This bread machine banana bread is a yeasted version of the classic recipe and is easy to slice. Add a dot of savory pecans for a bit of crunch. Warm and comforting, the heavenly aroma of cinnamon-spiced bananas baking soothes the soul. You'll find the loaf to be lighter and fluffier than your regular quick bread. This easy bread machine recipe is featured in The Ultimate Bread Machine Cookbook.
Traditional quick bread banana bread is filled with tons of sugar and butter, sometimes even cooking oil. It's delicious, but definitely a treat.
If you'd like to try a lighter, healthier version of everyone's favorite way to use ripe bananas, this is the best banana bread recipe you'll ever find!
With just 2 tablespoon of butter and only 3 tablespoon of sugar in the 1.5-pound loaf, this yeasted banana bread has a lighter and fluffier texture with a crispy outer crust.
It is easy to slice and works perfectly in your toaster. Try making amazing peanut butter toast or spreading cream cheese or Nutella on it for a special breakfast treat.
This is one of our family's favorite recipes from The Ultimate Bread Machine Cookbook and we're so excited to share it with you.
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Ingredients
This simple bread machine recipe has just a few easy ingredients:
- Fresh Bananas
- Bread flour
- Sugar
- Milk
- Egg
- Butter
- Cinnamon
- Yeast: Instant or Bread Machine Yeast
- Chopped pecans *Optional
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
The bread machine banana bread starts just like all other bread maker recipes:
First, decide which size bread loaf you want to make based on the size of your bread machine. I've included both a 1 ½-pound and a 2-pound version of this recipe.
Follow the ingredient quantities in the recipe card according to the loaf size you chose.
Then, add the liquid ingredients to your bread pan fitted with the paddle attachment.
Pour in the milk, mashed bananas, egg, and softened butter.
HINT: Always cut your softened butter into smaller chunks, it is so much easier for that small bread machine paddle to properly knead the dough and work the butter into your bread.
Next, add the dry ingredients to your bread pan:
Add the bread flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and yeast right on top of the wet ingredients. Reserve the pecans for the mix-in stage later!
It is a best practice to sprinkle the salt around the perimeter of the bread pan so you can keep it away from the yeast until just the right time.
Use a spoon to make a well in the center of the flour, place the yeast in the well.
Place the bread pan back inside the bread machine and then:
- Select the WHITE or BASIC program (depending on your machine's settings.)
- Select the coordinating loaf size (1 ½-pound or 2-pound)
- Press START
Note: Some machines also have a Crust Color setting, I usually use Light or Medium. You'll want to select this before hitting START.
Place the pecans next to your bread maker so you're ready to add them at the mix-in stage.
Most machines will beep when it is time for you to add them, check your bread maker manual to see how your machine handles nuts and raisins.
This is one of the big reasons I adore our Breville bread machine. The automatic dispenser on the top of the lid lets me load the pecans when I'm setting the program. The trap door opens automatically when it is time to add them to the dough:
The machine will knead together the ingredients to form a firm ball of dough.
Let the machine progress through:
- the kneading phase
- the first rise
- the brief second kneading
At this point, if you want you could remove the paddle from the bread pan so it doesn't bake into your loaf.
Simply nudge the dough ball back into place.
Most of the bread makers we tested will take about 3 ½ hours or so from start to finish to bake the bread.
Equipment
This is a bread machine recipe and will require a bread maker to make it. If you don't have one, read our thoughts on whether a bread maker is worth it here.
Want to get a bread machine? Here are the reviews we did of the bread machines we tested while writing the best bread machine cookbook:
Storage
This bread is best served the day it has been baked, warm out of the bread machine.
However, it will keep for 3 - 4 days in a bread box or plastic bag at room temperature.
You can also freeze the bread, just be sure to cool it completely before freezing and thaw it with the bag open to let moisture escape and prevent soggy bread.
Variations
While I love this version with the pecans for crunch, you could easily make these banana bread variations:
- Chocolate chip banana bread - substitute the same quantity of chocolate chips as pecans called for in the loaf size you're baking. Be sure to add them during the mix-in cycle.
- Brown sugar streusel banana bread - make a batch of this easy streusel recipe and sprinkle it over the banana bread just after the final rise but before the baking cycle begins.
- Peanut butter banana bread - substitute the same quantity of peanut butter chips as pecans called for in the loaf size you're baking. Be sure to add them during the mix-in cycle.
No bread machine? You may enjoy this oven baked banana zucchini bread. It was my girls' favorite for so many years!
Serving Tips
This banana bread recipe is perfect served warm with whipped butter or toasted with a spread of cream cheese, peanut butter, or Nutella.
It would also be right at home on any festive breakfast table. Serve it alongside your favorite egg casserole or a make-your-own yogurt parfait bar.
Offer up strawberry or blackberry jams for a fun fruity topping, both would pair so well with the fresh bananas.
The Ultimate Bread Machine Cookbook Available Now:
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📖 Recipe
The Best Bread Machine Banana Bread
Ingredients
For a 1.5-pound Loaf
- ⅓ cup milk
- ½ cup mashed ripe bananas from about 1 ½ bananas
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoon butter softened and cut into pieces
- 3 cups (411 g) bread flour
- 3 tablespoon sugar
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
For a 2-pound Loaf
- ½ cup milk
- ⅔ cup mashed ripe bananas from about 2 bananas
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoon butter softened and cut into pieces
- 4 cups (548 g) bread flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 ¼ teaspoon instant yeast
Instructions
- Add the ingredients to your bread machine's baking pan in the order they are listed, starting with the milk and ending with the yeast. Reserve the pecans for adding to the machine during the mix-in cycle.
- Select the BASIC/WHITE program based on your machine's options. Then select the coordinating setting from your loaf size on your machine and press Start.
- Most machines will alert you with a beep when it is time to add the pecans. If yours does not, add them in the middle of the second knead cycle.
- When the loaf is done, remove it from the bread pan and transfer it to a wire rack to cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Recipe Notes
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Andi R.
Very good! I made a loaf last week, and my brother came into to kitchen asking what kind I was making. I told him Banana bread, and he was very excited. Then I explained that it’s not the super sweet, dessert type he’s used to, and his face fell. I told him to toast it with some butter. I sliced it, put it in a bread bag, and when I got home from work the next day half of it was gone lol. He loved it, and so do I! Making another loaf now, then I shall travel down the cinnamon raisin bread rabbit hole.
Michael
This tasted like white bread with a hint of banana. Would not recommend.
Clyde Reed
Made the recipe yesterday just as directed, and it came out great in a Zoriushi bread machine. I was successful in spite of a major problem--the mechanical connection between the gear drive and the paddles became disconnected part way through, and since it was mixed, I restarted in the quick bread program. The machine was set on "light" and the top was faded, but the bottom and side surfaces which touched the metal surface was almost over-toasted.
I have a question: have you, or other readers substituted part or all whole wheat flour (with addd gluten)? We avoid white flour as much as possible in cooking and in ready-made foods, for obvious health reasons. And I know whole wheat flour can replace white flour, or bread flour in many recipes.
Jeff Valentine
I would like to know how the pineapple and carrot juice will help the dry dough when this is a Banana bread recipe, I see no where any mention of carrots or pineapple.
Tiffany Dahle
Hey Jeff, That line snuck in from the Carrot Cake Bread recipe. Just removed it. Thanks for the good catch!