There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread wafting through your kitchen. This recipe transforms simple, everyday ingredients into a tender, moist loaf with ribbons of cinnamon sugar threaded throughout soft banana bread. Each bite delivers the comfort of your favorite cozy breakfast combined with a hint of bakery indulgence, making this loaf perfect for sharing with friends, gifting to neighbors, or sneaking slices for yourself all week long.

Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe keeps things wonderfully simple, relying on pantry staples that each play an essential part in creating flavor, moisture, or that irresistible golden-brown finish. Here’s what you’ll need to bring Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread to life, plus a handy tip for each!

All-purpose flour: Provides the structure and softness for the perfect loaf texture.
Baking soda: Gives your bread the ideal rise so it’s not too dense and bakes up tall.
Salt: A pinch brings out all the other flavors—don’t skip it!
Ground cinnamon: The warmth and spice make this bread truly special and aromatic.
Unsalted butter (softened): Rich and creamy, it adds decadence and makes the crumb super moist.
Granulated sugar: Lightens the batter’s texture while sweetening each slice just right.
Large eggs: Bind everything together and add a touch of richness.
Plain yogurt or sour cream: Adds irresistible moistness and a subtle tang that balances the sweetness.
Ripe bananas (mashed): The star of the show—use spotty bananas for maximum flavor and natural sweetness.
Vanilla extract: A splash brings depth and that classic bakery aroma.
Brown sugar: Gives the cinnamon swirl a caramel-like sweetness and gooey texture.
Ground cinnamon (for swirl): Creates those signature streaks of spiced sweetness.

How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

Step 1: Prep Your Loaf Pan and Heat the Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×5-inch loaf pan. For extra insurance against sticking, line the pan with a sheet of parchment paper that slightly overhangs the edges. This simple preparation will give your Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread a perfect release and keep every golden edge intact.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon in a medium bowl. This step ensures your leaveners and spices are evenly distributed, so you get a tender crumb and balanced flavor from the very first slice to the last.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This aeration gives your loaf a beautiful rise and makes the final bread pillowy soft—so don’t rush this part!

Step 4: Add Eggs, Yogurt, Bananas, and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Then, mix in the yogurt or sour cream, mashed ripe bananas, and vanilla extract. The batter should look silky and a little bit luscious—this is a sign you’re on the right track to irresistibly moist banana bread.

Step 5: Bring Dry and Wet Together

Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and stir gently until just combined. Be careful here—over-mixing can lead to a tough loaf. Stop as soon as there are no streaks of flour, so your Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread stays tender and soft.

Step 6: Create the Cinnamon Swirl

In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon. This is your magic swirl mixture—sweet, spiced, and ready to create pretty marbling throughout your loaf.

Step 7: Layer and Swirl

Pour half of the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the batter. Pour the remaining batter gently on top, then finish with the rest of the cinnamon-sugar. Take a butter knife and drag it through the pan in a gentle zig-zag motion. This creates the signature swirl that makes this bread so stunning (and so delicious).

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Bake your loaf for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick poked into the center comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are fine—no wet batter). Cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to let everything set, then lift the bread out using the parchment and place it on a wire rack. Let it cool completely before slicing, if you can resist!

How to Serve Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

Garnishes

Give your Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread a special finish by drizzling a quick glaze made from powdered sugar and milk after it’s cooled, or sprinkle a dusting of powdered sugar for a classic look. If you love a little crunch, a handful of toasted nuts or chocolate chips on top complement the warm cinnamon beautifully.

Side Dishes

This bread is wonderful on its own, but it’s also lovely alongside a creamy Greek yogurt bowl, a frothy latte, or a simple fruit salad. If you’re hosting brunch, consider serving slices with eggs, bacon, and a platter of fresh berries for a spread that will wow everyone at the table.

Creative Ways to Present

Instead of the usual slices, try cutting the bread into cubes and threading them onto skewers with fresh fruit for a fun brunch platter. Or, toast thick slices and top with a slather of salted butter or a schmear of cream cheese. For dessert, warm a slice and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread stays moist and tender for days. Simply wrap cooled slices or the entire loaf tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature. It’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days—if you can make it last that long without sneaking an extra piece!

Freezing

If you want to savor your banana bread over weeks instead of days, wrap a completely cooled loaf (or individual slices) in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight at room temperature, and it’ll taste just as delightful as when you first baked it.

Reheating

To enjoy your Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread warm, simply pop a slice in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or heat it gently in a toaster oven. A quick reheat revives that fresh-baked aroma and makes every bite just as dreamy as day one.

FAQs

Can I use frozen bananas?

Absolutely! Just thaw completely and drain any excess liquid before mashing. Frozen bananas work beautifully in Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread and even enhance the flavor.

Can I substitute the yogurt or sour cream?

Yes, you can use buttermilk or even plain milk with a squeeze of lemon juice in a pinch. The key is adding a touch of acidity and moisture to keep your bread soft and delicious.

Why do I need ripe bananas?

Ripe, spotty bananas are sweeter and more flavorful, plus they mash smoothly into the batter. Using overripe bananas is the secret to an extra moist loaf with the best banana flavor.

Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?

Definitely! Stir in a half-cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips to your batter. They add delightful texture and an extra layer of decadence to your Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread.

What if my bread sinks in the center?

A sunken center is often from underbaking or the oven temperature being too low. Check your bread at the 50-minute mark and continue baking until a toothpick comes out clean for a perfect loaf every time.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely adore sharing this Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread with friends and family—it never lasts long in my kitchen, and it always steals the spotlight at brunch. Give this recipe a try and savor how something so simple can fill your home with warmth, comfort, and the magic of cinnamon and banana in every bite. Happy baking!

Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 6 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 delightful flavors of this Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread. A moist and tender banana bread with a sweet cinnamon swirl, perfect for breakfast or as a snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

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

Wet Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/4 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
3 ripe bananas (mashed)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cinnamon Swirl:

1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan lined with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, yogurt, bananas, and vanilla.
Combine: Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined.
Make Cinnamon Swirl: Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
Assemble: Layer batter and cinnamon sugar in the loaf pan, then swirl with a knife.
Bake: Bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool and Serve: Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.