This banana bread recipe is in a league of its own. The bread is incredibly moist, doesn’t contain nuts, is packed with natural banana flavor and topped with a sweet, crunchy streusel topping. The banana bread is delicious on its own but pairing it with the streusel topping is what has won me multiple family cookoffs. What’s so great about this recipe is how easy it is to pull together. You probably already have everything you need to make it. You also probably already have the equipment you’ll need, however be sure your loaf pan is 9×5 (measuring inside to inside). If not, grab one here.
You’re obviously going to need bananas to make this, but don’t even think about making this banana bread recipe with green or barely yellow bananas. You want very ripe bananas. The more spots the better. You are even good with bananas whose skin is fully black. The flavor of the bread relies on the bananas. If they aren’t ripe enough, you’ll get kind of a tasteless bread. The key is letting those bananas age. Another thing I love about this recipe is that you can eat the banana bread right away and it tastes great morning, noon or night. Your whole house will smell amazing, too. Not a bad perk!
I have since updated this recipe’s streusel topping. The original cut cold butter into the flour and brown sugar. I am a fan of melting the butter now, adding more flour and placing in the refrigerator to harden. This creates a streusel topping that can stand up to the heat and not melt away. My original topping would melt and crinkle on top. It was still delicious but this is even better! T
While you’re here, check out more bread recipes!
Tips for the Best Banana Bread
- It can’t be overstated that the bananas need to be ripe.
- Start the entire recipe with making the streusel topping so it has time to get cold and harden in the refrigerator before baking.
- This banana bread recipe is intended for a 9×5 bread loaf pan
- The banana flavor does get more intense the cooler the bread gets. I prefer having a piece once it reaches room temperature.
Banana Bread with Streusel Topping
Ingredients
- 4 very ripe bananas
- 1/3 c salted butter melted
- 1 c sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp baking soda
- pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 c flour
Streusel Topping
- 2 tbsp salted butter melted
- 1/3 c brown sugar
- 1/4 c flour
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- To a bowl make the streusel topping by adding melted butter to brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt. Mix and place in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes.
- To a separate bowl add bananas and smash.
- Add melted salted butter, sugar, egg, vanilla and beat.
- Add flour, baking soda and salt and mix with a spoon until just combined.
- Pour in a greased loaf dish and top the batter with the cold streusel topping.
- Bake for one hour in the middle rack.
- Cool for 20 minutes.