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This Banana Walnut Bread is moist, tender, and full of rich banana flavor.
Made with simple pantry ingredients and ripe bananas, it’s an easy, reliable loaf that turns out perfectly every time.
Sweet, soft, and lightly spiced with cinnamon, it’s ideal for breakfast, coffee breaks, or sharing with family.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Moist but not dense
- Strong banana flavor
- Simple ingredients
- No milk, yogurt, or sour cream needed
- Great for freezing
After testing many versions over the years, I found that the key to perfect banana bread is simple: very ripe bananas and proper mixing.
Dark brown bananas = better flavor and moisture.
The Secret to Moist Banana Bread
For best results:
- Use bananas that are deeply speckled or dark brown.
- Do not overmix the batter once flour is added.
- Make sure the batter is thick but scoopable – not runny.
This recipe uses baking powder (no baking soda needed) and produces a soft, well-risen loaf.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
- ½ cup butter, melted
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 medium ripe bananas (1¾-2 cups mashed)
- ½ cup walnuts or pecans
Optional:
- Up to ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
How to Make Banana Walnut Bread
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- In another bowl, beat melted butter and sugars until combined.
- Add eggs and vanilla. Mix well.
- Stir in mashed bananas.
- Add dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in walnuts (and chocolate chips, if using).
- Bake 60-70 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Tent loosely with foil halfway through baking if the top browns too quickly.
- Cool before slicing.
Can I Add Chocolate Chips?
Yes. Add up to ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips for a chocolate chip banana walnut bread variation.
Is Banana Bread Healthy?
This is a classic banana bread made with white flour and sugar.
It’s not low-carb or sugar-free, but it’s made with real ingredients and ripe bananas.
Like all baked goods, enjoy in moderation.
How to Freeze Banana Bread
Let the bread cool completely.
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, or store in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Thaw at room temperature or warm gently before serving.
More banana recipes:
- This Almond Flour Banana Bread from Four Score Living is naturally grain free and full of healthy fats and protein.
- Blueberry Banana Muffins + GF Option
- Cream Cheese Filled Banana Bread – a delicious combination of banana bread and cheesecake.
Banana Walnut Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cinnamon, optional
- ½ cup butter, melted
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 medium ripe bananas, mashed (1¾–2 cups)
- ½ cup walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Whisk dry ingredients together.
- Mix butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla.
- Stir in bananas.
- Add dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
- Fold in nuts.
- Bake 60-70 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Unbelievable, we freeze this easy banana walnut bread for up to 2 months. As normal, I bake the bread and just only store it a maximum of 3-4days in the refrigerator.
I rarely freeze it, but know of people who bake a few breads and freeze some of them for later.