Banana Bread
AI-generated image
Vegetarian American

Banana Bread

A tender, deeply banana-scented loaf with a caramelized crust, toasted walnuts, and a moist but sliceable crumb. It is designed for using very ripe bananas and keeps beautifully for several days.

75 min 10 servings Medium
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How to prepare

1
Heat the oven to 175°C. Grease a 23 x 13 cm loaf pan and line it with parchment, leaving an overhang on the long sides.
2
Mash the peeled bananas in a large bowl until mostly smooth, leaving a few small pieces for texture. Whisk in the melted butter, sugar, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla until glossy and evenly combined.
3
Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Add the dry mixture to the banana mixture and fold just until no dry streaks remain; do not overmix.
4
Fold in the chopped walnuts, then scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface. Tap the pan once on the counter to release large air pockets.
5
Bake on the center rack for 55 to 65 minutes, rotating once after 35 minutes, until the top is deeply golden and a skewer inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. The center should register about 96°C.
Golden banana bread loaf with a domed cracked top AI-generated image
6
Cool the loaf in the pan for 15 minutes, then lift it out using the parchment and cool completely on a rack for at least 1 hour before slicing.
7
Cut into 10 even slices and serve at room temperature or lightly toasted.
Sliced banana bread showing a moist crumb and walnuts AI-generated image

Why this recipe works

Very ripe bananas provide concentrated flavor and moisture, while sour cream keeps the crumb supple without making it heavy. A moderate oven develops a golden crust while baking the center evenly.

Storage and reheating

How to store it

Wrap the cooled loaf tightly and store at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Freeze individual slices for up to 2 months.

How to reheat it

Warm individual slices in a 160°C oven for 5 to 7 minutes or microwave briefly for 10 to 15 seconds. Thaw frozen slices before warming for the most even texture.

Nutrition / serving

328kcal
5.33 gprotein
40.96 gcarbs
16.72 gfat
P
Pantryvale editorial kitchen
Recipe prepared for publication with complete ingredients and ordered cooking steps.
Published 14 Aug 2026 · updated 14 Aug 2026