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The Ultimate Moist & Easy Classic Banana Bread Recipe (Beginner Friendly)

Two moist slices of chocolate chip banana bread recipe on a white plate, with the loaf visible in the background.
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This is the best banana bread recipe for achieving an incredibly moist, tender loaf with classic, old-fashioned flavor. It is simple enough for beginner bakers and uses just one bowl.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 very ripe, mashed bananas (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for classic flavor)
  • 1/2 cup mix-ins like chocolate chips or chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a standard 9×5 inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas thoroughly with a fork until mostly smooth. You can leave a few small lumps for texture.
  3. Pour the melted butter into the mashed bananas and stir to combine.
  4. Add the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract to the banana mixture. Whisk everything together until it is just combined.
  5. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using).
  6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix with a spatula only until the flour streaks disappear. Do not overmix; a few small lumps are fine.
  7. If you are using mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts, gently fold them in now.
  8. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly.
  9. Bake for 50 to 65 minutes. Start checking at 50 minutes. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
  10. Let the banana bread cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes before carefully removing it from the pan. Allow it to cool completely on the rack before slicing for the best, most tender texture.

Notes

  • For the moist banana bread result, make sure your bananas are heavily spotted or almost black. This maximizes natural sweetness and moisture.
  • If you want a cinnamon swirl bread variation, mix 1/4 cup brown sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Sprinkle half over the batter in the pan, swirl gently with a knife, then pour the rest over the top before baking.
  • This recipe works well for beginner baking recipes because it requires no mixer. Just use a bowl and a spatula!
  • For a richer flavor, substitute 1/4 cup of the sugar with packed light brown sugar.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://flavorzine.com/moist-easy-classic-banana-bread-recipe/