Bake the Number-One Banana Bread Recipe on the Internet (2024)

Put those ripe bananas to use in this moist, delicious banana bread and you'll learn why it's the most popular recipe on Simply Recipes.

By

Elise Bauer

Bake the Number-One Banana Bread Recipe on the Internet (1)

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated November 07, 2023

2481 Ratings

Bake the Number-One Banana Bread Recipe on the Internet (2)

This banana bread has been the most popular recipe on Simply Recipes for over 10 years. Thousands of people make it every day. Why?

Because it really is the best banana bread recipe, period. You can mix everything in one bowl, you can vary the amount of sugar or bananas. And the secret to its great flavor? Melted butter.

Bake the Number-One Banana Bread Recipe on the Internet (3)

The beauty of this banana bread recipe is you don't need a fancy mixer! A mixing bowl, a fork to whisk the eggs, and a sturdy spoon to mix the batter are all you need. The sugar amount is flexible. The original recipe called for a cup of white sugar, but most people, including me, do just fine with 3/4 cup, and many are happy with 1/2 cup.

You can toss in a cup of chopped nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips if you want, or put the batter into muffin tins and make banana nut muffins instead. You can even go a step further and make chocolate banana bread.

Bake the Number-One Banana Bread Recipe on the Internet (4)

I was given this banana bread recipe years ago from my friend Heidi H, who, many years before, had begged the recipe from a ski buddy’s mother—Mrs. Hockmeyer. Thanks Heidi!

The Backstory on the #1 Banana Bread Recipe

All these years later, we were curious to know more about who Mrs. Hockmeyer is, and how Heidi got her recipe in the first place. You can read all about it in this story.

The Best Loaf Pan for This Recipe

This recipe calls for an 8x4-inch loaf pan, which produces a tall loaf. The recipe will also work in an 8 1/2x4 1/2-inch loaf pan, producing a slightly shorter bread. Since the pan is a bit larger, the bake time is shorter: 47 to 57 minutes. A 9x5-inch pan will yield an especially short but still delicious bread; bake for 45 to 55 minutes.

Adapt This Banana Bread Recipe

  • Swap out all of part of the sugar for light brown sugar.
  • Replace up to half of the flour with white whole wheat flour.
  • Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
  • Mix in 1/2 cup of chopped nuts or dried fruit.
  • Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips.

More Banana Bread Recipes!

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Banana Bread

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time60 mins

Total Time70 mins

Servings8to 10 servings

Yield1 loaf

No need for a mixer forthis recipe! Clean-up is easy, too. If you want, you can mix everything in one bowl.

This recipe calls for an 8x4-inch loaf pan. If you are baking in an 8 1/2x4 1/2-inch pan, bake for 47 to 57 minutes. If baking in a 9x5-inch pan, bake for 45 to 55 minutes. Note that the larger pan size will produce a flatter loaf.

The best bananas to use for banana bread are those that are overripe. The yellow peelsshould be at least half browned, and the bananas inside squishy and browning.

Ingredients

  • 2 to 3 medium (7" to 7-7/8" long) veryripe bananas, peeled (about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups mashed)

  • 1/3 cup (76g) butter, unsalted or salted, melted

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (not baking powder)

  • 1 pinch salt

  • 3/4 cup (150g) sugar (1/2 cup if you would like it less sweet, 1 cup if more sweet)

  • 1 large egg, beaten

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 1/2 cups (205g) all-purpose flour

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C):

    Butter an 8x4-inch loaf pan.

  2. Mash the bananas and add the butter:

    In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until completely smooth. Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas.

    Bake the Number-One Banana Bread Recipe on the Internet (5)

    Bake the Number-One Banana Bread Recipe on the Internet (6)

  3. Mix in the remaining ingredients:

    Mix in the baking soda and salt. Stir in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Mix in the flour.

    Bake the Number-One Banana Bread Recipe on the Internet (7)

    Bake the Number-One Banana Bread Recipe on the Internet (8)

  4. Bake the bread:

    Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan.

    Bake the Number-One Banana Bread Recipe on the Internet (9)

    Bake for 55 to 65 minutes at 350°F (175°C), or until a toothpick or wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. A few dry crumbs are okay; streaks of wet batter are not. If the outside of the loaf is browned but the center is still wet, loosely tent the loaf with foil and continue baking until the loaf is fully baked.

  5. Cool and serve:

    Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then remove the banana bread from the pan and let cool completely before serving. Slice and serve. (A bread knife helps to make slices that aren't crumbly.)

    Wrapped well, thebananabreadwill keep at room temperature for 4 days. For longer storage, refrigerate the loaf up to 5 days, or freeze it.

    Bake the Number-One Banana Bread Recipe on the Internet (10)

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
220Calories
7g Fat
37g Carbs
3g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8to 10
Amount per serving
Calories220
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g9%
Saturated Fat 4g20%
Cholesterol 35mg12%
Sodium 85mg4%
Total Carbohydrate 37g14%
Dietary Fiber 1g5%
Total Sugars 19g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 3mg15%
Calcium 9mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
Potassium 156mg3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Bake the Number-One Banana Bread Recipe on the Internet (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Greg Kuvalis

Last Updated:

Views: 6236

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg Kuvalis

Birthday: 1996-12-20

Address: 53157 Trantow Inlet, Townemouth, FL 92564-0267

Phone: +68218650356656

Job: IT Representative

Hobby: Knitting, Amateur radio, Skiing, Running, Mountain biking, Slacklining, Electronics

Introduction: My name is Greg Kuvalis, I am a witty, spotless, beautiful, charming, delightful, thankful, beautiful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.