Peanut butter banana bread is a delicious and easy treat that combines the sweetness of ripe bananas with the rich flavor of peanut butter. It’s perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert. This moist, flavorful bread is simple to make and will quickly become a go-to favorite in your kitchen.
Why We Love This
Peanut butter banana bread is the ultimate comfort food—moist, flavorful, and so easy to make. Here’s why it’s a recipe you’ll want to bake time and time again:
Great for Any Occasion: Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast, a midday snack, or a comforting dessert, this peanut butter banana bread is up to the task. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to satisfy any craving.
Perfectly Moist Texture: The ripe bananas create a naturally moist base, while the peanut butter adds richness, ensuring every bite is soft and tender.
Simple Ingredients: You don’t need anything fancy for this recipe. With just a few pantry staples like peanut butter, bananas, flour, and eggs, you’ll have a loaf that tastes like it came from a bakery.
Quick & Easy: No need for complicated steps—just mix, bake, and enjoy. It’s perfect for busy mornings or a weekend treat.
Versatile: This banana bread is great on its own, but it’s also fantastic when topped with a dollop of peanut butter or a drizzle of honey for extra flavor.
Ingredients
Ripe Bananas – Key to the flavor and moisture in peanut butter banana bread. Use soft and spotty bananas for best results.
Peanut Butter – Brings a rich nutty taste and creamy texture. Use creamy or crunchy based on preference.
Unsalted Butter – Adds moisture and flavor. If using salted butter, cut the added salt in half.
Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the peanut butter banana bread and keeps it soft. Stick with white sugar for the best texture.
Eggs – Help bind everything together and keep the bread moist.
All-Purpose Flour – Gives structure. Avoid swapping with cake or whole wheat flour to keep the right texture.
Baking Soda – Helps the bread rise. Don’t replace it with baking powder.
Salt – Balances the sweetness and boosts flavor.
Vanilla Extract – Adds a warm depth to the flavor.
Milk – Adds softness and moisture. Whole milk is best, but plant-based options work, too.
Instructions
Making this peanut butter banana bread is as easy as it is delicious. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a warm, fragrant loaf ready in no time.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
Mash the bananas in a large bowl using a fork. Leave a few small chunks for texture.
Mix wet ingredients – In another bowl, beat the butter, peanut butter, and sugar until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla and mashed bananas.
Combine dry ingredients – Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Add to the wet mixture and stir gently until just combined.
Add milk and mix until the batter is smooth and thick.
Bake – Pour into the loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 60–65 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool – Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then move to a wire rack. Slice and enjoy!
Pro Tips
To make sure your peanut butter banana bread turns out perfect every time, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Use ripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the better! Overripe bananas are naturally sweeter and will give your bread the perfect texture. If you don’t have ripe bananas, you can speed up the ripening process by placing them in a paper bag for a day or two.
Don’t overmix the batter: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until they’re incorporated. Overmixing can lead to a dense, tough loaf. A few lumps in the batter are perfectly fine.
Check doneness with a toothpick: To avoid overbaking, insert a toothpick into the center of the bread after about 60 minutes. If it comes out clean, the bread is done. If not, let it bake for a few more minutes and check again.
Customize your peanut butter: If you love extra crunch, opt for chunky peanut butter! It adds texture to the bread. If you prefer a smoother loaf, go for creamy peanut butter.
Add extra flavor: Feel free to mix in chocolate chips, walnuts, or even a swirl of honey to elevate the flavor of the bread. These additions can add both texture and a new depth of taste.
Cool properly: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. This will help it hold its shape and prevent it from breaking apart.
Variations
This peanut butter banana bread recipe is wonderfully versatile, and you can easily make it your own with a few creative twists. Here are some fun variations to try:
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bread: For a decadent treat, add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the batter. The melty chocolate pairs beautifully with the peanut butter and bananas.
Nutty Banana Bread: If you love a little crunch, mix in 1/2 cup of chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans, or almonds. The nuts add a delicious texture and extra richness.
Cinnamon Swirl: Add a pinch of cinnamon to the batter for a warm, spicy undertone. For an extra touch, swirl cinnamon sugar into the batter before baking to create a marbled effect.
Vegan Peanut Butter Banana Bread: To make this recipe vegan, substitute the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water for each egg) and use plant-based milk (like almond or oat milk).
Serving Suggestions
Peanut butter banana bread is delicious on its own, but it’s also incredibly versatile when it comes to serving. Here are a few ideas to elevate your bread and make it even more enjoyable:
Spread with Jam or Nut Butter: For extra flavor, spread a thin layer of your favorite jam (strawberry, raspberry, or even apricot) on each slice. Alternatively, add more peanut butter or almond butter for a double nutty treat.
Top with Sliced Bananas: For a fun, fresh twist, top your banana bread slices with a few extra banana slices. This enhances the banana flavor and adds a lovely fresh touch.
Serve with Ice Cream: For a decadent dessert, serve warm slices of peanut butter banana bread with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream. The combination of warm and cold is simply irresistible.
Pair with Coffee or Tea: This bread is the perfect companion to your morning coffee or afternoon tea. Its rich flavor complements the warmth of your favorite hot beverages.
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FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about making peanut butter banana bread, along with answers to help you get the best results:
Can I use a different nut butter?
Yes! While peanut butter gives this banana bread its signature flavor, you can easily swap it for almond butter, cashew butter, or any other nut butter you prefer. Just keep in mind that the flavor will change slightly, but it will still be delicious!
Can I make this bread without eggs?
Absolutely! To make egg-free banana bread, substitute each egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water). This will give the bread a similar texture and help it hold together.
How can I make my peanut butter banana bread more moist?
If you find your banana bread a bit dry, try adding an extra mashed banana or a spoonful of yogurt to the batter. You can also ensure the bread doesn’t overbake, as that can lead to dryness. Check the doneness with a toothpick and remove it from the oven as soon as it comes out clean.
Can I make this recipe as muffins?
Yes! If you prefer individual servings, simply pour the batter into a muffin tin and bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. This is a great option for on-the-go snacks or meal prep.
peanut butter banana bread
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal after baking.
- Mash the bananas. In a large bowl, peel the ripe bananas and mash them with a fork until smooth, leaving a few small chunks for texture.
- Mix the wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, beat together the softened butter, peanut butter, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and the mashed bananas.
- Combine the dry ingredients. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
- Add the milk. Pour in the milk and stir until everything is well incorporated. The batter should be smooth and thick, with a slight pourability.
- Bake. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 60–65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and enjoy. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy your delicious peanut butter banana bread!