That single banana on the counter has finally gone spotty, and that is not a problem—it’s an invitation. This small banana nut bread recipe bakes one modest loaf, so you won’t be staring at a huge cake all week. It fits a standard 6-by-3-inch loaf pan and mixes up easily in one bowl.
Why a Small Batch Works
Beyond portion control, a smaller loaf is genuinely practical. It bakes more quickly than a full-size bread, and it fits in a toaster oven if you don’t want to heat up the main oven. The result is moist and tender, with the same nutty crunch as a classic banana bread.
Ingredients
- 1 medium ripe banana (about ½ cup mashed)
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- ⅓ cup chopped walnuts
Method
- Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 6-by-3-inch loaf pan with butter or nonstick spray.
- In a medium bowl, mash the banana with a fork until mostly smooth. A few small lumps are fine.
- Whisk in the egg, melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla. Whisk until the mixture looks glossy and well combined.
- Sprinkle the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon over the wet ingredients. Stir gently with a rubber spatula until just combined, then fold in the walnuts.
- Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is deep golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the loaf in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge, turn it out, and let it finish cooling before slicing.
🍌 Note: Don’t overmix once the flour goes in—it will make the loaf tough. Stir only until no dry streaks remain, then stop.
Storage and Swaps
Wrap leftover bread tightly in plastic wrap or foil. It stays moist at room temperature for about 3 days. You can also freeze it in a zip-top bag for up to a month and thaw single slices as needed.
Pecans work just as well as walnuts, and about ⅓ cup of chocolate chips is a delicious stand-in. If you prefer no mix-ins at all, simply leave them out.
This small banana nut bread recipe is an easy one to remember and wonderfully forgiving. The next time a banana ripens faster than you expected, see it as a head start. A warm, nutty slice is only forty minutes away.
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