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Moist Banana Bread Recipe That Tastes Like Bakery - Easy, Soft, and Flavorful

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 large very ripe bananas (about 1 1/2 cups mashed; lots of brown spots)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1/4 cup neutral oil (canola, vegetable, or light olive oil)
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1/3 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional but recommended)
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
  • Turbinado sugar for sprinkling on top (optional, for a gentle crunch)

Instructions

  • Prep your pan and oven. Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line it with a parchment sling for easy removal.
  • Mash the bananas. In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until mostly smooth with a few small lumps for texture.
  • Whisk in wet ingredients. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, oil, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla. Whisk until the mixture looks glossy and well combined.
  • Combine dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until evenly mixed.
  • Bring it together. Add the dry ingredients to the wet. Using a spatula, fold gently until you no longer see dry flour. Do not overmix. If using nuts or chocolate chips, fold them in now.
  • Pan and top. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top and sprinkle with a light layer of turbinado sugar if you like a bakery-style crust.
  • Bake. Bake for 55–70 minutes, depending on your oven. Start checking at 55 minutes. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
  • Cool properly. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Lift it out using the parchment and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. This helps the crumb set and stay moist.