21 of Our Best Banana Bread Recipes

Whether you like yours studded with nuts, glazed on top or just chock-full of pure banana flavor, we've got the best banana bread variations to satisfy your cravings.

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Best Ever Banana Bread

Whenever I pass a display of bananas in the grocery store, I can almost smell the wonderful aroma of my best banana bread recipe. It really is amazingly good! It’s also a greater starter recipe for banana bread variations. (Psst! Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make this banana bread recipe.) —Gert Kaiser, Kenosha, Wisconsin

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Cast-Iron Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

I love this cast-iron banana bread because it cooks evenly every time. The end result is so moist and delicious! —Ashley Hudd, Holton, Michigan
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3-Ingredient Banana Bread

It won’t be long before you’re able to make this easy banana bread without looking at the recipe! You need only three simple ingredients: a box of cake mix, mashed ripe bananas and eggs. —Kristina Vanni, Chicago, Illinois

Wondering if you have enough bananas to bake with? Read more about how many bananas are in a cup.

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Banana Nut Bread

This quick bread is a family favorite, so I always try to have ripe bananas on hand for this recipe. I'm sure your family will love this tasty, nutty bread as much as mine does. —Susan Jones, La Grange Park, Illinois
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Gluten-Free Banana Bread

This gluten-free banana bread recipe isn’t dry and crumbly—it tastes like the real thing. I hope you try it! —Gladys Arnold, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Banana-Zucchini Bread

My grandmother made this zucchini banana bread for as long as I can remember, and I’ve been making it ever since I learned how to bake. Children love it for a snack, and it’s good to serve at any meal. It’s another delicious way to use zucchini, which is so abundant in late summer. —Eva Mae Hebert, Lafayette, LA
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Makeover Banana Nut Bread

This slimmed-down banana bread with applesauce is one of our favorite ways to make banana bread. On top of swapping out the butter, the amount of sugar is also decreased, too, by adding a little honey and using more banana. No one will ever guess this bread is low in fat! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Special Banana Nut Bread

This extra-special banana bread makes a wonderful gift for friends and neighbors. The recipe makes two loaves, so I can serve one and keep the other one in the freezer to use as a last-minute gift. —Beverly Sprague, Catonsville, Maryland
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Upside-Down Banana Monkey Bread

Everyone digs in to monkey bread thanks to its pull-apart shape. We add banana slices and pecans to top this already scrumptious showpiece for a brunch or family gathering. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts
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Orange Banana Nut Bread

I like this recipe because the orange juice gives the nut bread such a bright flavor and also makes it moist. —Barbara Roethlisberger, Shepherd, Michigan
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Judy's Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

I received this chocolate chip banana bread recipe from my co-worker and dear friend Judy years ago. When she gave it to me she said I'd never need another banana bread recipe. She was almost right. I added more chocolate chips for the chocolate lovers in my family. — Debra Keiser, St. Cloud, Minnesota
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Double Cranberry Banana Bread

We love quick breads, and I’ve found that they freeze nicely if properly wrapped. This is a scrumptious recipe to make before the holidays and freeze for last-minute guests or gifts. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
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Pumpkin Banana Bread

I came across these loaves in a local newspaper about 10 years ago, and I still make this pumpkin banana bread recipe on a regular basis. It conveniently yields a number of mini loaves, making gift-giving easy. —Linda Wood, Roanoke, Virginia
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Moist Banana Nut Bread

I made up this recipe when I was vegetarian and didn’t eat eggs. It’s packed with fiber, omega-3s and soy protein, but tastes delicious! Silken tofu is a wonderful egg substitute. It’s one of the best ways to make banana bread. —Brittany Carrington, Tehachapi, California
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Chocolate Banana Bread

Nothing tops old-fashioned banana bread, except maybe this chocolate version! Each slice is studded with nuts. —Connie Deke, DeWitt, Nebraska
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I Like to Eat Apples and Bananas Bread

My children love to bake (and eat) all kinds of banana bread. They make this all by themselves, with just a little help from me to put it in the oven. —Kristin Metcalf, Charlton, Massachusetts
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Banana Wheat Bread

A subtle banana flavor comes through in this moist whole wheat loaf. Flecked with poppy seeds, the sweet slices are wonderful warm or toasted and spread with butter. —Louise Myers, Pomeroy, Ohio
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Moist Pineapple Banana Bread

Our four kids like slices of this moist tropical-tasting banana bread for breakfast. I sometimes bake it in mini loaf pans, then freeze the loaves so we can enjoy a small portion at a time. —Mary Watkins, Chaska, Minnesota
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Banana Eggnog Bread

One of my favorite holiday snacks is warm banana bread with a glass of nog. I decided to combine the two, and was so happy with the resulting eggnog bread. —Kristin Stone, Litte Elm, Texas
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Banana Pecan Loaf

We slice this banana bread so thick it is almost embarrassing—but we need fat slices to deliver ample portions of the Pineapple Spread. When beating the cream cheese for the spread, beat the cheese until it is as light and fluffy as whipped cream. —Lee Ann Miller, Millersburg, Ohio
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Elvis Banana Bread

As a toddler, my son loved bananas, so we always had them in the house. We didn't always eat them all before they were too ripe, so we experimented beyond basic banana bread. That’s how we came up with Elvis bread! —Liz Somppi, Greenfield, Wisconsin

Amy Glander
Amy is a book editor at Taste of Home where she gets to pour her passions for food and storytelling into trade and series cookbooks. When she’s not writing or editing, you’ll find her antiquing, cooking and baking from her favorite vintage cookbooks and exploring Milwaukee’s urban beauty with her digital SLR in hand.