The Best Banana Nut Bread Recipe You’ll Ever Make – Moist, Easy & Totally Addictive!

The Only Banana Nut Bread Recipe You’ll Ever Need

This Banana Nut Bread is moist, sweet, and full of flavor. Made with ripe bananas, toasted walnuts, and a touch of maple, it’s the only Banana Bread Recipe you’ll need.

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Quick Banana Bread Recipe with Ripe Bananas and Toasted Walnuts

There’s something special about baking Banana Nut Bread. Maybe it’s the way the aroma wraps around you like your favorite blanket. Or maybe it’s that magical first slice that’s still warm and full of love.

Either way, as a chef who’s been cooking for over 30 years, trust me when I say: this Banana Nut Bread Recipe is the one.

It’s quick, easy, and fun to make—especially if your kids like to mash bananas like little culinary tornadoes (mine sure do).

And best of all, it uses real, whole ingredients that you probably already have sitting on your counter.

You don’t need any fancy gadgets or a culinary degree.Just a bowl, a spoon, and a few ripe bananas.

I still remember the first time I made this Banana Bread Recipe. It was a rainy Saturday morning.

My girls were bouncing off the walls, we had some sad-looking bananas on the counter, and I thought, “Why not bake something together?“

We mashed, stirred, laughed, and waited for the smell to take over the kitchen. It became a family favorite that day, and now it’s the most requested bread in our house.

Why This Banana Nut Bread is Better Than the Rest

• Made with fresh, real ingredients
• Naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and maple syrup
• Toasted walnuts add flavor and crunch
• Perfectly moist and never dry
• Comes together in under an hour
• Freezer-friendly and kid-approved

Why This Banana Nut Bread is Better Than the Rest

• Made with fresh, real ingredients
• Naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and maple syrup
• Toasted walnuts add flavor and crunch
• Perfectly moist and never dry
• Comes together in under an hour
• Freezer-friendly and kid-approved

Key Ingredients

• Ripe Bananas – The browner, the better. They bring the natural sweetness and keep things super moist.
• Toasted Walnuts – Don’t skip the toasting! It enhances the nutty, buttery flavor.
• Brown Sugar + Maple Syrup – A deep caramel sweetness that’s balanced and cozy.
• Unsalted Butter – Adds richness without overpowering.
• Cinnamon + Vanilla – A little warmth goes a long way.

How to Serve Banana Nut Bread

1. Warm, Fresh Out of the Oven

Slice it thick and serve it warm with a pat of butter slowly melting over the top. Bonus points if you add a drizzle of maple syrup or honey.

2. Toasted with a Spread

Pop a slice in the toaster for that golden crisp edge and spread on:

• Cream cheese
• Peanut butter or almond butter
• Greek yogurt + a drizzle of honey

3. With a Scoop of Ice Cream

Yes, dessert lovers—banana bread + vanilla bean ice cream = dangerously good.

4. As French Toast

Yep, slice it thick, dip in an egg/milk/cinnamon mix, and pan-fry it. Banana Bread French Toast will change your brunch game.

5. Cut into Cubes for a Parfait

Layer cubes of banana bread with Greek yogurt and fresh berries for a breakfast parfait.

What to Serve It With

☕ Drinks:

• Hot coffee or cold brew
• A warm chai latte or cappuccino
• Spiced herbal teas like cinnamon or ginger
• A glass of cold milk or oat milk for the kids

🍳 Brunch Pairings:

• Scrambled eggs or a veggie omelet on the side
• Crispy turkey bacon or breakfast sausage
• A light spinach salad with citrus vinaigrette for balance

🍓 Fruits That Love Banana Bread:

• Fresh strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries
• Sliced apples or pears with a little lemon juice
• Caramelized banana slices on top (because more banana is never a bad thing)

What Makes This Banana Nut Bread Recipe Better Than the Others?

1. Real, Fresh Ingredients—No Shortcuts

Many recipes rely on loads of processed sugar, vegetable oil, or even pre-made mixes. Not here. This one uses:

• Ripe bananas for natural sweetness and moisture
• Real maple syrup for depth of flavor
• Brown sugar for that caramel warmth
• Freshly toasted walnuts for a rich, buttery crunch
• Melted butter instead of oil for a tender, flavorful crumb

You taste the difference when everything is fresh.

2. It’s Moist (Like…Actually Moist)

Nobody wants dry banana bread. This recipe walks that perfect line—moist and tender without being heavy or gummy.

The combo of mashed banana, melted butter, and just the right ratio of flour keeps it soft for days.

3. Toasted Nuts for Next-Level Flavor

Most recipes toss raw nuts in and call it a day.

Toasting the walnuts beforehand (just 5–7 minutes in the oven) transforms their flavor—more aroma, more crunch, more “where has this been all my life?”

4. Naturally Sweetened with a Touch of Maple

Instead of using all refined sugar, we bring in pure maple syrup—a mineral-rich, unprocessed sweetener that adds richness and depth without overpowering.

5. It’s Easy Enough for Kids to Help

You don’t need a mixer, fancy gadgets, or special pans. Just two bowls and a whisk.

This makes it a go-to family recipe—you can even have the kids mash the bananas while you sip your coffee.

6. Versatile & Forgiving

Want to go gluten-free? Sub in a 1:1 gluten-free flour.

No walnuts? Try pecans, almonds, or skip them altogether.
Want to toss in dark chocolate chips? Go for it.

7. It Freezes Like a Dream

Make one loaf for now, one for later. It stays delicious even after thawing—just wrap it well and freeze slices individually.

Equipment & Tools Checklist

• 9×5-inch loaf pan
• Large mixing bowl (for wet ingredients)
• Medium mixing bowl (for dry ingredients)
• Whisk or fork
• Spatula or wooden spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Parchment paper (optional, for easy loaf removal)
• Cooling rack
• Toothpick or cake tester (to check doneness)
• Knife and cutting board (for chopping nuts and slicing the finished loaf)
• Oven mitts (because hot loaf pans and bare hands don’t mix)
• Banana masher (or just a fork works great!)
• Small skillet or sheet pan (to toast the nuts, optional but worth it)

The Recipe: Best Ever Banana Nut Bread

Get ready to fill your kitchen with the smell of pure comfort!

This Banana Nut Bread is golden on the outside, super moist on the inside, and loaded with sweet ripe bananas, buttery toasted walnuts, and a whisper of cinnamon.

One bite and you’ll be hooked. Whether it’s breakfast, snack time, or dessert—this is the loaf that never lasts long.

Banana Nut Bread

Recipe by dealiciousness.net

5.0 from 3 votes

Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

10

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

50

minutes

Calories

265

kcal

Moist, buttery banana nut bread made with ripe bananas, toasted walnuts, warm cinnamon, and a hint of maple. This classic loaf is soft, rich in flavor, and perfect for breakfast, snacking, or dessert.

Ingredients

• 3 very ripe bananas, mashed (the more freckled, the better)

• 2 large eggs, room temp

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (or honey)

• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional but highly encouraged)

• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted for max flavor

• Optional: extra sliced banana or chopped nuts for the top

Directions

• Prep and preheat
  Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5” loaf pan and line with parchment paper for easy lifting.
• Mash and mix
  In a large bowl, mash the bananas until smooth. Add eggs, melted butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla. Whisk until glossy and well combined.
• Dry ingredients meet wet
  In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Add to the banana mixture and stir gently until just combined. Don’t overmix—this is bread, not a CrossFit workout.
• Nut it up
  Fold in your toasted nuts. Want extra nutty love? Sprinkle a few more on top before baking.
• Bake it ’til golden
  Pour into the loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean (a few moist crumbs are okay). If the top is browning too fast, loosely tent it with foil halfway through.
• Cool like a pro
  Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Wait at least 30 minutes before slicing (we know—it’s hard).
• If you tried this recipe and loved it, do me a quick favor—give it a 5-star rating and leave a comment below! It really helps more people find the recipe, and I’d love to hear how it turned out for you!

Notes

• Toast your nuts: 5–7 minutes in a 350°F oven brings out their rich, buttery flavor.
  Make it fancy: Add a sliced banana lengthwise on top before baking for that bakery-style look.
  Gluten-free? Swap the flour with your favorite 1:1 GF flour blend.
  Leftovers? This bread freezes like a dream. Slice and wrap individually.

Serving Ideas & Storage Tips

• Warm it up and slather with butter or cream cheese
• Toast it and drizzle with almond butter or honey
• Store at room temp for 3 days
• Keep in the fridge for up to a week
• Freeze slices individually for easy morning grab-and-go

What Can Be Substituted in This Recipe?

🧈 Butter Substitutes:

• Coconut oil (melted): 1:1 swap. Adds a subtle tropical note.
• Avocado oil: Neutral flavor, still moist.
• Unsweetened applesauce: Use 1/2 cup to replace butter for a lower-fat version. (Loaf will be softer, less rich.)

🍌 Banana Substitutes (if you’re short one):

• Unsweetened applesauce: 1/2 cup per banana
• Mashed sweet potato or pumpkin: About 1/2 cup per banana. Adds earthier flavor and richness.

🍯 Maple Syrup Substitutes:

• Honey: Slightly thicker, sweeter, and floral—works perfectly.
• Agave nectar: A mild-tasting, vegan-friendly option.
• More brown sugar: If you’re out of liquid sweeteners, add 2 extra tablespoons of brown sugar and a splash of milk.

🥚 Egg Substitutes (for egg-free/vegan):

• Flax eggs: 1 tbsp ground flax + 2.5 tbsp water = 1 egg
• Chia eggs: Same ratio as flax eggs
• Mashed banana or applesauce: 1/4 cup = 1 egg (but keep in mind, you’re adding more sweetness/moisture)

🌾 Flour Substitutes:

• Whole wheat flour: Use 1:1 but know it’ll be a bit denser. Great for fiber!
• Gluten-free 1:1 baking flour: Works like a charm if you’re gluten-free.
• Almond flour: Not a direct 1:1 sub—if you want to go low carb, we can do a custom almond flour version!

🌰 Nut Substitutes:

• Pecans, hazelnuts, almonds: All toast beautifully and add great flavor.
• No nuts? Add dark chocolate chips, sunflower seeds, or just keep it classic banana bread.

🧂 Cinnamon (Optional, but fun to swap):

• Try nutmeg, cardamom, or a bit of pumpkin pie spice for a cozy twist.

Final Thoughts: The Banana Bread That Might Just Change Your Life

So there you have it—my go-to, can’t-fail, most-requested Banana Nut Bread Recipe. It’s moist, flavorful, and packed with toasted walnut crunch in every bite.

Whether you’re baking it to use up those overripe bananas (we all have them), impress your brunch guests, or just make your kitchen smell like happiness… this is the one.

Seriously, once you make it, you might catch yourself side-eyeing other banana bread recipes like, “Who even are you?”

I’ve been baking this loaf for years—and now it’s your turn. Make it once, and it’ll earn a permanent spot in your recipe rotation.

Bonus: the kids love mashing the bananas, and no one complains when a warm slice magically appears in front of them. (Even my picky eaters turn into crumb-licking fans.)

If you give this recipe a try, tag me—I want to see it, cheer you on, and possibly drool a little over your photos. You can find me all over the place:

• 🥄 Instagram @Dealiciousness for behind-the-scenes reels, drool-worthy recipe videos, and a daily dose of foodie fun
• 🍽️ Facebook @Dealiciousness where we chat, share tips, and get inspired together
• 📌 Pinterest @Dealiciousness for all the pretty pins, seasonal recipes, and the ultimate banana bread board you didn’t know you needed
• 📺 YouTube @Dealiciousness for full recipes, quick health tips, and why my oven mitt collection is slightly out of control
• 🛍️ Dealiciousness Merch Store for cute kitchen gear and fun food-lover apparel (because who doesn’t want a “You Wanna Piece of Me?” apron?)

Whether you’re a banana bread beginner or a loaf legend, I hope this recipe brings your kitchen (and your belly) a whole lot of joy.

Now go grab those bananas, turn on your favorite playlist, and bake up something dealicious. You deserve it. 💛

Frequently Asked Questions (Banana Nut Bread Edition)

1. Can I freeze Banana Nut Bread?

Yes, and it freezes beautifully! Let the loaf cool completely, slice it, and wrap each slice in parchment or plastic wrap.

Store them in a freezer-safe bag and they’ll last up to 3 months. Just toast or microwave a slice whenever you need a quick breakfast or snack.

2. Why is my banana bread dense or gummy?

Most likely: overmixing. Once you add the flour, stir just until combined. Overworking the batter develops the gluten, which can make your bread tough.

Also, make sure your bananas are fully ripe (freckles are your friend!) and that your baking soda is fresh.

3. Can I make this Banana Bread Recipe without nuts?

Absolutely! Just leave the nuts out and you’ve got yourself a classic, nut-free banana bread.

You can even toss in chocolate chips, blueberries, or a sprinkle of rolled oats on top for a fun twist.

Still moist, still delicious, still totally worthy of bragging rights.