This is the easiest and most delicious banana bread you’ll ever make! It’s moist, loaded with banana flavor, and only takes 10 minutes to prepare.

A loaf of banana bread sliced on parchment paper.


 

Why you’ll love this recipe:

  • Just 10 minutes to make – There is no mixer required. You just mix the wet and dry ingredients separately by hand, then combine, and bake. It’s easy peasy and works every time!
  • Only 8 ingredients – This banana bread is perfectly soft, moist, and dense. The flavor profile is sweet and fruity with a hint of vanilla.
  • Very versatile – This recipe can be easily adapted to suit your taste. For example, you can use melted butter instead of oil, you can substitute white sugar for brown, and you can even replace some of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat. You can add cinnamon, chocolate chips, desiccated coconut, or chopped nuts. It all turns out delicious.
A loaf of banana bread in pan on brown canvas napkins.

Ingredients you’ll need:

  • all-purpose flour
  • granulated sugar
  • baking soda & salt
  • vegetable oil
  • eggs
  • vanilla extract
  • overripe bananas

How to make easy banana bread:

(the ingredient amounts are listed in the printable recipe card further below)

  1. First, you toss together your flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Then you mash your bananas with a fork.
  3. Mix the mashed bananas with your eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl.
  4. Mix the wet and dry ingredients together. Pour the batter into a 9×5″ pan and bake at 325F for about an hour.
Process pictures of how to make banana bread with oil.

Expert tips:

  • The riper the banana the better. Overripe bananas are ideal for banana bread because they are sweeter and more flavorful. Let your bananas ripen until they’re more brown than yellow. Here’s a post on How to Quickly Ripen Bananas if the bananas sitting on your counter are still too firm to bake with.
  • Use a fork to mash. I find using a fork is the best way to mash bananas for banana bread. The consistency when using a fork is nice and thick and there are some small chunks that remain which gives the bread a nice texture.
  • Baking at a lower temperature. This recipe calls for baking at 325F instead of the usual 350F which allows the center to cook through without the exterior being overdone.
Five slices of banana bread on overlapping brown canvas napkins.

FAQ:

How to store banana bread?

Banana bread can be tightly wrapped in saran wrap or placed in an airtight container and stored at room temperature in a cool dry place for 3-5 days.

Is banana bread healthy?

There are healthy banana bread recipes out there but traditional banana bread made with regular all-purpose flour, sugar, and butter or oil is not considered by healthy by nutrition experts.

Can you freeze banana bread?

Yes, banana bread freezes really well. Tightly double wrap in saran wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil, or instead of using foil, place the wrapped loaf in a large freezer ziplock bag. Label and date and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How long does banana bread last?

Depending on the temperature of your house, banana bread can last up to 3-5 days if stored in a cool and dry place. Because banana bread is quite moist, if your house is warm, I would say only up to 3 days. During the winter months when most homes are cooler, I would say up to 5 days.

How ripe should bananas be for banana bread?

The more brown the better. As bananas ripen, more of the starch gets converted into sugar and there is more depth in flavor. I prefer my bananas more brown than yellow for baking.

Two slices of banana bread on a plate.

So the next time you are in the mood for some banana bread, give this recipe a try. You will be delighted to find how easy it is to make and how amazing it tastes. Enjoy and happy baking 🙂

You might also like:

Did you make this recipe? Please kindly leave a comment with your star rating below.

Two slices of banana bread on a plate.
4.95 from 78 reviews

Easy Banana Bread Recipe

Yield: 12 servings (1-9x5" loaf)
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 10 minutes
Author: Lily Ernst
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Method: Bake
This is the easiest and most delicious banana bread you'll ever make! It's moist, loaded with banana flavor, and only takes 10 minutes to prepare.
Print Leave a Review Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 & 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 & 1/2 cups (340g) overripe mashed bananas, (about 3 large or 4 medium)
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 325F and grease a 9x5" loaf pan.
  • In a large bowl, toss together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
    1 & 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour, 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Add to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
    1 & 1/2 cups (340g) overripe mashed bananas, 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 1 tsp vanilla
  • Bake for about 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Notes

Leftovers can be tightly wrapped or stored in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days at room temperature.
Banana bread freezes really well. Tightly double wrap in saran wrap and place in a large freezer ziplock bag. Label and date and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Calories: 247kcal, Carbohydrates: 37g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 27mg, Sodium: 199mg, Potassium: 131mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 20g, Vitamin A: 58IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 9mg, Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @littlesweetbaker on Instagram and hashtag it #littlesweetbaker.

Recipe adapted from Taste of Home. This post was originally published on Dec 21st, 2014 and has been recently updated with more information and changed from Best Ever Banana Bread to Easy Banana Bread for easier searchability. The recipe remains the same:)