One-Bowl Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
Moist banana bread with a fragrant cinnamon swirl made entirely in one bowl for an effortless sweet breakfast or dessert. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 70 minutes layers medium, mashed ripe bananas, granulated sugar, melted 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 250 calories and feeds 8, 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 ripe bananas
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup, melted unsalted butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan. In a large mixing bowl, mash 3 medium ripe bananas until mostly smooth. Add 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter, 1 large egg, and 1 tsp vanilla extract; whisk until combined.
- Step 2: Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, and 1/2 tsp salt over the banana mixture. Fold gently with a spatula just until the dry ingredients are incorporated; do not overmix.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp ground cinnamon with 1/4 cup brown sugar.
- Step 4: Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the batter. Add the remaining batter on top and then sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Step 5: Use a knife or skewer to swirl the cinnamon sugar through the batter lightly.
- Step 6: Bake for 55-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Bowl Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (10 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 Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread?
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 Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread?
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 Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread?
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.
