Easy Banana Bread Recipe: Moist, Delicious, and Foolproof

If you have overripe bananas sitting on your counter, don't let them go to waste! Turn them into delicious homemade banana bread that's moist, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. This recipe requires simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, and you can mix it all in one bowl. This banana bread is ready in under an hour, perfect for beginners or seasoned bakers.

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 3/4 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Optional Mix-ins:

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to

350°F (175°C)

and lightly grease a

9x5-inch loaf pan

with butter or non-stick spray.

2. Mash the Bananas:

Mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth in a large mixing bowl. You want to make sure the bananas are fully mashed with minimal chunks.

3. Mix in Wet Ingredients:

Stir in the

melted butter

into the mashed bananas until combined. Then, add the

sugar

,

egg

, and

vanilla extract

. Mix well to combine.

4. Add Dry Ingredients:

Sprinkle in the

baking soda

and a

pinch of salt

, then gently stir. Add the

flour

next, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—the batter should be lumpy, which ensures a tender bread.

5. Add Optional Mix-ins (if using):

If you like, fold in

chopped nuts

or

chocolate chips

for added flavor and texture.

6. Pour and Bake:

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Bake for

50-60 minutes

 or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Tip

: If the top of your bread is browning too quickly, cover it with aluminum foil halfway through baking.

7. Cool and Serve:

Once baked, let the banana bread cool in the pan for about

10 minutes

before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy with butter, jam, or just as is!

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Tips for Perfect Banana Bread:

• Use overripe bananas : The browner the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be.
• Don't overmix : Overmixing the batter can lead to tough, dense bread. Mix just until everything is combined.
• Customize : This recipe is easy to customize—add cinnamon, swap out nuts, or experiment with different mix-ins.