Easy Recipe
This honey vanilla banana bread recipe yields a soft, fluffy, and moist loaf that’s naturally sweetened with honey and ripe bananas. Easy to prepare and perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, it offers a delightful balance of flavors with a hint of vanilla. Optional mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips add extra texture and indulgence.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 8 slices) 1x
- Category: Bread, Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Main Ingredients
- 3 medium or 2 large bananas (about 1 1/2 cups), mashed
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup honey
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract or paste
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Optional Mix-ins or Toppings
- Crushed nuts (e.g., walnuts or pecans)
- Chocolate chips
- Peanut butter glaze or frosting
- Additional banana slices, cut lengthwise, for topping
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and grease an 8½ x 4½ inch loaf pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and honey until combined. Then whisk in the eggs, mashed banana, milk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution and avoid lumps.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and gently fold together, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread soft and tender.
- Add Mix-ins and Pour Batter: If using any optional mix-ins, fold them into the batter now. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. For a decorative touch, place sliced bananas lengthwise on top of the batter, cut side up.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The banana bread should be golden brown on top.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the loaf pan for 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas with brown spots for the best flavor and sweetness.
- You can substitute milk with any dairy-free alternative for a lactose-free version.
- Do not overmix the batter to maintain a soft, fluffy texture.
- Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Optional toppings can be added before baking or applied afterward as a glaze or frosting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 1/8 of loaf)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: banana bread, honey banana bread, vanilla banana bread, soft banana bread, easy banana bread recipe, homemade banana bread