Name: One Bowl Banana Bread Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: PT-489212H40M7S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 ripe bananas, mashed; ½ cup melted butter; ¾ cup brown sugar; 2 eggs; 1 tsp vanilla; 1 ½ cups flour; 1 tsp baking soda; ½ tsp salt

Jump to Recipe·5.1 from 7 reviews

Imagine biting into a perfectly moist, golden loaf that’s bursting with deep banana flavor, rich buttery notes, and the sweet aroma of vanilla. That’s the magic of One Bowl Banana Bread—a fuss-free, delightfully simple treat that comes together in minutes and disappears even faster at the breakfast table or during coffee breaks. With minimal cleanup and pantry staples, this recipe delivers pure comfort with every slice.

One Bowl Banana Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of One Bowl Banana Bread is how a handful of everyday ingredients blend together to create something absolutely special. Each element isn’t just essential—it plays a unique role in making your bread tender, flavorful, and beautiful.

Bananas: Use 3 very ripe bananas—the spottier, the sweeter! Their job is to add natural moisture, flavor, and sweetness.
Melted butter: ½ cup brings richness and adds a tender crumb, ensuring your bread stays soft for days.
Brown sugar: ¾ cup deepens the flavor with caramel notes and keeps the bread ultra-moist.
Eggs: 2 eggs act as the glue, holding your banana bread together while also lending lightness.
Vanilla: 1 teaspoon warms up the flavor profile and pairs beautifully with banana and brown sugar.
All-purpose flour: 1½ cups provides the backbone for the loaf without weighing it down.
Baking soda: 1 teaspoon gives you that irresistible lift and a delicate crumb.
Salt: ½ teaspoon is the unsung hero, amplifying every flavor in the recipe.

How to Make One Bowl Banana Bread

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and generously greasing a standard loaf pan. This single preparation step is vital—not just for nonstick insurance, but because a hot oven ensures your One Bowl Banana Bread rises beautifully from the get-go.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

Grab a large mixing bowl and mash your ripe bananas until mostly smooth with just a few small chunks for texture. Pour in the melted butter, then add the brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk everything together until well combined—the scent will already make you impatient for that first slice.

Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients

To keep things extra simple, sprinkle the flour, baking soda, and salt right over the wet mixture. Fold gently with a spatula or wooden spoon just until no dry streaks remain. The secret to truly tender One Bowl Banana Bread is stopping as soon as the ingredients come together—overmixing is the enemy of fluffiness!

Step 4: Bake

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. If you love a sweet, crackly crust, sprinkle a bit of extra sugar over the surface before baking. Pop the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 55 minutes, until the bread is deeply golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean, with just a crumb or two.

Step 5: Cool and Slice

Let your One Bowl Banana Bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully lift it out and transfer it to a wire rack to finish cooling. Trust me—waiting is the hardest part, but totally worth it for perfectly cut slices. Now you’re ready to dive in!

How to Serve One Bowl Banana Bread

Garnishes

A humble loaf becomes bakery-worthy with the right finishing touches. Dust yours with powdered sugar for elegance, add a smear of soft butter while still warm, or drizzle with a little honey for extra sweetness and shine.

Side Dishes

One Bowl Banana Bread truly shines alongside simple sides. Try a creamy Greek yogurt for breakfast, a handful of berries for bright contrast, or serve toasted with peanut butter for a super-satisfying snack. Warm coffee or tea always pairs beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Don’t just serve whole slices—try cutting your bread into cubes for a brunch platter, stacking with whipped cream and fruit, or turning leftovers into French toast. For a crowd, bake the batter in a muffin tin for perfectly portable, individually sized treats.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your One Bowl Banana Bread fresh by wrapping the cooled loaf tightly in foil or plastic wrap. Store it at room temperature for up to 3 days; this keeps it moist without turning gummy.

Freezing

To make banana bread magic last longer, triple-wrap slices or the whole loaf and pop them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Individual slices are especially handy—just thaw and enjoy whenever you crave a quick treat!

Reheating

Revive the just-baked warmth by microwaving slices for 10 to 15 seconds, or toast them lightly for a crisp edge and fragrant aroma. The heat brings out the bananas’ natural sweetness and makes leftovers feel brand new.

FAQs

Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?

Absolutely! Stir in up to 1 cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips after mixing the batter. These add delightful texture and flavor twists while still keeping this true to the One Bowl Banana Bread spirit.

Why should I avoid overmixing the batter?

Overmixing can lead to a tough, dense loaf instead of the tender crumb you crave. The less you stir after adding the flour, the lighter and more delicate your banana bread will turn out.

Can I use whole wheat flour instead?

You can substitute up to half of the flour with whole wheat for a nuttier flavor and heartier texture. Swap all the flour and your loaf may be denser, but still delicious—just keep an eye on baking time.

What’s the best way to ripen bananas quickly?

If your bananas aren’t quite ripe enough, place them in a paper bag overnight to speed things up. In a pinch, bake unpeeled bananas at 300 °F for 10–15 minutes until blackened and soft.

Is One Bowl Banana Bread suitable for freezing?

Absolutely! This recipe holds up wonderfully in the freezer. Just make sure to wrap the cooled bread well and thaw at room temp or gently warm for best results.

Final Thoughts

One Bowl Banana Bread is about as comforting and rewarding as home baking gets, and the cleanup is a breeze. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, I promise you’ll want to make this again and again. Give it a try—you might just discover your new favorite recipe!