Super Moist Banana Bread Recipe with 5-Star Rating

This is the best banana bread recipe ever! It has a super moist, tender texture and a 5-star rating! The flavor is buttery and made with super ripe bananas and spices, giving it the ultimate taste.

If you have poor, brown bananas, don’t fret. You can make something even more delicious out of them, and you’ll be pleased you did!

This homemade bread is made with melted butter, oil, eggs, and sour cream. It also makes a super moist banana bread that’s fluffy in texture. 

We love this recipe because the flavors are so good, and it’s the most tender, delicious banana bread ever. Slather it with butter when it’s out of the oven for the best-tasting loaf you’ve ever had.

This recipe is excellent for brunch any time of the year. It will become one of your favorite banana recipes and one of our most popular recipes. Serve it with one of our brunch cocktails for the ultimate treat! 

For more loaf recipes, check out our super moist pumpkin bread recipe, famous coconut loaf, and the best lemon loaf.

And if you love banana desserts try our banana pudding pie!

How to Make Banana Bread

This article will cover everything you need to know to make this recipe, including helpful tips, tricks, and variations.

Helpful Supplies

• Measuring Cups and Spoons

• Fork and Spatula

• Mixing Bowl

• Stand Alone Mixer or Hand Mixer

• 9×5 Loaf Pan

• Parchment Paper

Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour – Stabilizes the bread and holds it together. We used King Arthur flour for this recipe. You can also use whole-wheat flour too.

• Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the bread. This recipe is not too sweet, but if you want to use less sugar, you can. It will change the flavor of the bread, though.

• Very Ripe Bananas – Adds flavor and creates a very moist banana bread. The banana peel should be very brown and ripe. The riper the banana, the sweeter it is.

• Melted Butter – Use unsalted butter for this bread. Butter adds a lot of flavor and moistness to the bread.

• Sour Cream – Adds moisture without thinning your batter the same way that a liquid would.

• Canola Oil – Adds moisture to the recipe. You can also use vegetable oil, sunflower oil, or try coconut oil. Remember, these small changes do affect the original recipe.

• Eggs – Creates structure and stability. Use organic large eggs when making this bread.
• Baking Soda – Helps the bread rise. 

• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Salt – These spices add so much flavor to the banana bread. Use ground spices for the recipe.

• Vanilla Extract – Enhances flavors and adds subtle vanilla flavor. Use pure vanilla extract.

Step-by-Step Directions

• Mash – Using a fork, mash the ripe bananas in a medium bowl.

• Combine Dry Ingredients – In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside. 

• Whip Sugar and Eggs – Using the whip attachment, combine the sugar and eggs in a stand mixer and mix on medium speed for 5 minutes until light and fluffy.

• Add Oil and Butter – Turn the electric mixer to low and very slowly add in the oil and melted butter. It should take about 1 minute to add these in, slowly whipping to incorporate.

• Add Banana Mixture, Sour Cream, and Vanilla – Mix on low for another minute.

• Fold in the Dry Ingredients – Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet. For best results, do this until the ingredients are incorporated, and do not overbeat or over-mix.

Prepare – Cut a piece of parchment paper long enough to hang over the sides of a 9×5 loaf pan. Then, butter the pan and place the parchment paper over the top. 

Also, butter the parchment paper and all sides of the pan. Then, pour the batter into the loaf pan.

• Bake – For 1 hour and 30 minutes until the bread has risen in the center and is not jiggly. For instance, if you take it out too early, the middle of the bread will sink. Bake time will also vary depending on the true oven temperature.

Tips for Recipe Success

• For best results, use whole, organic ingredients whenever possible.

• Add the oil, butter, and vanilla very slowly, with the mixer running to incorporate air into the mixture. 

• Bananas must be very brown and rip to use in banana bread. Do not try to use yellow bananas.

• The oven must be preheated before the loaf pan is placed in the oven. 

• Do not undercook this recipe, as the middle will sink right in. In other words, the loaf needs to be cooked in the center before you take it out. 

• Cooking times will vary depending on your oven temp, location, and inside temperature. 

What Loaf Pan Should You Use

There is no correct pan for making banana bread. We have made this recipe in glass, ceramic, and tin. The cooking times will change slightly, but they all turn out great. So you can use whatever pan you have at home.

Ceramic

We use a 10″ x 5″ x 3″ ceramic loaf pan for all of our bread and loaves. We highly recommend The Emile Henry French Ceramic Ruffled.

The ceramic heats evenly, so bread and loaves cook even and brown to perfection. You will have it forever, and it’s so worth the investment!

Glass

The best thing about using a glass loaf pan for beginners is that you can see through the pan to tell when the bread is done. One thing to note is that glass is an insulator and slow to heat, so the baking time will vary.

Metal

Metal pans are great because they are easy to maintain, lightweight, and provide a consistent bake. Baking in aluminum will provide evening browning to the bread.

If you have a smaller 8 x 4-inch loaf pan, you can also use that, but only fill it 3/4 of the way full. You might be able to get two loaf cakes out of it using a smaller loaf pan. 

Make sure you use a greased loaf pan when baking the bread.

Banana Bread Variations

Banana Bread with Walnuts

Fold in 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts at the end if you prefer nuts in your banana bread.

Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips

To make chocolate chip banana bread, simply add 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips into the batter at the end. Give it a light stir.

One Bowl Banana Bread

This recipe can be made in one bowl. We prefer to do this in a mixing bowl with a fitted attachment as it gives it a fluffy texture. However, if you need to make a quick banana bread follow these steps below:

• In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas. Then whisk in the sugar. Slowly pour the oil in a while mixing.

• Next, add in the eggs, vanilla, and sour cream while whisking. Pour in the melted butter.

• It’s very important to whisk these ingredients and allow air to incorporate the batter.

• Next, gently fold in the flour, spices, salt, and baking soda.

• After that, proceed to the steps in the recipe below.

How to Measure Flour

I still remember learning how to properly measure flour in my Home Economics class in college. If you’re not using a kitchen scale, this is how you measure flour when baking:

• Gently and lightly spoon the flour into a measuring cup. 
• Let the flour pile up, and then level off with a knife. 

Do not scoop the flour with the measuring cup or pat the flour down. You want it to be light and airy in texture.

Banana Bread Flour Options

You can change the flour in this recipe for dietary restrictions or to make healthy banana bread. Here are some good options:

Bob’s Red Mills Gluten Free Baking Flour

King Arthur, Measure for Measure Flour, Certified Gluten-Free

King Arthur, Whole Wheat Traditional Flour

Low Carb High Fiber Flour from Flourish

How to Make Banana Bread Moist

We have experimented with using different ingredients but found the best option for making super moist banana bread is a combination of melted butter, oil and sour cream.

These ingredients work together to create a rich flavor from the butter, a moist texture from the oil, and the tender bread from the sour cream.

How to Store Banana Bread

Banana bread can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Here are more tips for how to store banana bread.

Freeze

When a loaf is completely cooled (which minimizes condensation in the freezer), wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight sealed container. That can mean several layers of cling wrap and even bagging it in a freezer bag afterward.

Loaves can be frozen in slices, half loaves, and even whole loaves and be stored for months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my loaf cake crack?

It’s very common for a loaf cake to crack on top. When the batter bakes, the heat causes it to rise. When it starts rising over the top of the pan, then it spreads outward. This often causes the top to crack.

Does banana bread go bad?

Banana bread goes bad in the refrigerator after a week. However, it does great in the freezer. We recommend freezing it for up to two months. 

How to you keep banana bread moist?

This is a moist banana bread recipe since it uses butter, oil, and sour cream. But there are other actions you can take

The riper the bananas, the moister the bread.

Fold the ingredients together in a delicate process, and do not overmix the batter.

Finally, it’s best to start checking your loaf at the earliest time and rechecking it often for doneness. 

Baking with oil and butter makes a very moist loaf. And, of course, adding butter to a warm slice later if desired helps too.

What can you add to banana bread?

When it comes to banana bread additions and add-ins, the options are endless. If you feel like getting creative in the kitchen, give these fun options a try:

• Caramel– Drizzle homemade caramel sauce over the top.

• Chocolate Chips – Add chocolate chips to the batter for a chocolate chip banana bread recipe.

• Nutella – Swirl Nutella in the banana bread.

• Shredded Coconut – Add coconut flakes to the batter or over the top of the bread.

• Nuts – If you like nuts in bread, try pecans or walnuts for banana nut bread.

• Cream Cheese Glaze – Drizzle this over the top.

• Chocolate Ganache – Pour a chocolate ganache over the top.

• Sesame Seeds – These add a slight texture to the bread. Similar to poppyseeds bread if you’ve ever had that.

• Cream Cheese Frosting – This recipe really doesn’t need frosting as it’s so good on its own. However, if you love adding something a little sweeter to the bread or you’re serving it for a party, cream cheese frosting goes really well with banana bread.

What to Serve with Banana Bread

Serve this loaf with a fruit platter or our favorite frittata recipe. 

It also pairs nicely with our classic mimosa, orange juice cocktails, or a fun homemade coffee recipe.

More Recipes You’ll Love

If you love this recipe, try any of these:

Apple Cider Donuts

Classic Banana Cake

The Best Pumpkin Pancakes

Easy Cinnamon Roll Recipe

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

If you’re looking for more brunch recipes, try our monkey bread recipe, monkey bread muffins, and the best blueberry and banana muffins ever!

When to Serve Banana Bread

This recipe is perfect for so many occasions, including brunch. Here are some ideas for when to serve banana bread:

• Easter Brunch
• Garden Party
• Mother’s Day Brunch
• Baby Shower
• Tea Party

Let us know what you think!

Whether you’re a baking novice or a baked goods connoisseur, you’ll love this moist, deliciously balanced banana bread recipe. This recipe is a staple in our home and will be a constant in your home, too.

Have fun baking, and let us know what you think by leaving a comment and review below!

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