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easy banana bread

Easy banana bread, a super simple bake and a great way of using up those bananas that are looking a little past their best. A great bake for kids.

Our easy banana bread is one of those recipes that we have meant to put on the blog for a long time. Michelle has made this recipe for years, it’s a simple bake. A great cake for beginners, which uses ingredients that most of us have in our store cupboards.

A buttered slice of banana bread in the foreground on a pink plate and the rest of the loaf to the back sitting on a wire cooling rack with some fresh bananas to the back.

However, when making this bread we recommend not using fresh green or yellow bananas. In fact banana bread is one of the best ways of making use of overripe bananas. The more ripe and blacker the banana the sweeter the bread. I have been know to allow bananas to completely blacken, with the sole purpose of making banana bread. Also worth mentioning, bananas can be frozen. Once past their best, just pop them whole, with the skin on, into the freezer. Take out of the freezer and defrost in a bowl when you are ready to bake.

How to bake easy banana bread:

Varying the recipe:

This is a basic recipe, however, one that you can easily adapt. If you like nuts then some chopped walnuts add a lovely crunch to this bread, simply stir through the cake batter before popping it in the loaf tin. Likewise, you can add some milk or dark chocolate chips for a banana and chocolate bread.

A freshly baked banana bread sliced, sitting on the parchment paper on a black cooling rack and some fresh bananas in the back.

Storing banana bread:

To keep this bread moist, wrap it in foil and place it in an airtight container. Otherwise the bread will dry out really quickly.

How do I know the banana loaf is cooked?

The simplest method of checking that any loaf or cake is cooked is to use the toothpick method. When the cook time is up, simply insert a toothpick or skewer into the centre of the cake, if it comes out clean it is cooked through and can be removed from the oven. If there is still some cake batter on the toothpick, return the banana loaf to the oven for a little longer.

8 perfectly sliced pieces banana bread from above laid out on a black wire cooling rack with some fresh bananas to the side, ready to be eaten.

Can you freeze banana bread?

This simple fruit bread can be easily frozen. Once baked, simply allow to cool thoroughly, before wrapping in grease-proof paper, placing it in a suitable container and popping it in the freezer.

Pin the recipe for later:

Easy and using only 6 ingredients this banana loaf works every time! Simple to make and doesn't need any fancy whisking, just a bowl and a fork. Add nuts if you want a change!

Additional recipe suggestions:

If you like this simple bake then try our Orange Sponge Cake, or our Victoria Sponge.

For more baking inspiration, particularly when baking with Children, then have a read of our Ultimate Guide to Baking with Kids, or our Best Cake Recipes post, where you will find a wealth of recipes and ideas.

Front view of a sliced banana loaf (bread) on a wire cooling rack and some fresh bananas to the back.

Easy Banana Bread

Easy banana bread, a super simple bake and a great way of using up those bananas that are looking a little past their best. A great bake for kids.
4.74 from 15 votes
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 334kcal

Ingredients

  • 225 g self raising flour
  • 100 g soft butter
  • 50 g soft brown sugar
  • 4 eggs (medium)
  • 4 tbsp golden syrup
  • 4 bananas (overripe (see notes))

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 160 C Fan (180 C non fan) and
  • Line a 2lb loaf tin with baking parchment or loaf tin lining.
  • In a small bowl, mash the bananas until smooth.
  • In a large bowl, add all ingredients, except bananas and mix just until incorporated. Do not over mix as you want to keep some texture in the loaf.
  • Add the mashed banana to the batter and mix gently with a fork until incorporated.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin and bake for 55-60 minutes until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

Notes

Over ripe bananas are best in this loaf as they are softer and stronger in flavour. They also freeze very well. Keep them in the freezer and take out just when you are ready to use as they defrost quickly.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Banana Bread
Amount Per Serving
Calories 334 Calories from Fat 117
% Daily Value*
Fat 13g20%
Saturated Fat 7g44%
Cholesterol 109mg36%
Sodium 123mg5%
Potassium 278mg8%
Carbohydrates 49g16%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 22g24%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 469IU9%
Vitamin C 5mg6%
Calcium 28mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

• Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only •

Course : Baking
Cuisine : British
Keyword : baking, bread, cake, coffee break, Easy, family, fruit, home baking
Tried this recipe? We’d love to see your photos!Mention @lostinf00d or tag #lostinfood!
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Recipe Rating




louise Gunstone

Friday 17th of April 2020

I love banana cake (especially with a nice cup of tea) and this sounds nice and simple. It takes me back to being a kid and Mum making it for me and my brother.

Lesley

Friday 17th of April 2020

Thank you Louise, it's a favourite in our house too. I love banana bread and agree it's perfect with a cup of tea. Lesley x

Jo Allison

Thursday 16th of April 2020

Banana bread is such a classic and there are as many recipes as there are households I recon lol. We make one at least every other week as you simply cannot beat it. Love the sound of your recipe too and how beautifully moist your loaf is! Yum!

Lesley

Thursday 16th of April 2020

Thank you Jo, yes it is a very popular bake in our house too and one my daughter loves to bake for us - I don't stop her! I've always a supply of black bananas in the freezer ready to bake when the fancy takes me! Lesley x

Chloe Edges

Monday 13th of April 2020

I don't think I've ever actually made a decent banana bread. I'll give this a go - it looks like a winner!

Lesley

Wednesday 15th of April 2020

Thank you Chloe, I do love a good banana bread. I buy bananas and allow them to blacken just so I can bake. Lesley

Jacqui – Recipes Made Easy:Only Crumbs Remain

Wednesday 8th of April 2020

I love banana bread it was one of the 1st recipes I put on my blog and I have been meaning to update mine for ages. Yours is similar but has less sugar and more eggs I may have to make both and taste test but only as an excuse to make two banana bread you understand. Any excuse

Lesley

Thursday 9th of April 2020

I’m laughing Jacqui, what better excuse indeed. I’m not sure why it’s taken so king to get a banana bread recipe on our blog as we both make versions of it all the time. Lesley x

Cat | Curly's Cooking

Tuesday 7th of April 2020

I love banana bread and yours looks perfect! I have some blackened bananas in my freezer as we speak for when the banana bread urge takes over.

Lesley

Wednesday 8th of April 2020

Thank you Cat, like you I always keep a supply of black bananas in the freezer. I might have to get my eldest to bake one today! Lesley