This truly is the best banana walnut bread recipe—moist, tender, and full of rich banana flavor in every slice. The addition of toasted walnuts adds the perfect crunch and contrast to the soft, buttery crumb.
Whether you're using up overripe bananas or baking for a crowd, this easy and foolproof recipe delivers bakery-quality results every time. Perfect for breakfast or snack or even gift giving! Give this recipe a try and I think you will LOVE me for it!
If you have overripe bananas you must give this recipe a try! However, if you are a cinnamon lover you will absolutely adore my Banana Cinnamon Swirl Bread and for a handheld variety try my The Best Banana Cinnamon Muffins!
Ingredients
- butter
- granulated sugar
- eggs
- flour
- baking soda
- salt
- ripe bananas
- sour cream
- vanilla
- walnuts
See exact quantities in recipe card.
Instructions
Toast the walnuts if desired and let cool. Start the bread by creaming the butter, sugar, and eggs together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Next, sift the dry ingredients and gradually add them to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Then, stir in those glorious mashed bananas along with the sour cream and dreamy vanilla, blending until smooth. After that, fold in the toasted walnuts and pour the batter into your prepared pans. Finally, bake until golden and delicious, filling your kitchen with the most irresistible aroma.
SEE VIDEO BELOW!
Top Tip
If you're going to make this recipe, make sure to follow this top tip!
TOAST THE WALNUTS
Trust me on this. Slightly toasting the walnuts in a little butter brings out the most delicious taste of the tree nuts. Doing this makes your baked goods just a little extra better! This can be done on the stove top or in the oven.
Substitutions
- Walnuts - If you just aren't a big walnut fan or maybe don't have any on hand you can either completely eliminate them OR sub in pecans! Pecans are so great in the this recipe!
- Chocolate - What??? I can add chocolate? YES! Take out those walnuts and add the same amount of chocolate chips!
- Sour Cream - If you don't have sour cream on hand plain yogurt is a one to one switch.
Equipment
Hands down I believe good quality kitchen tools will make baking and cooking so much easier and more fun! Here is a LINK to my fav baking supplies! Definitely check out the pans, vanilla and mixer! Trust me!
Storage
Homemade banana bread will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for four days! ENJOY!
Other Bread Recipes
Banana Walnut Bread - mini loaves
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans-toasted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter mini loaves or a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan; set aside. Toast nuts and set aside. In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, and beat to incorporate.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the butter mixture, and mix until just combined. Add bananas, sour cream, and vanilla; mix to combine. Stir in nuts, and pour into prepared pan.
- Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Let rest in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool.
- Smaller loaves bake about 25-30 min *I personally love the mini loaves. The bread is always more moist this way!
Misty Tannery says
Family favorite! If you you are allergic to nuts please just omit them. It will not affect the recipe.