Banana Bread with Three Bananas

There’s something cozy and nostalgic about pulling a warm loaf of banana bread out of the oven. With its subtle sweetness, rich flavor, and moist texture, it’s the kind of treat that feels like a warm hug. And what makes it even better? It’s incredibly easy to make, especially when you have three bananas on hand that are begging to be transformed into something magical. In this article, I’ll share my go-to Banana Bread with Three Bananas recipe, which I’ve tweaked to perfection.

How to make Banana Bread with Three Bananas

Banana Bread with Three Bananas is a classic banana bread recipe that specifically uses three ripe bananas as the main ingredient to give it a moist texture and rich banana flavor.

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be. Look for bananas that are heavily spotted or even fully browned.
• 2 cups all-purpose flour: Provides the structure for the bread. You can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier option.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the bread rise. Ensure your baking soda is fresh for the best results.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted: It adds richness and moisture. For a different flavour profile, you can substitute this with an equal amount of vegetable oil or melted coconut oil.
• 3/4 cup sugar: Adds sweetness. You can adjust the amount based on your preference or substitute with brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a lovely depth of flavor.
• 2 eggs, beaten: Binds the ingredients together and provides structure.
• Optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) or chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
3. Prepare the Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas well with a fork or potato masher until smooth.
4. Add the melted butter to the mashed bananas and stir to combine.
5. Mix in the sugar, stirring until well incorporated.
6. Add the beaten eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is fully combined.
7. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir until just combined—overmixing can make the bread tough.
8. Add Optional Mix-ins: If you use nuts or chocolate chips, fold them in now.
9. Pour into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
10. Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven. Bake for about 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Oven times can vary, so start checking around the 55-minute mark.
11. Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Tips for Perfect Banana Bread:

• Choose Ripe Bananas: The ripeness of the bananas impacts their flavor and sweetness. For the best results, bananas should be heavily spotted or brown.
• Measure Accurately: Use the spoon-and-level method for measuring flour to avoid packing it too densely, which can result in dry bread.
• Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to dense, tough bread.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature eggs and butter can help the ingredients blend more smoothly.
• Customize It: Feel free to customize your banana bread with your favorite mix-ins, such as nuts, chocolate chips, dried fruits, or even a swirl of Nutella.
• Storage: Store the banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.

What to serve with

Banana bread, especially when made with three ripe bananas, is a versatile treat that can be served in various ways to complement its moist, sweet, and slightly fruity flavors.

1. Spreads and Toppings

Enhance the flavor of banana bread with spreads or toppings:

Butter or Compound Butter:

• Classic Butter: For a simple yet satisfying option, spread a thin layer of salted or unsalted butter over a warm slice.
• Honey Butter: Whip together butter and honey for a sweet, creamy spread that complements the bread’s natural sweetness.
• Cinnamon Butter: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to softened butter for a warming flavor boost.
• Cream Cheese: Spread cream cheese on top for a tangy contrast to the sweet bread. Flavored cream cheeses (like vanilla or honey-flavored) work wonderfully too.
• Nut Butters: Peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter can add creaminess and a hint of nuttiness. This pairs especially well if you’ve added nuts to your Banana Bread with Three Bananas.
• Jams and Preserves: Serve banana bread with fruit jams or marmalades. Berry preserves, apricot jam, or fig spread add a fruity contrast to the banana flavor.
• Chocolate or Hazelnut Spread: A dollop of Nutella or another chocolate spread can make decadent Banana Bread with Three Bananas.

2. Beverages

Pair your banana bread with beverages for the perfect accompaniment:

• Hot Coffee or Espresso: The bitterness of coffee balances the sweetness of banana bread. Opt for a bold roast, or consider flavored coffees like hazelnut or vanilla.
• Tea: Serve with a warm cup of tea. Black teas (such as Earl Grey or Darjeeling), chai tea, or herbal teas like chamomile are excellent options.
• Milk: A cold glass of milk is a classic pairing, especially for kids—and it complements the creamy texture of Banana Bread with Three Bananas.
• Hot Chocolate: For a dessert-like pairing, enjoy banana bread with a rich and creamy mug of hot chocolate.
• Smoothies: Pair Banana Bread with Three Bananas with a smoothie made from fruits like strawberries, bananas, or blueberries to create a refreshing contrast.

Ingredients Substitutes

Making banana bread with three bananas provides a flavorful and moist bread, but sometimes, you might need to substitute certain ingredients due to dietary preferences, allergies, or availability.

1. Bananas

Purpose: Bananas act as the main flavor ingredient and also provide moisture and sweetness.

Substitute Options:

• Applesauce: Replace 1 banana with about 1/3 cup of unsweetened applesauce. For 3 bananas, you’ll need approximately 1 cup of applesauce. Note that the banana flavor will be missing, but it’ll still add moisture.
• Pumpkin puree: Use 1/3 cup of pumpkin puree for every banana. This will provide a different flavor but maintain the texture.
• Mashed sweet potato: Similar to pumpkin puree, sweet potatoes can replace bananas, bringing natural sweetness and moisture.
• Greek yogurt: Use about 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt per banana. The bread will still be moist but lose the banana flavor.

2. All-Purpose Flour

Purpose: Flour provides the structure of banana bread.

Substitute Options:

• Whole Wheat Flour: For a healthier alternative, use a 1:1 ratio. The bread may have a denser texture.
• Gluten-Free Flour Blend: Replace with a gluten-free baking blend in the same amount (1:1).
• Oat Flour: You can substitute with oat flour (¾ cup oat flour for every 1 cup of regular flour). Note that the texture will be less fluffy.
• Almond Flour: Use almond flour as a gluten-free option, but reduce the amount slightly, as almond flour is denser.

3. Sugar

Purpose: Sugar adds sweetness to the bread.

Substitute Options:

• Honey or Maple Syrup: Use ¾ cup of honey or maple syrup for every 1 cup of sugar. Reduce other liquid ingredients by ¼ cup.
• Coconut Sugar: Works well as a 1:1 substitute and provides a subtle caramel flavor.
• Brown Sugar: Similar to white sugar but adds a deeper molasses taste; use a 1:1 ratio.
• Stevia or Monk Fruit Sweetener: Use a stevia or monk fruit sweetener designed for baking, adjusting according to package instructions.

4. Eggs

Purpose: Eggs bind the ingredients and contribute to the bread’s structure and moisture.

Substitute Options:

• Flaxseed or Chia Seed Egg: For each egg, combine 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds with 2.5 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for 5 minutes to gel.
• Applesauce: Use ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce per egg.
• Mashed Banana: Use ¼ cup mashed banana (extra banana) per egg, intensifying the banana flavor.
• Plain Yogurt: Substitute ¼ cup plain yogurt or Greek yogurt for each egg.
• Silken Tofu: Use ¼ cup pureed silken tofu per egg for a vegan alternative.

5. Butter

Purpose: Butter adds richness and flavor while helping create a tender texture.

Substitute Options:

• Vegetable Oil: Replace the same amount of butter with a neutral oil like canola or sunflower oil.
• Coconut Oil: Use melted coconut oil in a 1:1 ratio for a subtle coconut flavor.
• Applesauce: Replace butter with applesauce for a healthier, fat-free option (same amount).
• Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream: Use the same amount for a creamy substitute and moist texture.

6. Baking Soda

Purpose: Baking soda helps the bread rise by reacting with acidic ingredients.

Substitute Options:

• Baking Powder: Replace baking soda with baking powder (use 3 times the amount). Note that baking powder has a neutral pH, so acidic ingredients may need adjustment.
• Self-Rising Flour: Use self-rising flour instead of regular flour; this already contains leavening agents.

7. Milk

Purpose: Milk adds moisture to the batter and enriches the texture.

Substitute Options:

• Nut Milk: Almond, coconut, or oat milk works well as a 1:1 substitute.
• Soy Milk: A great option for vegan baking; use the same quantity.
• Water: Use water with a splash of oil to compensate for the lack of richness.
• Evaporated Milk: Diluted evaporated milk can be used instead of regular milk (mix ½ cup evaporated milk with ½ cup water).

Final Thoughts

Enjoy your homemade Banana Bread with Three Bananas—a simple, delicious treat perfect for any time of the day!

More Bread Recipes:

• King Arthur No-Knead Bread Recipe
• Easter Bread with Eggs
• Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting