This ultimate moist banana bread is super soft and flavorful – truly the best banana bread recipe! This homemade banana bread is easy to whip up, can be mixed by hand using one bowl, and stays unbelievably moist for DAYS! Say hello to your new favorite loaf of love!
January 2023 Baking Challenge Recipe! Bake this recipe & leave a review to be entered to win a Kitchenaid mixer!
The Secret To The Ultimate Moist Banana Bread
- Sour Cream – sour cream gives the banana bread a moist, dense texture in the best way possible! It’s also the secret ingredinets in The BEST Frosted Banana Bars. If you’ve never made banana bread with sour cream, now is the time!
- Cornstarch – the secret ingredient! I learned the trick of adding banana bread with cornstarch when I worked at the campus bakery in college when they would add potato starch to banana bread. It was the most moist banana bread and the added starch was why!
- Melted Butter – I love using melted butter in recipes because it doesn’t require you having to soften the butter beforehand. And in this case, it doubles as ease and moisture!
- Ripe spotty bananas, of course! If your bananas aren’t quite ripe, you can learn how to quickly ripen bananas in the oven.
These four things together turn a classic banana bread recipe into something out of this world. No dry banana bread up in here!
Easy Banana Bread Ingredients
- Mashed bananas (1½ cups = 3 large bananas)
- Unsalted Butter (not margarine)
- Brown & White Sugar
- Eggs
- Sour Cream
- Vanilla Extract
- Baking Soda & Baking Powder
- Cornstarch
- All-Purpose Flour
- Salt
- Cinnamon
PS. Making this as a gift? Check out my 5 Ways to Gift Banana Bread (+ free printables!).
How to Make The Best Banana Bread:
Before You Start: Preheat Oven (important!)
Before you start, preheat your oven! You want to give your oven at least 20 minutes to heat up even if it beeps and tells you it’s preheated after 5 minutes (because trust me, 90% of ovens are liars and are not anywhere near preheated when they say they are!).
A properly heated oven is what will help your banana bread get this beautiful dome and bake through! If you want to know how to make the perfect banana bread, the oven is the first step!
Step 1: Mash Bananas
In a large mixing bowl, mash ripe bananas (1½ cups; about 3 large) with a fork until broken up. You want to make sure you break up any large pieces or you will have chunks of banana in your bread which can cause it to bake weird.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
- Once bananas are mashed, add in melted butter (½ cup), light brown sugar (½ cup), and granulated sugar (½ cup), then stir until combined.
- Add in the eggs (2 large), sour cream (½ cup) and vanilla extract (2 teaspoons) then stir until just combined. Once mixed, gently mix in baking soda (1 teaspoon), baking powder (½ teaspoon), and cinnamon (½ teaspoon).
IMPORTANT: To achieve the dense and moist texture we’re going for you MUST mix by hand! Using an electric mixer will whip too much air into the bread and affect the texture.
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients
Lastly, mix in cornstarch (1 tablespoon), salt (½ teaspoon), and all-purpose flour (1½ cups) and stir until just combined. You do not want to mix this for any longer than it takes for the flour to disappear or it will become dense and chewy. Warning: do not over-mix!
What happens if you over-mix banana bread batter? It will become crumbly and dry instead of moist. It’s important to mix the ingredients together just long enough that they’re all combined. This is why I HIGHLY recommend mixing this by hand (not with an electric mixer).
Step 4: Fill Pan
Grease a 9″ metal loaf pan 2/3 full. Technically you can usually fill up heavy batters like this almost all the way, just being sure to leave about ½” at the top without having it rise over. This recipe doesn’t rise as much as other quick bread recipes but you still need to leave room on the top for some expansion.
Pan Tips: Because there are varying sizes of “standard” loaf pans (some are wider than others and therefore fit more), you may end up with a little extra batter. You can scoop any extra into muffin tins and bake for 18-20 minutes.
Step 5: Bake & Let Cool
Bake at 350°F for 60 minutes on the bottom or middle rack of your oven. IMPORTANT: At the 45 minute mark while baking, gently cover the top of your loaf with foil to prevent the top from browning.
Test doneness by sliding a toothpick or skewer into the center while it’s still in the oven. If it comes out clean (or just with a crumb or two) it’s fully cooked and ready.
Oven Placement Tip: You do not want it too close to the top or the top of the loaf will brown faster than the inside can cook.
Step 6: Let Cool, Slice, and Enjoy!
Once cooled, use a large straight-edged knife to slice the banana bread. I like to cut it in thick pieces, as the moistness is even more apparent this way! Top with butter and enjoy with a glass of milk for breakfast!
Tip: For the best slices, you should ideally allow banana bread to cool in the pan for about an hour to allow it to set and cool. If not eating right away, cover with foil and let it cool.
I will also say that this banana bread is even better Day 2. I mean, warm banana bread with butter is good but trust me, it’s even better the next day after all the banana flavor melds together. I’m biased but I might just say that this is the best banana bread recipe in the world on Day 2.
Storing, Freezing, and Gifting!
How to Store Banana Bread
If you want to know how to keep banana bread moist, here’s a trick! Place two pieces of paper towel around your loaf and then wrap banana bread in plastic wrap while it’s still slightly warm (not hot). The plastic will trap the moisture inside, while the paper towel will help absorb moisture that would make it get mushy. Alternatively, you can store the loaf in a gallon-sized ziploc bag.
How to gift banana bread?
Check out my 5 Ways to Gift Banana Bread (+ free printables!).
Can you freeze banana bread?
Absolutely! To freeze, wrap loaf in several layers of plastic wrap then place in a freezer bag or container. This will keep the banana bread moist and can be frozen for up to 3 months.
When ready to eat, remove from freezer and allow to thaw at room temperature (still wrapped).
Ripe bananas are key!
How do you ripen banana for banana bread really quick?
Don’t have bananas on hand or don’t want to wait for to ripen? Did you know you can ripen bananas in the oven (and without a paper bag!). Simply place bananas (with their peel still on) on a rimmed baking sheet for 30-40 minutes at 300 degrees. The bananas will turn pure black and all the gooey insides will caramelize. Hooray for quick ripe bananas!
How ripe should bananas be for banana bread?
The ideal color for ripe bananas for use in banana bread is when they are spotted brown, mostly brown or even black. The grosser looking, the better! The bananas shown below are just good enough, although I personally like them even browner than this!
Tip: I love using organic bananas for the best moist banana bread. I find that organic bananas have a more pungent banana taste and create a more flavorful, award-winning banana bread recipe.
More Frequently Asked Questions…
If you don’t have sour cream you can substitute in plain greek yogurt (you can also use fat free sour cream). Just be sure to mix the yogurt well before measuring to prevent all the liquid juices from being too much in the batter.
I have not tried this but would suspect it would change the texture and flavor of the bread. If you try it, be sure to report back! I’ve gotten lots of requests over the years for an easy banana bread without vegetable oil and this version with melted butter is truly the best!
No, corn flour and corn starch are two different ingredients. If you don’t have access to corn starch simply omit it from the recipe. Your bread just may not be as moist.
I have made this recipe using Gluten Free All-Purpose 1-to-1 flour before and it turned out great. It’s not as moist or “bendable” as the regular version, but it’s a great gluten free or celiac option. Just be sure to check all of your ingredients to ensure compliance with your allergy.
Of course! You can turn this into a super moist banana nut bread recipe simply by adding 1/2 cup of toasted walnuts or raisans. Or make it chocolate chip banana bread by adding in 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips!
Yes! You can easily turn this recipe into moist banana bread muffins. Simply fill greased muffin tips with about 4.5 tablespoons batter (3/4 full) and bake for 18-20 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. This will yield you about 12 regular-sized muffins.
Melted butter, sour cream, and cornstarch are all secret ingredients to making the moistest banana bread!
The Ultimate Moist Banana Bread
The ultimate moist, super soft and flavorful banana bread recipe ever! This homemade banana bread is easy to whip up, can be mixed by hand using one bowl, and stays unbelievably moist for DAYS! Say hello to your new favorite loaf of love!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups ripe bananas about 3 large bananas
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup sour cream or plain greek yogurt
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
Before you begin! If you make this, will you do me a huge favor and leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe? This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F – this is important! You want to give your oven at least 20 minutes to heat up EVEN if it beeps and tells you it’s preheated after 5 minutes (ovens lie!).
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In a large mixing bowl, mash ripe bananas (1½ cups, i.e. about 3 large bananas) with a fork until broken up. You want to make sure you break up any large pieces or you will have large pieces of banana in your bread and it can cause it to bake weird.
-
Mix in melted butter (½ cup, i.e. 1 stick), light brown sugar (½ cup), and granulated sugar (½ cup), then stir until combined.
NOTE: To achieve the dense and moist texture we’re going for you MUST mix by hand! Using an electric mixer will whip too much air into the bread and affect the texture.
-
Add in the eggs (2 large), sour cream (½ cup), and vanilla extract (2 teaspoons) then stir until just combined. Once mixed, add in the baking soda (1 teaspoon), baking powder (½ teaspoon), and cinnamon (½ teaspoon) then mix again.
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Lastly, mix in salt (½ teaspoon), cornstarch (1 tablespoon), and all-purpose flour (1½ cups) and stir until just combined. You do not want to mix this for any longer than it takes for the flour to disappear or it will become dense and chewy. Do not overmix!
-
Grease a 9" metal loaf pan ⅔ full (you can usually fill up heavy batters like this almost all the way, just being sure to leave about ½″ at the top without having it rise over).
Note: Because there are varying size of “standard” loaf pans (some are wider than others and therefore fit more), you may end up with a little extra batter. You can scoop the rest into muffin tins and bake.
-
(Read this step carefully!) Bake at 350°F for 60 minutes on the bottom or middle rack of your oven. After 45 minutes of it baking, gently cover the top of your loaf with foil to prevent the top from browning. When baking, place your loaf near the bottom/middle of oven. You do not want it too close to the top or the top will brown faster than the inside can cook.
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Test doneness by sliding a toothpick or skewer into the center while it's still in the oven. If it comes out clean (or just with a crumb or two) it's ready.
Once baked, you should ideally allow banana bread to cool in the pan for about an hour to allow it to set and cool. If not eating right away, cover with foil and let it completely cool before putting in a ziploc bag. Wrapping it in plastic too soon will trap the steam and could make your bread mushy. See notes below for storage instructions.
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe! This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Recipe Notes
Can I substitute sour cream with something else? If you don’t have sour cream you can substitute in plain greek yogurt. Just be sure to mix your yogurt well before measuring to prevent all the liquid juices from being too much in the batter.
Can you make these into muffins? Yes! Fill greased muffin tips with about 4.5 tablespoons batter and bake for 18-20 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. This will yield you about 12 muffins.
Pan Size Tips: Because there are varying size of “standard” loaf pans (some are wider than others and therefore fit more), you may end up with a little extra batter. You can scoop the rest into muffin tins and bake.
Oven Placement Tip: You do not want it too close to the top or the top will brown faster than the inside can cook.
Storage Tips: If warm: wrap in foil until cooled and let sit on counter. If completely cooled: wrap in plastic wrap or place in a gallon-sized ziploc bag. Storing it in plastic will ultimately make it stay moist longer.
Freezing Tips: To freeze, wrap loaf in several layers of plastic wrap then place in a freezer bag or container. This will keep the banana bread moist and can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, remove from freezer and allow to thaw at room temperature (still wrapped).
Better on Day 2! I will say that this banana bread is even better Day 2. I mean, warm banana bread with butter is good but trust me, it’s even better the next day after all the banana flavor melds together.
Ripen Bananas Quick! Don’t have bananas on hand or don’t want to wait for to ripen? Did you know you can ripen bananas in the oven (and without a paper bag!). Simply place bananas (with their peel still on) on a rimmed baking sheet for 30-40 minutes at 300 degrees. The bananas will turn black and all the gooey insides will caramelize. Hooray for quick ripe bananas!
Recipe Video
Nutrition
Did you make this easy banana bread? In my eyes, this is the best banana bread recipe in the world! If you love it, be sure to leave a five star rating below!
Priscilla says
Seriously THE BEST banana bread recipe ever! I’ve tried out like 3-4 recipes before this and this was hands down the best one. So moist and delicious! I usually add walnuts cause I like banana nut bread. My husband wants me to add chocolate chips too and make chunky monkey bread which I think would be so good too. Either way, this bread recipe is delicious without any add ins. My family loves it and can barely wait for it too cool before eating it! Thanks for sharing this recipe :)
Melissa says
I am so glad that you and your family enjoyed the recipe Priscilla! You will have to let us know how it turns out with your add-ins next time you make some!
Jen says
Hi, I’ve been testing different recipes for quite some time now and this one is my favorite! I finally found “the one.” The only issue I have is that I feel the bread browns too much on the bottom and sides.( I’m using a light colored pan). Is there anything I can do to fix that?
Melissa says
Hi Jen! So glad you love it! Try lining the pan with parchment paper…I think that might do the trick for you!
Lina Barron says
OMG. I cant stand baking (sorry) But this recipe was very easy to follow even with my lack of a baking hand AND it was delicious 😍😍😍
Because I’m trying to cut my sugar down I replaced half of the sugar called for with Lakantos Golden Monkfruit/Erythritol blend. It was AMAZING, MOIST, FANTASTIC. I followed the steps closely. I was missing 1/2 cup more of bananas (mine were on the smaller) side but it still tasted so good.
I did 1 full tsp of cinnamon as others did & I did 3 tsp of vanilla extract (b/c I love vanilla)
I don’t have a loaf sheet so I made muffins 😁 I followed your advise that you give for covering the bread at the end of the baking time for my muffins to help it be an even bake and I’m just sure it worked😁
I don’t even want to try to find other recipes, this is going to be my go to now❤️Thank you for being so detailed!! You obviously really care about your recipes
Melissa says
Wow, thank you for leaving such a thoughtful & nice review! I’m glad you loved this recipe and were able to make those substitutions with success! Thanks so much for leaving what you substituted; that is so helpful for others to know!
I appreciate you taking the time to leave a review, Lina! It makes my day to know my recipes are being made and loved.
xx, Melissa
Liz says
You can double pan it. Im not a fan of the outside “crusty” bit so I always add an extra pan. Usually have to add. I 5 mins to cook time. My secret is using an instant read thermometer so you dont need to guess when its done.
195-200 depending on your preference
Elizabeth says
Really good
Melissa says
So glad you love it Elizabeth!
Cara says
The absolute best thank you for this easy moist recipe
Jessica says
This is literally the best banana bread ever. I’ve made it multiple times the original way and the last time I put a handful of chocolate chips in. So delicious! Definitely a must try! Super easy too!
Melissa says
So glad you loved it! Adding chocolate chips is the best.
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review – I appreciate it so much!
Cheri says
The best.very moist & excellent!
Tai says
Can you tell me how many mini loaves this would make? 3×5-1/2
Melissa says
It should make 4 minis! I use the Wilton mini loaf pan with 4 cavities and it’s perfect!
Cheri says
This was excellent in describing prep & how to make this.
Very moist & delicious.
JenM says
100% the best banana bread I’ve ever made/tasted. Mixing by hand is a must for the perfect texture/moistness/taste. I added semi sweet chocolate chips for a sweeter twist. My son is insisting I make this once a week, we will see, it might get eaten by mid week;)
Melissa says
I’m so glad you and your family loved it, Jen! I vote with your son on having banana bread weekly, ha!
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!
Amee says
Great recipe! Will never use another Banana Bread recipe other than this one, again!
Melissa says
So glad you loved it, Amee! Thanks for your support!
Myriam says
This really is a moist banana bread! It was very easy to make and I definitely will make again.
Melissa says
I’m so glad you loved it, Myriam!