Old Fashioned Banana Bread
This old fashioned banana bread is incredibly moist, flavorful and the perfect recipe to use up those extra ripe bananas. It’s the only banana bread recipe you will ever need!

This is my favorite old fashioned banana bread recipe. Perfectly moist, not overly sweet, great banana flavor and stays moist for days without drying out.
There’s no need for a stand mixer. All you need is one bowl, a fork to mash the bananas and a wooden spoon to mix everything together.
If you’re looking for more dessert recipes, try Mini Carrot Cake and Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Moist banana bread- This recipe uses 3 extra ripe bananas, which not only adds great flavor but also helps moisten the bread as well.
- No mixer required- Just grab a large bowl, a fork and a wooden spoon.
- Basic ingredients- Most of the ingredients are basic staples you probably already have inside your pantry.
- Customizable- Add in chopped walnuts, mini chocolate chips or anything you’d like.

Ingredient Notes
Here are some notes on the ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Bananas- Use extra ripe bananas that are turning brown or streaked with black and brown. The darker, the better. I use 3 medium sized bananas.
- Oil- Use a neutral oil, such as canola or vegetable oil.
- Sugar- Use white granulated sugar.
- Eggs- Pull these out 2 hours before baking to allow them to come to room temperature.
- Vanilla extract- Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- Add-ins- Feel free to add chopped walnuts, pecans or mini chocolate chips.

Step By Step Instructions
STEP 1: Prepare pan. Preheat the oven to 350°. Spray a 9X5 loaf pan with nonstick spray. Line the bottom and 2 sides with parchment paper.
STEP 2: Mash the bananas. Add 3 extra ripe bananas to a large bowl. Using a fork, mash the bananas. Then, add the sugar and mix to combine.


STEP 3: Add the wet ingredients. Stir in the eggs, vanilla extract and canola oil. Mix until combined.


STEP 4: Add the dry ingredients. Sift the flour, baking soda and salt. Then, add to the banana mixture. Stir just until combined.


STEP 5: Bake. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool completely before removing from the pan.
Expert Baking Tips
For the best tasting banana bread, use extra ripe bananas. The bananas should be brown or have a combination of brown and black streaks. The riper the banana, the sweeter they will be. This will make your banana bread moist and more flavorful.
When measuring your flour, make sure to spoon the flour into the measuring cup. Use a butter knife to level the flour across the measuring cup. Do not scoop the flour directly from the flour bin. This will compact the flour and dry out your banana bread.
For a soft and tender banana bread, gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet. Do not over mix. The more you stir, the more gluten will develop and you will end up with tough, rubbery banana bread.

FAQ
About 2 medium-size bananas will yield 1 cup of mashed bananas.
If you use too much flour, you’ll end up with dry banana bread. Make sure to scoop the flour into your measuring cup to avoid compacting the flour.
Banana bread will stay good for 3-4 days when stored at room temperature and for up to 1 week inside the refrigerator.

Storing and Freezing
Store leftover old fashioned banana bread inside an airtight container or wrapped in plastic. Store at room temperature for up to 4 days and inside the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Freezing
Let the banana bread cool completely. Wrap in plastic wrap, then with foil. Place inside an airtight container or Ziplock freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight inside the refrigerator or at room temperature.
More Dessert Recipes To Try
If you decide to try this recipe, please make sure to leave a STAR RATING on the recipe card and leave a comment below. I hope you enjoy this recipe!
Let’s stay connected on social media. Tag me on Instagram @theepicureanmouse. Make sure to follow me on Pinterest for more delicious family recipes.

Old Fashioned Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 3 Medium-size bananas, extra ripe, mashed, about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups
- 1 cup White granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup Canola oil
- 2 Large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 1/3 cups All purpose flour , sifted
- 1 tsp Baking soda
- 1/2 tsp Salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Spray a 9X5 loaf pan with nonstick spray. Line the bottom and 2 sides with parchment paper.
- Add 3 extra ripe bananas to a large bowl. Using a fork, mash the bananas. Then, add the sugar and mix to combine.
- Stir in the eggs, vanilla extract and canola oil.
- Sift the flour, baking soda and salt. Then, add to the banana mixture. Stir just until combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool completely before removing from the pan.
Notes
- Mix-Ins – 1 cup semisweet mini chocolate chips, 1 cup of chopped pecans or chopped walnuts.

I too seldom leave comments. I had several banana bread recipes pinned and tried different ones. This is now the only one I have. It is a fail proof, moist, old fashioned banana bread. Thank you. Just wondering; do you think adding fresh cranberries would be an addition worth trying?
Hi Diane,
I’m so happy you enjoyed my banana bread recipe and thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. I haven’t tried this recipe with fresh cranberries, but that sounds delicious. I would add 1 cup of fresh cranberries to start. You can leave them whole or cut them in half, that might help disperse them evenly throughout the batter 🙂
Delicious old fashioned banana bread. I’ve been searching for a banana bread that tastes the way it used to. It’s extremely moist. Most of prior recipes found were on the dry side and not enough banana flavor. This is now my go to banana bread recipe! Thank you for sharing.
Hi Suzanne!
I’m so glad you enjoyed my banana bread recipe! It’s one of my favorites 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, I appreciate it!
Absolutely love this recipe! I’ve used it multiple times! I want to make mini loafs as gifts. How long would you recommend I put them in oven??
Hi Cassie! I’m so happy to read this! For mini loaves, it really depends on the size of your pans. Are they the small 4×2-inch ones? If so, I’d start checking them around the 25-30 minute mark. Give the centers a quick test with a toothpick, and once it comes out clean, they’re good to go. Feel free to message me with anymore questions.
tried this recipe last week and it was a huge hit with my family. making more loaves today and this will forever be my go to banana bread recipe.
Hi Sarah,
I’m so glad you and your family enjoyed the recipe 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
I forgot to add the 5 star rating with my previous review, but yes, 5 stars!
Thank you!
This is THE BEST banana bread recipe I’ve found, and I’ve been searching for years for that perfect one. Great recipe!
Hi Heather, I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment 🙂
So delicious and easy! I did 3 batches all in different sized pa a with a plain batch, a batch with milk chocolate chips, and a batch of dark chocolate chips and walnuts- all of them turned perfect! Very moist.
Hi Sonny,
That’s amazing! So glad the recipe worked for you, even with the additions. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Wonderful, easy recipe! I never leave comments on recipes but this one was with it. Received many compliments on this bread. I’m actually making my second batch now—this time with chocolate chips 😋
Thank you Erin for taking the time to leave a comment, I really appreciate it 🙂 So glad you enjoyed the recipe and I love that you’re adding chocolate chips to the banana bread. So yummy!