Home > Recipes by Category > Bread Recipes > Banana Bread > Grandma’s Banana Bread
Grandma’s Banana Bread
My grandma’s recipe for banana nut bread – a classic banana bread recipe packed full of chopped walnuts that bakes up super moist and dense. A family favorite!
Growing up, there was never a lack of things to eat at my grandma’s house. There were tins filled with pizzelle and biscotti that were never empty. I mean, never. They were always sitting, filled to the brim, on the last step near the dining room.
My favorite days were the ones when I would walk in and see my grandma in the kitchen, surrounded by loaves upon loaves of pepperoni bread. My second favorite day was banana bread day. Smelling the air infused with bananas and warm bread was intoxicating. These also got churned out many at a time. And nothing could beat a thick slice slathered with soft butter. Divine.
This bread is super moist, packed full of banana flavor, and best of all – it’s my grandma’s recipe. Which makes it the best banana bread ever, naturally.
MY OTHER RECIPES
Watch How to Make Banana Nut Bread
As you might be able to tell, this banana bread recipe doesn’t make a super-high loaf, but it’s one of the things I love most about it. It’s condensed, moist and packed full of flavor. It makes a perfect breakfast bread, and is also an amazing dessert to have with coffee.
Once the bread is cool, wrap it tight in plastic wrap and keep it at room temperature. I actually think that the bread is better the second day. And the third. And the fourth… If it lasts that long! It also freezes really well if you want to keep a stash for emergency situations.
I feel so fortunate that I was able to spend so much time with my grandma as I grew up, and that I have so many incredible memories tied to her house and to the food that she made.
Each time I make one of her recipes and have a simple smell bring me back to her kitchen, I know she is thrilled that I’ve carried on making so many of the recipes that our family has loved over the years, including this banana bread.
One year ago: Baking Basics: Common Baking Substitutions
Five years ago: Cheddar, Jalapeno and Chive Biscuits
Six years ago: Basic Pesto Recipe
Did you make this recipe?
My grandma's recipe for banana nut bread - a classic banana bread recipe packed full of mashed bananas and chopped walnuts. A family favorite!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 8x4-inch loaf pans; set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Add the bananas and stir gently to combine. Add the flour mixture and stir until completely blended. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the walnuts.
Divide the mixture into the two loaf pans. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until a thin knife inserted into the center comes out clean. If the loaves begin to get too dark before they are done in the middle, cover with foil. Allow to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. The bread can be stored, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, at room temperature for up to 5 days. To freeze, wrap in plastic wrap then in aluminum foil and freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutritional values are based on one serving
Calories: 219kcal
Fat: 10g
Saturated fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 18mg
Sodium: 100mg
Potassium: 144mg
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 14g
Protein: 3g
Vitamin A: 0.9%
Vitamin C: 2.9%
Calcium: 1.3%
Iron: 5.5%
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
I’ve tried so many banana bread recipes it’s ridiculous, but since Grandmas always know how to bake, I think I’ll try yours too! Would it be sacrilege to leave out the nuts since my kids won’t eat them?
Not at all Kristina! The best part of baking from scratch is making things completely adaptable to your own tastes. Go for it sans nuts :)
I loved baking banana bread with my Grandma too – it’s one of the first things I ever learned to bake! Your Grandma’s recipe looks very moist and delicious :)
I love breakfast breads like this. Of course, I eat them any time of day. They are always so moist and yummy :)
Your banana bread looks delicious! It looks just like my grandmother’s. I just posted a tribute to her using her classic banana bread recipe too. Grandmothers are so special. :)
Oh I wish I wasn’t allergic to bananas, that looks so tasty! :)
This looks delicious! Have you seen the Cook’s Illustrated version of banana bread lately? It’s very labor intensive, but it’s worth it!
You know, I just saw a version of it on another blog, and it does look time-intensive. I haven’t tried it, perhaps I will, but I doubt anything will replace my grandma’s recipe as my all-time favorite :)
If there is any leftover by the weekend, try some slices dipped in eggs and milk, then fried ala French Toast . . . OMG, this is amazing!
Oh wow, that sounds amazing! I never would have thought of making banana bread into French toast – super suggestion, I can’t wait to try it! Thank you!
I’ve been looking for a good banana bread recipe to replace the one of my mom’s that I lost. Instead of oil, it called for Spry. I think that was a type of Crisco back in the day. Your grandma’s recipe looks similar both in the picture and the ingredients. I’ll have to give it a try. Thanks.
DE-LISH! And spreading cream cheese on it is my favorite. Thanks for the recipe :)
Grandma stories are the best! And thanks for the cream cheese idea…I bet that works great on pumpkin bread, too!
I don’t know how anyone could have leftovers. I eat half a loaf the first day! by myself! :D
This looks so good…full of nuts, just the way I like banana bread to be. Very nice height and texture too.
Yummy. I love banana bread too! They are also good made as muffins. The cream cheese idea is a good one. Thanks for sharing.
Sounds delicious! I’d have to leave out the nuts, but goodness does this sound like it would be incredible with cream cheese! Yum!!
I think that there as many banana bread recipes as people on the earth. Everybody has their favorite, like your Grandma’s recipe. We had a banana bread bake off in our family. Your recipe looks like a winner.
I’m with you. Peanut butter on EVERYTHING, especially banana bread. I like this recipe, thanks!
Sounds delicious! I’m planning on making banana muffins this weekend. Have you ever tried using this recipe for muffins?
Hi Lynn, I have never made this recipe into muffins. If you do, I’d love to hear the results. These are my all-time favorite banana muffins:
https://www.browneyedbaker.com/2008/01/09/banana-muffins-2/
I love grandma recipes! And I love everything banana. The bread does look perfect.
This banana bread looks so good. I would have to make it minus the nuts as my son is allergic. I am going to make a loaf this weekend, maybe tomorrow a.m.? Looks so good. i want a slice right now.
I loved my grandma’s cooking but sadly don’t have any of her recipes. Thanks for sharing your grandma’s recipe for banana bread. It looks yummy!