Banana bread’s versatility makes it a beloved comfort food. It was one of the first baked goods I thought of making during this stay-at-home stint, and I’m not alone: “Banana bread recipe” is one of the most popular search terms around the web (and on our sites) right now.
Our library of recipes, from the classic to the unique to the health-conscious, will inspire you to make that loaf you’ve been craving—and others you might not have thought of.
From left: Ultimate Banana Bread, Best Banana Bread, Banana Bread for Kids
Ultimate Banana Bread: for the cook who's looking to go the extra mile
This recipe takes the best elements of a classic banana bread and ramps it up a notch. The ultimate banana flavor comes from extracting some of the bananas’ liquid, which is then simmered and reduced for ultraconcentrated flavor. There’s even a final sliced-banana topping that is guaranteed to make this loaf the prettiest on the counter. [GET THE RECIPE]
What You’ll Need:1¾ cups all purpose flour1 teaspoon baking soda½ teaspoon table salt6 large very ripe bananas8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter2 large eggs¾ cup packed light brown sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extract½ cup walnuts (optional)2 teaspoons granulated sugar
The Best Banana Bread: for the traditionalist
This recipe is one to keep in your back pocket, as your go-to basic banana bread that tastes anything but. With a predictable ingredient list and a simple dump-and-stir technique, it’s been a hit for more than 20 years. [GET THE RECIPE]
What You’ll Need:2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour¾ cup granulated sugar¾ teaspoon baking soda½ teaspoon table salt1¼ cups toasted walnuts3 very ripe bananas¼ cup plain yogurt2 large eggs6 tablespoons unsalted butter1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Banana Bread for Kids: for the young chef
All of these baked goods will impress the whole family, but this recipe was specifically designed for kids to take the lead in preparing it. Our America’s Test Kitchen Kids test cooks had kids come in to the Test Kitchen and cook through the recipe so they could give their stamp of approval. [GET THE RECIPE]
What You'll Need:Vegetable oil spray2 cups all-purpose flour¾ teaspoon baking soda½ teaspoon salt3 very ripe bananas (skins should be speckled black)¾ cup sugar2 large eggs6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled¼ cup plain yogurt1 teaspoon vanilla extract
From left: Low-Fat Banana Bread, Vegan Banana Bread, Gluten-Free Banana Bread
Low-Fat Banana Bread: for the cook who's looking for a lighter loaf
Reducing fat should never reduce flavor. Our innovative techniques, such as roasting the bananas to bring out natural sweetness (which reduces sugar in the recipe) and using fat-free cream cheese combined with a touch of oil, will introduce health-conscious baking practices into your repertoire. Let this loaf lead the way! [GET THE RECIPE]
What You’ll Need:4 large ripe bananas2 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extract1¾ cups all purpose flour½ cup sugar2 teaspoons baking powder¾ teaspoons baking soda¼ teaspoons salt1 tablespoon vegetable oil2 ounces fat-free cream cheese
Vegan Banana Bread: for the dairy-free cook
This recipe started with a discovery: Ripe but firm bananas—those that look good enough to eat—are the best for vegan banana bread. These bananas are starchier than overripe ones, so they allow for a naturally open crumb and sturdy structure without needing to use an egg substitute. This bread comes together in a flash and requires no traditional vegan tricks. [GET THE RECIPE]
What You’ll Need:2 cups all-purpose flour¾ cup organic sugar¾ teaspoon baking soda½ teaspoon salt3 ripe but firm large bananas6 tablespoons vegetable oil⅓ cup plain almond milk yogurt1 tablespoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla extract½ walnuts (optional)
Gluten-Free Banana Bread: for the gluten-free cook
Biting into banana bread that has subtle flavor can be a major disappointment; Banana bread should have deep banana flavor. Luckily, our gluten-free recipe packs in a large number of bananas—five—to utilize the bananas for extra moisture that is often lacking in gluten-free baked goods. And to counteract any density issues, the batter is stirred constantly for one minute to ensure proper aeration. [GET THE RECIPE]
What You’ll Need:9½ ounces (2 cups plus 2 tablespoons) America’s Test Kitchen All-Purpose Gluten-Free Flour Blend 1 tablespoon baking powder1 teaspoon baking soda½ teaspoon salt¼ teaspoon xanthan gum5 large very ripe bananas8 tablespoons unsalted butter2 large eggs¾ cup packed light brown sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extract2 teaspoons granulated sugar½ walnuts (optional)
From left: Reduced-Sugar Banana Bread, Grape-Nuts Banana Bread, Banana-Chocolate Chip Snack Cake
Reduced-Sugar Banana Bread: for the cook who's keeping an eye on their sugar intake
For a banana bread recipe with half the amount of sugar as traditional recipes, we took advantage of the abundance of natural sugars found in overripe bananas. We found that three bananas was the magic number, and we replaced the granulated sugar found in many recipes with Sucanat, since its pleasant molasses flavor married well with the other flavors in the bread. [GET THE RECIPE]
What You’ll Need:7 tablespoons (2½ ounces) Sucanat2 cups (10 ounces) all-purpose flour¾ teaspoon baking soda½ teaspoon salt3 large very ripe bananas6 tablespoons unsalted butter2 large eggs¼ cup plain whole-milk yogurt1 teaspoon vanilla extract½ cup walnuts (optional)
Grape-Nuts Banana Bread: for the cook with food nostalgia
Grape-Nuts cereal is a cherished and nostalgic breakfast food for many, traditionally enjoyed by New Englanders in the form of Grape-Nuts pudding. Inspired by the longevity of the cereal’s fame, we decided to merge two breakfast worlds to create this bread. We highly recommend it toasted with butter. [GET THE RECIPE]
What You’ll Need:1¾ cups all-purpose flour1 cup sugar¾ cups Grape-Nuts cereal1 tablespoon baking powder½ teaspoon salt1 cup mashed banana½ cup whole or low-fat milk2 tablespoons vegetable oil1 large egg
Banana-Chocolate Chip Snack Cake: for the cook with a sweet tooth
Who says banana bread has to be eaten for breakfast or brunch? This snack cake has a fluffy, tender crumb—perfect for cake lovers and those with more of a sweet tooth. It has bits of semi-sweet chocolate throughout as well as a topping of cream cheese frosting to set it apart from the classic breakfast staple. [GET THE RECIPE]
What You’ll Need:2 cups all-purpose flour ¾ teaspoon salt½ teaspoon baking soda8 tablespoons unsalted butter1½ cups sugar2 large eggs1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2 to 3 bananas)1 teaspoon vanilla extract½ cup whole milk1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
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