Description
This Best Banana Bread recipe uses frozen bananas to create a moist and flavorful loaf. With a simple blend of sugar, butter, eggs, and classic baking ingredients, it yields a tender bread perfect for breakfast or a snack. Optional chopped pecans add a delightful crunch to each slice.
Ingredients
Scale
Banana Bread Batter
- 8 frozen medium-to-large bananas
- 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
Optional Add-ins
- 1 – 1 ½ cups (120-180 g) chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) to prepare for baking the banana bread.
- Thaw Bananas: Peel and thaw the frozen bananas in the microwave, making sure to reserve all the juices as they are essential for moisture and flavor.
- Prepare Pans: Spray two 9×5-inch bread pans with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mash Bananas: In a large 4-quart bowl, mash the thawed bananas with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Add sugar, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Use a wooden spoon to mix until combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Incorporate flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the wet mixture. Stir gently to combine without overmixing.
- Include Optional Nuts: If desired, fold in chopped pecans or other add-ins such as chocolate chips or dried fruits.
- Fill Pans: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared bread pans.
- Bake: Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the loaves to cool completely before slicing and serving for best texture.
Notes
- Use frozen bananas for the moistest and most flavorful bread; do not discard the juices from thawed bananas.
- This recipe can be made into 24 muffins or halved for smaller batches.
- Allow bread to cool fully to ensure clean slices.
- Optional pecans can be substituted with walnuts or omitted for nut-free bread.
- Room temperature eggs help the mixture combine more evenly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
