Got a few overripe bananas sitting on the counter? You’re already halfway to the easiest, coziest loaf you can bake. This one-bowl banana bread is the ultimate beginner win — no mixer, no fancy ingredients, and barely any cleanup. Just melted butter, ripe bananas, and pantry staples working together to create a soft, moist loaf every single time.
If you’ve ever worried about dry banana bread or complicated steps, this recipe keeps things simple and foolproof.
Why This Easy Banana Bread Works
This method focuses on maximum simplicity with reliable results.
Here’s what makes it beginner-friendly:
- Melted butter (no creaming required)
- One-bowl mixing method
- Baking soda as the only leavener
- Minimal stirring for a tender crumb
- Pantry ingredients you likely already have
💡 Translation: less effort, fewer dishes, and consistently moist banana bread.
Simple Pantry Ingredients
This recipe makes one standard 9×5 loaf.
Wet ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas (about 1½ cups mashed)
- ½ cup melted butter
- ¾ cup granulated (white) sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry ingredients
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional but lovely)
Optional mix-ins
- ½–¾ cup chopped walnuts
- ½–¾ cup chocolate chips
- Handful of shredded coconut
Step 1: Mash the Bananas (Fork Only!)
No blender needed — just a fork and a bowl.
- Peel bananas into a large mixing bowl
- Mash with a fork until mostly smooth
- Leave a few small lumps for texture
Ripeness matters most:
- Yellow with spots = okay
- Deep brown and speckled = perfect
- Blackened skins = maximum sweetness
💡 Quick tip: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more moist your bread will be.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients (Still One Bowl!)
To the mashed bananas, add:
- Melted butter
- Sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla
Whisk or stir until smooth and glossy.
Why melted butter is the shortcut hero:
- No mixer required
- Faster prep
- Still delivers rich flavor
- Keeps the crumb soft
👉 This step should take about 1–2 minutes total.
Step 3: Sprinkle in the Dry Ingredients
Right into the same bowl, add:
- Flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Cinnamon (if using)
Now gently fold everything together.
The golden rule:
👉 Mix just until combined
👉 Stop when you no longer see dry flour
👉 A slightly lumpy batter is perfect
Overmixing is the #1 cause of dense banana bread.
Step 4: Fold in Mix-Ins (Optional but Fun)
If using walnuts or chocolate chips:
- Sprinkle them over the batter
- Fold gently 4–5 strokes max
Popular easy add-ins:
- Walnuts for crunch
- Chocolate chips for sweetness
- Both together (highly recommended!)
💡 Keep mix-ins under about ¾ cup total so the loaf bakes evenly.
Step 5: Prep the Pan the Easy Way
For a no-stick loaf:
- Grease a 9×5 loaf pan
- Or line with parchment for easy lift-out
- Pour in batter and smooth the top
Optional bakery-style finish:
- Sprinkle extra chips or nuts on top
- Or add a sliced banana down the center
Step 6: Bake Until Perfect
Bake at:
👉 350°F (175°C)
👉 50–60 minutes
How to know it’s done
Insert a toothpick into the center:
- Clean or with a few crumbs = perfect
- Wet batter = needs more time
If the top browns too fast:
- Loosely tent with foil for the final 10–15 minutes
Step 7: Cool Before Slicing (Important!)
This part is hard — but worth it.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes
- Remove and transfer to a rack
- Cool at least 20 minutes before slicing
Why this matters:
- The crumb finishes setting
- Slices won’t fall apart
- Texture becomes perfectly tender
Easy Flavor Variations
Once you master the basic loaf, try these simple twists.
Chocolate chip swirl
- Add ¾ cup chips
- Sprinkle extra on top
Nutty classic
- Add toasted walnuts or pecans
- Toasting boosts flavor big time
Warm spice loaf
- Add extra cinnamon + pinch nutmeg
Tropical vibe
- Fold in a few tablespoons crushed pineapple (well drained)
Final Takeaway
Easy banana bread doesn’t need fancy tools or complicated steps. Remember the simple formula:
- Use very ripe bananas
- Melted butter keeps it easy
- One bowl is enough
- Mix just until combined
- Bake until toothpick comes out clean
Follow these basics and you’ll get soft, moist, beginner-proof banana bread every time.
✨ Save this recipe for later and pin it for your next batch of ripe bananas!
