Cinnamon Banana Bread Recipe

Cozy Cinnamon Banana Bread Recipe That Warms Every Heart

Baking a fragrant cinnamon banana bread fills kitchens with warmth and nostalgia.

Ripe bananas waiting on the counter whisper promises of delectable comfort.

Sweet aromas will soon drift through your home, beckoning everyone toward the kitchen.

Each slice promises rich, moist textures that melt softly on your tongue.

Unexpected hints of warmth from ground cinnamon create delightful complexity in every bite.

Grandmothers and professional bakers alike adore this classic treat for its simplicity and soul-warming qualities.

When you pull this golden loaf from the oven, prepare for pure culinary magic that transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

One taste, and you’ll understand why this recipe becomes an instant favorite.

Cinnamon Banana Bread Comfort and Cravings

  • Quick Weekend Baking Delight: Effortlessly create a mouthwatering banana bread that fills your kitchen with warm, comforting aromas.
  • Minimal Ingredient Mastery: Whip up this recipe using basic pantry staples, requiring no special shopping trips or complicated techniques.
  • Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, this cinnamon banana bread appeals to all ages with its sweet, nostalgic flavor profile.
  • Stress-Free Preparation: Bakes in under an hour with simple mixing steps, making it ideal for busy home cooks seeking a delicious homemade treat without complex cooking skills.

Cinnamon Banana Bread Cooking Items

Wet Ingredients:
  • Ripe Bananas: Soft, sweet base that adds natural moisture and rich banana flavor to the bread.
  • Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and helps create a tender texture. Room temperature works best.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and help with structure of the bread.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Main structural component of the bread. Use unbleached flour for best results.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning and tenderness.
  • Baking Soda: Crucial leavening agent that helps bread rise and become light.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.
Spice:
  • Cinnamon: Warm, aromatic spice that complements banana flavor and adds depth to the bread.

How to Make Cinnamon Banana Bread

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350°F and give your loaf pan a quick butter massage to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create the Dry Mixture

Grab a mixing bowl and whisk together your dry ingredients until they’re perfectly blended:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Ground cinnamon

Step 3: Mash and Mix the Wet Ingredients

Grab another bowl and transform those ripe bananas into a smooth mash.

Blend in your wet ingredients with enthusiasm:
  • Mashed bananas
  • Melted butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract

Step 4: Combine with Care

Gently fold your dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

Stir just until everything is incorporated – don’t go crazy with mixing!

Step 5: Fill the Pan

Pour your luscious batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and let it bake for 50-60 minutes.

Your bread is ready when a toothpick comes out clean after poking the center.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let the bread rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Allow it to cool completely before slicing into this delicious treat.

Smart Moves for Soft and Moist Cinnamon Banana Bread

  • Mash bananas immediately before mixing to keep them fresh and prevent oxidation.
  • Use very ripe, soft bananas for maximum natural sweetness and moisture in the bread.
  • Fold dry ingredients gently into wet ingredients to maintain a tender, fluffy texture and avoid tough bread.
  • Insert a toothpick in multiple spots of the loaf to ensure even baking and prevent underdone centers.
  • Sprinkle extra cinnamon on top or add chopped nuts for additional crunch and depth of flavor.

Store Banana Bread And Warm It Gently

  • Store banana bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep it in an airtight container to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
  • Slice the cooled bread and place individual pieces in freezer-safe bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label the bag with the date to track freshness.
  • Remove frozen banana bread from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours. Alternatively, microwave individual slices for 20-30 seconds for a quick warm-up.
  • Warm slices in a toaster oven or regular oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore its fresh-baked texture and bring out the cinnamon aroma.

Enjoy Cinnamon Banana Bread With These Treats

  • Pair with Warm Caramel Coffee: Brew a rich, smooth caramel-flavored coffee that complements the bread's sweet cinnamon notes and highlights the banana's natural sweetness.
  • Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Scoop creamy vanilla bean ice cream alongside a warm slice, creating a delightful contrast between the bread's temperature and the cold, smooth dessert.
  • Match with Spiced Chai Latte: Enjoy a fragrant chai latte with warming spices like cardamom and ginger that echo the cinnamon in the banana bread, creating a harmonious flavor experience.
  • Enhance with Toasted Walnut Sprinkle: Scatter lightly toasted walnuts on top of the bread to add a nutty crunch and earthy depth that balances the bread's soft, sweet texture.

Cinnamon Banana Bread with Warm Baking Twists

  • Gluten-Free Banana Bread: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
  • Vegan Banana Bread: Substitute eggs with mashed flax seeds or chia seeds mixed with water, and use coconut oil instead of butter for a plant-based version.
  • Low-Sugar Banana Bread: Reduce sugar content by using ripe bananas for natural sweetness, and swap refined sugar with honey or maple syrup for a healthier alternative.
  • Nutty Banana Bread: Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the batter for extra crunch and nutrition, creating a more textured and flavorful bread.

FAQs

  • Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Yes, you can substitute up to half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, which will add more fiber and a slightly nuttier flavor to your banana bread.

  • How ripe should bananas be for this recipe?

Use very ripe bananas with brown or black spots, as they are sweeter and softer, which helps create a more moist and flavorful banana bread.

  • Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking to make this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.

  • Can I add nuts or chocolate chips to this banana bread?

Yes, you can easily mix in 1/2 to 3/4 cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips into the batter before baking for extra texture and flavor.

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Cinnamon Banana Bread Recipe

Cinnamon Banana Bread Recipe


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4.8 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Homemade cinnamon banana bread delivers warm comfort with layers of sweet spice and tender crumb. Fragrant slices promise delightful moments of pure bakery pleasure you’ll savor to the last delicious bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar

Leavening and Seasoning:

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Flavor Enhancer:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 350°F and prepare a loaf pan with a light butter coating to prevent sticking.
  2. Sift together the dry ingredients – flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon – ensuring a uniform mixture without lumps.
  3. Mash ripe bananas in a separate mixing bowl until smooth and creamy, creating a rich foundational texture.
  4. Incorporate melted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract into the mashed bananas, whisking until the mixture becomes glossy and well-integrated.
  5. Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the banana mixture, using delicate strokes to combine without overmixing, which could make the bread tough.
  6. Transfer the silky batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula for an even surface.
  7. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 55 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean with minimal crumbs.
  8. Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, which helps the structure set and prevents crumbling.
  9. Carefully unmold the banana bread onto a wire cooling rack, letting it cool completely before slicing to maintain its delicate structure.

Notes

  • Experiment with different flour types like whole wheat or gluten-free alternatives for a personalized nutritional twist.
  • Add chopped nuts or chocolate chips to enhance texture and create surprising flavor bursts in every slice.
  • For a lower sugar version, replace some sugar with mashed dates or reduce overall sugar quantity while maintaining moisture with extra ripe bananas.
  • Ensure bananas are extremely ripe and dark brown for maximum natural sweetness and deeper banana flavor profile.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 190
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 75 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 29 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 35 mg
James Walker

James Walker

Lead Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southern Cuisine & Farm-to-Table Cooking, Recipe Development & Testing, Culinary Education & Instruction​

Education

School: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations

Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and farm-to-table practices. ​


James didn’t learn cooking from a TV show, he learned it from busy kitchens, family gatherings, and long afternoons spent testing recipes the hard way.
After training at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, he brought his love for real, down-to-earth food to every dish he makes.
At Dining At Home, James loves building recipes that feel familiar but still have something special, like adding a twist to a classic or making a slow Sunday dinner feel brand new.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find him swapping garden tips at the farmers’ market or teaching his daughter how to flip pancakes without a mess (almost).

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