toasted the next day with a little peanut butter (trust me, chef’s kiss), this banana bread recipe is sure to be your new go-to.

Happy baking, friends!

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