If you have a soft spot for classic banana bread but crave something a little more decadent, this Nutella Banana Bread Recipe is going to become your new favorite indulgence. It’s a luscious blend of sweet, ripe bananas and the irresistible creamy swirls of Nutella, creating a moist, tender loaf that feels like a warm hug in every bite. Whether you’re savoring it for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy snack, this recipe balances the comforting familiarity of banana bread with a chocolaty-hazelnut twist that’s simply unforgettable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Keeping this Nutella Banana Bread Recipe straightforward is part of its charm. Each ingredient plays a key role, from the mashed bananas that bring natural sweetness and moisture, to the flour that provides structure, and not to forget Nutella itself, which adds that magical, creamy chocolate-hazelnut essence. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed: The riper, the better, as they lend sweetness and moisture for perfect softness.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness without overpowering the banana flavor, helping with browning too.
- 1/4 cup brown sugar: Introduces subtle molasses notes and keeps the bread beautifully moist.
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted butter: Adds richness and tenderness to the crumb.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to the bread’s rise and texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Boosts all the flavors with a warm, aromatic touch.
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The sturdy base that provides structure without heaviness.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: The leavening hero that helps the bread rise and stay light.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
- 1/2 cup Nutella: The star ingredient swirling through the batter for creamy, chocolaty pockets of delight.
How to Make Nutella Banana Bread Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
First, get that oven warmed up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) so it’s ready when your batter is. Take a standard loaf pan and give it a good greasing. This helps ensure your bread releases easily after baking without sticking.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine your mashed bananas with both sugars, the oil or melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk everything until the mixture is smooth and glossy. This blend is where your bread’s moisture and sweetness come from, setting the stage for that tender crumb.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Mixing your dry ingredients separately ensures an even distribution before you add them to the wet, which keeps the bread’s texture spot on.
Step 4: Bring Wet and Dry Together
Gradually add your dry mixture to the wet bowl and gently stir until just combined. It’s very important not to overmix here — a few lumps are perfectly okay. Overworking the batter can make the bread tough instead of tender.
Step 5: Layer with Nutella Swirls
Pour half of your banana bread batter into your prepared loaf pan. Spoon half of the Nutella over the batter in dollops, then use a knife to gently swirl it through. Add the remaining batter on top, followed by the rest of the Nutella, and swirl again. This gives your bread delightful ribbons of creamy chocolate hazelnut goodness throughout every slice.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Pop the pan in the oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. If the top is browning too quickly, loosely cover it with foil to prevent burning while the inside finishes baking.
Step 7: Cool Before Slicing
Allow your bread to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This wait is tough but worth it because it helps the flavors meld and the texture set perfectly.
How to Serve Nutella Banana Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle your slices with a light dusting of powdered sugar or chopped toasted hazelnuts for extra crunch and flair. A drizzle of melted Nutella heated gently makes for a spectacular finishing touch for those extra-special occasions.
Side Dishes
Serve your Nutella Banana Bread with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to turn it into a decadent dessert. For breakfast or brunch, creamy Greek yogurt or a smear of cream cheese complements the bread’s richness beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice thick pieces and toast them lightly before spreading a bit more Nutella or your favorite nut butter to create a warm layered treat. You can even cut the bread into cubes and thread them onto skewers with fresh fruit for a fun party presentation everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap your Nutella Banana Bread tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This keeps it soft and delicious without drying out.
Freezing
If you want to hold onto this treat longer, slice the bread and freeze individual pieces in a sealed freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw at room temperature or gently warm in a toaster oven.
Reheating
To revive that fresh-baked feeling, reheat slices in a microwave for about 20 seconds or toast them lightly. This enhances the Nutella swirls and brings back that irresistible softness.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of chocolate spread instead of Nutella?
Absolutely! While Nutella is classic in this recipe, you can experiment with other hazelnut spreads or even peanut butter for a unique twist. Just keep in mind the consistency and sweetness may vary slightly.
What if my bananas aren’t ripe enough?
Ripe bananas are key for sweetness and moisture. If your bananas are a little green, you can speed up ripening by placing them in a paper bag with an apple or a ripe banana for a day or two.
Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Using vegetable oil instead of butter and ensuring your Nutella or chocolate spread is dairy-free will make this bread suitable for a dairy-free diet.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?
Definitely! Adding chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips can add texture and bursts of flavor. Just fold them in with the dry ingredients before combining.
How do I know when the bread is done baking?
Use a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center—it should come out mostly clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If wet batter sticks to it, bake for a few more minutes and check again.
Final Thoughts
This Nutella Banana Bread Recipe is such a joyous way to elevate the humble banana bread into something truly special yet effortless. Whether you’re baking it for yourself or to share with loved ones, it offers comfort and delight with every slice. Give it a try soon—you might just find your new go-to crowd-pleaser!
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Nutella Banana Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 slices
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Nutella Banana Bread is a rich and moist quick bread that combines sweet ripe bananas with swirls of creamy chocolate-hazelnut spread. This indulgent variation on the classic banana bread offers a perfect balance of flavors, making it ideal for breakfast, dessert, or an anytime treat to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Additional
- 1/2 cup Nutella
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a standard loaf pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil or melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and salt.
- Blend Batter: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir gently until just combined; be careful not to overmix to keep the bread tender.
- Layer Batter and Nutella: Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spoon half of the Nutella over the batter, then gently swirl it with a knife to create a marbled effect.
- Add Remaining Batter and Nutella: Pour the remaining batter over the Nutella layer, then top with the remaining Nutella. Swirl gently again to distribute the Nutella without fully mixing it in.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve as desired.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender and moist.
- If the top of the bread browns too quickly, loosely cover the loaf with aluminum foil during baking.
- Store the banana bread wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
