Simple Banana Bread (Easy Recipe with Video)

Every home cook needs a handful of basic recipes in their repertoire. This is the foundation of a great home cook. This principle of belief has inspired a series I have been working on. Call it 'back to basics,' if you will. For the next few months, I will be sharing simple recipes that are accessible, foolproof, and stepping stones to more elevated dishes, both to inspire and delight.

That brings us to today's recipe- Simple Banana Bread. This humble loaf is unfussy and honest. No nuts, no chocolate, no embellishments to distract from what it is at its core. Only the gentle sweetness of ripened bananas, folded into a dense, tender crumb that bakes into something warm, fragrant, and deeply familiar.

It is the sort of bread that slices cleanly, holds together with ease, and welcomes a pat of butter or a quiet cup of coffee alongside it. A recipe to keep, to return to, and to make your own.

Why You'll Love Today's Recipe

Taste and Texture

I've made a lot of different banana breads over the years, all delicious in their own right. One of the most popular recipes on the site to this day remains to be our Easy Banana Zucchini & Apple Bread. It's ultra-moist and retains that moisture for days. However, it's not strictly a banana bread. Sometimes, I call it a harvest loaf.

If you're looking for a simple banana bread that is perfect for toasting or spreading your favorite jam, today's recipe is what you're looking for. It's dense yet tender, not too wet, and never gummy.

Difficulty Level

Today's banana bread is beginner-friendly, focusing on simple pantry ingredients- nothing complicated or hard to find. It serves as an excellent base for some of your favorite mix-ins as well. So once you've mastered the loaf, you can proceed to put your own personal touch on it. Furthermore, it is also easily customizable for dietary swaps (more on that below).

Tips for a Beautiful Loaf

There is no need for complication here, only a bit of care.

Stir the batter gently, just until everything comes together. Overmixing will take away from the tenderness we seek. For this reason, I really like whisking each ingredient by hand. It allows me full control over the batter.

Take a moment to mash the bananas well (leaving just a few chunks), allowing them to blend seamlessly into the batter.

And once baked, allow the loaf to rest. It may be tempting to slice into it while still warm, but patience will reward you with clean, even slices that hold their shape.

To Serve

Perhaps lightly toasted in the morning, with butter melting into each slice. Or simply as it is, enjoyed slowly with coffee in the afternoon light.

However you choose, it is a loaf that asks little and gives much.

🍌Ingredient Notes

As with many simple things, each ingredient carries its weight.

• Bananas
  • The riper, the better. Look for deep yellow skins with brown spots- this ensures natural sweetness and moisture.
• All-Purpose Flour
  • All-purpose flour provides structure and that classic loaf texture. It keeps the crumb sturdy enough to slice without crumbling.
• Sugar
  • Granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps create a soft, tender crumb, while brown sugar increases moisture and adds a subtle caramel flavor due to its molasses content.
• Eggs
  • Bind the batter and contribute to the loaf's structure.
• Oil or Butter
  • Oil keeps this bread extra moist, while butter adds richness and flavor
• Baking Soda
  • Gives the bread its lift while maintaining density.
• Baking Powder
  • Keeps the bread light and fluffy in texture while helping the bread to rise.
• Vanilla Extract
  • Adds warmth and enhances the banana flavor without overpowering it.
• Almond Extract
  • Consider this my secret ingredient. A little goes a long way when it comes to almond extract. It adds a lovely, subtle flavor that pairs deliciously with the bananas.
• Salt
  • Balances sweetness and deepens flavor.

👉 Use room temperature ingredients - this helps everything blend evenly

A Few Notes from the Kitchen

How to Make Banana Bread Gluten-Free

This recipe adapts beautifully to gluten-free baking:

• Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend
• Make sure your blend contains xanthan gum for structure (I recommend King Arthur's Gluten Free Measure for Measure Flour or Krusteaz Gluten Free All-Purpose Flour)
• Let the batter rest for 5-10 minutes before baking to hydrate the flour

Result: A loaf that remains tender, sliceable, and cohesive.

How to Make It Refined Sugar-Free

For a more natural sweetness:

• Replace granulated sugar with maple syrup or honey
• Replace brown sugar with Coconut sugar for a deeper, caramel-like flavor

Keep in mind: Liquid sweeteners will slightly increase moisture, producing a more moist bread.

Optional Mix-In Ideas

• Chocolate chips
• Chopped walnuts or pecans
• Shredded coconut
• Blueberries (fresh or frozen)
• Cinnamon or warm spices
• Swirls of peanut butter or almond butter

Simple Banana Bread FAQs

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And that's our easy recipe for Simple Banana Bread. If you enjoyed today's recipe or have any questions or suggestions, be sure to let us know in the comments below. We always love hearing from you!

Happy Baking!

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