Moist Banana Walnut Bread Recipe

Make Memorable Mornings: Banana Walnut Bread Recipe for All

The aroma of freshly baked banana walnut bread wafts through kitchens, promising comfort and warmth with every slice.

Packed with ripe bananas and crunchy walnuts, this classic recipe delivers a delightful blend of sweet and nutty flavors.

Moist, tender, and perfectly golden, the bread becomes an instant favorite for anyone who tries it.

Home bakers love how simple ingredients can create such a magnificent treat.

The combination of overripe bananas and toasted walnuts adds depth and richness to every bite.

Baking this bread fills your home with an irresistible scent that beckons everyone to the kitchen.

Grab your mixing bowl and let’s turn those spotty bananas into a delectable masterpiece that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 60 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 211 kcal

Servings: 13

Banana Walnut Bread Ingredients That Matter

For Sweetness and Richness:
  • Granulated Sugar: Brings delightful sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and moisture to the bread.
  • Butter: Provides rich flavor and contributes to the bread's soft texture.
  • Milk: Ensures a smooth, creamy consistency in the batter.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and create a luscious, moist structure.
For Flavor and Texture:
  • Ripe Bananas: Deliver natural sweetness and create a moist, dense bread.
  • Raisins: Introduce bursts of chewy sweetness throughout the bread.
  • Rum: Enhances overall flavor with a subtle depth and complexity.
  • Walnuts: Add a delightful crunch and nutty undertone to each slice.
For Structure and Leavening:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Forms the foundational structure of the bread.
  • Baking Soda: Helps the bread rise and creates a light, airy texture.
  • Baking Powder: Provides additional lift and ensures even rising.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all other flavors in the bread.

Tools to Get That Perfect Banana Walnut Loaf

  • Loaf pan (9×5 inch): Essential for baking the banana bread with the right shape and size.
  • Handheld electric mixer: Perfect for creaming sugar and butter to a smooth consistency.
  • Large mixing bowls (3): Needed for separating dry and wet ingredients, and mixing banana mixture.
  • Whisk: Great for combining dry ingredients evenly without lumps.
  • Masher: Helps break down ripe bananas into a smooth texture.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Critical for accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Toothpick: Helps check if bread is fully baked by testing the center.
  • Wire rack: Allows bread to cool evenly and prevents soggy bottom.
  • Spatula: Useful for folding ingredients and scraping batter into pan.

How to Bake Moist Banana Walnut Bread

  • Warm Kitchen Preparation

Get your oven cozy at a gentle temperature and lovingly coat a baking pan with a light butter embrace.

  • Banana Magic

Mash those ripe, soft bananas into a creamy dream, releasing their sweet potential.

  • Sweet Foundation

Blend sugars and butter into a fluffy cloud, creating a rich base that whispers comfort.

  • Liquid Harmony

Introduce eggs and milk, letting them dance together into a smooth, silky mixture.

  • Banana Fusion

Marry the banana mash with the sugar creation, blending their flavors into a unified melody.

  • Dry Ingredient Symphony

Softly combine flour, rising agents, and a pinch of salt, creating a light, airy canvas.

  • Gentle Mixing

Tenderly fold dry ingredients into the banana landscape, respecting each ingredient’s character.

  • Nutty Texture

Sprinkle in crunchy walnuts, adding a delightful surprise to every slice.

  • Baking Journey

Slide the pan into the warm oven, letting the bread transform into a golden, fragrant treasure.

  • Cooling Serenity

Allow the bread to rest and settle, inviting its flavors to fully bloom before slicing.

Customize Banana Bread with These Ideas

  • Replace walnuts with pecans, almonds, or macadamia nuts for a unique flavor twist and delightful crunch.
  • Mix in Greek yogurt or sour cream to create an incredibly soft, tender banana bread with exceptional richness.
  • Sprinkle ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom into the dry ingredients for warm, aromatic undertones that elevate the bread's complexity.
  • Fold in dark chocolate chips or cocoa nibs for an indulgent variation that adds decadent depth to the classic recipe.
  • Substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour or add chia seeds for increased nutritional value and a subtle texture enhancement.

Slicing and Serving Banana Walnut Bread Tips

  • Pair with Creamy Spread: Enhance each slice with a generous layer of softened cream cheese or butter for a luxurious texture and rich flavor.
  • Create Breakfast Perfection: Serve warm alongside a steaming cup of coffee or hot tea, transforming your morning routine into a delightful experience.
  • Design Dessert Upgrade: Drizzle a light vanilla glaze or sprinkle powdered sugar on top to elevate the bread's sweetness and make it feel extra special.
  • Craft Afternoon Snack: Cut into thin slices and toast lightly, then enjoy with a dollop of Greek yogurt or as a quick energy-boosting treat during midday breaks.

Banana Bread Storage That Keeps It Fresh

  • Store Smartly: Transfer cooled banana walnut bread to an airtight container or wrap tightly in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and freshness for up to 4 days at room temperature.
  • Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Slice bread before freezing, then place individual portions in freezer-safe bags or wrap securely in aluminum foil. Frozen bread stays delicious for 2-3 months when properly sealed.
  • Revive Refrigerated Slices: Warm slightly in microwave for 10-15 seconds or toast in a toaster oven to restore soft, tender texture and enhance the bread's rich flavors.
  • Keep Quality High: Store away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent staleness. Room temperature works best for maintaining the bread's delicate crumb and nutty walnut taste.
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Moist Banana Walnut Bread Recipe

Moist Banana Walnut Bread Recipe


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4.8 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Sweet banana walnut bread delivers comfort with nutty depth and classic bakery charm. Homemade goodness fills kitchens with warm aromas you’ll savor slice by slice.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ripe bananas
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup (113 g, 4 oz) unsalted butter
  • ½ cup (100 g, 3.5 oz) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (110 g, 4 oz) brown sugar
  • 2 cups (240 g, 8.5 oz) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (60 g, 2 oz) walnuts, toasted and chopped
  • ½ cup (75 g, 2.6 oz) raisins
  • 1 ½ tbsps (22 mL) milk
  • 1 ½ tbsps (22 mL) rum
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray.
  2. Banana Mixture: Thoroughly mash ripe bananas in a medium bowl until smooth and slightly chunky.
  3. Sugar Blend: Cream granulated sugar, brown sugar, and softened butter using an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
  4. Wet Ingredients Integration: Mix in eggs and whole milk until fully combined with the sugar mixture.
  5. Banana Combination: Fold the sugar-egg mixture into mashed bananas, ensuring even distribution.
  6. Dry Ingredient Blend: Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt together in a separate bowl.
  7. Batter Formation: Gently incorporate dry ingredients into the banana mixture, stirring minimally to maintain a tender consistency.
  8. Final Mix-ins: Fold in golden raisins, dark rum, and toasted chopped walnuts, distributing evenly throughout the batter.
  9. Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared loaf pan, smoothing the surface, and bake for 60-70 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  10. Cooling: Remove from oven, let rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Ripeness Matters: Choose overripe bananas with dark brown or black spots for maximum sweetness and intense banana flavor.
  • Gentle Mixing Technique: Stir dry ingredients minimally to prevent developing gluten, which can make the bread tough and dense.
  • Nut Toasting Tip: Always toast walnuts beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and create a deeper, more complex taste profile.
  • Moisture Check: Use the toothpick test to ensure perfect doneness, but remove bread from oven when a few moist crumbs still cling to the toothpick for ultimate tenderness.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 211
  • Sugar: 13 g
  • Sodium: 154 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 37 mg
Mia Reynolds

Mia Reynolds

Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist

Expertise

Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners

Education

New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont

  • Certificate: Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on baking skills, pastry basics, and creating delicious, approachable baked goods.

Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont

  • Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
  • Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.

Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.

Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.

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