Easy 4 Ingredient Banana Bread - Bless This Meal (2024)

4-ingredient banana bread is a simple and delicious recipe that requires only four basic ingredients. It's perfect for those who are short on time or looking for a quick and easy baking project.

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We lovethis simple banana bread recipe. It's classic comfort food that makes the house smell delicious while you're baking it. We make this easy banana bread recipe all year long. It's the perfect dessert, sweet snack, orbreakfast. The homemade 4 ingredient banana bread recipe is so much better and cheaper than anything store-bought. It's moist, incredibly easy to make and you only need 4 ingredients. It doesn't get more simple than that.

Why You'll Love 4 Ingredient Banana Bread

Classic recipe made simple - Many banana bread recipes out there require all purpose flour, self rising flour, baking soda, baking powder, milk, etc. There's a lot of measuring involved and if you don't bake often you may be overwhelmed with all that goes into baking bread.The fact that this recipe only requires four simple ingredients makes it very easy and convenient to whip up. It is also a great option for those who don't want to spend too much time measuring and mixing. Why make things more complicated when you have this easy recipe?

Easily customizable to suit individual tastes - I like to think of this recipe as something to start with. It's delicious the way it is but consider adding nuts, chocolate chips, or extra cinnamon for added flavor.

Great way to use up overripe bananas - Stop wasting spotted or blackened bananas. They have so much natural sweetness. The more ripe they are the easier they are to mash and the more flavor they provide.

Ingredients

1 box spice cake mix- This one simple secret ingredient has all the brown sugar, self-rising flour, etc already measured out for you. It's so simple and convenient plus it's flavored with all of the spices you typically find in banana bread such as nutmeg, cinnamon, and more. Technically you can use any cake mix you'd like but I find the spice variety to be my favorite. Yellow cake mix would be delicious but you may want to add some cinnamon.

1/3 cup oil- I recommend using vegetable or canola for this recipe

2 eggs- large eggs work best

1 1/3 cup mashed brown bananas- I ended up using 2 large bananas, however you can make this banana bread recipe using 4 bananas which will lead to a more moist and dense banana bread. If you have 1 or 2 more bananas to use up, you can certainly add them without compromising the flavor and texture of the 4 ingredient banana cake.

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)- Completely optional but I highly recommend it if you're a nut lover.

Can I use Frozen Bananas?

Yes, it is okay to use frozen bananas for this 4-ingredient banana bread recipe. In fact, frozen bananas are a great option because they become very soft and moist when thawed, which makes for a more tender and flavorful bread. To use frozen bananas in banana bread, simply thaw them in the refrigerator or at room temperature until they are completely soft and mushy. Once they are thawed, peel them and mash them with a fork or a potato masher until they are smooth.

The best way to avoid watery bananas is by straining off some of the liquid before using them to the banana bread batter. Using frozen bananas can be a great way to reduce food waste and ensure that you always have ripe bananas on hand for baking. Just be sure to thaw them completely before using them in your recipe, and adjust the amount of liquid in the recipe if necessary.

How to Make Easy 4-Ingredient Banana Bread

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9-inch loaf pan with cooking spray or butter. You can also line with parchment paper for an easier removal and clean up.

Step 2. In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork or a potato masher until they are smooth.

Step 3. Crack two eggs into the bowl, add oil and mix with the mashed bananas until fully combined.

Step 4. Add 1 box spice cake mix to the wet ingredients, and stir until the batter is smooth and free of lumps. If using chopped walnuts fold into the batter at this time.

Step 5. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, and smooth out the surface with a spatula. If you want to add walnuts to the top of your banana bread, do so at this time.

Step 6. Bake the banana bread in the preheated oven for approximately 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 7. Once the homemade banana bread is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan before attempting to remove.

How to Speed Up the Ripening Process

If you're ready to make this banana bread recipe now and need to ripen bananas quickly, there are a few methods you can try:

Use a brown paper bag: Place the bananas in a brown paper bag with an apple or a tomato. These fruits produce ethylene gas, which accelerates the ripening process. Close the bag and leave it at room temperature for 24-48 hours. Check the bananas periodically to ensure they don't over ripen. This method does not produce instant results but will speed along the process if you plan to make this in a day or two.

Use a warm oven: Place the bananas on a baking sheet and heat them in a warm oven (around 300-350°F or 150-175°C) for about 15-20 minutes. Check them periodically to ensure they don't overripen.

Use a microwave: Pierce the skin of the bananas with a fork and microwave them on high for 30 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on the ripeness of the bananas and the power of your microwave. Again, check them periodically to ensure they don't overripen.

Use a sunny spot: Place the bananas in a sunny spot, such as a windowsill, for a day or two. The warmth and sunlight will help to accelerate the ripening process.

Ways to Enjoy This Delicious Banana Bread Recipe

Toasted with Butter: Slice the banana bread and toast it in a toaster or toaster oven to warm it. Spread some butter on top for a simple and delicious breakfast or snack.

Peanut Butter: Spread some peanut butter on top of a slice of banana bread for a protein-packed snack or breakfast.

Honey: Drizzle some honey on top of the banana bread for an extra touch of sweetness.

Yogurt and Berries: Serve a slice of 4 ingredient banana bread with a dollop of yogurt and some fresh berries for a healthy and tasty breakfast or snack.

French Toast: Turn your banana bread into French toast by dipping slices into a mixture of eggs, milk, and cinnamon, and frying them on a skillet until golden brown. This is a great way to use up leftover banana bread.

Fresh Fruit: Top with fresh seasonal fruit such as fresh mixed berries or even more bananas.

Ice Cream Sandwich: Slice the banana bread and sandwich a scoop of vanilla ice cream between two slices for a decadent dessert.

Bread Pudding: Cube the banana bread and use it as a base for a delicious bread pudding. Mix the cubes with eggs, milk, sugar, and cinnamon, and bake in a casserole dish until golden and crispy.

Tips for The Best Banana Bread

• Use ripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be. Look for bananas with brown spots or streaks on the skin.
• Don't overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to a tough and dense bread. Mix the ingredients until just combined and there are no more white streaks.
• Grease the pan properly: Use cooking spray or butter to grease the loaf pan to prevent the bread from sticking to the sides.
• Add some texture: Add some texture to your banana bread by adding nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit. Fold them into the batter gently so they don't sink to the bottom.
• Use the right pan size: Make sure to use the correct size pan for your recipe. Using a smaller pan can result in a dense and undercooked bread, while using a larger pan can result in a flat and overcooked bread. A typical bread pan will be perfect for the loaf of banana bread.
• Let the bread cool completely: Let the bread cool in the pan before trying to remove. This is so important because removing while the bread is too hot will cause it to stick and could ruin the bread.
• Store properly: Store the banana bread in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap to keep it fresh. It can also be frozen for longer storage.

Must Try Variations

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: Add chocolate chips to the batter for a sweet and indulgent twist on the classic recipe. Banana chocolate chip anything is so good! It's a flavor affinity you don't want to miss.

Nutty Banana Bread: Add chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the batter for some crunch and extra flavor.

Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread: Add a cinnamon-sugar mixture to the batter or create a swirl by layering the batter with cinnamon sugar in the loaf pan.

Cream Cheese Banana Bread: Add a layer of cream cheese filling to the middle of the bread for a tangy and creamy surprise.

Banana Nutella Bread: Swirl in some Nutella to the batter for a decadent chocolate-hazelnut twist.

Coconut Banana Bread: Add shredded coconut to the 4 ingredient banana bread with cake mix for a tropical flavor and texture.

Lemon Blueberry Banana Bread: Add fresh blueberries and lemon zest to the batter for a bright and fruity variation.

Peanut Butter Banana Bread: Swirl peanut butter into the batter or add chopped peanuts for a protein-packed treat.

Fiber Packed Banana Bread: Consider adding whole oats to make a 4 ingredient banana bread with oats. They're packed with insoluble fiber and other nutrients.

Storing

To store the fouringredient banana bread the loaf cool completely on a wire rack. Wrap the banana bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Make sure it's fully covered and there are no air pockets.Store at room temperature in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight. It can last up to 3 days at room temperature.

If you want to store the banana bread for longer, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place it in a freezer-safe container or bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw frozen banana bread, remove it from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for a few hours. Once thawed, it can be reheated in the oven or toaster oven for a few minutes to make it warm.

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