Name: Perfect Old-Fashioned Banana Bread – Sweet Easy Recipes Everyone Will Love
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 3 ripe bananas, mashed; 1/3 cup melted butter; 3/4 cup sugar; 1 egg, beaten; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tsp baking soda; Pinch of salt; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

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I’ll be honest—banana bread has been my safety blanket for years. Whenever I’ve had a bunch of sad, spotty bananas staring back at me from the counter, I didn’t toss them—I turned them into something warm and worth every crumb. This sweet easy banana bread is the kind of recipe that doesn’t shout for attention, but you remember it long after the last slice disappears. It’s got that old-school feel, the kind that fills your kitchen with a hug (yep, smells can totally do that). We’re not reinventing anything here—just doing what works. So if you’re hunting for bread easy recipes, or something as satisfying as those butter swim biscuits easy recipes, you’ve landed in a good place. And if you happen to snack on a slice while it’s still warm and the crust has just the tiniest crunch? No judgment—I do the same.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Perfect Old-Fashioned Banana Bread Recipe
3) Ingredients for Perfect Old-Fashioned Banana Bread
4) How to Make Perfect Old-Fashioned Banana Bread
5) Tips for Making Perfect Old-Fashioned Banana Bread
6) Making Perfect Old-Fashioned Banana Bread Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Perfect Old-Fashioned Banana Bread
8) Try these Bread Recipes next!
9) Perfect Old-Fashioned Banana Bread
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This sweet easy banana bread makes use of overripe bananas you already have.
The texture stays soft and sliceable, not crumbly or dense.
Works with simple pantry staples and doesn’t need a mixer.
You can tweak it with add-ins like chocolate chips or walnuts.

2) Easy Perfect Old-Fashioned Banana Bread Recipe

This sweet easy banana bread recipe has been my kitchen go-to for years. We all know that moment when the bananas are beyond their prime, speckled and droopy on the counter. Instead of letting them guilt-trip you from the fruit bowl, turn them into something rich and comforting. This bread brings a soft center, a golden crust, and that nostalgic smell that fills the whole house.

I use ingredients that are already in most kitchens. Butter, sugar, a splash of vanilla, and just enough flour to bring it all together. You don’t need a mixer or any special tricks. Just a bowl, a fork, and a little patience while it bakes.

It’s one of those bread easy recipes that feels familiar every time but never boring. I sometimes toss in chopped walnuts or dark chocolate if I’m feeling bold. But even plain, it always hits the spot.

3) Ingredients for Perfect Old-Fashioned Banana Bread

3 ripe bananas, mashed
These are the star. The darker the peel, the sweeter and more flavorful the bread. If they look too far gone, they’re probably just right.

1/3 cup melted butter
This adds richness and moisture. I use unsalted, but if salted is all I have, I go a little easier on the pinch of salt later.

3/4 cup sugar
Sweet, but not overpowering. If your bananas are extra ripe, you can cut this back a bit.

1 egg, beaten
This binds everything together. I always beat it in a little bowl before adding to the mix so it blends smoothly.

1 tsp vanilla extract
It rounds out the flavor with a cozy note. I don’t skip this unless I absolutely have to.

1 tsp baking soda
This gives the bread its lift. No baking powder needed—just this and the acid from the bananas.

Pinch of salt
Not much, but it brings balance and wakes everything up a little.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
The glue that holds it all together. Mix it in gently to keep the bread soft, not tough.

4) How to Make Perfect Old-Fashioned Banana Bread

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 4×8-inch loaf pan. This gives you time to mix while the oven gets ready.

Step 2. In a big mixing bowl, mash the bananas with a fork. You want them smooth but not pureed. Then stir in the melted butter.

Step 3. Add the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla. Stir until the batter looks even.

Step 4. Sprinkle in the baking soda and salt. Stir to combine without overmixing.

Step 5. Add the flour. Fold it in gently with a spatula just until the flour disappears. Don’t stir too long or the bread gets dense.

Step 6. Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Smooth out the top with a spatula.

Step 7. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes. I start checking at 50. When a toothpick comes out clean from the center, it’s done.

Step 8. Let the bread cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack. Slice it once it’s warm, not hot.

5) Tips for Making Perfect Old-Fashioned Banana Bread

Ripe bananas matter more than you think. They don’t just add flavor—they change the texture. I’ve tried this recipe with barely ripe bananas and it’s not the same. If you’re short on time, you can bake the bananas at 300°F for 15 minutes to soften them.

If you’re wondering how this fits with other sweet easy recipes, here’s the scoop—it’s the kind of bread that tastes indulgent but doesn’t leave you needing a nap. And if you’re into butter swim biscuits easy recipes or quick and easy recipes in general, this one lines up perfectly.

Overmixing is a common mistake. I fold the flour in gently to keep the loaf light. I also avoid opening the oven door too often—it messes with the bake. Patience pays off with banana bread. Let it finish baking and cool just a bit before slicing for best texture.

6) Making Perfect Old-Fashioned Banana Bread Ahead of Time

This bread keeps well. I’ve wrapped it in foil and left it on the counter for a day or two, and it still tasted fresh. If you want to keep it longer, wrap it tightly and refrigerate it. Then just toast a slice and add some butter for a warm treat.

For busy weeks, I like to bake two loaves—one for now and one to freeze. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze. To reheat, let it thaw at room temp or warm it slightly in the oven.

If you’re into bread easy recipes or even vegan easy recipes, this one’s a flexible favorite. Swap the egg with a flax egg or mashed avocado and it still works beautifully.

7) Storing Leftover Perfect Old-Fashioned Banana Bread

I like to slice what’s left and store it in a zip-top bag with a paper towel to absorb extra moisture. This keeps the texture just right. It’s good at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for about a week.

If you freeze slices, separate them with parchment so you can grab one at a time. Toast or microwave for a quick breakfast or snack. This is one of those sweet easy recipes that tastes like you baked it fresh—even days later.

And don’t worry about it drying out. The mashed bananas and butter keep it soft. Just keep it sealed tight and out of sunlight.

8) Try these Bread Recipes next!

9) Perfect Old-Fashioned Banana Bread