How to Make Banana Bread? The Straight Answer 🍌

Banana bread is one of the easiest bakes you can master. Sweet, moist, and endlessly adaptable—it’s the perfect way to use up ripe bananas.

Learning how to make banana bread opens the door to countless variations, from classic loaves to chocolate chip banana bread.

Why Banana Bread Is a Kitchen Essential

Banana bread has earned its spot as a go-to bake because it’s simple, forgiving, and delicious. Whether you’re baking for family, freezing slices for later, or sneaking in chocolate chips, this recipe adapts to every occasion.

How to Make Banana Bread (The Core Recipe)

The foundation of banana bread is straightforward: ripe bananas, flour, sugar, eggs, butter or oil, and baking soda. Here’s a tried-and-true method that produces a moist, flavorful loaf every time.

Ingredients (for one loaf)

• 3–4 ripe bananas, mashed

• 1/3 cup melted butter (or neutral oil)

• 1 cup sugar (can reduce to ¾ cup if you prefer less sweet)

• 1 large egg, beaten

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tsp baking soda

• Pinch of salt

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.

2. Mash bananas in a mixing bowl until smooth. Stir in melted butter.

3. Mix in sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla.

4. Sprinkle in baking soda and salt, then stir in flour. Don’t overmix.

5. Pour batter into loaf pan and bake 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

6. Cool before slicing.

Pro Tip: The riper the bananas (even with black spots), the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Banana Bread 🍫

For a decadent twist, stir in ½–1 cup of chocolate chips before baking. Semi-sweet or dark chocolate works best, balancing the sweetness of the bananas.

How to Store Banana Bread

Banana bread keeps best at room temperature for 3–4 days when wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Store in an airtight container to lock in moisture.

Avoid refrigerating banana bread—it tends to dry out faster in the fridge.

How to Freeze Banana Bread

Freezing banana bread is easy:

• Let the loaf cool completely.

• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then a layer of foil.

• Label with the date and freeze for up to 3 months.

To thaw, leave at room temperature overnight or reheat slices in the toaster oven.

How Many Calories in a Slice of Banana Bread?

Calories vary depending on ingredients, but here’s a general breakdown:

Banana Bread Type	Calories per Slice (1/12 loaf)
Classic banana bread	195–210 calories
Chocolate chip banana bread	230–250 calories
Reduced sugar banana bread	170–180 calories

Variations to Try

• Nutty Banana Bread – Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans.

• Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread – Layer batter with a cinnamon-sugar mix.

• Gluten-Free Banana Bread – Swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overmixing the batter – Leads to dense, chewy bread. Mix just until combined.

• Using underripe bananas – They won’t give enough sweetness or flavor.

• Cutting too soon – Let bread cool before slicing to avoid a gummy texture.

FAQ

How to make banana bread? Mash ripe bananas, mix with flour, sugar, eggs, and butter, then bake for 55–65 minutes at 350°F.

How to store banana bread? Wrap tightly and keep at room temperature for 3–4 days.

How to freeze banana bread? Wrap cooled loaf in plastic and foil, then freeze up to 3 months.

How to make chocolate chip banana bread? Stir in ½–1 cup of chocolate chips before baking.

How many calories in a slice of banana bread? About 195–210 calories, depending on the recipe.

For perfectly cooked poultry, here’s the straight answer on how long to boil chicken breast so it stays tender and safe to eat.

Conclusion

So, how to make banana bread? Start with ripe bananas, follow the basic recipe, and you’ll have a moist, flavorful loaf in just over an hour. Store it properly, freeze for later, or upgrade with chocolate chips for variety. Once you’ve mastered the base, the variations are endless.

Banana bread is more than a recipe—it’s a kitchen essential that proves even overripe fruit can become something amazing.