While the ingredients may seem odd, this banana bread recipe is a no-fail favorite that is perfectly moist every single time.

stacked slices of banana bread with cubes of butter

Holly’s Recipe Highlights For Banana Bread

  • Flavor: This bread is moist and lightly sweetened with lots of flavor.
  • Ingredient tip: This recipe has an odd ingredient which, as you can see from the reviews, works beautifully. Mayonnaise adds moisture, but don’t worry, you can’t taste it.
  • Recommended pan: This recipe is baked in an 8×4-inch loaf pan. If your pan is larger (9×5-inch) you’ll need to adjust the cooking time as the loaf will be thinner.
  • Bananas: You can peel and freeze bananas when they’re ripe for baking. Thaw them in the fridge or microwave and lightly drain any liquid.

Ingredient Tips for Banana Bread

  • Bananas: Use bananas that are very ripe with many black spots because they’ve got more sugars. If your bananas don’t have black spots, follow the tips below to ripen them in the oven quickly.
  • Mayonnaise: I replace some of the egg/oil with mayonnaise—which is made of… eggs and oil. You can’t taste the mayonnaise in this recipe and it makes for the best bread. You can use any variety of mayonnaise (I use Hellmann’s) or dressing such as Miracle Whip. No butter is needed in this recipe.
  • Add-Ins: You can replace the pecans in this banana bread recipe with walnuts or chocolate chips.

How To Ripen Bananas Quickly

Uh oh! You have beautiful yellow bananas, perfect for a smoothie or banana pudding, but not so much for baking.

  • To ripen in 1-2 days: place them in a brown paper bag (with other ripe fruit if you have any) and seal.
  • To ripen immediately: Bake at 300°F for 15-20 minutes. Cool before using in this recipe.

How to Make Banana Bread

Banana Bread with Mayonnaise? I know it may sound a little strange, but it makes a moist banana bread recipe.

  1. Mash the bananas and mix them with egg and mayonnaise.
  2. Combine dry ingredients in a second bowl (full recipe below).
  3. Mix the two just until moist, the batter should be lumpy.
  4. Pour into a greased pan and bake.

Holly’s Tips for Moist Banana Bread

  • The batter should be thick and a bit lumpy; do not add extra liquid or extra bananas. Extra bananas can make the bread too dense.
  • As with all quick breads, do not overmix. Use a spoon, not a mixer.
  • Do not overcook. Ovens can vary; check your bread at least 10 minutes before the cooking time is up.
  • For easy removal, line the loaf pan with parchment paper leaving about 3-inches of paper folded over the top of the pan.
A sliced loaf of banana bread made from an easy banana bread recipe

How to Store Banana Bread

Banana bread should last about 3 days, in an airtight container on the counter.

To FREEZE: You can freeze the loaf as a whole or slice it and freeze the slices. To thaw a slice, pop it in the microwave for a few seconds or add it to the lunch box while it’s still frozen, it’ll thaw in plenty of time for lunch.

More Easy Banana Bread Recipes To Try

Did your family love this Banana Bread recipe? Leave us a comment and a rating below!

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stacked slices of banana bread with cubes of butter
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Easy Banana Bread Recipe

This banana bread is one of the easiest recipes and turns out perfectly moist every time.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 12 servings
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Ingredients  

  • 3 medium bananas about 1 cup mashed
  • ½ cup mayonnaise or dressing
  • 1 egg room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup chopped pecans

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Mash the bananas with a fork. In a medium bowl, mix together mashed bananas, mayo, and egg. In a separate large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and pecans
  • Add the flour mixture to wet mixture and stir just until combined. Note: The mixture will be very thick, do not over mix.
  • Pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Remove from the pan and place on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Video

Notes

To Ripen Bananas Quickly bake at 300°F for 15-20 minutes. Cool before using.
Avoid adding extra bananas; this can make the bread too dense. You should have about 1 cup of mashed bananas, if it’s a little bit over or under it’s okay in this recipe.
As with all quick breads, do not overmix. Stir just until incorporated.
Check your bread at least 10 minutes before the bake time is up.
Line the loaf pan with parchment paper leaving about 3 inches of paper folded over the top of the pan for easy removal.
To Make Muffins, divide over 12 muffin wells and bake for 14-18 minutes or just until a toothpick comes out clean. Do not overbake.
4.98 from 2685 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 231 | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 253mg | Potassium: 146mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 2.6mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Bread, Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine American
sliced loaf of banana bread and slices of banana bread with writing
stacked slices of banana bread with butter and writing
slice of banana bread topped with butter and writing
slices loaf of banana bread with writing

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

  1. I’m starting to mix and just realized I can’t find the amount of Cinnamon required. Is this an omission?

  2. Just made this, very moist! I was a bit hesitant with the mayo, turned out swell. Very quick and easy, I’ll try muffins next.

    I like to toast the chopped nuts, in my case walnuts, for 10 minutes or so and allow to cool before folding in. That changes the flavor a tad. I find it a bit more nutty.5 stars

  3. Love this recipe but I always tweak it. I use plain Greek yogurt and melted coconut oil instead of Mayo. But I have used avocado Mayo before too. I only use 1/2 cup of sugar and add 1 tsp of cinnamon powder and a pinch of nutmeg. I heavily coat the pan in salted butter and half way through baking I put an aluminum tent around the edges to prevent burning or over browning. I have used GF flour before and it turns out great. My 3 year old son and 70 year old mother loves it every time!5 stars

  4. Hello.
    I’ve made this banana bread recipe so many times. I just buy bananas, let them ripe enough just to make this cake. And the mayonnaise makes it so delicious and moist. Love it! ❤️5 stars

  5. This recipe was very tasty and moist, utterly delicious! The only thing was that it burned just a smidge around the edges. I think I will reduce the heat to 325F and bake a little bit longer. That might just solve the problem!5 stars

  6. This sounds amazing but I use SPLENDA STEVIA and wonder if this recipe would have the same texture (uses 1/2 the amount of SPLENDA).

    1. While I haven’t tried it, many readers have successfully made this with Splenda. I would suggest checking the package and using the conversion listed on the package.

    2. Excellent. So easy to make and tastes great. I added shredded orange peel to mine. Thank you for this great recipe.5 stars

  7. Hi Holly,Aloha from Hawaii.This is my go to Banana Bread Recipie,I only use this recipe.The mayonaise addition,makes the bread so moist.My Mother,and Grandmother swore by Best Foods Mayonnaise,when baking,breads,and cakes.Thank You Holly,you have a Blessed Day!♥️5 stars

  8. Best Banana bread recipe out there, it’s easy and never fails. Dairy free too yay!! Share it with everyone you know.5 stars

  9. My go to recipe for a while now. After I grease my pan I add 1/4 cup of sugar and a teaspoon of cinnamon to the bottom and sides of the pan. Makes for easier removal and a bit of sweetness on the outside!5 stars

  10. This recipe shocked us a bit. My kids made fun of the fact it has mayonnaise in it but it’s very delicious and”the best one they’ve tasted”.5 stars

  11. This always my go to recipe for banana bread. In fact “Spend With Pennies” is my favorite website for recipes. They are easy and instructions are easy to follow. Thank you.5 stars