Easy Honey Banana Bread

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There’s something so comforting about the smell of banana bread filling up your kitchen. Whenever I have a bunch of overripe bananas sitting on my counter, I know exactly what I’m going to make. But this isn’t just any banana bread – it’s the one I’ve been making for years, with a sweet honey twist that makes it extra special.

I started making this recipe when my kids were little, and it quickly became our weekend morning tradition. The best part? It’s one of those recipes that actually tastes better the next day, which means I can bake it in the evening while I’m already in the kitchen making dinner. By morning, the flavors have settled in perfectly, and all we need to do is slice and enjoy.

Whether you’re a banana bread pro or trying it for the first time, this honey version might just become your new go-to. It’s simple enough for breakfast but sweet enough for dessert – and trust me, it never lasts long in my house.

What Kind of Honey Should I Use?

While the recipe calls for clover honey, you can actually use any variety of raw, unfiltered honey you have on hand. Clover honey has a mild, sweet flavor that won’t overpower the banana taste, but wildflower or orange blossom honey would work nicely too. Raw honey tends to have more flavor than the processed stuff you find in squeeze bottles, so it’s worth seeking out for this recipe. Just make sure your honey is in liquid form – if it’s crystallized, you can gently warm it in a bowl of hot water until it flows smoothly. Stay away from artificial honey or honey-flavored syrup, as these won’t give you the same moisture content or natural sweetness in your bread.

Options for Substitutions

This honey banana bread recipe is pretty forgiving and allows for several easy swaps:

• Unsalted butter: You can replace the melted butter with an equal amount of neutral oil (like canola or vegetable oil), or use applesauce for a lighter version – though the texture will be slightly different. If using salted butter, just reduce the added salt in the recipe.
• Honey: While honey gives this bread its special flavor, you can swap it with maple syrup or agave nectar in the same amount. Regular sugar works too, but you’ll lose some of the moisture, so add an extra 2 tablespoons of milk or water.
• All-purpose flour: Try whole wheat flour for a nuttier taste (use 1¾ cups instead of 2 as it’s denser), or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend with xanthan gum for a gluten-free version.
• Bananas: The riper the bananas, the better! But if you’re short, you can use 1 cup mashed bananas plus ½ cup applesauce or greek yogurt to make up the difference.
• Eggs: For each egg, you can use either 1 mashed banana, ¼ cup applesauce, or a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) for a vegan version.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest mistake when making honey banana bread is using bananas that aren’t ripe enough – you want them to be very dark and spotty, as this ensures maximum natural sweetness and the best banana flavor. Using melted butter that’s too hot can scramble your eggs, so make sure it’s cooled to room temperature before mixing it with other wet ingredients. Another common error is overmixing the batter once you’ve added the flour – this develops too much gluten and leads to tough, dense bread instead of a tender crumb. For the most accurate results, measure your flour by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off, rather than scooping directly from the flour bag which can pack too much flour into your cup. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick in the center – if it comes out with wet batter, keep baking, but if it has a few moist crumbs, your bread is perfectly done.

What to Serve With Banana Bread?

This sweet and cozy banana bread is perfect for breakfast, snack time, or dessert! For breakfast, try spreading a warm slice with cream cheese or butter, and pair it with a cup of coffee or hot tea. If you’re serving it as an afternoon treat, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top makes it feel extra special. For a protein boost at breakfast time, serve your banana bread alongside some Greek yogurt topped with a drizzle of honey – the flavors work really well together and it makes for a more filling meal.

Storage Instructions

Counter Storage: Your honey banana bread will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days. Just wrap it well in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or pop it in an airtight container. I like to place a paper towel under and over the bread to absorb any excess moisture and keep it from getting too dense.

Refrigerate: Want it to last longer? Keep your banana bread in the fridge for up to a week. Make sure it’s wrapped tightly or stored in an airtight container. The honey in this recipe helps keep the bread moist even when chilled!

Freeze: This banana bread freezes really well for up to 3 months. Cut it into slices first, place parchment paper between each slice, and wrap well in plastic wrap and foil. This way, you can thaw individual pieces whenever you’re craving a slice!

Thaw & Enjoy: When you’re ready to eat your frozen banana bread, let it thaw overnight in the fridge or for about 2-3 hours at room temperature. If you like it warm, pop it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or toast it lightly for a cozy treat.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	55-70 minutes
Total Time	65-85 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1500-1600
• Protein: 20-25 g
• Fat: 70-75 g
• Carbohydrates: 210-220 g

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1/2 cup raw and unfiltered clover honey
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1 1/2 cups mashed overripe bananas
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Step 1: Prepare the Loaf Pan and Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Grease an 8-9 inch loaf pan with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.

Line the pan with parchment paper, ensuring that the paper hangs over the sides for easy lifting later.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and honey until they are well combined and smooth.

Add in the vanilla extract, eggs, and mashed bananas, stirring thoroughly until the mixture is fully blended.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

Once the wet ingredients are mixed, fold in the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

Gently combine these with the wet mixture, stirring just until there are no dry streaks remaining.

Be careful not to overmix, as this can affect the texture of your bread.

Step 4: Bake the Bread

Pour the honey banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly.

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 55-70 minutes.

Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the loaf; it should come out clean when the bread is fully baked.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Once baked, allow the loaf to cool in the pan until it is just warm to the touch.

To remove, use the overhanging parchment paper to lift the bread out of the pan gently.

Slice and serve your delicious honey banana bread, enjoying it as a wonderful snack or breakfast treat.