Sharing is caring!

Classic Banana Bread recipe is one of those delicious desserts that can be made at a moment's notice and is perfect with a cup of hot tea or coffee. The next time you are in a pinch, look up this quick bread recipe and make a batch!

When my kids were little, one of my favorite recipes to make was this go-to banana bread recipe. It was simple and easy and used only a few pantry ingredients. I would wait until bananas were on sale and then I would buy up a bunch and make a few loaves of my made-from-scratch banana bread.

These loaves make great gifts for Christmas and birthdays. This recipe has stayed a family favorite and to this day brings back so many memories of laughter and love in the kitchen with my kids making a batch.

Ingredient List for Easy Banana Bread Recipe

This 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.

Here is what you need to make this:

• 2 to 3 overripe bananas, peeled
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar (1/2 cup if you would like it less sweet, 1 cup if sweeter) – you can also switch this out for brown sugar if you prefer
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

Use over-ripe bananas for the best bread. The yellow peels should be at least half browned, and the bananas inside squishy and browning. If the bananas are not as brown as you would like, place them in a brown paper bag for a few hours. It will help them to ripen quickly.

The more bananas you use, the better the banana flavor will have.

To keep the bananas from browning, just drizzle a little lemon juice over them before mixing them with the rest of the ingredients.

Bake the Homemade Banana Bread Recipe

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), and butter a 4×8-inch loaf pan. You can also use parchment paper to line the loaf pan if you prefer. If you want to turn these into muffins, just use a muffin tin instead of a loaf pan.

In a medium bowl, add the wet ingredients. Smash the ripe bananas with a fork until completely smooth. Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas. You can also do this in a stand mixer if you do not want to use a mixing bowl.

In another large bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Start with the baking soda and salt. Stir in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Mix in the flour.

Mix the flour mixture and other ingredients together using an electric mixer. Pour out into the loaf pan. I like the Pyrex-type glass dish as things don't stick as badly as they do with metal pans.

Place the loaf pan on a baking sheet and then bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour at 350°F (175°C), or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.

Mix everything and place in a loaf pan. I like the Pyrex-type glass dish as things don't stick as badly as they do with metal pans.

The best bananas to use for banana bread are those that are over-ripe. The yellow peels should be at least half browned, and the bananas inside squishy and browning.

This is where you need to watch the bread. You will think it is completely done, but the middle takes a bit longer, so make sure that the inside of the middle is baked through otherwise you have to cut it out.

Rest the Bread

Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack. Remove the banana bread from the pan. Slice and serve. Of course, if you are like me, you will only be able to let it cool a bit to room temperature. Who can resist a warm slice of bread with a dollop of butter?

And that is it! This is the perfect easy recipe that will make one of the best-tasting dishes you will ever make. Be sure and use a bread knife to cut your loaf because the serrated teeth will allow it to make clean cuts and not tear your bread apart.

Storing the Leftovers

To store the leftover bread, simply wrap it in plastic wrap to keep it fresh. You can also store it in an airtight container. For lunch box portions, simply slice the bread into individual slices and wrap each one separately.

Check Out These Other Delicious Sweet Bread Recipes

• Banana Bread With Chocolate Chips
• Lemon Poppy Seed Summer Squash Bread
• Chocolate Zucchini Bread Mini Loaves
• Banana Muffins with Pecans