This banana bread is the perfect combination of moist, tender banana flavor with a slight crunch from oats and a warm hint of cinnamon. It’s a versatile recipe that allows for dark chocolate or nuts to be added, making it even more indulgent. Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, this banana bread is simple to make and a wonderful way to use overripe bananas.
Why You’ll Love This: You’ll love this banana bread for its soft and tender crumb, rich banana flavor, and the added texture of oats. The cinnamon gives it a warm, cozy taste, while optional dark chocolate or nuts bring in extra flavor and crunch. This recipe is perfect for a quick homemade treat that’s both healthy and delicious.
Perfect Occasion: This banana bread is great for breakfast, as a snack with a cup of coffee or tea, or even as a dessert. It’s an ideal choice when you need to use up ripe bananas or when you want a homemade baked good that’s simple but satisfying. It’s also a wonderful addition to lunchboxes or for serving at brunch.
Decoration Tips: For an extra decorative touch, place a sliced banana on top of the batter before baking for a rustic, homemade look. You can also sprinkle crushed nuts, oats, or even a few chocolate chips on top for added texture and visual appeal.
Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 4 ripe bananas (1 reserved for topping)
- 200 ml (130g) all-purpose flour
- 150 ml (100g) oats
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Optional: 100g dark chocolate or crushed nuts for topping
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F) and line a loaf pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until well combined.
- Mash the Bananas:
- In a separate bowl, mash 3 of the bananas until smooth. If you prefer a chunkier texture, leave some small banana bits intact.
- Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Stir the mashed bananas into the dry ingredients until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure a tender loaf.
- If you’re adding dark chocolate chunks or nuts, fold them into the batter at this stage.
- Pour the Batter into the Loaf Pan:
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Slice the remaining banana in half lengthwise and place it on top of the batter for decoration.
- Bake the Banana Bread:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be golden and the banana on top slightly caramelized.
- Cool and Serve:
- Allow the banana bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.
Enjoy!
