The Skinny on Banana Bread

Sweet and rich, crumbly and delicious--there’s lots to love about banana bread. It’s always a crowd pleaser, and it’s a delightful way to enjoy overripe bananas. It’s also versatile: You can go the classic route or jazz up your banana bread recipe with chopped nuts, bits of dried fruit, or rich chocolate chips. Bake a batch ahead for a convenient weekday breakfast, whip up a loaf for weekend brunch, give it as a holiday gift, or serve a candied variation for dessert.

The bread we love so much was born nearly 80 years ago. The first loaf of banana bread was baked in the 1930s, coinciding with the growing popularity of baking soda, a common leavening agent found in the bread. Flash forward to the 1960s when a renewed interest in home-baked goodies inspired a new banana bread craze; after all, this quick bread is simple to make, yields an impressive loaf, and is delicious. It’s still popular today, and banana bread recipes have only gotten more creative. Looking for a new banana bread recipe to love? Check out our favorites.

Our Favorite Banana Bread Recipes

	Banana Bread with Raisins This simple dessert or snack bread has the added flavor of pineapple to break up the monotony.		Better Than Banana Bread This simple dessert or snack bread has the added flavor of pineapple to break up the monotony.
	Crock Pot Banana Bread with Pecans What a simple and unique way to prepare banana bread, in the crock pot.		Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread All your favorites in one simple bread: banana, peanut butter plus chocolate and peanut butter chips.
	Old German Banana Bread Mashed banana, oil, eggs, sugar and pecans are stirred together with flour to make this quick bread.		Apricot Banana Bread This hearty sweet bread has bananas, apricots and nuts making it a great addition to any breakfast spread.
	Banana Nut Bread Simple ingredients make this traditional breakfast bread so delicious. Put your ripened bananas to good use and spoil someone.		Rich Creamy Banana Bread Fat-free cream cheese in the batter adds a tang, but not too much richness. Bananas and cinnamon round out the flavor combination.

See All Banana Bread Recipes

More Banana Bread from the Better Homes and Garden Network

	Best Banana Bread Challenge If you've got a stellar version of our fave quick bread we want to see it. Bake up your best original recipe, and share it with us for your chance to win $500.		Best Banana Bread Recipes These delicious recipes featuring fruit, nuts, chocolate, and peanut butter, make classic banana bread even more irresistible.
	Simply Good Banana Bread Made with simple ingredients, this banana bread always comes out of the oven perfect.		Tips for Great Banana Bread Follow these tips for making this quick-and-simple sweet bread the best it can be.
	Mother's Banana Bread Made with simple ingredients, this banana bread always comes out of the oven perfect.

Bread-Baking Tips

Pointers for: Quick Breads, Biscuits & scones Before you grease your bread or muffin tin, read these tips to guarantee your success in the kitchen.

Preparing Pans for Quick Bread Before you grease your bread or muffin tin, read these tips to guarantee your success in the kitchen.