This by far is the best banana bread recipe in the world. No lie, it truly is.
You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the blog post itself for extra tips and tricks!
For years, I had been on the search for the best banana bread recipe in the world. I'd search the internet, find a recipe, try it out, and leave feeling "meh." Some were too crumbly. Others were too moist (Is that a thing?). A few had an off taste. At the same time, others had too many ingredients besides the banana.
So for a while, I gave up my search for the perfect banana bread recipe and just settled on buying banana bread from Starbucks, which has some pretty good banana bread.
Until this recipe. This banana bread is my all-time favorite recipe, and I've been making it for years. I think it may become your favorite, too.
♡, Tanya
I came across this recipe in Simply Recipes and decided to give it a go. It had almost 1,000 positive reviews. So, although I love the recipe, I threw in a few changes.
Why this is the Best Banana Bread Recipe in the World
Not just because I say it is, but it is, in fact, delicious, and it gets requested a ton by my family and extended family. There is enough banana taste, yet the perfect amount of sweetness to this recipe.
It also has the perfect amount of moistness. Banana bread shouldn't be too moist to the point of gummyness, but it also shouldn't be dry. There is a perfect balance, and this recipe provides just that.
It does create one single 4x8 inch loaf pan that is perfect for eating immediately or giving away to a loved one. Baking banana bread in a 4x8 loaf pan is a must in my opinion. It leads to the perfect portion size. Also, banana bread already takes nearly an hour to bake...Baking in a larger loaf pan would take longer and wouldn't result in the perfect result.
In addition to its amazing taste, it's super easy to make. I make everything in one bowl! No separation of ingredients is necessary in this banana bread recipe.
A Quick Look at the Ingredients
Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Ripe Bananas – The star of the show. Use bananas with plenty of brown spots for maximum sweetness and flavor. They mash easily and create that signature banana bread moisture.
- Unsalted Butter – Melted and mixed with the mashed bananas to create a rich base. Using unsalted gives you control over the salt level.
- Light Brown Sugar – Packed brown sugar adds moisture and a deeper, caramel-like sweetness that complements the bananas beautifully.
- Sour Cream – Does double duty here. It activates the baking soda (the acid reacts with it to create rise), plus adds incredible tenderness and moisture to the crumb.
- Egg – Binds everything together and adds structure.
- Vanilla Extract – Enhances all the flavors and adds warmth.
- All-Purpose Flour – The foundation. Stir it in gently at the end to avoid overmixing, which can make the bread tough.
- Baking Soda – Your leavening agent. Works with the sour cream's acidity to give the bread its lift.
- Ground Cinnamon – Adds cozy warmth and pairs perfectly with banana.
- Salt – Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and bring out all the flavors.
How to Make the Best Banana Bread Recipe in the WORLD
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 4x8 inch loaf pan and set it aside.
Step 2: Place the butter in a large microwavable bowl and microwave in 30-second increments until fully melted.
Step 3: Add the ripe bananas to the melted butter and mash them with a fork, making sure the butter coats the bananas as you mash.
Step 4: Add the baking soda, salt, brown sugar, sour cream, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and egg to the bowl. Stir everything together until well combined.
Step 5: Stir in the flour until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 6: Pour the batter into your greased loaf pan. Bake on the center rack for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 7: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then transfer it to a cooling rack to cool completely before slicing.
Here's to this delicious, easy banana bread recipe. Hope you enjoy 🙂
Looking for another way to use those leftover bananas? Try these Banana Fritters or these Banana Pancakes.
The Best Banana Bread recipe in the World
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 4x8 inch loaf pan. Set aside.
- Place butter in a large microwavable dish and place in microwave to melt. Use 30 second increments until butter is fully melted.
- Add in ripe bananas and mash with a fork, ensure that butter coats the bananas.
- Add baking soda, salt, brown sugar, sour cream, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and large egg to bowl. Stir to combine. Stir in the flour.
- Pour batter into greased loaf pan. Bake in preheated oven on center rack for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until a toothpick entered in the center comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and allow bread to cool in pan for about 5 minutes. Then place on cooling rack to allow to cool completely. Enjoy 🙂
Nutrition
Video
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Adapted from Simply Recipes.
Step by Step Photos of The Best Banana Bread Recipe in the World
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Phyllis says
Hi. Can I substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt?
Tanya Harris says
Hi Phyllis, that substitute should work fine. Based off the acidity and tanginess of greek yogurt, it should be a fine sub for the sour cream in this banana bread. I'd love to hear how it turns out for you.
Chris Parkinson says
Recipe is so easy and I've now made 2x loaves and they have been gorgeous and my wife totally agrees. Today I used Baking Powder instead of Bicarbonate of Soda for my loaf sadly so it didn't rise as well and it was soggier too BUT STILL VERY TASTY.
Tanya Harris says
Hey Chris! Thanks so much for the feedback. So happy you liked the recipe and good to know about the baking powder. Thank you!