This by far is the best banana bread recipe in the world. No lie, it truly is.
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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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Nicole says
Best and easiest banana bread recipe!
Tanya says
Thanks Nicole! So happy you like this recipe.
Courtney says
I have made this multiple times. It is very easy, and also very good. My husband and kids eat it up quickly.
Tanya says
Thanks so much, Courtney! I've got some bananas that I'll be using to make this recipe again. It'll be like my millionth time lol. It's so good.
Chari Knox says
Made this banana bread for the third time in two months! Our family can't seem to get enough! So delicious!
Jeannie Pascuzzi says
Love love love this banana bread ! Best I’ve ever had . How long will it last on the counter and how long in the fridge ?
Thanks for your awesome recipe !
Tanya says
Thanks Jeannie, it should last on the counter 2-3 days and in the fridge 4-5 days. In our house, it's all gone the same day lol.
Neva says
I don't even know how to express how awesome this recipe is.
People, this is THE ONE.
I added about 3/4 cup of chopped walnuts to the batter, the only change to this great recipe, and I say that as someone who has tried out more Banana bread recipes over the years than I can shake a stick at.
Tastes even more heavenly the next day, warmed, with a little butter.
My recommendations:
1. Don't overmix the batter, fold in the flour until just mixed.
2. Do by hand, as Tanya recommends.
3. Use good butter, not the store brand, and use it also to grease the pan.
4. The old-fashioned 4x8 size pan is part of the secret, I'm convinced. (I baked mine in my grandmother's old glass Fire King).
Many, many thanks to you, Tanya. Phenomenal.
Tanya says
Thanks so much for your feedback Neva. So glad you liked the recipe 🙂
Julie A says
Ok, so I made 2 loaves of this. One regular and one for my family using brown sugar Splenda to reduce the amount of sugar. I got RAVE reviews and was told time and again…”this is the best banana bread I have ever had!” 😋 Any thoughts on reevaluating the recipe secrets to develop the “World’s Best Pumpkin Bread since we are approaching the season???
Tanya says
Thanks Julie A, I totally need to do that! I love a good pumpkin bread recipe.
Al says
I make this about once every two weeks to rave reviews. Yesterday I made it but forgot to put the sour cream in! Had it out and ready, but just failed to add it, as I have always done. I expected a dry disaster but was shocked to find a still moist and perfect baked bread!
Jill O says
I made this today, exactly as written, it’s fabulous. I tried a piece while still hot (couldn’t wait) but it’s even better when cooled. Do you think I could sub in whole wheat flour? I read the comments but no one mentioned trying that.
Rob says
I made this banana bread today since I had three ripe bananas that would have to be thrown out tomorrow. The only change that I made was to bake in my Ninja Foodi at 330F for 40 minutes. My goodness this bread is so moist and delicious! Thank you so much for sharing!! Cheers
Tanya says
Thanks Rob! So happy you like it.
Tina E Asher says
I have made quite a few different banana bread recipes, but yours is by far my favorit..Congrats Lady 🤌👏,it's awesome!!!
Tanya says
Thank you so much Tina!
Adriana says
Can you use a mixer for this recipe instead of the whisk? Just wondering
Tanya says
Hi Adriana, it can be used but I'd be just careful to not overmix. The mixing doesn't take long so I prefer to do it by hand.
Lizzie says
Doubled your recipe and it was double delicious! Thanks for sharing. This will be my go-to going forward.
Tanya says
Thanks Lizzie! So happy you liked it 🙂
A. Garcia says
This banana bread is definitely the best! Not too dry and not too moist. My husband is finishing it off as I'm writing this. I added walnuts and chocolate chips also. This is the only recipe I'll be using.
Tanya says
Thank you A. Garcia 🙂
Ali says
This recipe works as advertised and it is very good and very moist. However, if you are injecting raisins into this recipe, you may want to dial down the sugar to 2/3's a cup as it maybe too sweet. Also, the bake time is not exactly 1 hour. Mine took 1h 10m to come out clean. I suggest that you may want to turn down the temperature to 325 at the 1h mark and check every 5m on your bread. I highly recommend this recipe.
Tanya says
Thanks Ali 🙂
Amanda says
I'm very new to baking..Do I use salted or unsalted butter in this recipe??
Tanya says
Hi Amanda, unsalted butter is best. I'll make sure to update the recipe card with that info.