Looking for a tasty and simple banana bread recipe? This one uses buttermilk to add extra moisture and flavor to the classic treat. Follow these easy steps to make the perfect buttermilk banana bread.
Banana bread is made in my house almost weekly, we just can't get enough of the delicious quick bread. Sometimes we make these banana bread muffins instead, which are also great and easy for lunches. This recipe for buttermilk banana bread uses just buttermilk as the moisture bomb in it to create a soft, tender crumb.
Let's get to the recipe
Ingredients Needed
For this quick bread recipe you will need:
- Very Ripe Brown Bananas. The bananas help provide sweetness, moisture, and structure to this quick bread. The browner the bananas, the riper they are, and the more natural sweetness that is released.
- Salted Butter. I prefer salted butter for baking but you can use unsalted butter, I would just throw in a pinch more salt.
- Buttermilk. The star of the recipe this moisture bomb helps create a soft, tender, moist, and slightly tangy banana bread. You want your buttermilk at room temperature.
Buttermilk Substitute: If you don't have buttermilk on hand you can make a substitute by placing ½ tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar in a cup then filling it up to measure 4oz (½ Cup) of whole milk and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes before using it.
- Sugar. In banana bread, I love a combination of granulated white sugar and light brown sugar. The brown sugar provides some warmth with the molasses in it.
- Large Eggs. Eggs provide fat and help build the structure of the bread. These should also be at room temperature, you can do this quickly by placing the eggs in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes before cracking them.
- Pure Vanilla Extract. Measure with your heart!
- All-Purpose Flour/ Plain Flour. When adding the flour you want to make sure you do two things - measure as accurately as you can (I suggest a scale) and don't overmix when you add it to the batter. You could swap in a one for one all purpose gluten free flour.
- Baking Soda. This chemical leavening agent helps the banana bread rise and brown while baking.
- Salt. This little ingredient helps round off the flavor and helps all of the other ingredients flavor profiles shine through.
You could totally add ½ cup - 1 cup of chocolate chips or nuts, pecans or walnuts are my fave. If you love bananas then check out my Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting.
For ingredient quantities please reference the recipe card below. On the recipe card there is a button for US or M (Metric) measurements.
Step by Step Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F/180C and grease a 9X5 loaf pan with non stick spray.
In a large bowl add the bananas and use a potato masher or fork to mash the bananas.
To the mashed banana add the melted butter, buttermilk, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir until fully combined.
Gently fold in the flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients.
Pour into prepared pan.
Bake for 50-60 minutes. or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool on a wire cooling rack at least 30 minutes before removing it from the pan. Store at room temperature unless you live in a warm climate store in the fridge.
Storage Advice
Store the buttermilk banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. Due to the moisture in banana bread if you live in a warm environment and let it sit at room temperature for a few days it can grow mold. So I would suggest storing it in the refrigerator if you are in a warm environment to extend its life.
To freeze: You can also let the bread cool completely then wrap it in plastic wrap tightly, twice, then place in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw let it sit at room temperature for a few hours.
Liz's Tips for Recipe Success
- Use a digital scale, then you can just add everything to one big mixing bowl and not have to clean up all of the measuring cups AND you are guaranteed to have a better end product because scales are much more accurate than cups.
Baking is a science and to really achieve the best results I highly recommend investing in a kitchen scale. This OXO Kitchen Scale is the one I use and is also the number one recommended kitchen scale by Cook's Illustrated. Think about it -what one person scoops into a "cup" is completely different from what someone else scoops!
- When the recipe calls for room temperature ingredients don't skip it, this is to help all of the ingredients combine together evenly so your bake is delicious!
- When mixing in the dry ingredients don't over mix, over mixing can develop the gluten in the flour which can create a tougher baked good.
★★★★★ Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a star rating and comment below!
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PrintRecipe Card
Easy And Delicious Buttermilk Banana Bread Recipe
Looking for a tasty and simple banana bread recipe? This one uses buttermilk to add extra moisture and flavor to the classic treat. Follow these easy steps to make the perfect banana bread at home.
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 Slices 1x
Ingredients
- 12oz (3 Medium) Very Ripe Bananas (measured without peel)
- 5oz (10 Tablespoons) Salted Butter
- 4oz (½ Cup) Buttermilk, at room temperature
- 100 grams (½ Cup) Granulated Sugar
- 100 grams (½ Cup) Brown Sugar
- 2 Large Eggs, at room temp.
- 1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- 250 grams (2 Cups) All-Purpose Flour/ Plain Flour
- 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F/180C and grease a 9X5 loaf pan.
- In a large mixing bowl add the bananas and use a potato masher or fork to mash the bananas. Add the melted butter, buttermilk, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined.
- Gently fold in the flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients.
- Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes. or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool for at least 30 minutes before removing from the pan. Let cool on a wire rack. Store at room temperature unless you live in a warm climate store in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 45 Minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
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