Ingredients
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3 ripe bananas, mashed
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
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3/4 cup granulated sugar
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2 large eggs
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt (for moisture)
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1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
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1/2 cup chopped walnuts or chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
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Choose the Right Bananas: Use overripe bananas with brown spots for natural sweetness and moisture. Avoid unripe bananas, which lack flavor.
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Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
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Mix Dry Ingredients Separately: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using). This prevents clumps and ensures even distribution.
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Avoid Overmixing: In another bowl, mash the bananas and mix with melted butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and sour cream. Gently fold in the dry ingredients until just combined. Overmixing leads to dense, rubbery bread.
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Add Mix-Ins Thoughtfully: If using walnuts or chocolate chips, fold them in gently to avoid overworking the batter.
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Check Your Oven Temperature: Bake at 350°F for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Use an oven thermometer to ensure accuracy.
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Let It Cool Properly: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Slicing too early can cause crumbling.
Notes
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Substitute whole wheat flour for a healthier alternative.
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Store banana bread in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.
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Adding too much banana can make the bread overly dense. Stick to the recommended amount.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Calories: ~230
- Sugar: 16g
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
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