4 Ingredient Banana Bread
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My 4-ingredient banana bread recipe uses pantry staples to yield a light, moist, and fluffy loaf. It’s perfectly sweetened, and you can add all sorts of mix-ins!
My 3-ingredient banana bread recipe is one of my most popular baked goods. After countless reviews and positive feedback, one question kept popping up: Can I add eggs?
Being the kitchen experimenter I am, I set out to adapt that recipe and discovered it wasn’t as simple as cracking a few eggs into it. I had to adjust the other ingredients and swap one out to keep the texture light and the sweetness balanced. The result? A 4-ingredient banana bread that’s just as easy, even softer, and with a perfectly tender crumb.
The eggs add a little extra lift while keeping the loaf moist and fluffy, with the right amount of banana flavor in every bite. My partner loves his with peanut butter for breakfast, and I usually save a slice (or two) to have with my afternoon coffees (yes, plural).
Table of Contents
Recipe highlights
- No cake mix needed. This recipe is made entirely from scratch thanks to the magic of self-rising flour.
- Made in one bowl. So prep and clean-up are over in no time.
Key Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this banana bread, along with my kitchen notes. Measurements are in the recipe card below.
- Mashed bananas. Choose the brownest, most overripe bananas, as those taste the sweetest. Frozen and thawed bananas work perfectly too- I do this all the time!
- Large eggs. Gives the bread structure and stability.
- Self-rising flour. I love using self-rising flour because it’s easy to make and saves time. If you’re unfamiliar, it’s basically a blend of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt, and it’s used to reduce the number of ingredients in a recipe.
- Brown sugar. I initially tested this with condensed milk (from my 3-ingredient version), but with the addition of eggs, it added too much moisture. This is where brown sugar comes in. It adds a mild caramel flavor while keeping the middle soft rather than wet.
What if I don’t have ripe bananas?
If your bananas aren’t ripe, fear not! Simply bake them (unpeeled) at 300°F for 15-20 minutes. They’ll be soft, sweet, and easy to mash with a fork.
How to make 4-ingredient banana bread
Step 1- Mash the bananas until smooth.
Step 2- Make batter. Add the remaining ingredients and mix until combined.
Step 3- Assemble. Transfer the batter into a lined loaf pan.
Step 4- Bake the banana bread for 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
Arman’s recipe tip
- Avoid overmixing. This is the #1 mistake I see in MOST baking recipes. When you overmix, too much gluten develops, and you lose essential air in the recipe. Only mix until you have a smooth batter with no visible lumps.
Recipe variations
I’ve had some fun testing this recipe for some dietary restrictions (niece is egg intolerant and nephew is celiac), along with changing the flavor. Here’s how:
- Egg-free. Substitute the eggs for one of my egg substitutes (or try my eggless banana bread). I tested flax eggs in this recipe and found they did a pretty good job replicating the taste and texture.
- Gluten-free. Use gluten-free self-rising flour, but make sure it has xanthan gum. I’ve had succes with Doves Farm and also Bob’s Red Mill.
- Add mix-ins. We love chocolate chips, walnuts, pecans, or even a dollop of peanut butter.
- Spices. Stir in a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice (I love this addition during fall).
Frequently asked questions
Overmixing the batter is one of the biggest mistakes when making banana bread. You should mix the batter just enough to fully combine all ingredients. This prevents the bread from turning rubbery or gummy.
Unfortunately, this version isn’t like some traditional recipes that let you use more bananas than the recipe calls for. Any more than three (1 1/4 cups mashed) and you risk the bread sinking in the middle.
✅ Nutrition reviewed
Nutrition information has been reviewed by registered dietitian Felicia Newell, MScAHN, RD, CPT.
4 Ingredient Banana Bread
Video
Ingredients
- 3 large bananas mashed roughly
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 cups self rising flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Grease or line a 9 x 4-inch loaf pan and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the bananas and mash well. Add the eggs, followed by the sugar and flour, until combined.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
More banana bread recipes
Originally updated July 2023
Made this recipe today. If I didn’t know there was gluten free flour you’d never know by the taste. The only thing I did was add a couple drops of lemon extract to prevent bland taste. This recipe is delicious and easy to make. Would highly recommend this to all!!
More air fryer recipes please
Maybe I would make this without sugar as banana is sweet on its own. What do you think?
Love your healthy and easy making recipes please keep them coming.
made it again this time i added blueberries and walnuts
i added an extra banana next one 6 bananas i want stronger banana flavor, turned out great if my 16 yr old daughter liked it. no ripe bananas didn’t want to wait, so i placed on metal tray under hot sun till skin looked ripe was 3 hours total figured nothing can go wrong since they do grow in direct sun on the tree. when i put in oven i forgot that i didn’t add the flour nor brown sugar, daughter laughing at me, just put in bowl again and stirred away. next time daughter is with me we’ll be doing the chocolate banana bread. Thank You for recipe
i am enjoying the results of your recipe with my coffee… not sharing!
staying with brother while i repair his roof and minor electrical things and installation of flush lights on ceiling. i see they throw away a lot of food “spoil” i happen to find 9 super ripe bananas in the trash can outside “No Sir Not On My Watch!!!” i’ve never made banana bread, ex-wife was awesome making it. i searched online How-to and found your recipe. (i had to make my own rising flour) the rest is history.
i will try your other recipes, Thank You Brother
Yummy 😋
The best banana bread recipe. Seriously never buying store bought bread again!
For the recipes that only use 4 ingredients, it’s tge best one yet
Perfect! Thanks
Suave, rica y caliente con café!!!
Can you use air fryer instead
You could try!
It came out fantastic! Friends loved it. I added dried fruits instead of chocolate. Going to do it again! Thanks
Fabulous so great to hear that!