This 4 ingredient banana bread is a simple yet delicious bread that is super versatile and whipped up with a few pantry staples.
The key ingredients are self-rising flour, which eliminates the need for additional leavening agents, ripe bananas that lend natural sweetness and moisture, eggs for structure and richness, and brown sugar for depth of flavor and a hint of caramel notes.
With minimal effort, these four humble ingredients transform into a moist, tender quick bread that's perfect for breakfast, snacking, or dessert.
The simplicity of this recipe makes it a go-to for busy bakers seeking a satisfying homemade treat without fuss.
One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. You can easily customize it by adding nuts, chocolate chips, or other mix-ins to suit your taste preferences.
For more 4 ingredient recipes, check out my 4 ingredient peach cobbler, Nutella ice cream and 4 ingredient peanut butter cookies.
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Why this recipe works
- 4 Ingredient recipe- This recipe uses only 4 simple ingredients: brown sugar, self rising flour, ripe bananas, and eggs.
- Flavor- This delicious banana bread is filled with mashed ripe bananas and brown sugar which gives it a delicious sweet and rich banana flavor.
- Texture- Even though this bread is made with 4 ingredients, it has a soft and fluffy texture that will melt in your mouth.
- One bowl- There's no need for any electric appliances or additional equipment for this recipe. The entire process is completed in a single bowl, streamlining the preparation and minimizing cleanup.
- Versatile- This delish bread is super versatile, you can add any of your favorite banana bread add ins like chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit, fresh fruit, etc.
Ingredients
Before you start to make this recipe, measure and prepare your ingredients so the cooking process will go smoothly and easily.
Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
Ripe bananas- Use only ripe bananas for this recipe! Overripe bananas are more sweet, moist, and easy to mash into a pudding consistency.
If you don’t have ripe bananas, bake regular bananas in a 200c (400f) preheated oven for 10 minutes, this will soften the bananas and make them into a ripe banana texture.
Self-rising flour- use your favorite brand of self-rising flour, you can also use gluten-free self-rising flour or any kind that you personally like.
Brown sugar- adds a nice texture and a rich flavor to the banana bread. I used light brown sugar, but you can also use dark brown sugar.
Eggs- You will need 2 large eggs for this recipe. Make sure that your egg is at room temperature. If you only have medium-sized eggs, use 3 eggs.
Instructions
Preheat an oven to 180c (350f) and prep a loaf pan with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, add the ripe bananas and mash them into a pudding-like consistency with a fork or a potato masher. Then, add the eggs and brown sugar and mix with a whisk until well combined
Add the self-rising flour (I recommend sifting it) and mix until there are no lumps of flour in the batter and it looks smooth. If you want to add add-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or fruit, this is the time!
Pour the batter into a parchment paper-lined loaf pan.
Optional: for decoration, slice a banana in half lengthwise, and top the batter with the bananas with the sliced side facing upwards.
Bake in a 180c (350f) preheated oven for 45-55 minutes (depending on the oven) or until a toothpick inserted into the banana bread comes out clean.
Allow the banana bread to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes, slice, and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Use very ripe bananas. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your banana bread will be. Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots or even fully brown skins.
- Mash the bananas thoroughly. Ensure there are no lumps left in the mashed banana mixture. This will help create a smooth, even texture in your bread.
- For more delicious flavor, add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, or cardamon. Also, you can add 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla extract or almond extract.
- For extra crunch, add chopped nuts of your choice on top of the bread like chopped pecans, almonds, or walnuts.
- Bring ingredients to room temperature. Allow the eggs and bananas to come to room temperature before mixing. This will help them incorporate better into the batter.
- Don't overmix the batter. Mix the ingredients just until combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough, dense bread.
- Check for doneness. Insert a toothpick or skewer into the center of the bread. If it comes out clean, the bread is done.
- Let it cool completely before slicing. Allow the banana bread to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. This will help it set and prevent it from falling apart.
Faq's
While banana bread can provide some nutritional benefits from ingredients like bananas, eggs, and nuts, it is generally considered an indulgent treat rather than a health food.
Most recipes contain significant amounts of added sugar and refined flour, which can contribute excess calories, carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats to one's diet if consumed in excess.
Moderation is key when enjoying banana bread as part of an overall balanced diet.
If you want to make this banana bread, but you don't have ripe bananas on hand, don't worry!
Bake regular bananas in a 200c (400f) preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, this will soften the bananas and give them a ripe banana texture and flavor.
Or bake the bananas unpeeled in a 150c (300f) for about 10 minutes.
An excess of banana can make the bread overly dense, gummy, and wet. Most recipes call for around 1 to 1 ½ cups of mashed ripe banana per loaf to achieve the ideal moisture level and banana flavor without compromising the bread's texture.
Using more than this recommended amount may lead to a heavy, soggy loaf that doesn't bake through properly.
Storing
It’s okay to store this banana bread at room temperature. Make sure that you store the banana bread in an airtight container so it won’t dry out.
Freezing
Allow the banana bread to cool down to room temperature. Once cooled, wrap the entire loaf or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Write the name and date on the packaging to keep track of when the banana bread was frozen. Place the wrapped banana bread in the freezer, where it can be stored 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 or overnight.
Alternatively, you can microwave individual slices for 15-30 seconds to thaw and warm them up quickly.
Substitutions
Vegan- To make this banana bread vegan, swap the eggs with ⅓ cup of applesauce.
Gluten-free- To make this recipe gluten-free, replace the self-rising flour with gluten-free self-rising flour.
Variations
Nuts- add extra crunch to this banana bread by chopping up some of your favorite nuts and adding them to the batter. You can add chopped pecans, chopped walnuts, and chopped almonds.
Fruit- add extra flavor to this bread by adding some of your favorite fruit. You can add raspberries, blueberries, chopped strawberries, chopped apples, etc.
Chocolate chips- For a delicious banana and chocolate flavor, add some of your favorite chocolate chips. Add 1 cup of chocolate chips to the batter. You can use dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, etc.
Spices- For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls- best glass mixing bowls.
- Whisk set- our favorite copper whisk set.
- Loaf pan
More banana bread recipes
Nutella Banana Bread- This incredibly moist and easy Nutella banana bread is full of ripe bananas and is swirled with plenty of Nutella. This might be my top 3 favorite banana bread recipes ever!
Double Chocolate Banana Bread- This double chocolate banana bread is filled and topped with chocolate chips, extra moist, and melt in your mouth delicious.
One Bowl Chocolate Chip Banana Bread- This chocolate chip banana bread is extra moist banana bread that is made with brown butter, greek yogurt, and plenty of mashed bananas making this banana bread super moist, flavorful, and fluffy.
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If you liked this recipe
📖 Recipe
4 Ingredient Banana Bread (Versatile)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Bananas ripe, mashed into a pudding-like consistency
- 2 Eggs
- ¾ cup Brown sugar light brown sugar or dark brown sugar
- 1 ½ cups Self rising flour
Instructions
- Preheat an oven to 180c (350f) and prep a loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the ripe bananas and mash them into a pudding-like consistency with a fork or a potato masher. Then, add the eggs and brown sugar and mix with a whisk until well combined
- Add the self-rising flour (I recommend sifting it) and mix until there are no lumps of flour in the batter and it looks smooth. If you want to add add-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or fruit, this is the time!
- Pour the batter into a parchment paper-lined loaf pan.
- Optional: for decoration, slice a banana in half lengthwise, and top the batter with the bananas with the sliced side facing upwards.
- Bake in a 180c (350f) preheated oven for 45-55 minutes (depending on the oven) or until a toothpick inserted into the banana bread comes out clean.
- Allow the banana bread to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes, slice, and enjoy!
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your banana bread will be. Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots or even fully brown skins.
- Mash the bananas thoroughly. Ensure there are no lumps left in the mashed banana mixture. This will help create a smooth, even texture in your bread.
- For more delicious flavor, add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, or cardamon. Also, you can add 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla extract or almond extract.
- For extra crunch, add chopped nuts of your choice on top of the bread like chopped pecans, almonds, or walnuts.
- Bring ingredients to room temperature. Allow the eggs and bananas to come to room temperature before mixing. This will help them incorporate better into the batter.
- Don't overmix the batter. Mix the ingredients just until combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough, dense bread.
- Check for doneness. Insert a toothpick or skewer into the center of the bread. If it comes out clean, the bread is done.
- Let it cool completely before slicing. Allow the banana bread to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. This will help it set and prevent it from falling apart.
Milica says
Delicious and easy!