If you think you’ve tried every banana bread recipe out there, I’m here to tell you to stop right there! Most quick breads end up a little dry or too dense, right? Well, after what felt like a thousand test batches—seriously, my counter was covered in cooling loaves—I finally perfected this Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe with Nuts.
This isn’t just another recipe; it’s the one I keep coming back to because it’s astonishingly simple but delivers maximum flavor and, most importantly, the best moisture you’ve ever tasted in a loaf. It’s the ultimate guide to truly moist quick bread. If you want to see how I got the secret to that incredible fluffiness, check out my tips from other testing sessions right here!
We’re talking about a tender crumb that stays soft for days. I tested so many variables—different amounts of sugar, various fats, even adjusting the baking soda ratio—just to nail that perfect balance. Trust me when I say the few simple tweaks in this guide are what make this recipe a keeper.

Why This Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe with Nuts Stands Out (EEAT)
What makes this recipe different from the twenty others you’ve probably tried? It’s all about simplicity meeting perfection. We skip the creamed butter step—yes, really!—which saves you time and helps keep the final product incredibly tender. This is hands-down the best Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe with Nuts because it actually gets better the next day, which rarely happens with quick breads.
I spent way too much time tweaking this so you don’t have to waste ingredients testing your own batches. When you follow these exact steps, you get a consistently delicious loaf every single time. Don’t forget to check out my ideas on dressing up your loaf here: Crave-Worthy Banana Bread!
Achieving Unmatched Moisture in Your Banana Nut Bread
The secret weapon here is using melted butter instead of softened butter. Melting the butter coats the flour less, preventing gluten formation, which equals tender results. Plus, we heap in three huge, truly ripe bananas—the spottier the peel, the better the natural sweetness and moisture we pull out. It’s science, but it tastes like magic, I promise!
The Perfect Texture from the Nuts in This Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe
Texture is everything, right? You need that little bit of satisfying crunch to break up the soft banana interior. That’s where the 3/4 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts really shine in this Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe with Nuts. They toast up slightly in the oven, giving you a lovely earthy contrast to the sweet bread.
I always gently fold them in last, just like the instructions say. You don’t want them breaking down too much. They just add that necessary textural pop!

Gathering Ingredients for the Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe with Nuts
Okay, let’s talk about ingredients! This is where we set ourselves up for a super moist loaf, so pay attention to the ripeness factor. If your bananas are yellow with just a few brown spots, they aren’t ready! I wait until they are practically black and squishy; that’s when that pure, sugary banana flavor pops out.
I divide my list into wet and dry because it helps keep everything organized when I’m assembling the batter in a rush. If you get these measurements right, the rest is easy peasy. Ready to see what you need? You can check out some of my flavor variations, like a lovely Maple Bourbon Banana Bread, if you want to get fancy later!
Essential Wet Ingredients for Moisture
These ingredients are what guarantee that gorgeous soft crumb. You need:
- 3 large ripe bananas, mashed thoroughly—aim for about 1 1/2 cups once they’re totally mashed up. No lumps allowed!
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled down.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar—it dissolves perfectly when mixed with the melted butter.
- 2 large eggs, just whisked lightly.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Don’t skip the vanilla; it enhances the banana flavor beautifully.
Dry Components and Flavor Builders
For the dry side, we want fluffiness and spice working together. Whisk these together gently:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour. Measure this carefully, please!
- 1 teaspoon baking soda. This is our main lift for the bread.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, just enough to balance the sweetness.
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. This adds that familiar warmth we all love.
Incorporating Nuts into Your Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe
This step is listed as optional, but honestly, if you want the full amazing texture of this Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe with Nuts experience, you have to add them!
You’ll need 3/4 cup of chopped walnuts OR pecans. Chop them yourself so they aren’t too fine; we want those textural surprises throughout the loaf. They just make this banana nut bread perfect!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe with Nuts
Alright, putting the ingredients together is really quick—we’re aiming for speedy assembly here. The absolute key to keeping this the best Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe with Nuts is stopping when you *should* stop mixing. Overmixing is the enemy of tenderness, so always listen to me on this one!
Here is the smoothest way I’ve found to get this loaf perfectly baked without the edges drying out before the middle is done.
Preparation and Oven Setup
Before you even think about grabbing a bowl, get your oven set. We need it hot and ready at 350 degrees F, or 175 degrees C. Next, grab that 9×5 inch loaf pan! You have to grease it really well and then flour it. I sometimes use a little bit of that non-stick spray that has flour already mixed in—it makes life so much easier than dusting with loose flour!
Combining Wet Ingredients for Maximum Flavor
In your biggest bowl, combine all your delicious wet stuff. Gently stir together those mashed bananas (and remember, they need to be mashed well!), the melted butter, the sugar, the two eggs, and that little splash of vanilla extract. I usually use a whisk here, but only mix until everything is just barely incorporated. Seriously, stop stirring once you don’t see streaks of egg white!
Mixing Dry Ingredients Separately
Now for the dry team! Grab a separate medium bowl for this. Whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together really well. Whisking dry ingredients is important because it distributes the baking soda evenly so you don’t get one giant air bubble. It helps the leavening work its magic evenly throughout the final loaf.
Folding in Dry Mix and Nuts
This is the crucial moment. Add the dry ingredients all at once to the bowl of wet ingredients. You need to mix this gently, like you are folding a blanket. Stop mixing the second you no longer see dry flour streaks. If you mix too long here, that bread gets tough, and we aren’t making hockey pucks!
Once that batter is *just* combined, fold in those chopped nuts if you are using them. Just two or three gentle turns of the spatula, and you are done mixing the batter! Pour it into that prepared pan right away.

Baking and Cooling the Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe
Slide that pan into your preheated oven. It usually takes between 55 to 65 minutes. Start checking around the 55-minute mark. You’re looking for that golden-brown top, and the toothpick test has to come out clean when you stick it right into the center. If it has wet batter, give it five more minutes.
When it’s done, pull it out, but don’t panic! Let the bread cool in the actual loaf pan for a full 10 minutes. This period allows it to firm up properly so it doesn’t collapse. After those ten minutes, carefully flip it out onto a wire rack to cool down completely. This is how you guarantee the best texture in your Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe!
If you want to see an easy way to make great banana bread that is foolproof, I highly recommend checking out my guide on How to Make Easy, Moist Banana Bread!
Expert Tips for the Best Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe with Nuts
We’ve made it through the big steps, but here are the little secrets I use every time to ensure this isn’t just good banana bread, but truly the best Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe with Nuts you’ll ever bake. These tips are the things that keep people asking me for the recipe again and again.
If you want to see how I take this recipe and elevate it even further for special occasions, I’ve got some ideas over here on my World’s Best Banana Bread page!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
I know sometimes life happens and you don’t have those mushy, black bananas ready to go. If yours are still slightly yellow, don’t get discouraged! I mash them up and pop them in the microwave for about 30 seconds. That little bit of heat softens them up and releases some of those essential sugars needed for that deep banana flavor. It works like a charm!
Also, if you are worried about moisture management—and who isn’t?—toss in an extra 1/4 cup of sour cream or plain yogurt with your wet ingredients. That extra fat acts like insurance against dryness. It adds a tiny bit of tang that really compliments the nuts.
Preventing a Dry Loaf
Look, you already know my big rule: DO NOT OVERMIX. I’m going to say it again because it’s that important. Once that flour hits the wet ingredients, you stop stirring the second you can’t see any powdery white streaks anymore. A few lumps are fine; they disappear during baking.
The second big thing is oven temperature. My oven runs a little hot, so if you find your bread browns too fast, it’s probably baking too hot, which dries out the edges. If you notice that happening, trust your instincts and reduce the temp by 15 degrees about halfway through your baking time. That ensures a perfectly even bake for our Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe with Nuts.
Serving Suggestions for Your Quick Bread
Okay, once this loaf is totally cooled—and I know that’s the hardest part—you have to try it warm first! It’s so good just sliced thick, maybe spread with a little bit of good quality salted butter that melts right into the crumb. That simplicity is sometimes the best way to enjoy the banana and nut flavor.
But if you’re feeling extra celebratory, try melting a teaspoon of honey over a warm slice. It really makes the nut flavors pop! Sometimes I even pair a slice with a cup of coffee on a lazy Saturday morning. If you’re ever looking for other amazing baked goods to serve alongside it, you should check out my recipe for buttery Parker House Rolls—they’re totally different but equally comforting!

Storage and Reheating Instructions
I always hope this loaf lasts longer than a day, but let’s be real—it disappears fast! For room temperature storage, this bread does best wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. I don’t use airtight containers right away because sometimes that traps too much moisture and can make the crust soggy. It stays perfectly moist like this for about three days.
If you have leftovers after that, you can freeze it! Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap first, and then slip them into a freezer bag. When you want a slice later, just pop it straight into the microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds. That quick zap brings back all the fresh-baked softness we worked so hard for!
Frequently Asked Questions About Moist Banana Nut Bread
I know once you make this loaf, you’ll have questions about keeping it fresh or changing things up next time. Here are a few things folks ask me all the time about getting this specific Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe with Nuts just right!
How can I make this banana bread without nuts?
That is totally fine! If you or a guest has a nut allergy, just leave them out entirely. The bread will still be wonderfully moist. Or, if you just aren’t a fan, no problem at all! Feel free to substitute the 3/4 cup of nuts with an equal amount of chocolate chips—mini or regular size both work. Sometimes I even use sunflower seeds for a different kind of crunch.
Can I freeze this Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe?
Oh yes, freezing is perfect for banana bread! If you plan ahead, the best way to freeze this Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe with Nuts is to let the entire loaf cool completely first. Then, wrap the entire loaf as tightly as you possibly can in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. It keeps beautifully for up to three months. When you want a slice, just unwrap it and let it thaw on the counter for an hour or two!
What is the best way to ripen bananas quickly?
If you are baking on a whim and your bananas are still bright yellow, you need my quick trick. Place the unpeeled bananas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pop them into a 300-degree oven for about 15 to 20 minutes. Keep an eye on them! The skins will turn completely black, and when you take them out, they will be mushy and perfectly sweet inside, ready to make your banana bread incredibly moist!
If you’re looking for more guidance on how moisture holds up over time, check out my thoughts on why this recipe is one of the best for leftovers: The Best Banana Bread Recipe for Moisture.
Estimated Nutritional Profile for This Recipe
Now, I’m not a nutritionist—I’m a home baker who loves butter and bananas! So please take these numbers with a giant grain of salt. These estimates are based on dividing the entire recipe into 10 equal slices, and they don’t account for any variations you might have made, like swapping out sugar for a substitute.
When I ran the numbers for the standard Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe with Nuts using all the ingredients listed, here is roughly what each slice comes out to. It’s pretty reasonable for a hearty, comforting slice of quick bread!
- Calories: About 280
- Carbohydrates: 42 grams
- Protein: 4 grams
- Fat: 11 grams (I blame the butter and the nuts!)
- Saturated Fat: 6 grams
- Cholesterol: 50 milligrams
- Sodium: 200 milligrams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Sugar: 20 grams (mostly from those lovely ripe bananas!)
Remember, if you skip the nuts or use a lighter hand with the sugar, those numbers will shift. But honestly, I encourage you to make it rich and enjoy every single bite!
Share Your Perfect Loaf
Now that you’ve baked the best, most gloriously tender loaf of banana bread, I desperately want to hear about it! I put so much love and testing into perfecting this Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe with Nuts, and seeing your results truly makes my day.
Please, take a moment to jump down to the comment section below and give this recipe a rating. Was it a solid five-star masterpiece for you? Tell me what you thought about the moisture level!
Did you use pecans or walnuts? Did you add the optional sour cream for extra insurance? I love hearing all the little details about how my recipe fit into your kitchen routine. Also, if you snap a photo of your beautiful, golden-brown loaf—maybe sliced thick with melting butter on top—please share it! Tag me on social media so I can admire your wonderful baking skills!

Moist Banana Nut Bread
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, mix the mashed bananas, melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until combined.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the chopped nuts, if you are using them.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.