Banana bread fan? You'll love our 15 twists on this easy and popular bake

Banana bread is a cake tin classic. Easy to make, great with tea and beloved by kids and adults alike, it’s not hard to see why this is one of the most popular baking recipes on Good Food. So popular, over 2.5 million people visited our brilliant banana loaf recipe in March and April 2020.

If you have a few ripe bananas and want to make a banana bread with a twist, check out our best ever versions of this lovely loaf. We even have healthier versions if you’re looking to cut down on sugar. Squidgy, simple, moreish and good for you – three cheers for banana bread!

See our 5-star-rated baking recipes for more tried-and-tested bakes, as well as our chocolate traybakes, all-in-one cake ideas and cupcake recipes.

Our best ever banana bread recipes

1. Classic banana bread

Our brilliant banana loaf has been positively-rated by hundreds of goodfood.com users. It uses simple ratios, minimal ingredients and is cleverly topped with dried banana chips for crunch. Be sure to check out the images on the recipe page to help you achieve perfect results every time.

2. Chocolate chip banana bread

Take a classic banana bread to the next level by studding it with chocolate chips. It's incredibly moreish yet simple to make, with a deliciously light and moist sponge – not to mention a delicious way to use up ripe bananas that are lingering in the fruit bowl.

3. Air fryer banana bread

Turn to your trusty air fryer to make this easy banana bread, given a flavour boost by adding pecans and chocolate chips (or try any other nuts you prefer). Try it this weekend for a satisfying bake without any of the hassle.

4. Sticky toffee banana bread

Treat yourself to a hybrid bake that combines the timeless might of banana bread with sticky toffee pudding, a dessert that needs no introduction. The toffee sauce is made with brown sugar, butter and double cream, then the nut and banana chip brittle has added sea salt for contrast. This officially lasts two days but we doubt it’ll stick around for that long.

5. Vegan banana bread

You won’t need any specialist ingredients to make this free-from cake. Vegetable oil is used in place of butter, and eggs are left out completely to no detriment to the finished loaf. Add your own selection of dried fruit and nuts – most storecupboard favourites can be used.

6. Banana, coconut & cardamom bread

We love the taste of cardamom in Swedish-style enriched breakfast buns. Turns out this distinct spice also matches perfectly with banana. Coconut yogurt and oil bring an added point of difference to this beautiful banana bake.

7. Healthy banana bread

A few simple swaps transform often indulgent banana bread into something altogether healthier. This smart recipe uses agave syrup rather than sugar and low-fat spread instead of butter, plus wholemeal flour and natural yogurt. The finished bake can also be batch cooked and frozen for a later date.

8. Gluten-free banana bread

Everyone at the table can enjoy a slice of this banana bread, substituting self-raising flour for gluten-free flour and almond flour. Boasting a light, moist texture, you couldn't tell if it was gluten-free or not.

9. Brownie banana bread

Combine two kid-friendly treats and make our rich brownie-banana bread hybrid. The dark chocolate and banana pairing makes the perfect marriage, resulting in a chocolatey loaf cake that is easy to wrap and transport – perfect for a picnic or birthday party.

10. Slow-cooker banana bread

Dig out your slow cooker to make a simple banana bread that's well worth the wait. Enjoy just as it is for afternoon tea, or slather on a little butter for a simple teatime treat. It serves up to ten, so it's perfect for feeding a crowd.

11. Brazil nut banana bread

Add texture and crunch to a super soft banana loaf by adding chopped Brazil nuts. Ramp up the nuttiness another notch by using dessicated coconut. Cinnamon adds a touch of warm spice to proceedings.

12. Sugar-free banana bread

Want to cut out refined sugar but having major cravings for cake? The natural sweetness of banana and sultanas provide the saccharine elements in this healthier bake. If it’s not quite sweet enough for you, add a drizzle of agave syrup to finish.

13. Toasted banana bread with vanilla ricotta & raspberries

This deluxe recipe demonstrates the versatility of banana bread. By toasting slices of the cake and serving it with vanilla-spiked cream and fresh fruit, this humble loaf is transformed into a fancy breakfast dish that’s deceptively simple to put together. Just make the banana bread in advance to allow for a stress-free brunch.

14. Banana, walnut & chocolate chip loaf

Paul Hollywood knows his way around a loaf tin – behold his take on banana bread that’s studded with walnut pieces and chocolate chips. Serve warm if you’d like the chocolate chips melty, or at room temperature for added chunky texture.

15. Banana bundt cake

A recipe that proves banana bread is so much more than a lunchbox snack. This fancy ring-shaped cake contains dates and walnuts, plus a luxurious honey butter glaze. If you’re baking for a cake sale, this is bound to be the star of the table.

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Which banana bread recipe do you love? Let us know below...