- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- ½ cup raisins
- ¾ cup chocolate chips (optional)
- 1 sliced banana
- Light sprinkle of cinnamon sugar
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.Toast walnuts (optional) in a dry skillet for 3–5 minutes, stirring often. Cool and chop.Mash bananas in a bowl until soft and slightly chunky.In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.Add the eggs and mashed bananas, mixing until combined.In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Avoid overmixing.Stir in vanilla extract, walnuts, raisins, or chocolate chips if using.Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.Bake for 55–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the loaf will be.
- Don't overmix the batter to keep the bread soft and tender.
- Tent loosely with foil if the top browns too quickly.
- Banana bread tastes even better the next day, after the flavours have settled.
- Skill Level: Easy
Nutrition (Per Serving – Approximate)
- Calories: 350
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 240mg
