This by far is the best banana bread recipe in the world. No lie, it truly is.
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The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.
Let me explain. For years, I had been on the search for the best banana bread recipe in the world. I'd search the internet, find a recipe, try it out, and leave with the feeling of "meh." Some were too crumbly. Others were too moist (Is that a thing?). A few had an off taste. While others had too many other ingredients other than banana. So for a while, I gave up my search for the perfect banana bread recipe and just settled on buying banana bread from Starbucks, which has some pretty good banana bread.
Fact is, banana bread is just one of those recipes that should get made often, especially if you buy a bunch of bananas. In our house, we never eat all the bananas on the bunch when I buy them. On grocery day, I'll eat one, my daughter will eat one, and the rest in the bunch will sit lonely on the kitchen counter, turning brown, and sometimes even black. Oh the shame.
So one day, I decided enough is enough and I will tackle the search again for the best banana bread recipe in the world...and I found it.
I came across this recipe in Simply Recipes and decided to give it a go. It had almost 1,000 positive reviews. So although I love the recipe, I threw in a few changes.
Why this is the Best Banana Bread Recipe in the World
Not just because I say it is, but it is in fact delicious and it gets requested a ton by my family and extended family. There is enough banana taste yet the perfect amount of sweetness to this recipe.
It also has the perfect amount of moistness. Banana bread shouldn't be too moist to the point of gummyness but it also shouldn't be dry. There is a perfect balance and this recipe provides just that.
It does create one single 4x8 inch loaf pan that is perfect for eating immediatley or giving away to a loved one. Baking banana bread in a 4x8 loaf pan is a must in my opinion. It leads to the perfect portion size. Also, banana bread already takes near an hour to bake...Baking in a larger loaf pan would just take longer and won't result in the perfect result.
In addition to having an amazing taste, it's also super easy to make. I make everything in one bowl! No seperation on ingredients necessary in this banana bread recipe.
How to Make the Best Banana Bread Recipe in the WORLD
It's simple. First you melt the butter in a large microwavable bowl. Add your other ingredients, and bake in a preheated 350F degree oven for about 1 hour.
Here's to this delicious easy banana bread recipe. Hope you Enjoy 🙂
Looking for another way to use those leftover bananas? Try these Banana Fritters or these Banana Pancakes.
The Best Banana Bread recipe in the World
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter
- 3 ripe bananas peeled
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- ¾ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cup All Purpose Flour
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 4x8 inch loaf pan. Set aside.
- Place butter in a large microwavable dish and place in microwave to melt. Use 30 second increments until butter is fully melted.
- Add in ripe bananas and mash with a fork, ensure that butter coats the bananas.
- Add baking soda, salt, brown sugar, sour cream, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and large egg to bowl. Stir to combine. Stir in the flour.
- Pour batter into greased loaf pan. Bake in preheated oven on center rack for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until a toothpick entered in the center comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and allow bread to cool in pan for about 5 minutes. Then place on cooling rack to allow to cool completely. Enjoy 🙂
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Adapted from Simply Recipes.
Step by Step Photos of The Best Banana Bread Recipe in the World
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Jim Davidson says
Hi Tanya
I'm living in Thailand and the variety of bananas is considerable in taste and size. 3" to over 10". Sweetness of them also varies.
Could you give me a rough idea of a weight measurement before I try your recipe.
Thanks Jim
Tanya says
Hi Jim, I love Thailand. Visited once and it's gorgeous. Ok, about these bananas. I use what I call medium bananas, and for 3 of them, you're looking about 12 ounces of bananas.
Cindy Millican says
I’m making this recipe for the second time tonight. The first time the bananas were kind of big and the center of the loaf didn’t cook all the way through. This time I have smaller bananas and I'm going to cook it a few extra minutes because I really want it to be cooked all the way through. My friend gave me some macadamia nuts from his trees and I grated a few into the bread and sprinkled some chopped ones on top. It smells amazing in here!!
Tanya says
Thanks so much Cindy. I bet the macadamia nuts were a delicious addition.
Grammy BJ says
I am 74 and thru my years I have baked so many banana bread recipes and most were ok. Till I baked this one….fabulous! The true banana bread is moist not overly sweet with no icing, drzzel or glaze. It stand on its own. Now my only recipe to bake till I cross over.
Tanya says
Thanks so much, Grammy BJ! I feel the same way about this recipe. It's still my favorite.
suzanne bosler says
I make this bread a lot like two loafs every two weeks for my mother she always has ripe Bananas … she Loves this bread I always add chocolate chips to one of the loafs ….this is the best recipe for banana bread in the world I bake all the time and easy to follow and make ‼️‼️
Tanya says
Thanks so much Suzanne! I agree; this is still my all-time favorite banana bread recipe. So happy you like it 🙂
Cassy says
I tried this recipe yesterday, this was my first time making it. My children and I absolutely loved it. It will be bookmarked forever
Tanya says
Thanks so much Cassy! So happy you and your children like the recipe.
Cece says
I was looking for a banana bread recipe using 3 bananas when I found this one. I really liked how you used common pantry items and one bowl. I made this tonight and couldn’t wait to try it. It did not disappoint. Loved it
Tanya says
Thanks Cece, so happy you liked the recipe 🙂
Gigi says
Just made this and it was perfect. Crunchy exterior, moist in the middle. Not too sweet, so if you wanted cream cheese icing, it wouldnt make your pancreas call 911. Dont omit a good pinch of salt. We live in the Andes at 3k meters and I wondered if it would turn out. Glad I tried. I added pecans to mine. We get amazing bananas here and I used 4 of the red peel ones. This recipe is a keeper.
Tanya says
Thanks so much for the feedback Gigi, so happy you liked the recipe. I had to google what a red peel banana was lol. I'd love to get my hands on some and try it with this recipe.
Gigi says
@Tanya, It was so good, I just baked two more loaves. This time, I made a crumble topping with flour, butter, brown sugar, pecans. Love the addition. Great recipe!
Tanya says
I love that addition Gigi!
Deborah says
Can I use muffin pan? Don’t have a loaf pan
Tanya says
Hi Deborah, yes, a muffin pan is fine, they will bake quicker.
Raquel says
It was my 1st time making your recipe and it is THE BEST BANANA BREAD EVER 🤩😍🤩😍
I loved it: delicious and so light!!
My next time, I’ll add some walnuts and chocolate chips!
Would you recommend? If yes, how much of each should I use?
Thank you soooo much 🌻
Tanya says
Thanks Raquel, so happy you like it! I would add about 3/4 cup each to the batter before baking.
Raquel says
@Tanya, thank you so much for your reply!! I will let you know how it turns out 😃
Jim Bob says
Its the Goldilocks recipe for banana bread.
Jim Bob says
Ladies and Gentlemen, I suggest you take seriously what this author has written. I made this loaf and agree with her description--not too sweet, no off tastes, right consistency, plenty of banana flavor, nice crust.
Other recipes always upset my stomach I believe due to having too much butter. The reduction of the amount of butter and addition of sour cream is the secret here, and also the reduction of the amount of sugar and the switch from white sugar to brown.
Well done.
Tanya says
Thanks so much, Jim Bob! So happy you liked the recipe 🙂
philip askenback says
The recipe sounds great but I only have 9x5 loaf pans. Will it work?
Tanya says
Hi Philip, It'll work, the bread will be flatter and bake quicker. It's not my favorite pan to use for the same results.
Valerie says
Enjoyed this banana bread this morning with coffee. Really good! My husband likes to put soft cream cheese on it, i like it plain. Thans for a delicious recipe. The cinnamon made it special!
Tanya says
Thanks Valerie! So happy you enjoyed the banana bread 🙂