If you love comfort baking, this Cinnamon Banana Bread is an absolute must-try. Warm, sweet bananas meet swirls of cozy cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg, kissed with a golden crust for that irresistible homemade flavor. Each slice is moist and brimming with cozy aromas, perfect for breakfast, snack time, or an afternoon treat. Whether you eat it plain or jazz it up with nuts, this recipe brings all the joy of a classic with a delightful cinnamon twist—and best of all, it’s so easy to whip up with everyday ingredients!

Cinnamon Banana Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

All you need are a handful of staple pantry ingredients to create a loaf that is rich, fragrant, and tempting enough to disappear in mere hours. Each element here is thoughtfully chosen to guarantee the moist crumb and dreamy flavor that Cinnamon Banana Bread is known for.

Ripe Bananas: The riper, the better—those brown spots mean more natural sweetness and moisture!
Unsalted Butter: Melted for easy mixing and a luxuriously tender bite.
Granulated Sugar: Adds just the right touch of sweetness without overpowering the banana and spice notes.
Egg: Gives structure and helps the bread hold its lovely shape.
Vanilla Extract: Boosts flavor depth, making the bananas and cinnamon sing.
All-Purpose Flour: The ideal foundation for a soft, sliceable loaf.
Baking Soda: Ensures a gentle rise and light texture.
Salt: A pinch sharpens and balances all those sweet, rich flavors.
Ground Cinnamon: The heart of this recipe—warm and aromatic throughout every bite.
Ground Nutmeg: Just a hint to add another layer of cozy, nostalgic flavor.
Milk: Smooths out the batter and guarantees perfect moisture.
Chopped Walnuts or Pecans (Optional): For a delightful crunch—totally up to your mood!

How to Make Cinnamon Banana Bread

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×5-inch loaf pan. This ensures your Cinnamon Banana Bread will bake evenly and pop right out of the pan with no trouble when it’s cooled—a small step that makes a big difference!

Step 2: Mash Bananas and Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, mash your bananas until nice and smooth. Stir in the melted butter until everything is creamy, then blend in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. This melds all your wet ingredients, infusing the batter with the perfect banana-cinnamon aroma right from the start.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisking not only blends these ingredients evenly, but it also aerates the flour just enough to help the bread stay light and fluffy.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture, stirring gently until just combined—scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to find any hidden flour pockets, but don’t overmix. Pour in the milk and fold the batter until it’s smooth (a few lumps are perfectly okay). If you’re adding nuts, now’s the time to gently stir them in for extra crunch.

Step 5: Pour and Bake

Pour your batter into the prepared loaf pan and level the top with a spatula. For a little extra sparkle and crunch on top, sprinkle on some cinnamon sugar if you like. Then, pop it into the oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes—when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, it’s ready to come out.

Step 6: Cool and Slice

Let your Cinnamon Banana Bread cool in the pan for about ten minutes so it can firm up. Then gently turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This patience pays off—your slices will hold together beautifully and taste even better!

How to Serve Cinnamon Banana Bread

Garnishes

A warm slice is a glorious thing on its own, but a dusting of powdered sugar, an extra sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar, or a pat of soft butter can make it feel extra special. For a brunch treat, try a dollop of whipped cream cheese, or drizzle with a little honey for an added touch of sweetness that pairs delightfully with the spiced flavors.

Side Dishes

Cinnamon Banana Bread is right at home next to brunch classics—think crisp bacon, fluffy scrambled eggs, or a fresh fruit salad. For a cozy snack, serve alongside a steaming mug of coffee or chai tea; the spices and banana play off every sip for maximum comfort.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, cut the bread into thick “sticks” for dipping into yogurt or chocolate sauce, or toast your slices lightly and top with almond butter and sliced bananas. Layer thin slices with vanilla ice cream for a quick dessert, or stack mini cubes on skewers with berries for a sweet-and-savory party platter—Cinnamon Banana Bread fits every occasion!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Want to make the most of your loaf? Wrap any leftovers tightly in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This keeps the bread moist and fresh, making it perfect for a quick breakfast or snack all week.

Freezing

Cinnamon Banana Bread freezes beautifully! Slice the cooled loaf, then individually wrap slices or pack the entire loaf in a freezer-safe bag. Pop it into the freezer, and you’ll have homemade comfort on hand for up to three months—just thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.

Reheating

To restore that just-baked warmth, gently microwave a slice for about 15-20 seconds, or toast it lightly for crisp edges and an extra-cozy flavor. A quick reheat brings the cinnamon aroma alive again and makes each bite as irresistible as the first.

FAQs

Can I use frozen bananas for Cinnamon Banana Bread?

Absolutely! Just thaw the bananas and drain off any excess liquid before mashing. They’ll lend just as much flavor and moisture as fresh ripe bananas.

What if I don’t have nuts—can I leave them out?

Of course! Nuts add some crunch but the bread is just as delicious without them. You can even swap in chocolate chips or dried fruit for a different twist.

Why should bananas be very ripe?

The more ripe the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your Cinnamon Banana Bread will be. Brown spots mean lots of natural sugar, which makes for a moist, tender loaf without needing extra sweetener.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, this recipe doubles easily—just bake in two loaf pans, and keep an eye on the baking time (it might need a few extra minutes, but check with a toothpick).

How do I know when my Cinnamon Banana Bread is done?

Bake until a toothpick or skewer inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If it’s wet, give it another five minutes and check again for that perfect texture!

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Cinnamon Banana Bread enough—there’s just something magical about the combination of ripe bananas and warming spices that makes it impossible to eat just one slice. Give this recipe a try and don’t be surprised if it becomes a go-to in your kitchen too. Happy baking, and enjoy every cinnamon-swirled bite!

Cinnamon Banana Bread Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 10 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (about 10 slices) 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of this delicious Cinnamon Banana Bread. Perfect for breakfast or as a snack, this moist and flavorful bread is a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients:

3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup milk

Dry Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Optional:

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine mashed bananas with melted butter. Add sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract; mix well.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add to banana mixture and stir until just combined.
Add Milk and Nuts: Stir in milk for smooth batter. Fold in chopped nuts if desired.
Bake: Pour batter into the loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Cool and Serve: Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool before slicing.