Our Best Banana Bread Recipes

This quick bread is a family favorite, so I always try to have ripe bananas on hand for this recipe. I'm sure your family will love this tasty, nutty bread as much as mine. —Susan Jones, La Grange Park, Illinois

Whenever I pass a display of bananas in the grocery store, I can almost smell the wonderful aroma of my best banana bread recipe. It really is that good! —Gert Kaiser, Kenosha, Wisconsin

This extra-special banana bread makes a wonderful gift for friends and neighbors. The recipe makes two loaves, so I can serve one and keep the other one in the freezer to use as a last-minute gift. —Beverly Sprague, Catonsville, Maryland

I like this recipe because the orange juice gives the nut bread such a bright flavor and also makes it moist. —Barbara Roethlisberger, Shepherd, Michigan

I received this chocolate chip banana recipe from my co-worker and dear friend, Judy, years ago. When she gave it to me she said, “You will never need another banana bread recipe.” She was almost right. I added more chocolate chips for the chocolate lovers in my family. — Debra Keiser, St. Cloud, Minnesota

I came across this recipe in a local newspaper about 10 years ago, and I still make the bread on a regular basis. The recipe conveniently yields a number of mini loaves, making gift-giving easy. —Linda Wood, Roanoke, Virginia

“I served this quick bread to a group of ladies I had over for lunch,“ writes Carole Lanthier from Courtice, Ontario, “and every one of them asked for the recipe! It was a big hit.“ Moist, tasty and studded with cherries and walnuts, this pretty loaf is easily doubled. TIP: This bread freezes well and also makes a lovely holiday or hostess gift.

“I made up this recipe when I was vegetarian and didn’t eat eggs. It’s packed with fiber, omega-3s and soy protein, but tastes delicious! Silken tofu is a wonderful egg substitute.” —Brittany Carrington, Tehachapi, California

I got this Zucchini Banana Bread recipe from a friend at work and now it's one of my favorites. It makes three small loaves, but they freeze very well. —Donna Hall, Wolfforth, Texas

My children love to bake (and eat) all kinds of banana bread. They make this all by themselves, with just a little help from me to put it in the oven. —Kristin Metcalf, Charlton, Massachusetts

Our four kids like slices of this moist tropical-tasting banana bread for breakfast. I sometimes bake it in mini loaf pans, then freeze the loaves so we can enjoy a small portion at a time. —Mary Watkins, Chaska, Minnesota

Blueberries and bananas combine in these tender, golden loaves. Whether you enjoy a slice as a snack or for breakfast, this bread is so flavorful, you won't need butter. —Sandy Flick, Toledo, Ohio

White chocolate is the wonderfully different addition to this tropical-tasting bread. The moist slices are so scrumptious, they disappear as soon as I serve them.

This moist, tender bread has all the flavors of New Orleans’ famous dessert. And the rum-flavored glaze on top’s amazing! —Christen Chalmers, Houston, Texas

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas I bake 200 loaves of bread.—Douglas Jennings, Ottawa, Kansas

I developed this recipe in an effort to add pizzazz to my plain banana bread. I was pleased with the results, and so were my family and friends! —Janis Allnatt, Rochester, New York

I watch several youngsters each day while their parents are at work. They come running when I announce it's time to cook. This easy banana bread is one of their favorite treats to help bake and eat. —Sharon Ward, King Ferry, New York

We slice this banana bread so thick it is almost embarrassing—but we need fat slices to deliver ample portions of the Pineapple Spread. When beating the cream cheese for the spread, beat the cheese until it is as light and fluffy as whipped cream. —Lee Ann Miller, Millersburg, Ohio

Give your celebration a tropical flair with this exotic variation of banana bread. It’s quick to prepare, giving you plenty of time to focus on other holiday details. —Katherine Nelson, Centerville, Utah

Nothing tops old-fashioned banana bread, except maybe this chocolate version! Each slice is studded with nuts. —Connie Deke, DeWitt, Nebraska

This time of year, one of my favorite snacks is warm banana bread with a glass of nog. I decided to combine the two, and was so happy with the resulting eggnog bread. —Kristin Stone, Litte Elm, Texas

As a toddler, my son loved bananas, so we always had them in the house. We didn't always eat them all before they were too ripe, so we experimented beyond basic banana bread. That’s how we came up with Elvis bread! —Liz Somppi, Greenfield, Wisconsin

Rich but relatively fuss-free, this is no ordinary banana loaf! I fill my quick bread with macadamia nuts, raisins and coconut to create a memorable treat. —Regina Albright, Southaven, Mississippi

Even if you're not following a gluten-free diet, you'll enjoy this delightful bread from our Test Kitchen. The chocolate chips and chopped walnuts are a nice complement to the mild banana flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Banana bread rises to a whole new level when you add maple syrup, sour cream and pecans—and a cinnamon-spiced streusel. It’s a comforting, home-style treat for breakfast or any time of day.—David Dahlman, Chatsworth, California