Print

Tender Banana Bread Recipe with Brown Butter and Crunchy Walnuts

tender banana bread recipe - featured image
Print Recipe

A tender banana bread featuring rich brown butter and crunchy toasted walnuts, perfect for a comforting breakfast or snack. This easy homemade recipe uses simple pantry staples and yields a moist, flavorful loaf.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, browned
  • 3 medium ripe bananas (about 1 1/2 cups mashed)
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 3/4 cup (75g) chopped walnuts, toasted

Instructions

  1. Brown the butter: Melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter over medium heat in a saucepan, stirring constantly until golden and nutty. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  2. Peel and mash 3 ripe bananas in a large bowl with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth with some small lumps.
  3. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, and the slightly cooled brown butter to the mashed bananas. Stir gently to combine.
  4. Whisk in 2 large eggs, one at a time, then add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix until creamy.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and optional cinnamon.
  6. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet banana mixture using a spatula, mixing just until combined to avoid toughness.
  7. Toast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned, stirring often.
  8. Fold most of the toasted walnuts into the batter, reserving some to sprinkle on top.
  9. Lightly grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan and pour in the batter. Smooth the top and sprinkle remaining walnuts evenly over the surface.
  10. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 55-60 minutes. Check doneness at 50 minutes with a toothpick; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  11. Cool the bread in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack and let cool for about 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Use slightly overripe bananas with dark spots for best flavor. Brown butter adds a nutty depth—watch carefully to avoid burning. Toast walnuts before adding for enhanced crunch and aroma. Avoid overmixing batter to keep bread tender. Let bread cool before slicing to prevent crumbling. For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free blend. For vegan, replace eggs with flax eggs and use plant-based butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: banana bread, brown butter, walnuts, tender banana bread, homemade banana bread, easy banana bread recipe, toasted walnuts, breakfast bread

Find it online: https://lunafeast.com/tender-banana-bread-recipe-with-brown-butter-and-crunchy-walnuts-easy-homemade-guide/