The Game-Changing Way You've Never Thought to Bake Banana Bread (2024)

Best Ever Banana BreadWe named this the best banana bread because it's a straightforward recipe that turns out great every time. Use ripe bananas, since they are easier to mash and give off a more intense banana flavor.

Cast-Iron Chocolate Chip Banana BreadTop the bread with dried banana chips for extra texture and crunch. To keep the bread from sticking to the cast-iron pan, make sure it's properly seasoned and grease the pan generously before adding the batter. Here's how to season a cast-iron pan if you need a refresher.

3-Ingredient Banana BreadIt doesn't get any easier than this foolproof recipe. You only need cake mix, eggs and bananas to make it happen.

Special Banana Nut BreadChopped pecans—and a bit of rum, if desired—make this bread extra special. Creaming butter and sugar takes time, so use an electric mixer to speed things up.

Gluten-Free Banana BreadThis one's for you, gluten-free friends. Gluten-free flour and a bit of unsweetened applesauce create the perfect texture.

Banana-Zucchini BreadThis recipe makes two 9x5-inch loaves, so you can eat one now and freeze the other one to enjoy later. The water content in the zucchini helps keep the bread extra moist. Find more of our best zucchini bread recipes.

Makeover Banana Nut BreadThis loaf is light on sugar and butter, thanks to the addition of applesauce, honey and an extra banana. Believe it or not, it's only 165 calories and 3 grams of fat per slice.

Special Banana Nut BreadWe've never met a banana bread we didn't like, but this extra-decadent version made with cream cheese and a sweet orange glaze takes the cake. Err, bread.

Upside-Down Banana Monkey BreadYou'll want to dust off your stand mixer for this one. The recipe includes yeast, so you'll need to knead it like traditional bread dough and let it rise for about an hour before baking it. The results are gooey, sweet and completely irresistible.

Banana Chip BreadChocolate chips and banana bread were made to pair together. Make sure you buy the best chocolate chips so the quality shines through in every slice. This recipe goes a step further by adding chopped pecans, but you can leave them out if you don't like the crunch.

Banana Bread PuddingIf you prefer scooping up your banana bread with a spoon, this ooey-gooey dessert version will hit the spot. Day-old bread and a homemade vanilla sauce give it a decadent texture.

Double Cranberry Banana BreadA cup of whole-berry cranberry sauce—yep, like the kind you eat on Thanksgiving—keeps this recipe deliciously moist. Dried cranberries add even more texture, flavor and color. Try more of our favorite cranberry recipes to use up any leftovers.

Pumpkin Banana BreadIf you're like us, you always have an extra can or two of pumpkin puree sitting in your pantry. Put it to good use and make this festive pumpkin banana bread, which is great for snacking, dessert or even gifting.

Moist Banana Nut BreadYou'll never guess the secret ingredient that gives this plant-based banana bread loaf its moist texture. It's silken tofu, which also adds 4 grams of protein to each slice.

Chocolate Banana BreadMix things up by adding 2 cups of all-purpose cocoa powder to this otherwise traditional banana bread recipe. The rich, sweet loaf pairs fabulously with vanilla ice cream. Keep everything from-scratch by learning how to make your own homemade vanilla ice cream.

I Like to Eat Apples and Bananas BreadCaramel sundae syrup, apples and shredded coconut make this banana bread taste more like dessert than a breakfast bread. Braeburns, Fuji and Honeycrisp make some of the best apples for baking.

Easy Banana BreadThere's nothing crazy in this recipe, just basic pantry ingredients and some very ripe bananas. It does call for shortening instead of butter, so make sure you have some on hand if you don't want to swap for butter.

Moist Pineapple Banana BreadA can of crushed pineapple, cinnamon, vanilla extract and walnuts make this banana bread an extra special treat. Just combine the wet ingredients in one bowl, the dry ingredients in another bowl, then combine them and pour the batter into loaf pans. That's it!

Microwave Banana BreadSometimes you want banana bread…now. Luckily, this microwave mug cake recipe requires only seven ingredients and about two minutes of cooking time. Next, try a chocolate peanut butter mug cake.

Banana Pecan LoafWhile this pecan-studded bread is delicious on its own, the real star of the recipe is the two-ingredient pineapple spread. Combine a package of cream cheese and a can of crushed pineapple, then serve it on the side.

Peanut Butter-Banana MuffinsMove over, jelly. There's no better combo than peanut butter and banana, and this quick muffin recipe proves it. You'll have a warm batch on the table in just about 35 minutes.

Blueberry Banana BreadYou can use fresh or frozen blueberries for this flavorful loaf. If you're using frozen berries, don't thaw them before adding them to the batter or the whole batch will turn blue!

Air-Fryer Banana BreadIf you've never tried baking banana bread in the air fryer, the time is now. As long as it fits inside the air fryer, any oven-safe dish—including a loaf pan—is safe to use.

Banana Bread Snack CakesThese cute little snack cakes work great for on-the-go breakfasts and packed school lunches.

Walnut Banana BreadThis no-nonsense recipe is so easy to whip up, it's practically foolproof. One reader recommends doubling the recipe, then eating one loaf and freezing the other.