The Ultimate Walnut Banana Bread Recipe

This banana bread is moist, flavorful, and packed with the delightful crunch of toasted walnuts. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy afternoon snack. Get ready to bake the best banana bread you’ve ever tasted!

Ingredients:

3 very ripe bananas, mashed
1/3 cup melted butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

Instructions:

Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
Mash the Bananas: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth. The riper, the sweeter and more flavorful the bread will be.
Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the melted butter, sugar, and beaten egg to the mashed bananas. Mix well until combined. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the baking soda is evenly distributed.
Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing can result in a tough bread.
Add Walnuts: Gently fold in the toasted walnuts. Toasting the walnuts beforehand enhances their flavor and provides a more satisfying crunch.
Pour & Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly.
Bake: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, or with a few moist crumbs.
Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for the Best Banana Bread:

Use Ripe Bananas: The key to great banana bread is using overripe bananas. They should be brown and spotty, almost too ripe to eat.
Don’t Overmix: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough bread. Mix until just combined.
Toast the Walnuts: Toasting the walnuts before adding them to the batter enhances their flavor and provides a better texture. You can toast them in the oven or in a dry skillet on the stovetop.
Add Chocolate Chips: For an extra decadent treat, add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the batter along with the walnuts.
Storage: Store the banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. It also freezes well.

Enjoy your delicious homemade walnut banana bread!