Description
This incredibly simple 3 ingredient banana bread is a must-try for those seeking a quick and healthy treat. With just ripe bananas, eggs, and self-rising flour, this recipe produces a moist, naturally sweet loaf bursting with authentic banana flavor—perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- large, very ripe bananas (mashed)
- 1 box (about 15 oz) of yellow cake mix OR 2 cups self-rising flour (+ about 1/3 cup sugar if using flour)
- 2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven:
Initially, set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Meanwhile, prepare a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan by greasing it or lining with parchment paper. - Mash the bananas:
Basically, peel and place ripe bananas in a large bowl. Use a fork to mash them until mostly smooth with a few small lumps. Indeed, the riper the bananas, the easier they mash and the sweeter the flavor. - Combine with dry mix and eggs:
Consequently, add the cake mix (or self-rising flour and sugar) and the beaten eggs to the mashed bananas. Moreover, stir gently until the mixture just comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep the loaf tender. - Adjust consistency if needed:
If the batter feels too thick, add a tablespoon of milk. Conversely, if it appears too thin, add a spoonful of flour. Eventually, aim for a spoonable consistency. - Transfer to the loaf pan:
Carefully pour the batter into the prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula for even baking. - Bake:
Subsequently, place the pan on the center rack and bake for about 45-55 minutes. Meanwhile, start checking after 40 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the center; if it emerges clean, your loaf is ready. - Cool before slicing:
Finally, remove from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Indeed, slicing too soon may cause crumbling, so be patient.
Notes
- Variations: For an extra twist, you may add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a sprinkle of cinnamon. These additions will change the ingredient count slightly, so consider them optional flavor boosters.
- Texture & Add-ins: If you like some crunch or extra flavor, fold in a handful of chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips.
- Dietary Tips: This recipe is naturally gluten-containing due to the self-rising flour; however, you can substitute with a gluten-free self-rising blend if needed. It’s also vegetarian but not vegan because of the eggs.
- Serving Suggestions: Enjoy a warm slice with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a drizzle of honey for added richness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the loaf
- Calories: ~142 kcal
- Sugar: ~5 g
- Sodium: ~85 mg
- Fat: ~1.3 g
- Saturated Fat: ~0.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~0.9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: ~28 g
- Fiber: ~1.2 g
- Protein: ~3 g
- Cholesterol: ~46 mg