Sweet & Simple Homemade Banana Bread Recipe

Why You’ll Love this Sweet & Simple Homemade Banana Bread

When you’re craving something warm, comforting, and utterly delicious, this homemade banana bread recipe is exactly what you need. I’m completely smitten with how simple yet rewarding this recipe is—just mix everything in one bowl and you’re halfway there. No fancy techniques required.

The combination of sweet, ripe bananas with the optional crunch of nuts creates a texture that’s both moist and satisfying. Trust me, the heavenly aroma that fills your kitchen while it bakes is worth making this bread alone. Can anything beat the smell of fresh banana bread on a lazy weekend morning?

What Ingredients are in Sweet & Simple Homemade Banana Bread?

This banana bread recipe requires just a handful of pantry staples and ripe bananas, making it the perfect treat to whip up when you need to use up those overripe bananas on your counter. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity—basic ingredients that come together to create something extraordinary.

1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cooking oil
2 tablespoons water
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3 bananas
1/2 cup chopped peanuts or chopped cashews (optional)

For the best flavor, use bananas that are quite ripe—the ones with plenty of brown spots are ideal as they provide more natural sweetness and stronger banana flavor. The nuts are completely optional, so if you have allergies or simply prefer your banana bread without the added crunch, feel free to omit them. The recipe will still turn out wonderfully moist and delicious.

How to Make this Sweet & Simple Homemade Banana Bread

This banana bread comes together quickly with simple ingredients.

Begin by gathering 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup cooking oil, 2 tablespoons water, 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 3 bananas, and 1/2 cup chopped peanuts or cashews.

Place all ingredients into a large bowl and combine thoroughly. Don’t worry if the mixture seems dry at first – continue mixing until it transforms into a pasty liquid consistency.

Once well mixed, transfer the batter into a lightly greased loaf tin.

Bake in a preheated oven at 175°C for approximately 45 to 50 minutes. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf – if it comes out clean, your banana bread is ready.

For the best flavor, use ripe bananas with brown spots, as they provide more natural sweetness and a stronger banana flavor to your bread.

Sweet & Simple Homemade Banana Bread Substitutions and Variations

Looking to add your own twist to this classic recipe? I’m all for kitchen creativity!

You can swap the all-purpose flour for whole wheat or gluten-free blends if you’re watching your diet. Not feeling nutty? Skip the peanuts or cashews entirely, or try walnuts instead.

For a flavor boost, add a teaspoon of cinnamon or vanilla extract. Chocolate chips work wonders, too—who doesn’t love that banana-chocolate combo?

You can even reduce the sugar by a quarter cup if you’re using super-ripe bananas, which are naturally sweeter. The possibilities are deliciously endless!

What to Serve with Sweet & Simple Homemade Banana Bread

Now that you’ve mastered the basic recipe and its variations, let’s talk about what pairs perfectly with your freshly baked banana bread.

I love serving banana bread with a smear of cream cheese or honey butter – divine combination of sweet and tangy. A dollop of Greek yogurt adds protein and balances the sweetness nicely.

For breakfast, pair with fresh fruit and coffee. For dessert, why not add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle of caramel?

Cold milk is the classic companion, but a cup of chai tea or hot cocoa works wonderfully too, especially on chilly days.