Blueberry Banana Bread

Blueberry Banana Bread is packed with fresh or frozen blueberries and ripe bananas. This quick bread will have you buying extra bananas.

Professional Banana Bread Judge

I've been lucky enough to judge many 4-H Foods competitions over the years, and one thing I could always count on seeing was banana bread and lots of it.

Judging those entries gave me plenty of chances to learn what works, what doesn't, and yes, even borrow a great idea or two. That experience led me to develop this Blueberry Banana Bread recipe that is simple, dependable, and genuinely delicious.

Adding fresh or frozen blueberries is my favorite way to make it, but what really sets this loaf apart is the crunchy sugar topping and a few small mixing details.

Those little touches are what take your plain ol' banana bread from familiar to memorable.

Number one mistake people make when making banana bread

The most common mistake people make when baking banana bread, or any quick bread, is over-stirring the batter.

When quick breads like Blueberry Banana Bread are over-mixed, they bake up with a peaked top and a dry, tough texture. No one wants that.

This is one of those recipes where less truly is more. Do not over-stir the batter.

For best results, thoroughly mix the liquid ingredients first: butter, sugar, eggs, and bananas. Once the dry ingredients are added, stir only until they are just incorporated.

If you're unsure, stop stirring. A few streaks or small lumps of flour are perfectly fine and will bake out.

For the most tender crumb, mix this batter by hand. Skip the mixer! Using one makes it easy to over-mix before you realize it.

Ingredients for Banana Bread

• White Sugar - makes the world go around and brings the sweetness.
• Eggs - Large eggs are typical for baking recipes.
• Butter - Unsalted or salted. I avoid margarine.
• Mashed Bananas - over ripe bananas are best for banana bread. If they are spotted, soft, black -- GREAT! This is the perfect banana bread banana as they bring the most sweetness, most banana flavor, and they are super easy to mash. However, avoid adding too much banana or your bread will be gummy and wet feeling.
• Flour - Carefully measure the all-purpose flour for the best quick bread results. Spoon it into your dry measuring cup and level. Don't scoop it, tap it or shake it.
• Baking Soda - Check the box to be sure it's fresh. If it's expired, invest in a new box so your banana bread rises properly. You can always put the expired box in the freezer or fridge to absorb odors.
• Kosher Salt - balances out and enhances the overall flavor.
• Blueberries - I used frozen blueberries that I picked this summer and froze. Juicy fresh blueberries would be great, too. I do toss them in a small amount of the flour to keep them from sinking to the bottom of the batter while cooking.
• Chopped Pecans - I love pecans and English walnuts. If you don't like them, leave them out. It's your bread.
• Raw Sugar - sprinkled on top creates a delicious, crunchy topping. This is the ingredient that will set any of your quick breads apart.

How to Make Blueberry Banana Bread

1. In a large bowl stir together softened butter and sugar. Add in eggs and mashed bananas.
2. In a medium bowl, toss the blueberries with a little flour. Set aside.
3. Into the butter mixture, stir in the remaining flour, baking soda, and salt. ONLY stir until the flour is mostly incorporated.
4. Gently fold in flour-coated blueberries and pecans. Do not over stir.
5. Pour into a greased 9x9 baking pan or prepared loaf pan, if you prefer.
6. Sprinkle top with raw sugar.
7. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool completely in the pan.

Healthy Blueberry Banana Bread

Lower Fat and Calories by substituting applesauce for half of the butter: ¼ cup applesauce + ¼ cup butter.

Variations

• Nut Free Blueberry Banana Bread - Leave out nuts altogether if you have a nut allergy or dislike
• World's Best Banana Bread - Leave out blueberries and it will bake up a plain ol banana bread that is delicious all on its own. However, I love to sneak in some chocolate chips in my "plain" banana bread
• Dried Fruit in Banana Bread - add any type of dried fruit you enjoy: dried blueberries, cranberries, pineapple, apple, etc.
• Berry Bread Recipe - Blueberries work great in this recipe, but you can substitute raspberries or blackberries, too.
• Cinnamon - Add a ½ teaspoon of cinnamon to warm up the banana bread flavor, if desired.
• Blueberry Banana Muffins - divide the batter in the muffin pan and bake until golden brown.

Pan selection for Blueberry Banana Bread

I like a loaf of bananabread as much as the next person but find that dense doughs, like Blueberry Banana Bread, bake better when they have a little more room. And I like eating the small squares instead of the large slices.

So I lean towards baking in a 9x9 pan. If I'm feeling fancy, I use a Bundt pan. Of course, when you change up your pan, you cooking time will vary.

FAQ

Other Family Favorite Quick Breads

• 🍌 Mini Banana Bread is perfect if you only have 2 mushy bananas
• 🔥 Jalapeno Cheddar Zucchini Bread is a tasty savory bread we love
• 🥓 Bacon Infused Banana Bread will have your guests guessing the secret ingredient
• 🍫 Chocolate Chunk Banana Muffins make great breakfast muffins or afterschool snacks

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Lastly, if you made a Blueberry Banana Bread following this recipe, please let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and/or giving a rating!

I love hearing from you! I'll do my best to respond to each comment.

And of course, if you do make this recipe, tag me on Instagram or Facebook! Seeing your photos is my favorite thing!