Description
This incredibly moist and flavorful banana bread comes together in just one bowl with a fork—no mixer required. Made with ripe bananas and simple pantry ingredients, it’s the easiest, most forgiving banana bread you’ll ever make.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large ripe bananas (about 1 ½ cups mashed)
- ⅓ cup melted unsalted butter (75g)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (150g)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (190g)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Optional: ½ cup chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, or pecans
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray, or line it with parchment paper.
- Mash the bananas in a large mixing bowl with a fork until mostly smooth with a few small lumps remaining (about 1 ½ cups).
- Add the melted butter and granulated sugar to the mashed bananas. Stir with a fork until combined.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth and glossy, about 20 seconds.
- Sprinkle the flour, baking soda, and salt over the wet mixture. Fold gently with a fork or rubber spatula until just combined—about 10 to 15 strokes. Do not overmix.
- If using, gently fold in chocolate chips, nuts, or other mix-ins. Reserve about a tablespoon to sprinkle on top.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Tap the pan gently on the counter to release air bubbles.
- Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until the top is deep golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If browning too quickly, tent with foil at the 40-minute mark.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack using the parchment paper overhang. Cool completely before slicing, about 1 hour.
Notes
Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for best sweetness and moisture. Do not overmix the batter once flour is added to avoid tough bread. For best texture, let the bread cool completely before slicing. Day-old banana bread is excellent toasted with butter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 235
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 220
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: banana bread, easy banana bread, one bowl banana bread, no mixer banana bread, moist banana bread, quick bread