One-Bowl Banana Walnut Bread with Cinnamon
Moist banana bread studded with toasted walnuts and a hint of warm cinnamon, made effortlessly in one bowl for a comforting treat. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 75 minutes layers granulated sugar, large egg, melted and cooled unsalted butter into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 10, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 medium, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups) ripe bananas
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup, melted and cooled unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup, toasted chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, mash 3 medium ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth, about 1 1/2 cups.
- Step 3: Stir in 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until combined.
- Step 4: Add 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp salt to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; do not overmix.
- Step 5: Fold in 3/4 cup toasted chopped walnuts evenly through the batter.
- Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Step 7: Bake for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Step 8: Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Bowl Banana Walnut Bread with Cinnamon take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover One-Bowl Banana Walnut Bread with Cinnamon?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Bowl Banana Walnut Bread with Cinnamon?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Bowl Banana Walnut Bread with Cinnamon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 10 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 10). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Bowl Banana Walnut Bread with Cinnamon?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
