Mini Banana Bread

Mini Banana Bread recipe made with ripe bananas-moist, bakery-style loaves perfect for breakfast, snacks, or gifting fresh from your kitchen.

Easy Mini Banana Bread Loaves

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Last week I came home from a work trip to find two past-their-prime bananas on the counter. Not quite enough for a big loaf of Blueberry Banana Bread or Bacon-Infused Banana Bread, but way too good to waste.

So instead, I whipped up a tiny batch of my favorite easy Mini Banana Bread loaves-and let me tell you, sometimes the small batch bakes are the best.

I finally had an excuse to use that loaf pan I'd been eyeing, too. It's covered in the cutest little Fall-themed critters-a turkey 🦃, squirrel 🐿️, and plenty of autumn leaves 🍁.

Each loaf comes out with its own cozy design on the bottom, which somehow makes this easy banana bread recipe feel even more special.

These mini banana bread loaves are perfect for gifting (if you can manage not to eat them all yourself!).

I plan to stock my freezer with a few batches made from those inevitable rogue bananas that pop up here on the farm-especially with the holidays coming.

Nothing says homemade love quite like a little loaf of banana bread wrapped up and shared.

And here's my best tip: don't skip the sprinkle of raw sugar on top. That little crunch on each golden loaf takes these mini banana breads over the top-like a bakery-style finish straight from your own farmhouse kitchen.

Top Fan Review

Omg... this is the best banana bread... The crunchy topping is my favorite part!

Madelyn

Ingredients

• Butter - Salted or unsalted both work well in this recipe.
• Sugar - Sweetens up this quick bread
• Bananas that are past their prime - black bananas are fine for banana bread. That's when their sugars are at their highest levels. Your compost pile (or chickens on my farm) won't miss them.
• Egg - Large eggs are always used in baking. I love a good free-range farm egg the most!
• Flour - ONLY 1 cup for this recipe. Can you believe that?! Measure carefully. Spoon it into your measuring cup lightly, do NOT tap or shake it while measuring, and level off your dry measuring cup.
• Baking Soda - This is what makes quick bread rise. Check the expiration date to make sure yours is fresh before starting.
• Kosher Salt - Balances the sweetness.
• Chopped Pecans - Love them? Add them in. Not for you? Leave the nuts out.
• Raw Sugar - Please, don't skip this ingredient. You will thank me when you are eating that sweet, crunchy layer on your banana bread.

Top Tips for Making Banana Bread

• Less is more. Really--Do NOT overstir. I know stirring is so fun! But NOT when making quick breads.
• Stir the butter, sugar, eggs, and bananas until well combined. Then the rest is to barely be stirred. Like just enough so that the flour is barely stirred in. When in doubt. Stop stirring. Practice self-control here.
• Mix this recipe by hand. NO MIXERS! Using a mixer makes it difficult to tell when your dough is just incorporated.
• Cut with a serrated knife for the cleanest cut.

Instructions for Old Fashioned Banana Nut Bread

1. Preheat the oven and grease mini loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl stir together softened butter and sugar. Add in egg and mashed bananas.
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 pecans. Do not over-stir.
5. Pour into a greased mini loaf baking pan.
6. Sprinkle top with raw sugar.
7. Bake for 25-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool completely in the pan.
9. Store in the pan with a loose covering to keep the top crunchy and the bottom soft.

Substitutions and Variations 🍽️

Chocolate Chunk Banana Muffins -- stir chocolate chunks into the banana bread batter then divide the batter into greased muffin cups. Bake until golden brown.

Dried Fruit in Banana Bread -- add any type of dried fruit you enjoy: dried blueberries, cranberries, pineapple, apple, etc.

Healthy Banana Bread -- Lower Fat and Calories by substituting applesauce for half of the butter: ⅛ cup applesauce + ⅛ cup butter.

Nut-Free Blueberry Banana Bread -- leave out nuts altogether if you have a nut allergy or dislike nuts.

Chocolate Chip Pecan Banana Bread -- Stir in your favorite chocolate chips along with the pecans for a delicious nutty chocolate treat.

Banana Bread Recipe Without Loaf Pan

No loaf pan? Use a 9x9 pan or muffin pan. Cooking times will need adjusted.

Storage

I like to store this banana bread in the pan and only cover the cut end of Mini Banana Bread with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.

Then leave the top uncovered so the crunch of the sugar topping stays crunchy.

There is no need to refrigerate this quick bread and it keeps for 2-3 days at room temperature. Refrigerate for longer shelf life.

Freeze Banana Bread

Wrap in heavy-duty foil or place in a freezer bag and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature.

More Easy Recipes

• Maple Pecan Granola
• Blended Overnight Oats
• Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats
• Amish Breakfast Casserole

Spread the Love

Lastly, if you made Mini 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 @laughingroostereats on Instagram and hashtag it #laughingroostereats! Seeing your photos is our favorite thing!