If you’re looking for a simple yet satisfying recipe, this easy banana bread is the answer! It’s moist, flavorful, and comes together in just ten minutes. Perfectly delicious served warm or toasted with butter, this banana bread is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. With just a handful of pantry staples, you can whip up this comforting treat in no time, making it ideal for busy mornings or spontaneous baking sessions.
The Magic of Ripe Bananas
The secret to achieving the best banana bread lies in using well-ripened bananas. As they ripen, their natural sugars develop, bringing a delightful sweetness and depth of flavor to your loaf. Look for bananas with brown spots or even a bit of black—this indicates they’re at their peak sweetness. If you have overripe bananas sitting on your counter, don’t let them go to waste! This recipe is the perfect solution.
A Quick and Simple Process
Once you have your ripe bananas ready, the process is incredibly straightforward. Start by mashing the bananas in a bowl until smooth. Then, combine them with other basic ingredients like flour, sugar, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. The beauty of this recipe is that you don’t need any fancy equipment; a simple mixing bowl and a fork or whisk will do the job.
After mixing everything together, pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and get ready for the magic to happen. As the bread bakes, your kitchen will fill with a warm, inviting aroma that’s hard to resist. The anticipation of that golden-brown loaf emerging from the oven is part of the joy of baking.
The Perfect Finish
Once your banana bread is baking, keep an eye on it. When it’s golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, it’s time to take it out of the oven. Allow the loaf to cool slightly before slicing; this helps it firm up a bit for cleaner cuts.
Now for the best part: enjoying your banana bread! You can savor a warm slice on its own, or elevate it by slathering on some butter or nut butter for that extra touch of indulgence. This banana bread isn’t just a fantastic breakfast option; it also makes for a delicious snack any time of day.
Versatility and Add-Ins
One of the great things about banana bread is its versatility. Feel free to customize your loaf with various add-ins. You might consider folding in chocolate chips for a sweet twist, walnuts or pecans for a crunchy texture, or even dried fruit for an interesting flavor combination. Each variation brings its own unique flair to the classic recipe.
Easy Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 300 g self-raising flour
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 140 g brown sugar
- 75 ml vegetable oil
- 100 ml milk
- 2 eggs
- 200 g mashed banana (roughly 2 medium bananas)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180℃.
- Grease a loaf tin and line with baking paper, leaving two opposite edges overhanging. This will make it easier to lift the cooked banana bread out of the tin.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the 300 g self-raising flour and ½ tsp ground cinnamon. Set aside.
- In another mixing bowl, whisk the 140 g brown sugar and 75 ml vegetable oil until smooth.
- Add the 2 eggs to the wet ingredients, whisk until smooth.
- Add the 100 ml milk to the wet ingredients, whisk until smooth.
- Add the 200 g mashed banana to the wet ingredients, whisk briefly to combine.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir with a spatula or spoon until there's no dry flour remaining.
- Pour into the lined loaf tin and smooth the top.
- Bake at 180℃ for 45 minutes or until a wooden skewer comes out clean.
- Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, this will help the banana bread come out cleanly in one piece. Remove, slice and serve warm with butter.
