Ultimate Banana Nut Bread (Print Version)
A moist, flavorful loaf packed with ripe bananas and toasted walnuts, perfect for breakfast or snacking.
# What You'll Need:
→ Wet Ingredients
01 - 3 large ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ¼ cups)
02 - 2 large eggs
03 - ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted unsalted butter)
04 - ⅔ cup granulated sugar
05 - ¼ cup whole milk
06 - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
→ Dry Ingredients
07 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
08 - 1 tsp baking soda
09 - ½ tsp ground cinnamon
10 - ¼ tsp salt
→ Nuts
11 - 1 cup walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas until smooth. Whisk in eggs, oil, sugar, milk, and vanilla until well combined.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
04 - Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined—do not overmix.
05 - Gently fold in the chopped walnuts, reserving a few for sprinkling on top if desired.
06 - Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle with reserved walnuts.
07 - Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
08 - Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The texture is incredibly moist without being dense, striking that perfect balance between cake and bread
- Toasted walnuts add a satisfying crunch that makes every slice feel like a special treat
02 -
- Overmixing develops gluten which makes quick breads tough instead of tender, so stop as soon as you no longer see dry flour
- Every oven bakes differently, start checking at 55 minutes and trust the toothpick test over the exact timer
03 -
- Toasting walnuts at 350°F for 8 minutes before adding them transforms their flavor from subtle to spectacular
- Freeze overripe bananas if you cannot bake immediately, they thaw perfectly in about 30 minutes at room temperature