
If you have some overripe bananas sitting on your kitchen counter and you’re looking for a quick and delicious way to use them, this ridiculously easy banana bread recipe is just what you need. With simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can have a moist and flavorful banana bread ready to enjoy in no time.
This recipe requires just a few basic pantry staples, including ripe bananas, flour, sugar, eggs, butter, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. You can also add in your favorite extras like chopped nuts or chocolate chips for some additional texture and flavor. There’s no need for any fancy equipment or complicated techniques – all you need is a mixing bowl, a fork or a whisk, and a loaf pan.
To make this banana bread, start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing your loaf pan. In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas until smooth with a fork or a whisk. Add in the melted butter, sugar, and eggs, and mix well until combined. Next, add the flour, baking soda, and salt to the banana mixture, and gently stir until all the dry ingredients are fully incorporated. If you’re adding any extras like nuts or chocolate chips, fold them into the batter at this point.
The Ingredients You Need
- Ripe bananas: You will need 3-4 ripe bananas to make this banana bread. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the bread will be.
- Unsalted butter: You will need 1/2 cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter, softened. Make sure it is at room temperature so it can easily be mixed with the other ingredients.
- Granulated sugar: You will need 1 cup of granulated sugar to sweeten the bread.
- Eggs: You will need 2 large eggs to help bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the bread.
- All-purpose flour: You will need 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour as the base of the bread. It provides structure and texture to the final product.
- Baking soda: You will need 1 teaspoon of baking soda to help the bread rise and become light and fluffy.
- Salt: You will need 1/4 teaspoon of salt to enhance the flavors and balance the sweetness of the bread.
With these simple ingredients on hand, you are ready to whip up a delicious and effortless banana bread that will impress your family and friends!
A Simple Step-by-Step Recipe
Have overripe bananas but not sure what to do with them? Look no further! This ridiculously easy banana bread recipe will have you enjoying a delicious homemade treat in no time. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a moist and flavorful loaf of banana bread that the whole family will love.
To begin, gather all the necessary ingredients: 3 large overripe bananas, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and a pinch of salt.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until smooth. Add the melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract, and mix well.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the banana mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake for about 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the banana bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Once cooled, slice into thick pieces and enjoy a slice of warm, moist banana bread with a cup of coffee or tea. This recipe is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even as a sweet snack. It’s so simple to make that you’ll want to make it again and again whenever you have overripe bananas on hand.
Tips for Perfect Banana Bread Every Time
Choose overripe bananas: The key to a flavorful banana bread lies in the bananas themselves. Look for bananas that are very ripe, with brown spots on the skin. These bananas will be sweeter and mash more easily, adding a natural sweetness and moisture to the bread.
- Use a fork to mash the bananas:
- Don’t overmix the batter:
Mashing the bananas will help them incorporate better into the batter, creating a smoother and moister bread. Instead of using a blender or food processor, use a fork to mash the bananas. This will give you more control over the texture, leaving some small chunks for added flavor.
When adding the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can lead to a dense and tough bread. Instead, use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently fold the ingredients together until just combined.
- Line the loaf pan with parchment paper:
- Test for doneness:
To ensure that your banana bread doesn’t stick to the pan, line it with parchment paper. This will make it easier to remove the bread from the pan and also prevent the edges from burning. Simply cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom and sides of the pan, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
To avoid under- or over-baking your banana bread, use a toothpick or skewer to test for doneness. Insert it into the center of the loaf, and if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the bread is ready. If it comes out wet or with raw batter, continue baking for a few more minutes before testing again.
Tip |
Explanation |
---|---|
Preheat the oven |
Preheating the oven ensures that the bread cooks evenly and rises properly. Always preheat your oven to the specified temperature before baking the banana bread. |
Add mix-ins |
Once you have mastered the basic banana bread recipe, feel free to get creative and add your favorite mix-ins, such as chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit. Just be sure to fold them in gently to avoid overmixing. |
Store properly |
To keep your banana bread fresh and moist, store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. It can be stored at room temperature for a few days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. |