Banana Nut Bread

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 12/28/22
Tested by
Tracy Wilk
Photo of Tracy Wilk
Tested by Tracy Wilk
Tracy Wilk is a professional pastry chef, recipe developer and chef instructor, and, most importantly, a firm believer in sprinkles.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Banana nut bread

The Spruce
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 75 mins
Total: 90 mins
Servings: 16 servings
Yield: 2 loaves
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
272 Calories
15g Fat
33g Carbs
4g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16
Amount per serving
Calories 272
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g 19%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 58mg 19%
Sodium 420mg 18%
Total Carbohydrate 33g 12%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Protein 4g
Calcium 52mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This is a moist, buttery banana bread loaded with banana flavor. The recipe makes two loaves of delicious, moist banana bread, and the ingredients can easily be scaled down for one loaf. 

If you don't care for nuts or don't have them on hand, feel free to leave them out. Or use chopped walnuts, pistachios, or hazelnuts in the batter. The banana bread would be excellent with semisweet or mini chocolate chips or raisins as well. 

"This Banana Nut Bread is incredibly straightforward, and I love that this recipe makes two—one for now, and one to freeze for later. It can also be customized with or without nuts, chocolate chips, or whatever you prefer." —Tracy Wilk

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 4 cups/18 ounces all-purpose flour
  • 6 large bananas (very ripe, mashed)
  • 1 cup pecans (finely chopped)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for Banana nut bread
    The Spruce

  2. Preheat the oven to 325 F. Grease and flour two 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pans. 

    Grease pans
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  3. In a mixing bowl with an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

    Cream butter and sugar
    The Spruce

  4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

    Add eggs
    The Spruce

  5. In another bowl, combine the salt, baking soda, and flour; stir with a whisk or spoon to blend thoroughly.

    Combine baking soda and salt
    The Spruce

  6. Add the dry ingredients to creamed mixture; stir or beat on low speed just until blended.

    Add creamed mixture
    The Spruce

  7. Stir in the mashed bananas. 

    Stir in bananas
    The Spruce 

  8. Then fold in the chopped pecans.

    Fold in pecans
    The Spruce

  9. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pans.

    Pour batter into pans
    The Spruce 

  10. Bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

    Bake banana bread
    The Spruce

Tip

  • To bring cold butter to room temperature quickly, shred it or slice it into small cubes. Let it stand at room temperature until softened.

Recipe Variations

  • Substitute 1 cup of chopped walnuts, raisins, brickle chips, or chocolate chips for the chopped pecans.
  • Replace 1 cup of the granulated sugar for packed brown sugar, light or dark.