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Walnut Banana Bread

Moist walnut banana bread slice with toasted nuts on rustic cutting board

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This walnut banana bread transforms overripe bananas into a moist, tender loaf with a deep caramelized banana flavor and the gentle crunch of toasted nuts. It’s a simple, comforting recipe that yields perfect results every time, reminiscent of a classic diner treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 large very ripe bananas (speckled or black)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
  3. In a large bowl, mash bananas until mostly smooth. Whisk in melted butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and sour cream until well combined.
  4. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Gently fold with a spatula until just combined, with no streaks of flour.
  5. Fold in 3/4 cup of the chopped walnuts.
  6. Pour batter into prepared pan. Smooth top and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup walnuts.
  7. Bake for 60-70 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Then remove from pan and cool completely before slicing.

Notes

For best flavor, use very ripe, blackened bananas. Do not overmix the batter after adding flour to ensure a tender crumb. The bread freezes well for up to 3 months.

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