Brown Butter Banana Bread is the ultimate comfort-baking delight—moist, nutty, and bursting with ripe banana flavor. This beloved classic takes your usual banana bread to the next level by incorporating browned butter, lending a rich, caramel-like depth that’s impossible to resist. In just about 100 words, you’ll learn why this version stands out: brown butter transforms the texture and adds a toasty complexity, while the mashed bananas provide natural sweetness and tender crumb. Whether you’re baking for breakfast, snack time, or a cozy evening treat, this recipe is as straightforward as it is scrumptious—guaranteed to make your kitchen smell amazing and leave everyone asking for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Brown Butter Banana Bread
- Deeper, caramelized flavor: Brown butter adds a buttery caramel essence that elevates the taste.
- Perfectly moist crumb: The blend of very ripe bananas and melted butter ensures a tender slice every time.
- Simple and versatile: Basic pantry ingredients come together in one bowl with easy steps.
- Enhance it with cozy spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, or mix in your favorite nuts or chocolate chips for added texture.
- Crowd-pleaser: Great for guests, bake sales, or as a comforting treat any time of day.
Ingredients
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter
- ¾ cup (165 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large very ripe bananas (around 350 g), mashed
- 1½ cups (210 g) all-purpose flour
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (use ½ teaspoon if using Morton’s)
Optional add-ins: ½ tsp cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, or clove; ½ cup chopped nuts or chocolate chips
Step-by-Step: How to Make Brown Butter Banana Bread
- Preheat & prep
Heat your oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Line a loaf tin with parchment or lightly grease it. - Brown the butter
Melt ½ cup unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once it foams, continue stirring for about 3–5 minutes until golden brown flecks appear. Remove from the heat and give it a quick whisk to let it cool down slightly. - Combine sugar & butter
In a mixing bowl, whisk the slightly cooled browned butter with ¾ cup sugar until well blended and glossy, about 1 minute. - Add eggs & vanilla
Add 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the mixture. Whisk vigorously until the mixture becomes smooth and uniform. - Mash bananas
Add 3 large very ripe bananas to the bowl. Use a fork to mash into small lumps—no need to be completely smooth. Once most of the banana lumps are gone, switch to a whisk and gently combine. - Mix dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together 1½ cups flour, 2½ teaspoons baking powder, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Sprinkle this over the wet mixture and stir with a spatula until just combined, forming a thick batter. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender. - Optional add-ins
Fold in any spices, nuts, or chips now, stirring gently until evenly distributed. - Bake
Spread the batter into the prepared loaf tin. Bake at 375 °F for 50–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. - Cool & serve
Allow the bread to rest in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Helpful Tips
- Use very ripe bananas: The browner they are, the sweeter and more intense your bread’s flavor.
- Don’t skip browning the butter: This is what transforms ordinary banana bread into something special with nutty, caramel notes.
- Watch the bake: Oven temperatures vary—start checking at minute 45 to prevent overbaking.
- Let it rest: Cooling for at least 10 minutes helps the internal crumb set and slice neatly.
- Room temperature ingredients: Eggs blend better and help the loaf bake evenly.
Substitutions And Variations
- Butter substitute: Swap browned butter with browned ghee for long shelf life and nutty aroma.
- Flour swaps: Replace the 1½ cups of all-purpose flour with an equal amount of 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Sugar alternatives: Replace granulated sugar with brown sugar or coconut sugar for mellow sweetness and richer color.
- Add-ins options: Fold in ½ cup walnuts, pecans, chocolate chips, or dried fruits like cranberries or raisins.
- Spice combos: Try ½ teaspoon each of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom; add a splash of orange zest for a fresh twist.
Storage Instructions
- Room temperature: Wrap cooled loaf in plastic or foil; store at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerator: Wrapped loaf can last 5–7 days—reheat slices in the toaster oven for freshness.
- Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge or microwave briefly before serving.
Nutritional Information (approximate per 1 slice, based on 10 servings)
- Calories: ~240
- Total Fat: 8g (4g saturated)
- Carbohydrates: 38g (20g sugar, 1g fiber)
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
- Sodium: 190mg
Note: Nutritional values will vary depending on add-ins and exact portion sizes.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic breakfast: Enjoy toasted with butter or cream cheese.
- Sweet snack: Enjoy a slice alongside Greek yogurt and a handful of fresh fruit.
- Decadent dessert: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a luscious treat.
- On-the-go treat: Cut into bars and wrap individually for easy snacking or lunchbox additions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brown Butter Banana Bread
Q: Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
A: Yes! Replace the 1½ cups of all-purpose flour with an equal amount of 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Check for xanthan gum—if not included, add ½ teaspoon for structure. The texture may vary slightly, but the brown butter flavor will still shine.
Q: What if I don’t want to brown the butter?
A: You can skip browning and use regular melted butter, though you’ll miss out on the deep, nutty flavor it adds.
Q: Can I halve the recipe or make it in smaller portions?
A: Yes, simply reduce all ingredients by half for a smaller loaf, or pour the batter into muffin tins for easy banana bread muffins.
Q: Why did my loaf collapse in the middle?
A: It likely wasn’t baked through or was removed from the oven too soon. Be sure to test with a toothpick and avoid overmixing.
Q: Can I make this vegan?
A: To veganize, use vegan butter to brown, substitute each egg with flax “eggs” (1½ Tbsp flax + 4½ Tbsp water per egg), and add 1 Tbsp non-dairy milk if needed. Texture will be a bit denser, but the flavor remains delicious.
Brown Butter Banana Bread
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (8–10 slices) 1x
Description
Brown Butter Banana Bread is a rich, moist, and flavorful twist on the classic loaf. Made with caramelized butter and ripe bananas, it’s incredibly easy to prepare with just one bowl and common pantry staples. Perfect for breakfast, snacking, or a comforting dessert!
Ingredients
½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter
¾ cup (165 g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 large very ripe bananas (350 g)
1½ cups (210 g) all-purpose flour
2½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp kosher salt (½ tsp if using Morton’s)
Optional: ½ tsp cinnamon, nutmeg, or clove; ½ cup chopped nuts or chocolate chips
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a loaf pan with parchment or grease it.
In a small saucepan, brown the butter until golden flecks form, then remove from heat and cool slightly.
Whisk browned butter and sugar until glossy.
Add eggs and vanilla; whisk until smooth.
Mash in bananas, then gently whisk to combine.
Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt until just mixed.
Fold in any optional add-ins.
Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
Bake for 50–55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Notes
Use the ripest bananas you have for the best flavor. Brown butter adds a deep, nutty richness. Optional spices like cinnamon or nutmeg and add-ins like nuts or chocolate chips give you flavor flexibility.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 20 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Protein: 4 g
Conclusion
Brown Butter Banana Bread offers a warm, delicious upgrade to the beloved classic. Thank you so much for baking along—I genuinely love how the browned butter brings out caramel tones and complements the ripe bananas perfectly. It’s so easy to make and always disappears fast in my home! I hope this loaf brings comfort, warmth, and delight to your kitchen. Happy baking, and thank you for being part of this food-loving community—may each slice bring you easy joy and rich flavor! 😊