The BEST Banana Bread with Pecans Recipe | Montana Happy (2024)

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This BEST Banana Bread with Pecans is an easy recipe to make, tastes amazing, and will earn you raves from your family and friends.

If you’re looking for more bread recipes, Rosemary Balsamic Bread Dipping Oil and Rustic Bread Salad with Tomatoes will help you find the perfect appetizer recipe.

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If you’ve been hunting for the perfect banana nut bread recipe, you can rest now because the hunt is over.

I found the original recipe in one of the Food Network cookbooks. It had lots of good reviews, so I decided to try it.

My mom always made an excellent loaf of banana bread, but the recipe has shortening, so I’ve been looking for a replacement.

Do you know what the most searched-for bread recipe online is? It’s not white bread, not wheat bread, and it’s not sourdough. The number one online search for bread is banana bread.

This yummy bread is one of those classic recipes that continue to stay as popular as it always has been.

My mom always made our banana bread with pecans – so any banana bread that doesn’t have them isn’t real banana bread to me.

Everyone loves to show off their homemade breads in our cozy living group. There’s something so soothing about baking your own bread and knowing every ingredient that goes into it.

This banana nut bread with pecans recipe is good enough to become a family favorite and is perfect to hand down future generations.

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History of Homemade Banana Bread:

When baking soda and baking powder became popular in the 1930s, that’s when banana bread made its way into cookbooks like Pillsbury’s 1933 Balanced Recipes Cookbook, according to Wikipedia.

Banana bread also became popular during this time because of the Great Depression. Every scrap of food was used because any type of food waste was unacceptable.

For more information on the history of banana bread, check out this fun article on King Arthur Flour’s website.

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Fun Facts About Bananas

1) When the banana is green, it has a high starch content. As the banana turns yellow, the starches turn to sugars.

2) In Ecuador, each person eats 218 pounds of bananas yearly. Americans, on average, eat 27 pounds of bananas per year.

3) Hawaii is the only place in the United States where bananas are grown commercially.

4) Bananas are thought to grow on trees. The plants they grow on are classified as an herb. (Ok – I think most people don’t know that little tidbit.)

5) Bananas are a great source of potassium, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B6.

What you can do with leftover banana skins

Don’t throw out those banana skins. There are quite a few uses for them.

  • Did you know that the oils inside the banana skin can help with itching and inflammation caused by bug bites?
  • Bury banana skins next to your rose bushes. They love the nutrients in their skins.
  • You can use the inside of the banana peel to shine your houseplant leaves.
  • Chickens, rabbits, and pigs all love banana peels. Make sure you buy organic bananas if you’re going to feed them to your livestock.
  • Rub the inside of the banana peel on your face for a natural way to exfoliate and nourish your skin.

How to ripen bananas faster

Place bananas in a brown paper bag and seal. If you want to speed up the process further, add another fruit, like an apple.

Creating a Cozy Life Group

Since you found this recipe on how to make banana nut bread with pecans, I’m guessing you like all things cozy living. I created a Facebook groupcalledCreating a Cozy Lifewith over 123,000 like-minded souls.

It’s a group where we share recipes, pictures of things that leave you in awe, and ideas on how to make your life just a little bit more snug. Join here to be part of the virtual cozy cabin.

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Imagine coming home after a long day at work. You kick off your shoes, light a fire and sink into your cozy chair with a slice of warm, moist banana bread with a dusting of confectioners’ sugar.

The problems of the day will disappear. At least, that’s my theory. Banana bread makes everything better. Much better.

It’s time to gather the ingredients you need for the best banana bread.

  • All-purpose flour
  • baking soda
  • salt
  • overripe bananaswith brown spots
  • sugar
  • unsalted butter
  • large eggs
  • pecan pieces
  • vanilla
  • confectioners sugar

Here’s the Banana Nut Bread with Pecans Recipe

Ingredients for Banana Bread with Pecans

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 overripe bananas

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), melted and cool

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped

Confectioners sugar (for dusting the bread after cooking – optional)

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How to Make Banana BreadRecipe with Pecans

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2) Lightly grease a 9×5 loaf pan.

3) Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside the flour mixture.

4) Mash two over-ripe bananas with a fork in a separate medium bowl. Make sure they still have a bit of texture.

5) Mix the remaining two bananas and sugar together for at least 3 minutes in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer. You want the mixture to be a light and fluffy cream.

6) Add the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla to the banana mixture. Using the hand mixer, beat well, and scrape down the bowl’s sides of the wet ingredients.

7) Fold in the dry ingredients with the wet mixture, until everything is mixed together (don’t over-blend). Add the nuts and the mashed bananas with a rubber spatula.

8) Pour batter into the greased loaf pan.

9) Tap the prepared loaf pan on the counter to get the bubbles out of the dough.

10) Bake time is 1 hour and 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Rotate the bread regularly to make sure it browns on every side. Bake until the top of the bread is golden brown. Use the toothpick test. Put a clean toothpick in the middle of the bread, and if it comes out clean, it’s ready.

11) Let the delicious loaf of banana bread cool for at least 10 minutes on a wire rack for the best results. When you’re ready to serve the banana bread, toast the bread slices and sprinkle them with confectioners’ sugar.

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Tips for Making the Banana Nut Bread with Pecans

How long does the simple banana bread recipe last?

This quick bread recipe will last 3-4 days at room temperature. If the banana bread is refrigerated and secured in plastic wrap, it will last up to one week.

Can you freeze this easy banana nut bread recipe with pecans?

For longer storage, banana bread freezes well. If properly stored in an airtight container or freezer bag, banana bread can last 2-3 months in the freezer.

  • If a crack forms down the middle of the bread, don’t worry – that’s normal.
  • You don’t want to cover the bread while cooking because it won’t brown.
  • You can substitute chopped walnuts for pecans if you prefer.
  • Check on the banana bread after an hour of baking. Every oven is different.
  • Make sure you rotate the bread for even browning.
  • Add 1/4 cup of chocolate chips to the batter to make chocolate chip banana bread.
  • You can add this easy banana bread recipe to a bundt pan or make banana muffins.
  • Add a teaspoon of cinnamon if you want to change up this recipe.

Printable Recipe Card Banana Nut Bread Recipe with Pecans with Nutrition Information

The BEST Banana Bread with Pecans Recipe | Montana Happy (7)

Yield: 1 loaf

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Additional Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

This isn't your average banana bread, this recipe produces a rich, moist, buttery tasting bread that everyone will love.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 overripe bananas
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), melted and cooled
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
  • Confectioners' sugar (for dusting the bread after cooking - optional)

Instructions

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2) Lightly grease a 9 x 5 loaf pan
3) Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
4) Mash two of the bananas with a fork in a separate bowl. Make sure they still have a bit of texture.
5) With an electric mixture, mix the remaining two bananas and sugar together for at least 3 minutes in a large bowl. You want the mixture to be a light and fluffy cream.
6) Add the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla to the banana cream mixture. Beat well, and scrape down the sides of the bowl.
7) Fold in the dry ingredients, until everything is mixed together (don't over blend). Add the nuts and the mashed bananas with a rubber spatula.
8) Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan.
9) Tap the pan on the counter to get the bubbles out of the dough.
10) Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Rotate the bread regularly to make sure it browns on every side. Bake until the bread is a golden brown. Insert the toothpick into the middle of the bread and if it comes out clean, it's ready.
11) Let the bread cool for at least 10 minutes. When you're ready to serve the banana bread, toast the bread slices and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

Nutrition Information

Yield

10

Serving Size

1

Amount Per ServingCalories 432Total Fat 19gSaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 74mgSodium 312mgCarbohydrates 63gFiber 2gSugar 38gProtein 5g

We’ve reached the end of Banana Nut Bread with Pecans. I hope you enjoyed it.It’s my most popular recipe. I think it will become your go-to banana bread recipe.

Let me know in the comments below how you liked this BestBanana Bread.

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Thanks for stopping by. I’m so happy you found us!

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The BEST Banana Bread with Pecans Recipe | Montana Happy (2024)

FAQs

Can you put too much banana in banana bread? ›

Fight the urge to use more banana than called for in your recipe. Using too much banana could make your bread heavy and damp in the center, causing it to appear undercooked and unappealing. If you have bananas leftover, you can always freeze them for later use.

Why are older bananas better for banana bread? ›

Ripe bananas are not only softer and easier to mash and blend into a batter, but they are also sweeter, which is why baking recipes specifically call for ripe bananas in ingredient lists.

Why is my banana nut bread so dry? ›

When it comes to banana bread, moisture is key, and the ratio of flour to banana makes all the difference in getting the perfect banana bread consistency. If you use too much flour, you'll end up with really dry banana bread, and If you don't use enough flour, your banana bread will be way too wet.

Why is my banana bread not fluffy? ›

Make sure you add some sort of leavening agent (such as baking powder) and a couple of eggs. Banana bread is denser than regular bread by definition, but it should still have some fluff to it. If you have too much liquid, this can make your bread dense and mushy.

What happens if you add an extra egg to banana bread? ›

Adding more eggs makes for a spongy, less flavorful banana bread. Doubling the number of eggs I was using resulted in a spongy cake with a moist texture. While the banana flavor was present, it wasn't as prominent as it was in other loaves. This had more of a hint of flavor.

At what point should you not use bananas for banana bread? ›

As it sits at room temperature, starches convert to sugars, making the fruit sweeter and softer. These brown spots, often seen as a sign of spoilage, are actually a dead giveaway of peak banana bread potential. But, there is a limit. Black bananas or rotten bananas are a no-go.

When to not eat a banana? ›

Mold on bananas is fuzzy white, gray, or greenish—it looks a lot like mold on bread. If a banana smells rotten or fermented or is leaking fluid, it's time to say goodbye. If the fruit inside, not just the peel, is black, that's a sign that your banana is too far gone to safely eat.

How black is too black for banana bread? ›

The best bananas for banana bread aren't yellow; they're black. Or they're at least streaked with black/brown, with just the barest hint of green at the stem. And again, the darker the better: there's no such thing as a too-ripe banana when you're making banana bread.

Can dogs eat bananas? ›

Yes, dogs can eat bananas. In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They're high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not part of your dog's main diet.

Should banana nut bread be refrigerated? ›

First, How Long Does Banana Bread Last? Wrapped well and stored at room temperature, banana bread will last about five days. If stored in the fridge, it should last a full week. A frozen loaf of banana bread will last up to a year in the freezer, wrapped well with storage wrap and aluminum foil.

Why is my banana bread still gooey after an hour? ›

Bake for longer: If the center of your banana bread is still gooey, you may need to bake it for a longer time. Check the bread every 5-10 minutes by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out with moist crumbs, continue baking until the toothpick comes out clean or with a few dry crumbs.

How can I make my bread fluffier instead of dense? ›

Potato Flakes or Potato Water

Starch helps the dough by trapping the gas from the yeast in the dough and makes the bubbles stronger. This helps the bread to rise and be lighter and fluffier. If you are boiling potatoes, you can use the unsalted water in place of the water in your bread recipe to help out the yeast.

What if the middle of banana bread is not cooked? ›

If your oven has not reached the correct baking temperature before the banana bread is placed in the oven, the banana bread will be undercooked and more likely to sink. I like to use a hanging oven thermometer placed inside my oven to see if the oven has reached the correct temperature.

What are the black lines in banana bread? ›

Yep, the baking soda in a standard banana bread. recipe is what reacts with the banana causing it to. turn black.

Why did my banana bread come out mushy? ›

Using a lot of bananas adds excess moisture, and there are two ways to get rid of it. You could either add more flour or increase the baking time. Add a tablespoon of extra flour at a time into the batter and give it a good whisk until its consistency starts to look right: thick but runny enough to fall off a spoon.

How much to fill a banana bread pan? ›

Fill the pan until it's two-thirds full, and if there is any remaining batter, fill up a muffin tin. This ensures you get a beautifully risen loaf instead of a potentially flat loaf in a 9×5. Now that you know the importance of pan sizes, it's time to make a loaf of the Best-Ever Banana Bread!

How many bananas is too many at a time? ›

While there's no strict rule, it's best not to eat more than one or two bananas a day. Eating more could lead to weight gain, as they contain both carbohydrates and sugar. Ensure you're eating a balanced diet by including a range of fresh fruits and vegetables.

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