This Banana Nut Bread recipe is the ultimate comfort food—moist, flavorful, and easy to make. Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, it’s a great way to use up ripe bananas and add a homemade touch to your day. With its tender texture and the crunch of nuts, this bread is sure to become a family favorite.
Jump to RecipeWhether you’re a seasoned baker or new to the kitchen, this recipe is simple to follow and incredibly rewarding.
Banana Nut Bread is a classic for a reason. The natural sweetness of ripe bananas blends beautifully with the rich flavor of butter and the crunch of nuts. It’s a versatile recipe that’s perfect for any occasion, and it’s a great way to reduce waste by using bananas that are past their prime. Baking this bread fills your home with a warm, inviting aroma that’s hard to resist.
Have a look at my other banana-related recipe on the blog. Dehydrated Banana
For the best Banana Nut Bread, use bananas that are fully ripe with lots of brown spots for maximum flavor and sweetness. Toast your nuts lightly before adding them to the batter for an enhanced, nutty taste. Mix the batter gently to keep the bread tender, and let the loaf cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts and the best texture.
Ingredients for Banana Nut Bread Recipe
- Nuts (pecans, cashews, almonds): Provide crunch and a nutty richness.
- Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the bread.
- Ripe bananas: The star ingredient, providing natural sweetness and flavor.
- All-purpose flour: The base of the bread, giving it structure.
- Sugar: Balances the flavors with the right amount of sweetness.
- Baking powder: Ensures the bread rises perfectly.
- Pinch of salt: Enhances the other flavors.
- Cinnamon (optional): Adds warmth and depth.
- Eggs: Help bind the ingredients and give the bread structure.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor.
HOW TO BAKE Banana Nut Bread
Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Crush the nuts to your preferred size by placing them in a ziplock bag and gently pounding them with a meat tenderizer or rolling pin.
Melt the butter in a large mixing bowl in the microwave.
Add the bananas to the melted butter and mash them with a fork until smooth and well-combined. Stir in the eggs and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture, mixing with a hand mixer until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread light and tender.
Gently fold in the crushed nuts with a spatula. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan.
Bake for 60 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before slicing.
Cooking Methods
To bake in an air fryer, pour the batter into an air fryer-safe loaf pan. Cook at 325°F for 40–50 minutes, checking for doneness with a knife or toothpick. Adjust the time based on your air fryer’s model and settings.
How to Store Leftovers Banana Nut Bread
Wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to three days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, slice the bread and freeze individual pieces in freezer-safe bags. Thaw as needed for a quick snack or breakfast.
Serving Ideas
Enjoy Banana Nut Bread warm with a pat of butter for a classic treat, or drizzle it with honey for extra sweetness. Pair it with a cup of coffee or tea for the perfect cozy combination. For a dessert option, top a slice with cream cheese or whipped cream. It’s also great as a holiday gift or an addition to a brunch spread.
Banana Nut Bread FAQ’s
Can you use frozen bananas? Absolutely! Just thaw them first and drain any excess liquid before mashing. What if you don’t like nuts? Substitute them with chocolate chips or dried fruit for a fun twist. Can this recipe be made gluten-free? Yes, simply replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour for similar results.
Banana Nut Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup nuts pecans, cashews, almonds
- ½ cup butter
- 2 ripe bananas
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 heaped up teaspoon baking powder
- pinch of salt
- pinch of cinnamon can add more if desired
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Using a non-stick cooking spray, grease a loaf pan to use later.
- Place nuts in a ziplock bag and use a meat tenderizer to crush to desired size.
- In a large sized mixing bowl, microwave the butter until fully melted.
- Cut bananas into the bowl with the melted butter, use a fork to mash them until well mixed with the butter.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract to banana mixture, use the fork to mix well.
- In a separate bowl mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
- Using a hand mixer, mix the dry ingredients into the banana mix, mix until well combined.
- By hand gently mix in the crushed nuts.
- Pour the batter into the pre-greased loaf pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 60 minutes, until a knife inserted into the middle of the bread comes out clean.
- Allow bread to cool fully before cutting. Best if allowed to cool on a wire cooling rack
This Banana Nut Bread is a timeless recipe you’ll want to bake again and again. Whether in a traditional oven or an air fryer, the results are always moist, flavorful, and irresistibly delicious.
About the Author
I am Seun, and I love to share my first-hand experience using multiple air fryers. Stick around for yummy delicacies made from the air fryer and many amazing tips on using your newfound Kitchen appliance – the air fryer!
