4 Ingredient Banana Bread is a delicious and easy banana bread recipe made with pantry staples! This one-bowl recipe comes together fast and has the most amazing flavor and texture!
4-ingredient banana bread will have you looking forward to those ripe bananas. In less than an hour, you've got delicious homemade banana bread that's golden on the outside, moist on the inside.
If you love banana recipes, don't miss these Mini Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins or my Bourbon Pecan Banana Cake. Check out my Apple Hand Pies With Puff Pastry and Blueberry Mini Pies recipes for more pie ideas!
You'll Love 4 Ingredient Banana Bread!
4 Ingredient Banana Bread is an easy recipe to make delicious banana bread fast! This recipe uses basic pantry items, minimal effort, and maximum results.
You'll love that there are no complicated steps and only basic ingredients. Just grab those overly ripe bananas on your counter, toss in some self-rising flour, a bit of sugar, and crack a couple of eggs. In less than an hour, you've got this golden loaf of banana bread.
This classic quick bread recipe is made using simple ingredients. However, if you don't have self-rising flour, I give instructions on how to make your own below.
You'll love that the ripe bananas bring a natural sweetness and doesn't use too much added sugar. Plus, your kitchen will smell like a bakery!
So, if you have ripe bananas and couple of minutes to spare, make this delicious and easy 4 ingredient banana bread.
Ingredients
- Ripe Bananas: For the best results, look for those overripe bananas lounging on your counter – the spottier, the better. They bring the natural sweetness and banana flavor. See FAQs below to see how to ripen banana quickly. You can use a fork or potato masher to mash the bananas quickly.
- Self-Rising Flour: This flour already has leavening agents mixed in, making your life easier. It's the key to that perfect rise. See notes below on how to make your own self rising flour.
- Sugar: Use regular granulated sugar for this recipe. You could also substitute an equal amount of brown sugar.
- Eggs: Use large eggs to help bind everything together, ensuring your banana bread has that perfect, moist texture.
How To Make 4 Ingredient Banana Bread
4 Ingredient Banana Bread is the perfect treat to make whenever you have leftover ripe bananas. This recipe comes together fast and is the best way to make simple banana bread.
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
Step 1: mash the bananas. In a large mixing bowl, mash 4 ripe bananas. You can do this with a fork or an electric mixer.
Step 2: add in wet ingredients. Next, add in the egg and and sugar. Mix well with a wooden spoon or hand mixer until well combined. Add in the dry ingredients, the self-rising flour, and mix until smooth. Stir until just combined; avoid over mixing.
Step 3: pour into pan. Use a rubber spatula to help pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. You can also make these in muffin tin, just be sure to adjust the time.
Step 4: bake. Lastly, bake the bread on center rack in preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow the banana bread to cool for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Then, slice, serve, and savor the warm banana bread slices!
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Recipe Tips
- Ripe Bananas: Use overripe bananas with lots of brown spots for maximum sweetness and flavor. They mash easily and contribute to the moistness of the bread.
- Don't Over Mix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until everything is incorporated. Over mixing can result in a denser texture.
- Check for Doneness: Use the toothpick test. Insert a toothpick into the center of the bread; if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs (not batter), it's done. If not, bake for a few more minutes.
- Loaf Pan Preparation: Grease the loaf pan well to prevent sticking. You can also line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Cooling Time: Let the banana bread cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. This helps it set and prevents it from falling apart.
Frequently Asked Questions About Banana Bread
Can I substitute self-rising flour with all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can. If using all-purpose flour, add 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder and ½ teaspoon of salt for each cup of plain flour to make your own self-rising flour.
How To Ripen Bananas Quickly
Riper bananas provide more sweetness and flavor. To speed up the ripening process, microwave the unpeeled bananas for 30-second intervals until they become ripe - the more brown spots, the better.
You can also ripen bananas in your oven. Place unpeeled bananas on a baking sheet. Bake at 300°F for 15-30 minutes, or until the skin turns black and the bananas are soft. Let bananas cool before peeling and scooping out the fruit.
Would A Nut Butter, Nuts Or Chocolate Chips Be Good In This Recipe?
You bet! If you don't mind using more than 4 ingredients, you can add a ½ cup of peanut butter or almond butter to the banana mixture.
You can also fold in a cup of chopped nuts, dark chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips into the batter before baking for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Can I use brown sugar instead of white sugar?
Absolutely! Brown sugar will add a subtle caramel note to your banana bread.
How should I store the banana bread?
Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week.
Can I freeze banana bread?
Yes, you can freeze banana bread. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer safe bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw slices at room temperature or briefly warm in the oven.
More Simple Desserts!
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4 Ingredient Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 4 large ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 cups self-rising flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch loaf pan with cooking spray or butter and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, flour, sugar, and eggs. Mix well until all ingredients are fully combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
- Let the banana bread cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use overripe bananas with lots of brown spots for maximum sweetness and flavor. They mash easily and contribute to the moistness of the bread.
- When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until everything is incorporated. Overmixing can result in a denser texture.
- Use the toothpick test. Insert a toothpick into the center of the bread; if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs (not batter), it's done. If not, bake for a few more minutes.
- Grease the loaf pan well to prevent sticking. You can also line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Let the banana bread cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. This helps it set and prevents it from falling apart.
- Storing: Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week.
- Freezing: Wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer safe bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw slices at room temperature or briefly warm in the oven.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
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