You may have heard that baking is a science, meaning that if anything goes wrong, your whole recipe goes belly up. If that’s scared you off of baking before, no need to worry.
Banana bread is not only easy in preparation, but easier in execution! You often have all the ingredients necessary in your kitchen already, and the recipe is very flexible.
Measured something wrong? Some eyeballing is fine. Missing an ingredient? Substitutes are not only acceptable, but encouraged for unique flavours!
In every case, the end result is a delicious side to a meal or – with some butter – an entire meal of its own. Not to mention, it’s an excellent way to recycle those brown bananas.
Here we break down three banana bread recipes that’ll have you enjoying that glorious crunch in no time, whether you use a bread machine or good ol’ elbow grease.
Contents
How to Make Banana Bread
A classic just like mom always made it, this recipe is your go-to when you’re feeling snack-ish for a treat you can make without shopping.
Materials You Will Need:
- A mixing bowl
- A fork
- A pan to bake the bread in (this is traditionally a bread pan, but you can use a cake or bundt pan).
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 peeled bananas (the riper the banana, the better)
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon baking soda or 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup sugar (you can add more sugar if you want a sweeter banana bread)
- 1 large beaten egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 and 1/2 cups of flour
Method
- First, preheat your oven to 350 F (175 C). Butter your baking pan and put it aside.
- Put the bananas in a mixing bowl and use a fork to mash them up.
- Once the bananas are all gooey and delicious, add in the melted butter and mix well. Then add in the baking soda, salt, sugar, egg, and vanilla. Once all mixed in, add in the flour.
- Pour the contents of the bowl into your pan and bake. If you’re using a traditional loaf pan, your bread will need to bake for about 50-60 minutes. If using a bundt pan, you will need about 35-45 minutes. A regular cake pan will need about 30-40 minutes.
- Check your bake by sticking a toothpick in the middle of the bread. If it comes out clean, your banana bread is done!
- Let it cool completely before slicing.
How to Make Banana Nut Bread
A little more sweet, a little more crunchy, a little more to die for, this recipe lets you get as creative as you like. There are no wrong extras!
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 peeled bananas (the riper the banana, the better)
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon baking soda or 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup sugar (you can add more sugar if you want a sweeter banana bread)
- 1 large beaten egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 and 1/2 cups of flour
- 1/2 cup dried fruit (the type of fruit is up to you; raisins, dried cranberries, dried cherries, and dried blueberries are all very good options)
- 1/2 cup of your favorite nut (walnuts or pecans are great choices for this recipe)
Method
The method of baking is almost identical to regular banana bread – just with nutty, sweet twists!
- First, preheat your oven to 350 F (175 C). Butter your baking pan and put it aside.
- Put the bananas in a mixing bowl and smash them into a nice cream.
- Once that’s been completed, add in your melted butter and mix until it’s thoroughly creamy. Then add in the baking soda, salt, sugar, egg, cinnamon, and vanilla – and get to stirring, before finally adding the flour.
- Chop up the dried fruit and nuts, then stir them into the mixture. If you’d like some bursts of flavor, try adding non-dried berries so they become pockets of juice in the final treat.
- Pour the contents of the bowl into your baking pan and let it cook. Traditional loaf pan = 50-60 minutes. Bundt pan = 35-45 minutes. Regular cake pan = 30-40 minutes.
- Check with a toothpick, and then enjoy!
Watch the video below to see a chocolatey version of banana bread.
How to Make Banana Bread with a Breadmaker
When you’re short on time or making a large batch, nothing makes a better cooking partner than a hardworking bread machine.
Ingredients
- 2-3 peeled and sliced bananas
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 large beaten eggs
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- A pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda or 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Method
- Place all the ingredients into the pan of your breadmaker.
- Select the dough setting, and allow it to mix the ingredients until everything is smooth.
- Then select the bake setting and watch it set to cooking.
- Bake for about 50 minutes, then test for doneness with a toothpick. If it’s clean, you’re done. If not, bake for about 10 to 15 more minutes.
- Let the bread cool in the bread pan for 10 minutes, then cool on a wire rack (or on your counter). Then slice and enjoy!
And there you have it! Simple, delicious, and with the help of a bread maker – fast!
Let us know! What are your favourite additions to banana bread?