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Honey banana bread is so easy to make with just a handful of ingredients. It happens all the time: we start the week with the best of intentions, we go to the grocery store, shop for all of our favorite ingredients with the idea that we’ll be making every meal and Friday rolls around, and there we are with a bunch of over-ripe bananas. Use them up with this banana bread recipe with honey!
Banana Honey Bread
This recipe is delicious, simple, and so versatile. I find myself experimenting with it all the time.
You can make a healthier version of banana honey bread by swapping out the butter with coconut oil...but really, this will always be a special treat!
You can try different types of flour as well. When I do, it’s always a combination of flour that does best, and I never fully cut traditional pastry flour out. I always keep some in there, in part because nothing seems to fully replace it. This honey banana bread recipe is on the moist side thanks to the honey — it adds so much to this homemade bread.
Whether you serve it at brunch, as an afternoon snack, or a midnight indulgence, I'm sure you'll enjoy it just as much as I do.
Why You'll Love This Banana Bread Recipe with Honey
- Honey is a wonderful natural sweetener
- Perfect to use up ripe bananas
- It's a simple recipe to follow
- Homemade treats are so much better than store-bought
Ingredients & Substitutions
Honey - We have several varietals of Eastern Shore Honey to choose from.
Unsalted Butter - I like using unsalted butter and then adding a pinch of salt to the batter. Alternatively you could use salted butter and skip the extra pinch.
Eggs - You'll need 2 eggs to make this banana bread with honey recipe.
Bananas - Very ripe bananas are best! The texture and intense flavor add so much to the final results.
Greek yogurt - Another reason why this bread is so moist! It also brings a touch of tang to the mix.
Ground cinnamon and vanilla extract - Both are warm and earthy and complement the bananas perfectly.
All-purpose flour - Again, remember that you can play around with the flour that you use.
Baking soda and powder - You need both, and both will help the bread to rise as it bakes.
Dark chocolate chips and chopped pecans - These ingredients are optional but I definitely recommend that you use them. Who doesn't like chocolate, right?
How to Make This Banana Bread with Honey Recipe
Step One: Recipe prep
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F and grease a loaf pan with coconut oil, cooking oil, or butter and set aside.
Step Two: Combine all the ingredients
The nice thing about making honey banana bread is that you don’t have to follow a certain order with the ingredients. Simply combine all ingredients and mix well. This alone makes me want to make more fruit bread!
Once the batter is combined, distribute the muffin batter evenly in prepared muffin tins.
Step Two: Pour batter into a bread tin
If you want to decorate the top, try using sliced bananas on top.
Step Three: Bake the bread
Place the bread tin in the oven and bake for 1 hour, checking in on the bread every 20 minutes to make sure it's not over-browning.
Adapting Our Banana Honey Bread
Feeling adventurous? Play around with the ingredients in your banana bread there's lots of room to play with a simple recipe like this! Here are some of our favorite tricks:
- Change up the nuts in the mix (walnuts and pecans work well).
- Drizzle with Cashew Cream Icing when the bread is cool.
- You can turn this recipe into banana muffins if you are looking for smaller portions that are easy to freeze.
Important to note: Be careful to not overcook this banana bread. It will easily over-brown and dry out otherwise. Honey caramelizes faster than refined sugar, so when you bake with it, keep an eye on your oven. If your oven is notoriously hot, reduce the temperature, or bake for a little less time if needed.
How Can I Keep My Banana Bread Recipe with Honey From Sinking in the Middle?
To prevent your banana honey bread from sinking in the middle, ensure that you:
- Use the correct leavening agents (baking powder and baking soda) and check their expiration dates.
- Avoid opening the oven door during baking, as the sudden change in temperature can cause the bread to sink.
- Do not overmix the batter, as it can create too much air, leading to sinking.
- Bake the bread in the center of the oven, allowing for even heat distribution.
How Long Does This Honey Banana Bread Recipe Stay Fresh?
This banana bread recipe with honey typically stays fresh for about 3-4 days when stored properly. To maximize its freshness, wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. You can also store it in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life.
If you'd like to enjoy it for longer, you can freeze the bread. Wrap it well in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer bag. Frozen honey banana bread can last for up to 2-3 months.
Can I Make Honey Banana Bread Muffins Instead?
Yes, you can definitely use honey banana bread recipe to make muffins! Simply fill a greased or lined muffin pan with the batter, filling each tin about 2/3 full. Adjust the baking time accordingly, as muffins will bake faster than a whole loaf.
Start checking for doneness around 12-15 minutes, inserting a toothpick into the center to make sure it comes out clean. Remember that the baking time may vary, so keep an eye on them and adjust as needed.
If you bake up our banana bread with honey recipe, share a photo with the hashtag #beeinspired on Instagram. We love seeing your photos!
