Baked right, banana bread can be a simple but satisfying treat that’s almost always a guaranteed hit. That’s why we’ve put together a list of a few quick tips along with the best banana bread recipes we’ve tested.
Tips on Baking the Best Banana Bread
- Use overripe bananas.
This may come as a surprise, but the bananas you were thinking of chucking in your garbage are the key to making a super loaf. They’re also great for muffins. The reason is simpler than you think: bananas sweeten as they ripen, and that’s the flavor you’re aiming for.
Note that overripe doesn’t mean rotten. Keep your eyes peeled (get it?) for tell-tale signs of mold and white spots. You don’t want that in your banana bread.
Another sign that it’s rotten is if you see there’s more liquid than flesh. And if it smells bad, don’t use it. There’s nothing wrong with black or brown banana skin. In fact, this is an indicator that’s it’s very ripe. They might not be good for eating, but they’re great for baking. Just think of making banana bread as a delicious way of reducing food waste!
- Avoid overmixing the batter.
When there’s too much air in cake batter, it yields an overly chewy and dense texture—not a pleasant sensation for your palate. You may think that all is well as you see your dough rise in the oven, but most of the time, the center caves in.
Banana bread should be moist, light, and fluffy. Whether you’re using a spoon or a stand mixer, keep an eye on your batter. As you are adding your dry ingredients, make sure to stop as soon as you see them get absorbed into the mixture. Don’t be tempted to continue mixing.
Another thing you shouldn’t overdo is going overboard with your banana mashing. Chunks add texture and give more flavor.
- Use brown instead of white sugar.
Brown sugar contains molasses and has a deep and rich taste. While not necessarily healthier, it still contains more minerals, which are completely removed in refined white sugar . Using brown sugar turns out some of the best banana bread recipes out there. Try it and see for yourself.
- Toast the nuts before incorporating them into the batter.
Nuts and bananas are a match made in heaven, especially when it comes to the best banana bread recipes. We recommend walnuts and pecans, but almonds are amazing, too. Toast these on your stove top before incorporating them into the batter for a crunchy texture and nutty flavor that’s hard to beat.
- Don’t forget to grease your baking pan properly.
It can be a real letdown to take your delicious smelling loaf out of the oven only to discover its stuck to the pan. You want a firm yet moist loaf that’s easy to slice, not broken chunks of bread.
Grease your pan well with butter, oil, or shortening before pouring in your batter. Use a paper towel to rub it onto the bottom and sides of the pan.
The Best Banana Bread Recipes in Our Book
- Banana Bread Loaf
This recipe is something your kids can make—with some supervision of course. Ingredients are easy to find, or you can also order these online for convenience and safety concerns during quarantine.
Your kids won’t need to add in a lot of dry ingredients because Maya Original Fluffy n’ Tasty Hotcake Mix is pretty much everything in one package.
- Ice Cream Banana Bread
Bake banana bread with a cool and extra yummy twist. This recipe consists of layers of banana bread and vanilla and chocolate ice cream. Bake the loaf, add in the ice cream, and pop it in the freezer for 1 to 2 hours. Serve it drizzled with our basic chocolate ganache to take it up a notch.
- Banana Bread Pudding
Serve this delectable take on banana bread during movie nights with the family. Each member can enjoy their own goblet of banana bread cubes, cream, and yogurt topped with caramelized banana. All we can say is, “Yum!”.
- Banana Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce
This delicious banana bread pudding comes with warm rum sauce. Nuts and raisins give it texture and more layers of flavor. It’s a delicious dessert guaranteed to satisfy your tummy and give you a warm, fuzzy feeling down to your toes. It’s perfect for your Noche Buena table.
Whether you’re baking your own version from scratch or trying out our list of best banana bread recipes, we hope this guide helps. Got banana bread recipes or tips you want to share with fellow bakers? Leave a comment below.
