This by far is the best banana bread recipe in the world. No lie, it truly is.
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The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.
Let me explain. 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 with the feeling of "meh." Some were too crumbly. Others were too moist (Is that a thing?). A few had an off taste. While others had too many other ingredients other than 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.
Fact is, banana bread is just one of those recipes that should get made often, especially if you buy a bunch of bananas. In our house, we never eat all the bananas on the bunch when I buy them. On grocery day, I'll eat one, my daughter will eat one, and the rest in the bunch will sit lonely on the kitchen counter, turning brown, and sometimes even black. Oh the shame.
So one day, I decided enough is enough and I will tackle the search again for the best banana bread recipe in the world...and I found it.
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 immediatley 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 near an hour to bake...Baking in a larger loaf pan would just take longer and won't result in the perfect result.
In addition to having an amazing taste, it's also super easy to make. I make everything in one bowl! No seperation on ingredients necessary in this banana bread recipe.
How to Make the Best Banana Bread Recipe in the WORLD
It's simple. First you melt the butter in a large microwavable bowl. Add your other ingredients, and bake in a preheated 350F degree oven for about 1 hour.
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
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter
- 3 ripe bananas peeled
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- ¾ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cup All Purpose Flour
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
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 🙂
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Adapted from Simply Recipes.
Step by Step Photos of The Best Banana Bread Recipe in the World
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Joseph Smith says
Made this twice now, first time came out dense but very good, second time I added 3/4 tsp of baking powder....same flavor but much lighter texture...perfect bread....
Swetha says
Im in search of starbucks bananna bread recipe and tried lot of recipes in many years with no success,will it taste exactly like starbucks bananna nut loaf?im a great fan of starbucks bananna nut loaf.
Tanya says
Hi Swetha, this doesn't taste exactly like Starbucks banana nut loaf. It's just really good banana bread.
Swetha says
On a scale of 1 to 5,say starbucks is rated 5,how many points do you give for the recipe of bananna bread which you made?
Tanya says
5...I really like this recipe.
Swetha says
LOL........ok then I’ll go ahead and try this recipe and let you know how it tastes compared to my favourite Starbucks bananna bread/bananna nut loaf?
Josep says
@Swetha, I gotta know!! How was it???
Ro says
I made a double recipe. I am going to share some mini loaves and made a large one for the house. Yummmmm!
Tanya says
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed the recipe. I agree, this is perfect for sharing.
Nancy says
@Ro, how long do you bake the mini loaves?
Lisa says
@Nancy,
I tried this recipe for the first time today using a 4 mini-loaf pan. I did add an egg and ¾ tsp baking powder as @Joseph Smith suggested for a less dense bread. A previous commenter said they baked 12 muffins for 30 mins, so I split the difference and went w/45 mins. I love using the 4 mini-loaf pan because as far as I’m concerned, banana MUST have walnuts. My husband hates nuts in anything. I also love adding mini-chocolate chips, so I make 2 loaves plain, one loaf w/walnuts and the other w/walnuts and chocolate chips. It’s a win-win for all!
Alisha Ross says
My daughter helps me cook just about everything but meat! Her favorite is anything that is baked ?
maggie says
could u cook this in airfryer plz or is this airfryer recipe and im missing some thing
Tanya says
Hi Maggie, you can bake it in the air fryer, I just preferred the oven because I liked the way the top browned in my oven. The air fryer method works great too. Follow the same mixing instructions but bake in an air fryer on 310 degrees Fahrenheit for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Barbara Turner says
i actually have been making this recipe for years. So yeah it's really good. Oh and actually I have a 4 loaf mini loaf pan and it's the perfect quantity for a batch of 4 mini loaves. Works great! Tastes great!
Tanya says
Thanks for the feedback Barbara:) I need that loaf pan in my life too, lol.
Lisa says
@Barbara Turner,
I tried this recipe for the first time today using a 4 mini-loaf pan. I love using the 4 mini-loaf pan because as far as I’m concerned, banana bread MUST have walnuts, but my husband hates nuts in anything. I also love adding mini-chocolate chips, so I make 2 loaves plain, one loaf w/walnuts and the other w/walnuts and chocolate chips. It’s a win-win for all!
Vera says
Tanya. Have you tried this with gluten free flour?
Tanya says
Hi Vera, I haven't. I understand that gluten free flour won't always work as a sub for all-purpose flour so I'm not sure if a direct sub would work. You'll likely need an additional binder, like xanthum gum. Here's a gluten free banana bread recipe that has good reviews and looks similiar to mine. https://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/best-gluten-free-banana-bread/
Bebe says
This is by far the best recipe in the world!!! I have made banana bread, zucchini bread, and green tomato bread using this exact recipe and all have turned out delicious. I will never use any other recipe for quick breads. Thank you for sharing it.
Tanya says
Bebe, that makes me so happy! I'm totally using green tomatoes the next time I can get my hands on some. Thank you 🙂
Jamie says
How would you use zucchinni or green tomatoes in it? Sounds good
She says
Sorry - new to this commenting - please tell me about green tomato bread??
Esther says
@Bebe, how do you add zucchini to this recipe? Any tips? Baking neophyte here. ?
Kim Lamphere says
I can’t find my loaf pan. Have baking suggestions for the disposable mini loaf pans?
Thanks!
Tanya says
Hi Kim, if they are smaller, I'd reduce the bake time.
Kim Lamphere says
Thanks. Yeah. They’re definitely smaller. Probably 1/4 to 1/3 the size of a normal loaf pan.
Rachel King says
Wat if I dont have bakinf soda
Venetia says
I make banana bread all winter long, and have used the same good old recipe for almost 20 years. I just found and made yours, you are spot on! Turned out exactly like your photo , ( useing thawed frozen bananas) both the reg loaf and mini loafs are perfection in color and consistency, I did add some walnuts. BEST EVER!!!!!!!!
Tanya says
Awesome Venetia! Thanks so much for letting me know. I like the addition of walnuts, sounds yummy!
Freddie James says
Looks Delish cuz! Been baking banana Bread for over 20 yrs; but never used Sour Cream.....will try it next time.
My Chris Loves it & will eat the whole loaf in one sitting if I let him ?
Tanya says
Thank you cuz! Jerome does the same thing, lol.
Carolyn says
This looks so moist! I can't wait to try this recipe!
Crystal Faulkner says
I love banana bread, and this recipe presents it so nicely!
ashley says
I could go for a slice of this right now!