4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (2024)

Download Article

Explore this Article

methods

Ingredients

1Banana Bread Loaf

2Thin Banana Bread

3Old Bananas Banana Bread

4Additions and Substitutions

+Show 1 more...

-Show less...

Other Sections

VideoWATCH NOW

Tips and Warnings

Things You'll Need

Related Articles

References

Article Summary

11 Recipe Ratings|Success Stories

Co-authored bywikiHow Staff

Last Updated: March 7, 2023Tested

Download Article

ARTICLE

VIDEO

Homemade banana bread tastes superb - now you can make it at home yourself. This compilation of recipes offers you various ways to make banana bread. Why not try them all and discover your favorite?

Ingredients

Banana Bread Loaf

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup butter
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 4 eggs, beaten
  • 2⅓ cups mashed overripe bananas
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon banana flavoring
  • ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon

Thin Banana Bread

  • 2 or 3 bananas
  • 5 tablespoon butter (melted)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla essence/extract
  • 4 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 cup self-rising flour
  • ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon

Old Bananas Banana Bread

  • 3 ripe bananas (mashed)
  • 1½ cups sugar
  • ½ cup butter (1 stick)
  • 1½ cups flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 4 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Banana Bread Loaf

Download Article

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 350ºF/175ºC. Lightly grease a loaf pan with butter or cooking spray.

  2. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (5)

    2

    Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl.

    Advertisem*nt

  3. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (6)

    3

    Mix together the brown sugar and butter in a separate large bowl until you achieve a creamy texture.

  4. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (7)

    4

    Stir the eggs and mashed bananas into the butter/sugar mixture until well blended.

  5. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (8)

    5

    Add the banana mixture, vanilla extract, and banana flavoring into the flour mixture. Stir just to moisten.

  6. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (9)

    6

    Pour batter into loaf pan. Remember to leave room in the pan for the bread to rise as it bakes.

  7. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (10)

    7

    Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes (depending on your oven type time may vary), or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.

  8. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (11)

    8

    Let the bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack or plate.

  9. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (12)

    9

    Serve by itself or with any topping you like.

    10. Advertisem*nt

  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 170ºC/325ºF.

  2. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (15)

    2

    Peel the bananas and mash them up into a pulp.

  3. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (16)

    3

    Add the melted butter and combine.

  4. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (17)

    4

    Add the vanilla essence/extract and combine.

  5. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (18)

    5

    Add the baking powder and combine.

  6. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (19)

    6

    Add the sugar and combine.

  7. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (20)

    7

    Add half of the flour and combine. Once that's well mixed, add in the other half of the flour and combine.

  8. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (21)

    8

    Take a square baking tin/pan and line it with the left-over melted butter (there will be some left over in the bowl), then put the mixture in, spreading evenly.

  9. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (22)

    9

    Put the batter into the oven. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Check to see if it's done.

  10. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (23)

    10

    If it's not done cooking, put it back in the oven for another 5 minutes. Keep doing this until cooked. If it is done cooking, bring bread out of the oven and take it out of the baking tin and put on a plate/cooking rack/tray.

  11. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (24)

    11

    Wait 5 to 7 minutes for bread to cool down, then serve.

    12. Advertisem*nt

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Old Bananas Banana Bread

Download Article

This method works best with older, browned bananas.

  1. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (26)

    1

    Preheat the oven to 350ºF/175ºC. Grease or line a tube pan.

  2. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (27)

    2

    Cream the butter and sugar.

  3. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (28)

    3

    Add eggs and milk. Alternate with the flour, beating well.

  4. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (29)

    4

    Add the vanilla and mashed bananas.

  5. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (30)

    5

    Transfer the batter to the prepared tube pan.

  6. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (31)

    6

    Place in the oven and bake for 1 hour.

  7. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (32)

    7

    Remove when cooked. Test with a toothpick before releasing the cake.

  8. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (33)

    8

    Add a topping if wished––this is optional. Serve warm or cold.

    9. Advertisem*nt

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Additions and Substitutions

Download Article

  1. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (35)

    1

    Get creative and add a ½ cup of nuts, sultanas, raisins or ¼ cup of chocolate chips.

  2. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (36)

    2

    Shortening also works well for greasing the pan.[1]

  3. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (37)

    3

    While most basic banana bread recipes call for white granulated sugar, you can swap it for brown sugar and create a moister, denser texture.

  4. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (38)

    4

    You can use other liquids in your banana bread besides milk. Buttermilk, almond milk, and soy milk would all work well, but you could also substitute sour cream or yogurt for a tangier, moister bread.

  5. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (39)

    5

    For a spicier bread, try adding a teaspoon of cinnamon and a ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg.

  6. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (40)

    6

    Walnuts and pecans are ideal nuts to add to banana bread. It helps to toast them before adding them to the batter, though.

  7. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (41)

    7

    If you're a fan of chocolate, mix in milk, semisweet, or dark chocolate pieces. Keep in mind that regular sized chocolate chips often sink to the bottom of the bread, so use mini chips instead for more even distribution. Grated chocolate is another option.

  8. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (42)

    8

    Give your banana bread some tropical flavor by adding dried pineapple or shredded coconut.

  9. 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (43)

    9

    If you want to make your banana bread a little healthier, you can swap half the white flour with whole grain flour.

  10. 10

    Finished.

    11. Advertisem*nt

See Also
Bake the Number-One Banana Bread Recipe on the Internet

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

  • Question

    I don't have time to make banana bread but the bananas are already overripe. How can I save them?

    4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (45)

    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer

    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

    4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (46)

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    Staff Answer

    You can keep the overripe bananas by freezing them; the freezing process will keep and even add to their mushiness, which is just fine for baking with! To freeze them, simply slip the overripe bananas into a resealable bag suitable for freezing. Seal it and place in the freezer. It's also fine to add more bananas to the bag in the freezer if you need to.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!Claim Your GiftIf wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 0Helpful 5

  • Question

    What is the difference between banana cake and banana bread?

    4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (47)

    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer

    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

    4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (48)

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    Staff Answer

    There isn’t a lot of difference between banana cake and banana bread, as both are made using a batter that is able to be baked quickly. Banana bread is a "quick bread," meaning that it doesn’t have to sit around proving as a standard yeast bread does, making it just like a cake. Some of the differences can include: The cake version may use cake flour while the bread version can get away with using heavier flour, a banana bread may be less sweet than a cake, a banana bread is not meant to be iced and banana bread might be served warm while the cake should be completely cooled. Even the time the baked item is to be served can determine whether or not the baker considers it is bread or cake! Since it’s a fairly subjective interpretation, feel free to call your baked banana cake/bread as you see fit.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!Claim Your GiftIf wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 0Helpful 2

  • Question

    Why is yeast not required?

    4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (49)

    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer

    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

    4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (50)

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    Staff Answer

    Banana bread is what is known as a "quick bread." This means that it doesn't need time to rise as standard yeast-made bread does, but can be made into a batter and baked immediately. Since yeast is a slower rising agent, it's therefore not needed when making a quick bread such as banana bread. Instead, the baking soda or baking powder do the job of rising while the banana bread is being baked.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!Claim Your GiftIf wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 0Helpful 2

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

      Advertisem*nt

      Video

      By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube.

      Read Video Transcript

      Tips

      • The riper your bananas are, the better. That means that your bananas should be yellow but evenly covered with brown freckles and just a bit too soft for eating. If you want your bread to have an even stronger banana flavor and a denser texture, though, you can let the bananas ripen even longer -- wait until the skins are brown and the fruit is beginning to fall apart.[2]

        Thanks

        Helpful0Not Helpful0

      • If you want to bake a loaf of bread and your bananas aren’t ripe yet, help the process along by placing the unpeeled bananas on a cookie sheet and baking them at 250℉/120℃ degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Let them cool before peeling them and using them in your bread.[3]

        Thanks

        Helpful0Not Helpful0

      • To check bread is ready, take a skewer and carefully push it down to the bottom of the tin, right in the center. If it's cooked, the skewer will come out clean. If it's not cooked, the skewer will have some of the mixtures on it.

        Thanks

        Helpful0Not Helpful0

      Show More Tips

      Submit a Tip

      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

      Submit

      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Advertisem*nt

      Warnings

      • Avoid cutting the bread right after it comes out of the oven as it will most likely tear.

        Thanks

        Helpful5Not Helpful1

      Advertisem*nt

      Things You'll Need

      • Masher or fork for bananas
      • Mixing bowl
      • Mixing implement
      • Cake pan (tube pan for method 3)
      • Oven mitt
      • Toothpick or skewer for testing doneness
      • Wire cooling rack

      You Might Also Like

      How toPeel a BananaHow toMake a Quick Homemade Bread
      How toFix Dough That Won't RiseHow toCook Fried BreadHow toReheat BreadHow toBake Bread on the StovetopHow toDefrost a BagelHow toKeep Cornbread from CrumblingHow toKeep a Baguette FreshHow toActivate Dried YeastHow toMake Bread in the Microwave (Simple Method)How toMake HardtackHow to Bake Using a Bread MachineHow toMake Bagels

      Advertisem*nt

      About This Article

      4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (58)

      Co-authored by:

      wikiHow Staff

      wikiHow Staff Writer

      This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 232,734 times.

      11 votes - 91%

      Co-authors: 55

      Updated: March 7, 2023

      Views:232,734

      Categories: Featured Articles | Breads

      Article SummaryX

      To make banana bread, first preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius) and lightly grease a loaf pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) of all-purpose flour, 1 1/4 teaspoon (5 grams) of baking soda, and 3/4 teaspoon (4 grams) of salt. Then, in a separate bowl, combine 1 cup (200 grams) of dark brown sugar, 1/3 cup (85 grams) of plain Greek yogurt, sour cream, or mascarpone, and 1/4 cup (55 grams) of room temperature unsalted butter. Beat the ingredients together with an electric mixer on medium-high speed for 4 minutes or until it’s light and fluffy. Add in the flour mixture and beat on low speed until everything is blended. Next, peel and mash 4 large bananas. Use overripe bananas since they’ll make your bread sweet and moist. You’ll know they’re ripe enough when they have black spots on the peel. Stir the mashed bananas into the batter, then fold in 1/2 cup (90 grams) of chocolate chips or walnuts if you like. Finally, pour the batter into the loaf pan, and bake it for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into it comes out clean. Let your banana bread cool for 1 hour before serving! To learn more, including how to make variations of banana bread with spices and dried fruits, read on.

      Did this summary help you?

      In other languages

      Español:hacer pan de plátano

      Русский:испечь банановый хлеб

      Bahasa Indonesia:Membuat Roti Pisang

      • Print
      • Send fan mail to authors

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 232,734 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • 4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (59)

        Anonymous H.

        Jun 9, 2022

        "I absolutely love this recipe! This is my all-time, go-to banana bread recipe that I always use. Would definitely..." more

        Rated this article:

      More reader storiesHide reader stories

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisem*nt

      4 Ways to Make Banana Bread - wikiHow (2024)
      Top Articles
      Uno Chicago Grill Recipes
      Yotam Ottolenghi’s recipes for eating outdoors (or in)
      Unblocked Games WTF: Hoe krijg je toegang tot onbeperkt plezier?
      Top 30+ WTF Unblocked Games: Free Online Games - Unigamesity
      Latest Posts
      EASY Ladyfingers Recipe - Alyona’s Cooking
      50 of Grandma's Coziest Fall Recipes
      Article information

      Author: Laurine Ryan

      Last Updated:

      Views: 5553

      Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

      Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

      Author information

      Name: Laurine Ryan

      Birthday: 1994-12-23

      Address: Suite 751 871 Lissette Throughway, West Kittie, NH 41603

      Phone: +2366831109631

      Job: Sales Producer

      Hobby: Creative writing, Motor sports, Do it yourself, Skateboarding, Coffee roasting, Calligraphy, Stand-up comedy

      Introduction: My name is Laurine Ryan, I am a adorable, fair, graceful, spotless, gorgeous, homely, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.