Simple Banana Bread: A Secret Revealed

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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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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