Best Banana Bread Recipe (Moist!)

Best banana bread recipe—it’s a bold claim, but this one truly delivers. This loaf is soft, fluffy, and packed with real banana flavor without being dense or gummy. The secret? A full half cup of sour cream for unbeatable moisture and just the right balance of mashed banana to keep the texture light. Whether you love your banana bread plain or jazzed up with nuts or chocolate chips, this recipe is your new go-to.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Moist and tender: Sour cream gives this loaf its perfect crumb.
• Rich banana flavor: Uses just the right amount of ripe banana.
• Quick and easy: Mix it up in under 15 minutes—no mixer required.
• Freezer-friendly: Great for meal prep or make-ahead treats.
• Customizable: Add nuts, chocolate, spices, or make muffins!

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup mashed ripe banana (about 2–3 bananas)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup oats, blended into flour (or use ½ cup all-purpose flour)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• ¾ tsp kosher salt
• ½ cup sour cream
• ¼ tsp cinnamon (optional)
• ⅛ tsp nutmeg (optional)
• ½–¾ cup toasted walnuts or pecans (optional)

Instructions

1. Prep oven & pan:
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment.
2. Cream butter and sugars:
   In a large bowl, beat butter with brown and white sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
3. Mix in eggs & banana:
   Add eggs and vanilla; mix until smooth. Stir in mashed banana until well combined.
4. Add dry ingredients:
   Add flour, oat flour (or additional flour), baking soda, baking powder, salt, and optional spices. Stir until just combined.
5. Fold in sour cream & nuts:
   Gently mix in sour cream. If using, fold in nuts or chocolate chips.
6. Bake:
   Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top. Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool & serve:
   Let cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Slice once cooled, or enjoy warm with butter.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Servings: 10–12 slices

Nutrition Facts (Per Slice)

• Calories: 257
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Carbs: 32g
• Sugar: 19g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 53mg
• Sodium: 210mg

Values are approximate and may vary by ingredients used.

Tips & Variations

Tips:

• For best flavor, use bananas with lots of brown spots—not fully black.
• Don’t overmix the batter after adding flour; this keeps it light.
• If using frozen bananas, thaw and include the liquid for extra moisture.

Variations:

• Banana Muffins: Pour into lined muffin tins. Bake at 425°F for 5 min, then 350°F for 15 more.
• Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: Add ¾ cup chocolate chips.
• Spiced Version: Add ½ tsp cinnamon and a pinch of cloves.
• Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and certified GF oats.

FAQs

Can I freeze banana bread?
Yes! Wrap the loaf or slices tightly in foil, then in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.

Does this banana bread need to be refrigerated?
Not unless it’s kept longer than 3 days. Store tightly wrapped at room temp for best texture.

What’s the best way to ripen bananas quickly?
Place yellow bananas on a baking sheet at 300°F for 15 minutes until skins are blackened. Let cool before using.

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Absolutely! Use full-fat Greek yogurt as a 1:1 substitute.

Why did my banana bread overflow?
Make sure you’re using a true 9×5-inch loaf pan. Smaller pans can cause overflow—especially with baking powder.

Best Banana Bread Recipe

An ultra-moist banana bread made with sour cream and ripe bananas. Perfectly balanced in flavor and texture—your new favorite loaf.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course Bread

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 257 kcal

Equipment

• – Mixing bowls
• Hand mixer or whisk
• Loaf pan (9×5)
• Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

  

• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup mashed banana
• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup oat flour or all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• ¾ tsp salt
• ½ cup sour cream
• Optional: ¼ tsp cinnamon ⅛ tsp nutmeg, ¾ cup nuts or chocolate chips

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease or line a 9×5 loaf pan.
• Cream butter and sugars until fluffy.
• Add eggs, vanilla, and mashed banana. Mix well.
• Stir in dry ingredients until just combined.
• Fold in sour cream and mix-ins.
• Bake for 55–65 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Cool, slice, and enjoy!

Notes

Use 1 cup banana for best texture.

Replace oat flour with regular flour if preferred.

Cool completely before slicing for best results.

Keyword best banana bread recipe

Conclusion

This truly is the best banana bread recipe for those who want moist texture, rich banana taste, and no-fuss baking. With just a few simple pantry ingredients and the magic of sour cream, you’ll have a loaf that beats every café or boxed mix out there. Bake one today—and maybe freeze a second (because it disappears fast!).