Amazing Banana Bread Recipe
Amazing Banana Bread Recipe is a easy American recipe that serves 12. 200 calories per serving. Recipe by Preppy Kitchen on YouTube.
Prep: 36 min | Cook: 1 hr 5 min | Total: 1 hr 56 min
Cost: $4.50 total, $0.38 per serving
Ingredients
- 1.75 cup All-Purpose Flour (spooned, fluffed, and leveled)
- 1 tsp Baking Soda (leavening agent)
- 1 tsp Salt (enhances flavor)
- 0.5 tsp Ground Cinnamon (optional warming spice)
- 430 g Ripe Bananas (roasted first, then mashed; about 3 medium bananas)
- 0.5 cup Unsalted Butter (room temperature, softened)
- 0.75 cup Light Brown Sugar (packed)
- 2 count Eggs (large, room temperature)
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract (pure)
- 1 cup Chopped Walnuts (toasted; optional)
- 0.5 cup Chocolate Chips (optional)
Instructions
Preheat Oven
Set the oven to 350°F and allow it to preheat fully.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: 350°F
Roast Bananas
Place the bananas on a baking tray and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes until the skins are blackened.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: 350°F
Cool Bananas
Remove the tray and let the bananas cool on a rack for about 5 minutes.
Time: PT5M
Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until evenly distributed.
Time: PT7M
Mash Bananas
Measure 430 g of the roasted bananas and mash them in a bowl, leaving a few small chunks if you like texture.
Time: PT5M
Soften Butter
If the butter is still firm, microwave in 10‑second bursts at 50 % power until soft enough for a finger to indent.
Time: PT2M
Cream Butter and Sugar
In the stand mixer bowl, add the softened butter and light brown sugar. Mix on high for 3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color.
Time: PT5M
Add Eggs and Vanilla
Crack each egg into a small bowl, then add to the mixer one at a time, mixing briefly after each. Add the vanilla extract and mix until just incorporated.
Time: PT2M
Incorporate Mashed Bananas
Add the mashed bananas to the butter‑egg mixture and mix on low for about 1 minute until just combined.
Time: PT1M
Fold in Dry Ingredients
Add the dry ingredient mixture to the batter. Mix on low until just combined, then finish folding by hand with a spatula until no flour streaks remain.
Time: PT3M
Prepare Pan and Transfer Batter
Spray the 9×5‑inch loaf pan, line with parchment if desired, pour in the batter, and smooth the top with a spatula.
Time: PT2M
Bake Banana Bread
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
Time: PT55M
Temperature: 350°F
Cool and Store
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack for an additional 15 minutes before slicing.
Time: PT25M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 200
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbohydrates
- 30 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Fiber
- 1 g
Dietary info: Vegetarian
Allergens: Eggs, Dairy, Gluten, Tree nuts (if walnuts are added)
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of All-Purpose Flour: Whole Wheat Flour (will be denser)
- Instead of Ground Cinnamon: Pumpkin pie spice, Nutmeg, Allspice
- Instead of Unsalted Butter: Margarine, Coconut oil (will add flavor)
- Instead of Light Brown Sugar: Dark Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar
- Instead of Eggs: Applesauce (½ cup per egg for vegan), Flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg)
- Instead of Vanilla Extract: Maple extract
- Instead of Chopped Walnuts: Pecans, Almonds
- Instead of Chocolate Chips: Chopped chocolate, Dried fruit
Equipment Needed
- Oven
- Baking Tray
- Mixing Bowl
- Stand Mixer
- Rubber Spatula
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Cooling Rack
- 9x5 Inch Loaf Pan
- Parchment Paper (optional)
- Skewer or Toothpick
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Roasting the bananas to develop flavor
- Creaming butter and sugar until light and fluffy
- Folding in the dry ingredients without overmixing
- Baking until a clean skewer test
- Cooling before slicing
Chef Tips from the Video
- Toast walnuts or pecans before folding them in for a deeper nutty flavor.
- Use a parchment paper cradle to lift the loaf out cleanly and keep the edges from over‑browning.
- Weigh flour for consistency; 210 g is ideal for this recipe.
- If bananas are not fully ripe, the roasting step compensates by caramelizing sugars.
Troubleshooting
Bread is dense or heavy.
Do not overmix after adding flour, measure flour by weight, and ensure bananas are fully ripe.
Bread is too moist or gummy.
Check oven temperature with an oven thermometer and bake a few minutes longer; avoid overmixing.
Crumb is uneven with large flour pockets.
Fold the dry ingredients gently and finish mixing by hand to fully incorporate flour.
Storage
Refrigerator: Wrap tightly in plastic or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Wrap each slice in parchment and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months.
Room temperature: In an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Bake the loaf a day ahead; keep it wrapped at room temperature for best texture.
- Slice and freeze individual portions; toast or microwave before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of banana bread in American cuisine?
Banana bread became popular during the Great Depression when home cooks needed to use over‑ripe bananas that would otherwise go to waste. It turned into a comforting, economical treat that remains a staple of American home baking.
How did the Great Depression influence the creation of banana bread?
During the 1930s, families faced food shortages and learned to repurpose bruised bananas into baked goods. Banana bread offered a way to stretch limited ingredients while creating a sweet, satisfying loaf.
What traditional variations of banana bread exist across the United States?
Regional twists include adding pecans in the South, chocolate chips in the Midwest, and coconut or dried fruit in coastal areas. Some versions swap brown sugar for honey or maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
What occasions or celebrations is banana bread traditionally associated with in American culture?
Banana bread is often served at family brunches, potlucks, and as a comforting snack during holidays like Thanksgiving when leftover bananas are on hand. It’s also a popular bake‑sale item.
What makes banana bread special or unique in American baking tradition?
Its simplicity, reliance on pantry staples, and the ability to transform over‑ripe fruit into a moist, flavorful loaf make banana bread a quintessential American comfort food.
What are common misconceptions about banana bread?
Many think banana bread must be overly sweet or dense, but proper flour measurement and gentle mixing create a light crumb. Another myth is that only very ripe bananas work; roasting them, as shown in the video, intensifies flavor even for less ripe fruit.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Easy Banana Bread from Preppy Kitchen?
Overmixing after adding the flour creates a gummy texture, using too much flour makes the loaf dry, and under‑baking leaves a soggy center. Follow the video’s low‑speed folding step and test with a skewer.
Why does this Easy Banana Bread recipe use roasted bananas instead of raw bananas?
Roasting caramelizes the natural sugars, deepens the banana flavor, and reduces excess moisture, resulting in a richer, more aromatic loaf.
Can I make the Easy Banana Bread ahead of time and how should I store it?
Yes, bake the loaf a day ahead, let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly and keep at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. For longer storage, slice and freeze.
What does the YouTube channel Preppy Kitchen specialize in?
Preppy Kitchen focuses on approachable, home‑cooked recipes with clear step‑by‑step instructions, often highlighting classic comfort foods and quick weeknight meals.
How does the YouTube channel Preppy Kitchen's approach to American baking differ from other cooking channels?
Preppy Kitchen emphasizes precise measurements, troubleshooting tips, and the science behind each step, while keeping the tone friendly and the recipes adaptable for everyday cooks.
Last updated: September 6, 2026
