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    Home » Baked Goods » Simple Banana Bread: A Secret Revealed

    Simple Banana Bread: A Secret Revealed

    October 19, 2018 , Updated January 6, 2025 Maria 17 Comments

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    An overhead shot of banana bread cooling off in the pan on a cooling rack.

    Do you want to know one of the secrets to a perfectly spiced, fragrant and super Simple Banana Bread recipe? Use roasted bananas!  You won’t believe what a difference this makes! The natural roasted sweetness of bananas transforms this banana loaf to a whole new level.

    An overhead shot of a simple banana loaf cooling on a wire rack.

    Do you love banana bread?

    I know I do. There is nothing like having a thick slice of moist banana bread with a cup of coffee. It’s a classic dessert that has been around for ages.

    Due to this popularity, you are sure to find banana bread in county fairs, church bazaars and fundraisers.

    I would not be surprised if you probably already have an easy banana bread recipe. Just like zucchini or lemon loaf, it’s one of those recipes that every family has.

    In fact, you might even have the best banana bread recipe in the world!

    If you do, you are probably wondering if you need another recipe. To be perfectly honest, I don’t know that anyone really needs another banana loaf recipe. However, I will share my secret to make a better than Starbucks banana bread recipe by doing just one thing

    How to make this Simple Banana Bread Recipe

    The first thing we need to do is roast the bananas. It just so happens that I wrote an entire article on the merits of roasting bananas and why everyone should use roasted bananas for their baked goods. So go take a look at how it’s done and I’ll be right here waiting for you.

    Banana bread is considered to be a quick bread. By definition, quick bread is one that comes together easily and does not require any yeast. Muffins, biscuits and scones are also classified as being quick bread.

    So, in order to make this banana quick bread, we need two bowls and a whisk.

    A series of 4 process shots to make this simple banana bread.

    In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients together to evenly distribute the baking powder and baking soda. You can either sift the ingredients together or use a whisk.

    In another medium-sized bowl, whisk together all of the wet ingredients, including the roasted bananas.

    Pour the egg mixture into a well that has been formed in the dry mixture and stir just until moistened.

    Quickly pour this batter in the prepared pans and bake in a preheated oven for about 55 minutes or until a wooden skewer comes out clean.

    An overhead shot of the banana bread cooling off on a rack.

    Pro Tip: Allow the banana loaf to cool down in the pan for at least 10 minutes before turning it out on a wire rack to cool down completely.

    Did you know that banana and zucchini bread actually taste better the next day? It’s true!

    So, if you can resist, once this perfect banana bread had completely cooled down, resist the urge to cut yourself a piece and wrap it up in foil or plastic wrap. Leave it at room temperature to be enjoyed the following day.

    A close up of the tender crumb of this simple banana bread.

    Troubleshooting guide for quick bread

    • If your bread is soggy, there is too much fat or liquid;
    • If your bread has a thick brown crust, there is too much sugar in the recipe;
    • If your bread is dense and has a lot of tunnels, the batter was probably over-mixed;
    • If the center of the bread has sunk, there was a wait time before the batter was placed in the oven, the oven was not properly preheated, the bread was underbaked, or the proportions of the leavening agent were not right.

    Overripe banana recipes we love

    • Banana Cookies
    • Chocolate Banana Cake
    • Banana Chips
    • Banana Strawberry Muffins

    A close up of the visible crack lines of a simple banana bread.

    Recipe origins

    I originally found this recipe in a magazine called Cook’s Secrets by Better Home and Gardens.

    The only thing I can tell you is that I was hooked the very first time I made this recipe. In fact, the taste of roasted bananas was so amazing that I also re-published my banana muffins recipe to include this step.

    As usual, I did make a couple of changes to the recipe; I decreased the total amount of sugar and replaced the white sugar with brown sugar.

    I also tried substituting some of the oil with applesauce, but I did not like the final texture… it was too gummy. In the end, I just decided to reduce the total amount of oil.

    Make this Simple Banana Bread Recipe your own:

    • Feel free to add walnuts, mini chocolate chips or dried fruit.
    • Make a streusel topping.
    • Swirl in raspberry or Strawberry Jam.

    As you can see, there are so many variations that can be made to this wonderful basic recipe for banana bread. I would love to hear about yours!

     

    THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

    Ciao for now,

    Maria 

    ★★★★★ If you have made this banana bread recipe with oil, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

    Recipe

    A close up of the visible crack lines of a simple banana bread.

    Simple Banana Bread Recipe

    Do you want to know one of the secrets to a perfectly spiced, fragrant & Simple Banana Bread recipe? Use roasted bananas! 
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Save RecipeSaved! Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 16 servings
    Calories: 158kcal
    Author: Maria Vannelli RD
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    Ingredients

    • 1½ cups roasted bananas approx 5 bananas
    • 2 cups flour 284 grams
    • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon ground
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ground
    • pinch ginger ground
    • 2 eggs lightly beaten
    • ⅔ cup brown sugar
    • ⅓ cup vegetable oil

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350℉ (175°C). 
    • Grease and flour (or use non-stick spray) a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan.
    • In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg and ginger. 
    • In a another bowl, whisk together the eggs with the sugar, and the oil.
    • Stir the roasted bananas with the wet ingredients and combine properly.
    • Add the wet ingredients to a well formed in the dry ingredients.
    • Quickly combine together until just moistened.
    • Immediately pour the batter into the greased pan and bake in a preheated oven for about 55-60 minutes or until a wooden skewer comes out clean. 
    • Place pan on wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes. 
    • Remove banana bread from pan to cool down completely. 
    • Wrap the bread in plastic wrap and store overnight at room temperature before serving.
    Enhance Your Cooking Experience!SCROLL UP for essential step-by-step photos embedded in the article above. When available, videos can be found in the next section. These visuals are designed to help you achieve perfect results every time. Happy cooking!

    Notes

    Prep time includes the time to roast the bananas.
    Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used. 
    *recipe lightly adapted from Better Homes and Gardens
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 158kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 81mg | Potassium: 149mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 1.8mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg
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    An overhead shot of a sliced banana bread on a glass serving tray.

     

     

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    Filed Under: Baked Goods

    About Maria

    Maria Vannelli is a retired dietitian who lives in a suburb just outside Montreal, Canada. She's the founder of the food blog She Loves Biscotti. Maria hopes to inspire you and bring you and your loved ones closer together at meal times enabling you to create some memorable moments.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sonia

      October 29, 2023 at 7:31 pm

      5 stars
      Love this banana bread. I just recently started learning how to bake and I decided to come to your page for a good banana bread. I just have to say wow! It tastes amazing and it was so easy to do. Loved it!

      Reply
      • Maria

        October 30, 2023 at 5:36 pm

        Hi Sonia! Thanks so much for stopping by!
        I am so thrilled to read this! Welcome to the wonderful world of baking! Have fun ♥

        Reply
    2. Carla

      May 18, 2023 at 7:14 pm

      5 stars
      Best banana bread i have ever baked. It has never failed.

      Reply
    3. Terry

      January 16, 2021 at 7:36 pm

      5 stars
      I made your banana bread this evening, I added dates and walnuts ..Delicious, my go to when dates drying up and bananas a turning brown👌

      Reply
      • Maria

        January 17, 2021 at 8:18 pm

        How wonderful Terry! Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
    4. Toni PR

      December 19, 2020 at 10:57 am

      5 stars
      As usual, a fantastic recipe, thank you!
      I just reduced the sugar to 1/2 cup. As there are many varieties of bananas in my country, I’ve found that how flavourful and sweet the outcome is is dependent on what kind of banana I use.
      Cheers, Maria!!

      Reply
      • Maria

        December 19, 2020 at 5:27 pm

        Thank you kindly! Appreciate you taking the time to share Toni!

        Reply
    5. Jane

      April 01, 2019 at 10:42 am

      5 stars
      Eureka! I feel like Archimedes! Almost. My gluten free loaf is good. If the kids praise me I might add pecans next time. Thank you so much.

      Reply
      • Maria

        April 01, 2019 at 11:13 am

        LOL… love this! My pleasure Jane. Thanks so much for taking the time to share. Truly appreciate it… you made my day ♥

        Reply
    6. Jane

      April 01, 2019 at 10:08 am

      You burst my bubble! At 82 I thought I knew everything. Just don’t ask my great grand children. LOL. Roasting bananas is a secret. I just put a gluten free pan of your banana bread in the oven. You are my new Julia Child. I will let you know how it turns out.

      Reply
      • Maria

        April 01, 2019 at 11:11 am

        You are too kind Jane… thank you. Keeping my fingers crossed… hope you will like it.

        Reply
    7. Karen (Back Road Journal)

      October 26, 2018 at 9:27 am

      I agree with you about roasting…fruits and vegetables definitely have more flavor. I a slice of your banana bread right now would go well with my cup of morning tea.

      Reply
      • Maria

        October 26, 2018 at 12:35 pm

        It always amazes me how such a simple technique like roasting can alter and elevate the taste of any fruit or vegetable. Thanks so much for stopping by Karen 🙂

        Reply
    8. Val

      October 21, 2018 at 2:51 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve never tried using roasted bananas… can’t wait to try it! Thanks for the idea.

      Reply
      • Maria

        October 21, 2018 at 3:05 pm

        My pleasure Val! Hope you get a chance to try it. Thanks for stopping by 🙂

        Reply
      • Angelina Loglisci

        May 26, 2024 at 6:03 pm

        What is the process to roast bananas? Thank you.

        Reply
        • Maria

          June 28, 2024 at 4:27 pm

          Thanks for your interest Angelina. I actually wrote an article on how to roast bananas. Enjoy!

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    Maria from She loves biscotti

    Hi, I'm Maria! a dietitian (retired) and full-time content creator. Join me as I share traditional Italian recipes from my youth to modern twists on classics using fresh and seasonal ingredients.

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