Easy One-Bowl Banana Bread Recipe recipes

bowl banana bread easy peasy meals

Easy One-Bowl Banana Bread Recipe

Craving warm, comforting banana bread but dreading the cleanup? Look no further! This recipe is incredibly simple, requiring just one bowl and minimal effort. It’s perfect for busy mornings, lazy weekends, or when you just need a little something sweet.

Ingredients:

3-4 ripe bananas, mashed
1/3 cup melted butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or chocolate chips

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal of the bread.
In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be.
Add the melted butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Mix well until everything is combined. The mixture might look a little lumpy, but that’s okay.
In the same bowl, add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough bread. A few streaks of flour are perfectly fine.
If desired, fold in chopped walnuts or chocolate chips. These additions add texture and flavor, but the banana bread is delicious even without them.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly.
Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on the bread towards the end of the baking time. If it starts to brown too quickly, you can tent it with foil.
Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the bread from sticking to the pan and makes it easier to slice.
Slice and enjoy! This banana bread is delicious on its own, or you can spread it with butter, cream cheese, or your favorite jam.

Tips and Variations:

Ripe Bananas are Key: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and moister the bread will be. Bananas with brown spots are ideal.
Don’t Overmix: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough bread. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
Add-ins: Feel free to get creative with add-ins! Consider adding chocolate chips, walnuts, pecans, blueberries, or even a swirl of peanut butter.
Make Muffins: Pour the batter into muffin tins and bake for 18-20 minutes for delicious banana muffins.
Freezing: Banana bread freezes well! Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Enjoy your easy and delicious one-bowl banana bread! It’s the perfect treat to share with friends and family (or keep all to yourself!).