If you’re searching for the perfect & simple banana bread recipe, you’re in the right place. Made with overripe bananas and simple pantry staples, this moist, fluffy, and sweet banana bread is ideal for breakfast, tea time, or a healthy snack. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned baker, this recipe is quick to prepare and easy to customize.
Why You’ll Love This Simple Banana Bread Recipe
- Uses overripe bananas—no waste!
- Quick and beginner-friendly
- Soft, moist, and naturally sweet
- Easily made eggless or gluten-free
- Great base for chocolate, oats, or nuts
Ingredients for Simple Banana Bread Recipe (Basic Version)
Example:
🕒 Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 35 min | Servings: 8 slices
- 2 ripe bananas (mashed)—approx. 2 banana calories = 180 kcal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (What is all-purpose flour? It’s regular maida used for baking.
- ½ cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- ¼ cup oil or melted butter
- 1 egg (see eggless version below)
- ½ tsp baking soda (cooking soda)
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
How to Make Simple Banana Bread—Step-by-Step
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Mash the bananas in a mixing bowl until smooth.
- Add sugar, oil, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
- In another bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and crumb-free
- Let it cool, slice, and enjoy your soft and moist banana bread!
Tips & Variations
- Want it richer? Mix in chocolate chips or chopped walnuts to make it more indulgent
- For a healthier twist, substitute half the flour with wheat flour.
- You can also bake this in a loaf pan for a banana bread-style cake.
Simple Banana Bread Recipe Variations You’ll Love
1. Chocolate Banana Bread (Variation)
For a richer flavor, turn your base into a chocolate banana bread:
- Replace 2 tablespoons of flour with cocoa powder
- Stir in chocolate chips
- Top with nuts or a light chocolate glaze
This simple banana bread recipe is perfect for dessert lovers!
2. Banana Bread Without Eggs
No eggs? No problem! Here are some great substitutes:
- ½ cup thick curd
- ¼ cup applesauce
- 2 tbsp flaxseed powder + 5 tbsp water
These work beautifully for a simple banana bread recipe (eggless version).
Pressed for time? Try this no-fuss 4-ingredient banana bread:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup oats
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup honey
Blend and bake for a guilt-free treat—ideal for kids and calorie-conscious eaters.
4. Banana Bread Muffins
Want bite-sized versions? Spoon the batter into muffin cups and bake at 180°C for 20–25 minutes. These banana bread muffins are perfect for kids or lunchboxes!
5. Banana Bread with Oats (Healthy Version)
Make a simple banana bread recipe healthy by using:
- Ground oats instead of flour
- Honey or jaggery instead of sugar
- Greek yogurt instead of oil
You’ll love this banana bread with oats—nutritious and filling!
- 2 banana calories ≈ 180 kcal
- Brown bread calories (2 slices) ≈ 140 kcal
- 4 brown bread calories ≈ 280 kcal
- Banana bread (1 slice) ≈ 150–180 kcal depending on ingredients
Yes! Many people refer to banana cake as banana bread with banana cake texture. But true banana cake is fluffier and sweeter—better suited for dessert. If you like the idea of a hybrid, try this moist banana bread recipe baked in a cake tin with a light frosting!
Looking for a gluten-free version? This banana bread can easily be made without wheat flour. Just swap all-purpose flour with an equal amount of gluten-free flour blend or almond flour.You can also use oat flour or a mix of rice flour and cornstarch. The result is a moist and fluffy gluten-free banana bread that’s just as delicious—ideal for those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. Be sure to check that your baking powder and other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
Banana Bread vs. Banana Cake: What’s the Difference?
If you’ve ever wondered whether banana bread and banana cake are the same, you’re not alone! With similar ingredients and flavors, it’s easy to confuse the two. But there are some key differences. In this blog, we’ll explore banana bread vs. banana cake, share a moist and fluffy banana bread recipe, and give you ideas for making it healthier or more chocolatey!
| Feature | Bread | Cake |
| Texture | Dense, Chewy, firm | Soft, light, fluffy |
| Sugar content | Low to none (except sweetbreads) | High (sweet dessert) |
| Fat Content | Low (oil/butter optional) | High (uses butter/oil generously) |
| Leavening agent | Usually yeast | Baking powder or baking soda |
| Flavor profile | Savory or mildly sweet | Sweet (often with frosting or glaze) |
| Examples | Sandwich bread, baguette; Chocolate banana bread, banana bread with oats | Chocolate cake, banana cake. Moist and fluffy banana cake |
Whether you’re baking a classic banana bread, a rich chocolate banana bread, or a banana bread without eggs, it’s one of the easiest and most satisfying recipes out there. With just a few ingredients, you can create a healthy or indulgent treat perfect for any time of day
Want freshly baked banana bread for your next event?
At Honey Catering Services in Chennai, we are not doing cake or bake bread ourselves, but we can provide you banana bread and other baked treats in our menu through our trusted partners. You’ll enjoy the taste of homemade-style baked goods along with our best catering services.
Contact us today to plan your menu and make your event special with Honey Catering Services!
