Easy Banana Bread Recipe (Top-Rated) - Celebrating Sweets (2024)

FAQs

How ripe is too ripe for banana bread? ›

Rotten bananas will often have a fermented or alcohol-like smell. While it's okay if the banana peel is dark brown or even black, if the inside is too, then the fruit is beyond ripe and now on its way to rotten. Another sign that bananas have gone bad is if they start leaking any fluids.

One day, when a craving hit particularly hard, I decided to pop the batter in two 9-inch cake pans instead of my trusty loaf pan. And folks—let me tell you—this method is a game-changer! Not only did my banana bread cook in less than half the time of a traditional loaf, but it was also less dense.

You Over-Mix the Batter

For soft and tender banana bread, gently stir the wet ingredients into the dry — don't overmix! The more you stir, the more gluten will develop. The result will be a tough, rubbery banana bread. Simply stir until moist, and then do no more.

Indeed, there is such a thing as a banana that's too far gone even for baking. That's why you should know just which levels of banana ripeness are actually good to use for banana bread. Visual checks can be tricky. Bananas can go from yellow with brown spots to totally black and still be okay to eat and use for baking.

Key takeaway: As long as your bananas aren't starting to get moldy, infested with fruit flies or beginning to rot they aren't too ripe for baking banana bread.

Metal pans are better heat conductors than glass pans, meaning the food inside cooks more evenly. Most baking recipes for cakes, muffins, cupcakes, coffee cake, banana bread, and brownies call for metal bakeware.

The CORRECT Pan to use for Banana Bread

The pan I recommend: A light-colored METAL 9 by 5-inch loaf pan. Anything too dark in color will risk scorching the edges. Glass and ceramic loaf pans: Take MUCH longer to bake – upwards of 15 to 20 minutes.

Don't overbake.

Overbaked banana bread will be dry. I tend to underbake it a bit because I like it super moist. Easy clean up : Line your loaf pan with parchment paper before adding the batter. I find the best way is to crush parchment into a ball, then smooth it into the pan.

According to a spokesperson for the FDA, "Generally, as long as it is not visibly moldy, it is safe." Rogers concurs, saying he hasn't seen any studies linking foodborne illness to eating extremely ripe bananas.

Luckily, there's a telltale sign. When you take the banana bread out of the oven, insert a toothpick into the center; if the toothpick comes out wet, then the loaf is underdone and will be gooey on the inside — which is certainly not what we want.

Is it safe to eat banana with black spots? ›

Bananas with black spots are safe for consumption and do not pose any health risks. However, exercise caution if a banana with dark spots emits a bad odour. In such cases, it is advisable to steer clear and opt for a fresher alternative. Trust your senses when it comes to ensuring the quality of this nutritious fruit.