How to make simple and scrumptious banana bread with walnuts!
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Banana bread is one of the most classic and beloved baked goods that one can think of, but it also happens to be one of the easiest to make! For beginner bakers or kiddos looking to learn a thing or two in the kitchen, banana bread is the perfect recipe to start with!
I find that banana bread’s perfection lies in its simplicity. It’s extremely easy to make, keeps ripened bananas from going to waste, it’s downright delicious, and it can be made for any number of meals! It’s perfect for a light breakfast cake, a simple and sweet dessert, or the perfect snack to keep those hunger pains from taking over.
Although, fair warning, when one smells banana bread being baked they can’t help but crave it! My Simple Banana Bread with Walnuts recipe is simple in both ingredients and process, and you can do it in no time without having to use any expensive kitchen equipment.
This is also a recipe you can make in bulk too! If you have a bunch of bananas that seem like they are going to go to waste, it’s easy to turn them into three or four loaves of banana bread. Then you and your family can snack on them endlessly, or you can pass them out to friends and loved ones.
Personally, I like to make 2-3 loaves at the same time and freeze them since they store and serve so well! I mean, after all, banana bread is the perfect after-school snack, road trip snack, sports practice snack, late-night snack, study session snack, breakfast snack, or whatever kind of activity you need a satisfying snack for.
Whatever you want to make this classic treat for, it’s going to be a recipe that you never let go of! Here’s how to make my simple banana bread with walnuts.
Easy Baking Equipment
First, let me go over my banana bread equipment. You won’t need anything complicated here, just need a few common baking tools and a loaf pan, of course. Here’s what I use to make classic, simple banana bread:
Best Banana Bread Ingredients
Now let’s go over my short and simple ingredient list! You don’t need much here either, just some common baking ingredients, bananas, and walnuts. Here’s what I use to make classic banana bread:
- 2-3 Overripe bananas– peeled
- ⅓ Cup Butter– melted
- 1 ½ Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 Pinch Salt
- ¾ Cup Sugar
- 1 Large Egg
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 Cup Walnuts– chopped
How to Make Simple Banana Bread with Walnuts
Now let’s make some sweet bread! This is a super easy recipe to follow which makes it perfect for beginner bakers or kids wanting to learn how to bake! Here’s how to make simple banana bread with walnuts:
- Start by preheating the oven to 350°F and measuring out all of the banana bread ingredients.
- Then, grease a 4” x 8” loaf pan with butter or preferably vegetable shortening. Make sure to grease all the corners and creases.
- Next, in the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, use a masher (or fork) to mash the peeled bananas until completely smooth.
- Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas.
- Then, beat the egg with a whisk in a separate bowl. Add in the vanilla extract and mix again. Pour the egg mixture into the bananas and mix together using the stand mixer.
- Next, add the flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt to the mixing bowl, mixing for 1 minute between each addition.
- After all the ingredients have been mixed into the dough, use a silicone spatula to fold the chopped walnuts into the dough.
- Next, pour the walnut banana bread batter into the greased loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until a toothpick stuck in the center comes out clean.
- Finally, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, gently remove the bread from the pan, transfer it to a cooling rack, and let it completely cool before serving.
Storing Banana Bread
To store banana bread: first, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Store the wrapped loaf at room temperature for up to 3-5 days. For longer storage, after the 3-day mark, transfer the wrapped loaf to the refrigerator to prolong its shelf life for up to 7 days. Always mark the date on the outside of the wrapping to keep up with freshness.
To freeze banana bread: first, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then again in kitchen foil. Mark the date on the outside and store the wrapped banana bread in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost the bread in the fridge for a day, and when ready to eat, just microwave a slice.
How to Mash Bananas with a Potato Masher
Looking for a super easy method to use for mashing those bananas? Using the potato masher method is my personal favorite way to quickly and easily mash bananas! Here’s what I use and how I do it:
Equipment:
Ingredients:
How to Mash Bananas with a Potato Masher:
- First, gather the tools and banana(s).
- Slice the overripe banana into large chunks and place inside a glass mixing bowl.
- Mash the banana by using the potato masher to press the banana against the bowl walls.
- Continue this process until the entire banana is mushed to the desired consistency.
- Finally, the mashed banana is ready to use in a recipe!
For other easy ways to mash bananas, check out my 3 Ways to Mash Bananas.
Ripe Banana Recipes
Go Bananas!
Want even more bananas comfort food? I’ve got you covered with some more of my favorite banana sweets, other comfort food recipes, and even some suggestions as to what you can top this yummy banana bread with for even more sweet tooth satisfaction:
Try this Banana Bread topped with:
More Banana Treats:
- Caramel-Topped Banana Bread
- Caramel Banana Muffins
- Banana Oat Muffins
- Coconut Banana Pancakes
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Sweet Bread Recipes:
- Bread Pudding
- Pumpkin Bread
- Pumpkin Bread with Vanilla Glaze
- French Toast
Banana Tips:
- How Many Mashed Bananas in 1 Cup?
- 3 Ways to Mash Bananas
- How to Store Mashed Bananas
Simple Banana Bread with Walnuts
Ingredients
- 2-3 Overripe bananas Peeled
- ⅓ Cup Butter Melted
- 1 ½ Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 Pinch Salt
- ¾ Cup Sugar
- 1 Large Egg
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 Cup Walnuts Chopped
Instructions
- Start by preheating the oven to 350°F and measuring out all of the banana bread ingredients.
- Then, grease a 4” x 8” loaf pan with butter or preferably vegetable shortening. Make sure to grease all the corners and creases.
- Next, in the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, use a masher (or fork) to mash the peeled bananas until completely smooth.
- Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas.
- Then, beat the egg with a whisk in a separate bowl. Add in the vanilla extract and mix again. Pour the egg mixture into the bananas and mix together using the stand mixer.
- Next, add the flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt to the mixing bowl, mixing for 1 minute between each addition.
- After all the ingredients have been mixed into the dough, use a silicone spatula to fold the chopped walnuts into the dough.
- Next, pour the walnut banana bread batter into the greased loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until a toothpick stuck in the center comes out clean.
- Finally, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, gently remove the bread from the pan, transfer it to a cooling rack, and let it completely cool before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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