Banana Nut Bread

Sep 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Quick breads Vanilla: Extract Easy

A loaf of banana nut bread on a wooden board, two thick slices cut to show the moist crumb

Moist banana nut bread featuring toasted walnuts and warm vanilla flavors from pure vanilla extract, perfect for breakfast or a snack.

Prep 15 min

Cook 60 min

Total 1 hr 15 min

Yield 12 slices

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

slices

2.0 cups (240.0 g)all-purpose flour
1.0 tsp (5.0 g)baking soda
½ tsp (2.0 g)baking powder
½ tsp (3.0 g)fine sea salt
½ cup (113.0 g)unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup (150.0 g)light brown sugar, packed
2.0 (100.0 g)large eggs
1 ½ cups (375.0 g)mashed ripe banana (about 3 medium bananas)
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)pure vanilla extract
½ cup (60.0 g)chopped toasted walnuts

Make it at home

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan; set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and fine sea salt until well combined.
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and light brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes using a hand or stand mixer on medium speed.
Add the pure vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar and mix well to incorporate the vanilla flavor.
Add the eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated.
Stir in the mashed ripe bananas until just combined, taking care not to overmix.
Gently fold in the dry flour mixture and toasted walnuts until just combined, ensuring there are no streaks of flour but being careful not to overmix the batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips

Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant for enhanced flavor.
Use pure vanilla extract instead of vanilla bean for consistent vanilla flavor and easier measurement.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make banana nut bread?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep and 1 hour of cooking. The recipe makes 1 9x5-inch loaf, about 12 slices.

How should I store banana nut bread?

Store the banana nut bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months, thawing at room temperature before serving.

Can I make banana nut bread ahead?

Prepare the batter up to 24 hours in advance, covered in the refrigerator, then bake fresh before serving.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Moist banana nut bread featuring toasted walnuts and warm vanilla flavors from pure vanilla extract, perfect for breakfast or a snack.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 12 servings this recipe makes.

261 Calories / serving

12.0g Fat

35.5g Carbs

4.2g Protein

16.2g Sugar

Whole recipe (12 servings): ~3132 cal · 144g fat · 426g carbs · 50g protein · 194g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 261 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 49 min·2.9 mi·~5750 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 35 min·1.8 mi·~3500 steps
Moderate cycling 27 min·5.4 mi
Swimming laps 37 min
Jogging 26 min·2.2 mi·~4150 steps
Stair climbing 24 min·~2150 steps
Dancing 42 min
Bodyweight circuit training 27 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 61 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.

Made with VanillaGoods

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