Banana Bread (One Bowl) Recipe

This banana bread combines overripe bananas with simple pantry staples to create a super moist, delightfully sweet treat bursting with flavor. Enhanced by a hint of vanilla and the optional crunch of walnuts, it offers a comforting, homemade charm perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy snack any time of day.

I’m gonna share my easy one bowl banana bread recipe that’s become my go-to for using up those overripe bananas. I start by mashing 3 overripe bananas and mixing them together with 1/3 cup unsalted melted butter.

Then I stir in 1 teaspoon baking soda, a pinch of salt, and 3/4 cup sugar to create a balanced flavor profile that makes this bread super moist. I always add in 1 beaten egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to bring everything together before folding in 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour.

Some days I like to toss in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts for an extra crunch even though they are optional. This recipe isn’t full of fluff; its nutritional value mainly comes from bananas and simple ingredients that provide a good mix of energy and potassium.

Its simplicity keeps it as one of the best banana bread recipes I’ve ever made and i know youll love it too.

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe coz it’s super moist and the overripe bananas make it taste really rich and natural. It’s so easy to whip up since all the ingredients are stuff I always have in my kitchen, and the process is simple enough for me to follow without stressing over it. I also really like how the walnuts give it a nice crunchy twist when I feel like mixing things up, plus I can easily cut it in half and have one for breakfast and one for a snack later. Lastly I like that it freezes really well so I can make a batch ahead of time and always have a slice when I need a quick treat.

Ingredients

• Overripe bananas provide natural sweetness, fiber, and essential nutrients like potassium.
• Unsalted melted butter adds rich flavor and helps keep the bread moist and tender.
• Sugar gives the bread its delightful sweetness while soaking up flavors from other ingredients.
• Beaten egg binds the batter together and boosts protein content in each slice.
• All-purpose flour offers structure and carbohydrates, making your banana bread substance.
• Chopped walnuts, if added, bring a crunchy texture and a dose of healthy fats.

Ingredient Quantities

• 3 overripe bananas, mashed
• 1/3 cup unsalted melted butter
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• A pinch of salt
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 beaten egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 4×8 inch loaf pan.

2. In a big bowl, mash the 3 overripe bananas until almost smooth and stir in the 1/3 cup melted butter.

3. Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda and a pinch of salt to the banana mixture and stir well.

4. Mix in 3/4 cup sugar, 1 beaten egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until everything is well combined.

5. Slowly add 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour into the bowl and fold it in just until you dont see any flour anymore.

6. If you like walnuts, stir in the 1/2 cup chopped walnuts to the mixture.

7. Pour the batter into your greased loaf pan making sure its spread out evenly.

8. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

9. Remove the banana bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

10. Enjoy your super moist and delicious banana bread as a tasty breakfast, snack or even with your favourite cup of coffee!

Equipment Needed

1. Preheated oven at 350°F
2. 4×8 inch loaf pan (greased)
3. Large mixing bowl
4. Fork or potato masher to mash the bananas
5. Measuring cups and spoons
6. Whisk or spoon for stirring the ingredients
7. Toothpick for testing doneness
8. Wire rack for cooling the baked banana bread

FAQ

Banana Bread (One Bowl) Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Unsalted melted butter: If you dont have butter, you can use the same amount of melted coconut oil. It gives a slight tropical flavor which can be really interesting.
• Sugar: You can swap sugar with maple syrup. Use around 1/2 cup of maple syrup but be sure to lower the extra liquid in the recipe a bit.
• Egg: Instead of one beaten egg, you can make a flax egg. Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons water and let it sit for a few minutes.
• Walnuts: If you dont have walnuts, you can use pecans or almonds. Either one adds a nice crunch without changing the basic taste too much.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure your bananas are really soft and overripe cause that gives you a more flavorful and moist bread. If they arent mushy enough, you can let them sit out a bit longer or even warm them up in the microwave for a few seconds.

2. When mixing the batter, be gentle. Overmixing can lead to a denser loaf which is not as fun to eat. Stir it just until all the flour is combined even if you dont get a perfectly smooth batter.

3. If you want a crispy edge on your loaf, try greasing your pan really well, maybe even dust it lightly with some flour. This helps with the browning and makes it easier to remove from the pan later.

4. For an extra twist, you could toss in some cinnamon or even some chocolate chips along with the walnuts. It gives the banana bread a nice extra flavor kick without messing up the classic taste.