This Honey Vanilla Banana Bread is soft, sweet, and packed with banana goodness. The honey adds a lovely touch, while vanilla brings out the rich flavors!
Baking this bread fills the kitchen with amazing scents. It’s perfect for breakfast or a snack. I often enjoy a slice warm with a bit of butter—so cozy!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Bananas: Ripe bananas are a must for banana bread! Their sweetness and moisture make the bread tender. If you have very ripe bananas, that’s even better as they’re sweeter. If you’re short on bananas, you can substitute with unsweetened applesauce (1/2 cup) for moisture.
Honey: Honey adds natural sweetness and flavor. You can swap it with maple syrup or agave nectar for a different twist. If you prefer a lower sugar option, try using a sugar substitute like stevia, adjusting to taste.
Butter: Unsalted butter gives the best flavor. You can replace it with coconut oil or vegetable oil for a dairy-free version. Applesauce can also work here if you want to cut down on fat.
Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds warmth and depth. You could also use nutmeg for a more spiced flavor. Just remember, nutmeg is stronger, so use a little less than what the recipe calls for.
Why Is It Important Not to Overmix?
When making banana bread, it’s crucial to mix the ingredients just enough. Overmixing can make the bread dense and tough instead of light and fluffy. The goal is to combine wet and dry ingredients until there are no flour streaks.
- After adding flour and cinnamon, gently fold the mixture with a spatula until everything is just combined.
- If you see a few lumps, don’t worry! It’s better to have them than to keep mixing.
- Letting the batter sit for a few minutes can also help the ingredients meld together.
How to Make Honey Vanilla Banana Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Banana Bread:
- 3 ripe bananas
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Optional Topping:
- Sliced bananas for topping
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 50-60 minutes to bake. Allow an additional 10 minutes for cooling in the pan, so overall, you can have delicious banana bread ready to enjoy in about 1 hour and 15 minutes!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, take a 9×5 inch loaf pan and grease it lightly with butter or line it with parchment paper. This will help prevent the banana bread from sticking.
2. Mash the Bananas:
In a large mixing bowl, grab those ripe bananas and mash them up with a fork until they are nice and smooth. The riper the bananas, the better the flavor!
3. Mix in the Wet Ingredients:
Add the melted butter to the mashed bananas and stir until well combined. Next, pour in the honey, vanilla extract, and crack in the eggs. Mix it all together until everything is nicely incorporated.
4. Add the Dry Ingredients:
Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over your mixture. Mix gently until just combined—don’t worry if it’s not perfect! Then, add the ground cinnamon and all-purpose flour. Stir carefully until there are no streaks of flour left. Remember, it’s important not to overmix!
5. Prepare the Topping (Optional):
If you want to add a lovely touch, you can arrange sliced bananas on top of the batter for added decoration and flavor.
6. Bake the Banana Bread:
Pour your batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for about 50-60 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean!
7. Cool and Serve:
Once baked, remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. After that, you can carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. When you’re ready, slice up your delicious banana bread and enjoy it plain or with your favorite nut butter spread!
Can I Substitute Maple Syrup for Honey?
Yes! Maple syrup is a great substitution for honey. It will give a slightly different flavor but still adds natural sweetness. Use the same amount as the honey in the recipe—1/3 cup of maple syrup. Just keep in mind that it may make the bread a little more moist.
What If I Don’t Have Unsalted Butter?
If you only have salted butter, you can still use it! Just reduce the salt in the recipe to a pinch (or omit it altogether) since the salted butter will add some flavor already. Melt the butter as usual, and you’re good to go!
How Should I Store Leftover Banana Bread?
To keep your banana bread fresh, store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can wrap slices in plastic wrap and freeze them. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy!
Can I Add Nuts or Chocolate Chips?
Absolutely! Feel free to fold in about 1/2 cup of walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips into the batter before pouring it into the loaf pan. This will add extra texture and flavor to your banana bread!
