If you’re looking for a wonderfully easy, totally comforting treat, this One-Bowl Banana Bread Recipe is about to become your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s quick to mix up, packed full of flavor, and so delightfully moist — perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert!
Why You Should Make This Recipe
Minimal cleanup: You use just one bowl, which means no piles of dishes later.
Super flavorful: The ripe bananas bring natural sweetness and moisture that’s simply irresistible.
Simple ingredients: You probably already have everything in your pantry, so no extra grocery runs needed.
Perfect texture: Soft, tender crumb with just a hint of cinnamon to warm every bite.
Ingredients & Substitutions
The magic of this One-Bowl Banana Bread Recipe is in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a starring role in creating that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color. From the sweet bananas to the aromatic cinnamon, everything comes together effortlessly.
- Overripe Bananas: Opt for bananas with brown spots to maximize sweetness and moisture.
- Melted Butter: Adds richness and keeps the bread moist; you can swap with coconut oil for a dairy-free version.
- Brown Sugar: Gives the bread a hint of caramel flavor and deeper color.
- Egg: Acts as a binder and helps the bread rise.
- Vanilla Extract: Brings warmth and rounds out the banana’s natural flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base that holds everything together; feel free to use whole wheat flour for a nuttier taste.
- Cinnamon: Just a touch adds cozy, sweet spice notes.
- Baking Soda: Gives the bread its perfect rise and tender crumb.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
How to Make One-Bowl Banana Bread Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s perfectly hot when your batter is ready. Grease a loaf pan generously with butter to ensure your banana bread releases easily once it’s baked. Simple prep to set you up for success!
Step 2: Mash Those Bananas
In your trusty large mixing bowl, grab 3 overripe bananas and mash them with a fork until completely smooth. Aim for no large chunks—this ensures every single bite is tender and uniform in flavor, rather than lumpy.
Step 3: Mix in the Wet Ingredients
Pour in the melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract right into the banana mash. Stir everything together gently but thoroughly until your batter is thick, luscious, and smooth — it’s the heart of this recipe!
Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients and Blend
Sprinkle the flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda over the wet mixture. Fold everything together with care until there are no streaks of flour left, making sure not to overmix. This keeps the bread delightfully tender and not tough.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Pour your batter into the prepared loaf pan and pop it in the oven for about 50 minutes. Keep an eye out for a golden-brown top and the edges pulling slightly away from the pan. The ultimate test? Insert a toothpick into the center and if it comes out clean, you’re ready!
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Let your banana bread cool in the pan for a bit before slicing to help it set up perfectly. Then, cut into thick slices and savor the fruity, buttery goodness. Perfect with a cup of tea or your morning coffee!
How to Serve One-Bowl Banana Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Try brushing the warm slices with a little melted butter or a smear of cream cheese for an extra indulgent touch. If you love nuts, sprinkle toasted walnuts or pecans right on top for a delightful crunch.
Side Dishes
Pair with fresh fruit or yogurt for a wholesome breakfast, or serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a nostalgic dessert experience. Even a hearty spread of nut butter complements those banana flavors beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider slicing and toasting the banana bread, then layering it with your favorite jams or nut butters for a playful twist. You can also cut into squares and serve with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and a dollop of whipped cream for a simple yet elegant treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover banana bread tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. It will stay moist and fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days—perfect for snacking anytime.
Freezing
This banana bread freezes like a dream! Slice it first or freeze the entire loaf wrapped well in foil and plastic wrap. When properly stored, it will keep nicely for up to 3 months.
Reheating
Warm your banana bread slices in a toaster oven or microwave for 10-15 seconds to bring back that fresh-baked aroma and softness. Add a pat of butter or cream cheese for the ultimate cozy bite.
FAQs
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Can I use regular sugar instead of brown sugar?
Yes! While brown sugar adds a lovely caramel flavor and moisture, you can substitute it with white granulated sugar. Just keep in mind this might slightly change the taste and color, resulting in a lighter bread.
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What if I don’t have cinnamon — can I leave it out?
Absolutely! Cinnamon enhances the warm flavor profile, but the banana bread will still be delicious without it. You can also experiment with a pinch of nutmeg or allspice as a substitute.
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How ripe should the bananas be?
Choose bananas that are heavily spotted with brown or even black on the peel; they’ll be extra sweet and soft, which is perfect for this recipe. Avoid green or just yellow bananas as they won’t mash properly or bring enough flavor.
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Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?
Yes! Feel free to fold in half a cup of chopped nuts or chocolate chips just before baking to customize your bread. It adds fantastic texture and bursts of flavor that are always crowd-pleasers.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so satisfying about baking up a loaf of this One-Bowl Banana Bread Recipe. It’s cozy, straightforward, and downright delicious enough to brighten any day. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do — it’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen!
Print
One-Bowl Banana Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 8 slices) 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This easy One-Bowl Banana Bread recipe uses overripe bananas to create a moist, flavorful quick bread. With simple pantry ingredients and minimal cleanup, it’s perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert. The sweet aroma of cinnamon and vanilla enhances the rich banana flavor, while the soft crumb and golden crust provide a delightful texture.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 3 overripe bananas
- ⅓ cup melted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and grease a loaf pan thoroughly with butter to prevent sticking.
- Mash the bananas: In a large mixing bowl, use a fork to mash the 3 overripe bananas until they are as smooth as possible with minimal large chunks remaining.
- Add wet ingredients: Stir the melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract into the mashed bananas. Mix well until the batter is thick, uniform, and smooth in texture.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Add the flour, ground cinnamon, salt, and baking soda to the wet mixture. Fold gently but thoroughly until all dry ingredients are fully combined into the batter.
- Bake the banana bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 50 minutes. The bread should be golden brown, pulling slightly away from the pan edges, and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
- Cool and serve: Allow the banana bread to cool in the pan before slicing. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- For a chocolatey twist, stir in ½ cup chocolate chips before baking.
- Three ripe bananas will yield about 1 ½ cups of mashed bananas; if your bananas are smaller, consider using an additional one to reach the measurement.
