This Easy Honey Vanilla Banana Bread is pure comfort food! It’s soft, sweet, and has a lovely hint of vanilla. Plus, using honey makes it a bit healthier—how great is that?
Baking this bread fills your kitchen with the best smells! I love having a warm slice for breakfast or snack time. It’s so good that I sometimes hide it from my family! 🤫
Making this banana bread is a breeze! Just mix, pour, and bake. The hardest part? Waiting for it to cool before enjoying a slice. Trust me, it’s worth it!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Bananas: Ripe bananas are key here! The more spots they have, the sweeter your bread will be. If you don’t have ripe bananas, try placing them in a paper bag for a day to speed up ripening.
Honey: Honey adds natural sweetness. If you prefer, you can substitute it with maple syrup or agave nectar. Just remember it may change the flavor a bit! I sometimes mix in a little brown sugar if I want a richer taste.
Butter: Unsalted butter is perfect, but you can substitute it with coconut oil for a dairy-free option. I like the slight coconut flavor it adds.
Flour: All-purpose flour works well, but you can try whole wheat flour for a healthier option. You may need to adjust the liquid a bit because whole wheat absorbs more moisture.
How Do I Make Sure My Banana Bread is Moist and Not Dense?
The key to a moist banana bread is to avoid overmixing the batter. Mix just until the flour disappears. Here are a few tips:
- Use overly ripe bananas for sweetness and moisture.
- Be gentle when folding in the flour; it’s okay to have a few lumps.
- Check for doneness with a toothpick rather than a knife; it’s more accurate!
- Letting it cool in the pan for a while helps keep it from drying out.
Easy Honey Vanilla Banana Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, beaten
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 10 minutes to prepare and 50-60 minutes to bake. Allow some extra time for cooling, about 10 minutes in the pan and then to cool completely on a wire rack. So, the total time is around 1 hour and 20 minutes before you can enjoy it!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating, grease your 9×5 inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray to prevent the bread from sticking.
2. Mash the Bananas:
In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas using a fork. Aim for a smooth consistency, but a few smaller lumps are perfectly fine; they’ll add texture to your bread.
3. Mix in the Butter, Honey, and Vanilla:
Pour the melted butter into the bowl with the mashed bananas and stir it together until well combined. Then add the honey and vanilla extract, mixing until you have a uniform mixture.
4. Add the Dry Ingredients:
Sprinkle in the baking soda and a pinch of salt. Give it a gentle stir to incorporate these ingredients. Next, gently fold in the all-purpose flour. Be careful not to overmix; it’s perfectly okay if the batter has a few lumps!
5. Incorporate the Egg:
Finally, add the beaten egg to the mixture and stir until everything is nicely blended without overdoing it.
6. Pour and Bake:
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula if needed. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. Keep an eye on it, and use the toothpick test: it’s done when the toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool and Serve:
Once your banana bread is baked, let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy your delicious honey vanilla banana bread!
FAQ for Easy Honey Vanilla Banana Bread
Can I Use Frozen Bananas?
Absolutely! Thaw the frozen bananas in the refrigerator overnight or place them in a sealed bag in warm water for quicker thawing. Once thawed, mash them as you would with fresh bananas.
How Do I Store Leftover Banana Bread?
Store any leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you’d like to keep it longer, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Just thaw at room temperature before enjoying!
Can I Add Nuts or Chocolate Chips?
Definitely! You can fold in 1/2 cup of chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, or chocolate chips after mixing in the flour. They add a nice crunch and flavor to the banana bread!
What if My Banana Bread is Too Dense?
If your banana bread turns out dense, it could be due to overmixing the batter. Make sure to mix just until the dry ingredients are incorporated. Using very ripe bananas also helps keep it moist and fluffy!
