Banana Nut Bread Recipe - Two Peas & Their Pod

You guys know I LOVE banana bread. I have several recipes on our blog. Hello, easy banana bread, chocolate chip banana bread, chocolate banana bread, healthy banana bread…the list goes on.

Well, today I am back with another winning loaf, Banana NUT Bread! I LOVE this recipe, it is banana bread perfection. Hint, there is brown butter involved so you know it’s going to be GOOD:)

There is something so, so comforting about a warm slice of Banana Nut Bread! It makes your whole house smell cozy and everyone just drifts into the kitchen as soon as they smell it.

I really love having a loaf of this bread on the counter for breakfast and snacks! It’s filling and, of course, absolutely delicious. I know you’ll love it, too!

Best Bananas to Use

There is no such thing as too much brown when you’re making banana bread! Even black bananas can be used for this recipe. Any green on the peel indicates the bananas aren’t ready for bread yet. You want LOTS of brown spots or mostly brown bananas.

If your bananas aren’t ripe enough, you can bake a whole, unpeeled banana in a 300-degree oven for one hour to get them nice and soft. Or you can wait a few days until the bananas are ripe and ready to go!

What Nuts to Use

I am normally not a fan of nuts in baked goods, BUT banana bread is the exception. I love nuts in this banana bread recipe. The nuts pair so well with the brown butter, vanilla, and cinnamon flavors. I like to use pecans but walnuts work just as well. Use your favorite!

Ingredients

• Butter– You will brown the butter and I am telling you the brown butter is a game changer! The flavor brings out the nutty flavor in the banana NUT bread!
• Flour– All-purpose flour is the way to go! If you need the loaf to be gluten-free you can use all-purpose gluten-free flour.
• Baking powder and Baking Soda– I use both for leavening!
• Cinnamon– Cinnamon brings out the best flavor! Don’t skip it!
• Salt– Always a must!
• Bananas– Make sure your bananas are ripe so you get that sweet banana flavor.
• Dark brown sugar– I like to use dark brown sugar for a deeper caramel flavor.
• Eggs– Room temperature eggs!
• Buttermilk– Buttermilk guarantees a super moist loaf of banana bread!
• Vanilla– Use pure vanilla extract, the good stuff!
• Chopped Nuts– Don’t forget the nuts! It is banana nut bread! You can use pecans or walnuts.

How to Make Banana Nut Bread

• Start with a little bit of prep! Turn your oven to 350 and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Make sure your loaf pan isn’t dark in color or the bread will get too dark.
• Now we brown some butter. My favorite! Put the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once it’s melted, turn the heat to medium high and continue stirring. You’ll see small golden brown flecks settling on the bottom of the pan and start to smell a really amazing, nutty, caramel scent around the 3-5 minute mark. Once the butter is browned, pour it into a heat-safe bowl and let it cool to room temperature.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
• In a large bowl, combine the wet ingredients. Stir the mashed bananas with the dark brown sugar and mix everything until it’s nice and smooth. Stir in eggs, then buttermilk, browned butter, and vanilla and mix until it’s all combined.
• Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined, being careful not to over mix. Gently fold in the chopped nuts very last.
• Now grab your greased pan and pour the batter in! Sprinkle a little turbinado sugar on top along with the remaining nuts.
• Bake it until golden brown and a toothpick in the center comes out clean! This should take 50-65 minutes. Check on it early on so you can cover the loaf with foil if it’s browning too quickly on top.
• Once baked, let the bread rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then loosen the edges with a butter knife. Cool it completely on a wire rack before slicing.

How to Store

Store your banana nut bread on the counter in a sealed airtight container for up to 3 days. You can also wrap the cooled bread in plastic wrap.

This is also an amazing recipe for freezing! Wrap loaves well in plastic wrap, then foil and freeze them for up to 3 months. You can also freeze individual slices.

More Banana Bread Recipes