Discover this easy banana nut bread, a moist and fluffy sweet bread that has the perfect combination of flavors and textures. This simple and delicious banana bread recipe is ideal to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee.
This type of dessert is the simplest sweet snack you can make when you have a sweet tooth. It is so easy to make and it is also helpful for when you have some extra-ripe fruits that you no longer want to eat raw.
The star of this recipe are the walnuts, excellent both for health and their amazing flavor especially when lightly roasted in desserts. I combined them with the sweetness of ripe bananas and the result was delicious! I hope you enjoy.
P.S Looking for a vegan version without eggs, try this vegan banana bread recipe or its chocolate version here.
Why use overripe bananas in recipes
- Rich aroma: Extra ripe bananas have a more intense and sweet aroma, which can enrich the taste of any banana recipe.
- Soft texture: Ripe bananas become soft and open easily, which makes them ideal to be integrated into doughs or to obtain the perfect consistency in preparations such as banana breads or smoothies. They are also often used in vegan recipes, because they add a slightly moist texture to the recipes.
- Concentrated sweetness: As bananas ripen, their sugar content intensifies, and this natural sweetness brings more energy and nutrients to recipes. This way you will add less sugar in the recipe and take advantage of their natural sweetness.
- Avoiding food waste: Using overripe bananas means reducing food waste and making the most of the resources available in the kitchen.
If you don’t want to use the ripe bananas immediately in a dessert, a practical solution is to freeze them for later use. Simple and effective, you can cut bananas into smaller pieces and place them in ziploc bags, then put them in the freezer. These frozen bananas can later be used in a variety of recipes, whether it’s baked desserts, such as cakes or tarts, or in refreshing dishes, such as smoothies or ice cream. Freezing bananas not only extends their life, but also preserves their integrity and flavor, making them a versatile and useful option in the kitchen. Try this Banana ‘Nice’ Cream with Candied Nectarines and Caramel.
Also, here are some other recipes with ripe bananas to inspire you: Vegan Banana Bars, Banana Brownies, Banana Bread Muffins and Banana Split Pie.
Nut bread flavor variations
If you want to customize this walnut cake recipe, you can try different flavors and combinations. Here are some recommendations:
- Spices: You can add a dash of cinnamon for a warm and comforting note. You can also try freshly grated nutmeg or ground ginger to intensify the flavors.
- Other types of nuts: Instead of regular walnuts, you can use almonds, hazelnuts or pecans to bring a variety of textures and flavors.
Are you looking for other sweet bread or sponge cake recipes? Also try: Limoncello Sponge Cake, Peach Sponge Cake, Sweet Zucchini Cake with Lemon & Thyme.
Easy Banana Nut Bread
Ingredients
- 200 g all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 150 g granulated sugar
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 eggs large
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 bananas large, ripe, mashed with a fork
- 1 cup walnuts chopped
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 180 C (356F).
- Grease a large sponge cake/sweet bread pan with some olive oil.
- In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and salt; put aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla extract, using an electric hand mixer.
- Add the mashed bananas and mix to incorporate the ingredients.
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until completely homogenized.
- Using a rubber spatula, add and incorporate the walnuts.
- Pour the batter in the pan.
- Bake for approx. 45 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test.
- Let the cake cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer it to a cooling rack. Slice only when it is completely cool.
Aria
Thursday 4th of April 2024
Loved the intense roasted walnuts flavor in this sweet bread!