Perfect 4-ingredient banana bread (2024)

An epicurean adventure to: The United States of America

This easy 4-ingredient banana bread recipe delivers a moist and flavourful treat in no time.

What makes it different to other banana bread recipes? Several reasons.

We swap normal sugar for brown sugar, giving it depth and richness. We also add an extra banana for more moisture.

Lastly, the weight of the bananas you need is listed in exact grams. Bananas across the world come in different sizes and not all cup measures are the same, or even that accurate. Measuring this way will guarantee you the same excellent results every single time you bake it.

So, let's get baking! With this simple banana bread recipe, you can have a warm, fresh slice of moist banana bread, smothered in butter in less than an hour.

Speaking of butter, learnhow to make butter rosettesas shown in the photo below.

Where does banana bread originate from?

During the Great Depression, resourceful homemakers in the United States of America discovered the secret to turning overripe bananas into a moist and sweet bread.

The recipe debuted in Pillsbury's Balanced Recipes cookbook in 1933 and gained popularity in Chiquita Banana's Recipe Book in 1950.

This quick bread-cake hybrid doesn't need yeast or rising time, thanks to baking soda and powder. Modern versions include chocolate chips, nuts and dried fruit.

To this day, banana bread is a beloved treat enjoyed worldwide with its roots firmly in the American cuisine. This beloved bread saw a remarkable comeback during the COVID lockdown, becoming a go-to, easy-bake comfort treat for many people.

Fast Facts - The United States of America

Key ingredient notes and substitutions

**Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full ingredients list.

Bananas

The bananas really do need to be quite overripe. The more brown spots, or the blacker the better. It makes the banana bread sweet and more flavourful.

Putting bananas in a brown paper bag helps speed up the ripening process. It will take a couple of days but can be as quick as overnight.

If you have some overripe bananas that you've frozen, use them. Defrost before using.

Eggs

The eggs need to be at room temperature.

Tip:To quickly bring eggs up to room temperature, place them in a bowl with warm water for a few minutes.

Light brown sugar

We use light brown sugar, but you can also use normal brown sugar.

Self-raising flour

If you're in a pinch and out of self-raising flour, you can add 2.5 teaspoons of baking powder to plain all-purpose flour.

How to make 4-Ingredient banana bread - Quick summary

• Preheat the oven to 180C/356F/gas mark 4 and line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper.

  A standard loaf tin is about 21cm long, 11cm wide and 7cm wide. Alternatively, it's also known as a 2lb or 900g tin.

• In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas really finely with a fork. You can also use a stick blender, a food processor or a potato masher.

• Add the eggs to the mashed bananas and whisk well.

• Add the sugar to the wet ingredients and whisk again.

• Add the flour and gently fold it into the mix with a spatula. Don't overmix and stop as soon as all the flour has been incorporated.

• Pour the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan.

• Bake for 40-45 minutes until a cake tester comes out clean and the top is a light golden brown.

• Leave to cool for 10 minutes before tipping the loaf of banana bread out onto a wire rack. Enjoy a warm slice with butter.

Storage

Any leftover banana bread will keep well if wrapped up in aluminumfoil, or plastic wrap, inside an airtight container for up to 3 days. The great thing about it is that it gets even better as the days go by.

It freezes really well, making it ideal to make ahead. Remove from the freezer at least 6 hours before serving.

Extra additions for your banana bread

You can add the following to the recipe:

• A teaspoon of vanilla.

• Chocolate chips, milk, dark or white.

• Chopped peanuts or other nuts.

• Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg or Allspice.

• Orange zest.

Serving suggestions

• Plain- Enjoy a slice of banana bread as-is for a simple yet comforting treat.

• Butter or Margarine- Spread a thin layer of butter or margarine on a warm slice of banana bread for added richness and flavour.

• Cream Cheese- Spread a layer of cream cheese on your banana bread for a creamy and tangy twist.

• Nut Butter- Try spreading peanut butter, almond butter or any other nut butter on your banana bread for a nutty and satisfying combination.

• Honey or Maple Syrup- Drizzle a little honey or maple syrup over your banana bread for a touch of natural sweetness.

• Fresh Fruits- Serve banana bread with a side of fresh sliced fruits like strawberries, blueberries or raspberries for a refreshing contrast.

• Ice Cream- For a decadent dessert, serve a warm slice of banana bread with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

• Yoghurt- Pair banana bread with a dollop of Greek yoghurt or your favourite flavoured yoghurt for a creamy and protein-packed treat.

• Toasted- Lightly toast a slice of banana bread for added warmth and a slightly crispy texture.

• Nutella or Chocolate Spread- Spread a layer of Nutella or your favourite chocolate spread on your banana bread for a chocolatey twist.

• Fresh Banana Slices- Top your banana bread with fresh banana slices for an extra burst of banana flavour.

• Whipped Cream- Serve a slice of banana bread with a generous dollop of whipped cream for a fluffy and indulgent treat.

• Cinnamon Sugar- Sprinkle a mixture of cinnamon and sugar on top of your banana bread for a spicy, sweet touch.

• Berry Compote- Pair banana bread with a homemade berry compote or fruit jam for a burst of fruity goodness.

• Yogurt Parfait- Layer banana bread crumbles with yoghurt and fresh fruits in a parfait glass for a 'healthy' dessert.

• Grilled or Pan-fried- Grill or pan-fry slices of banana bread for a caramelised exterior and a warm, gooey centre.

• French Toast- Use slices of banana bread to make French toast by dipping slices in a mixture of beaten eggs, milk and spices, then frying until golden brown.

• Bread Pudding- Turn your banana bread into a luscious bread pudding by soaking slices in a custard mixture, then baking until soft and creamy.

• Breakfast Sandwich- Make a breakfast sandwich using slices of banana bread as the bread and fill it with ingredients like bacon, cheese and scrambled eggs for a unique twist.

• Chocolate or caramel drizzle - Add some melted chocolate or caramel drizzle over the top of the banana bread for a bit of a fancier look.

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