This isn’t your ordinary Banana Bread Recipe! Loaded with banana flavor and dates, it’s one of the best! When it comes to making homemade bread, this is one that you won’t forget anytime soon.
Perfect for a sweet treat, a simple snack, or a great way to use those bananas sitting on the counter. Get ready to love this simple recipe!
Banana bread is one of those snacks that will have everyone eying the next piece. It’s soft, fluffy, and flavorful, and nothing needs to be added to it to be good. (Who says a bit of butter or whipped cream couldn’t help?)
Banana Bread Recipe
One of the other secret ingredients I use in this recipe is molasses. It adds a subtle sweetness and a nice dark coloring to the loaf of bread – and I always get compliments on it.
My boys are also big bread fans, so nothing makes them happier than coming home to a freshly baked loaf, warm and ready.
If you play your cards right, you can even sneak a few slices and put them in the freezer for later!
How do I store banana bread to keep it soft?
Storing banana bread correctly is a key part of keeping it soft. Immediately after baking, wrap the banana bread well in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it at a cool room temperature location for up to one week.
Refrigerate any leftovers—the cool temperature will help keep the bread moist and prevent it from drying out.
Ensure that the bread is well-wrapped when placed in the refrigerator so there is no risk of absorbing any other flavors or aromas in your fridge.
If you need to store banana bread over the long term, it should be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to three months. Simply place into an airtight bag, and when ready to eat, thaw slowly at room temperature.
Following these steps will ensure your banana bread maintains its delicious texture and stays fresh for as long as possible.
Specialty Ingredients:
The following ingredients are affiliate links on Amazon because they may be a bit hard to find in your normal store. I wanted you to be able to see exactly which things we are using.
Reminder, not all ingredients in the Walnut Banana Bread Recipe are linked above, just the ones that may be a bit difficult to find or that you might be unsure of what to look for
Shop My Kitchen:
The following items can be found in my kitchen here at Miller Manor. Simply click the image that interests you – yes, they do contain affiliate links.
Must Have Resources:
When making Easy Banana Bread at home, you really need to have the following Amazon affiliate tools on hand.
Make it a Meal:
If you’re considering starting to meal plan, now is the time! It’s a simple way to make the meals and plan them out so that everyone in the family knows what to expect.
Main Dish: Butternut Squash Soup Recipe
Vegetable Side: Simple Carrot Salad
Starch Side: Oven Roasted Red Potatoes Recipe
Refreshing Drink: Cotton Candy Mocktail Recipe
Best Bread Recipes:
Once you make this Banana Nut Bread Recipe, you will want to continue with that flavor and taste! Here are just a few of my favorites!
This Paska Easter Bread Recipe is a simple bread for Easter dinner.
Find out how simple it is to make this Irish Soda Bread Recipe!
Pistachio Bread is a fun and delicious bread recipe to make!
I love the flavor of this Maple Nut Bread recipe! Such a fun and addictive taste!
Homemade Pumpkin Bread is one of my top fall favorites!
If you love sweet bread, check out this Strawberry Banana Bread Recipe!
Blueberry fans will agree that this Sweet Lemon Blueberry Zucchini Bread Recipe!
What is the secret to making moist banana bread?
To make the perfect moist banana bread, it is important to choose the right bananas. Ripe bananas add the sweetness and moisture that other ingredients cannot provide.
If your bananas are too green, they won’t be sweet enough, and too over-ripe will create a soggy loaf. Bananas near turning brown are the best option for moist banana bread.
Even if you have chosen the correct type of banana, adding additional liquid elements like sour cream or yogurt can prevent your batter from drying in the oven.
And finally, don’t forget to butter your baking tin liberally before pouring in the batter – this delicious added layer of fat will help produce an extra-moist finish.
Timing is also key when baking the perfect batch of banana bread!
You want to bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of your loaf comes out clean, but do not overcook, or your loaf will dry out and lose its beloved moist texture.
More Banana Recipes:
Banana Bread Recipe
This is the best banana bread recipe! Sweet, moist, and full of banana flavor!
Ingredients
- 2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium bananas) + 1 whole banana
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 1⁄2 cup olive oil
- 1⁄2 cup whole milk
- 3⁄4 cup old fashioned oats
- 1⁄2 cup chopped dates
- 1⁄2 + 1/8 cup chopped walnuts (or any type of nuts)
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1⁄2 tsp baking soda
- 1⁄2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1⁄2 tsp nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Spread the oats onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake for 6-8 minutes. (or until golden)
- Mix the sugar, milk, oil, and eggs in a bowl.
- Stir in the oil and molasses.
- Add the mashed bananas and mix. (remember to leave 1 whole banana out for later)
- Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Stir.
- Add 1/2 cup of the chopped walnuts and stir. (leave some for topping)
- Add the chopped dates and stir.
- Blend 1/2 cup of the oats that were toasted in the oven. (leave 1/4 cup for topping)
- Add parchment paper to the loaf pan and then spray with a nonstick spray.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared loaf pan.
- Slice the banana lengthwise and as thin as possible. Put the slices on the top sides of the loaf and then sprinkle the top with leftover walnuts and oats.
- Put the pan in the oven and bake for 60 minutes. Start checking on the bread around the 50-minute mark.
- Let the bread cool for 10 minutes, then move it to a wire rack.
Notes
If you don't want to use molasses, you can increase the packed brown sugar to 1 cup.
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 370Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 257mgCarbohydrates: 59gFiber: 3gSugar: 30gProtein: 6g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix on 3/14/2023
Will you add a topping to your slice of warm banana bread?