Brown Butter Banana Bread

by Kayla Berman on October 27, 2022 0 comments

Brown Butter Banana Bread is the ultimate banana bread recipe! The special ingredient, browned butter, adds a deep, rich, and slightly nutty flavor with hints of caramel. Plus the bread itself has the perfect texture – soft, moist, and tender all at the same time. It will be the best banana bread you’ve ever had!

For more banana bread recipes check out my healthy chocolate banana bread or easy chocolate chip banana bread. Or even banana bread baked oats!

Extra Moist, Sweet, & Delicious Banana Bread

My dad is one of my biggest fans when it comes to my baked goods. If there is a sweet treat on the counter, he will always be grabbing one when he walks by. You could say he is excellent to have around as recipe developer!

However, he does have one bone to pick with me. The amount of chocolate chips I use in my treats. He thinks I am always adding too much chocolate, especially in banana bread. Which I never agreed with!

I couldn’t possibly imagine wanting a banana bread sans chocolate chips. Until now.

Browned Butter Banana Bread simply does not need them! I know, I am shocking myself too. But it is true!

This banana bread is so delicious on its own. It is pure perfection! The perfect texture – soft, tender, and moist with golden brown, chewy edges. The perfect taste – buttery, sweet, rich, and nutty with hints of caramel.

My roommate said it might be the best banana bread she’s ever had. And I think it just might be too!

Ingredients

This homemade banana bread only calls for a handful of simple, classic baking ingredients! Mainly pantry staples, you most likely already have on hand, and overripe bananas.

For the bananas – the more spotty, brown, and overripe the more sweet the bread and delicious the banana flavor.

Ingredient Notes

Bananas: The most important ingredient in this recipe is of course bananas! You will need about 4 to get the job done.
Light Brown Sugar: I love the rich flavor and delicious sweetness that light brown sugar adds to baked goods. You’ll need 1/2 cup here.
Butter: Brown butter takes any sweet treat to a whole new level and this banana bread is no exception. 1/2 cup unsalted butter is perfect.
Eggs: Add 2 eggs for moisture and binding.
Vanilla Extract: 2 tsp vanilla extract gives this moist banana bread the classic taste we all know and love. I think lots of vanilla goes so well with the sweet banana and caramel brown butter flavors!
Flour: All purpose flour is used in this recipe. 1 1/4 cups gives this treat the perfect texture.
Baking Powder: 2 tsp baking powder gives this bread a beautiful rise.
Salt: Lastly, add a pinch of salt to enhance and balance. 1/2 tsp to be exact.

Additions

I believe this is truly the perfect banana bread as is, so it does not need any additions! But if you’d like to spice it up a bit, here are some ideas.

Chocolate Chips – mixed into the batter
Cinnamon – mixed into the batter
Sliced Banana – placed on top of the batter before baking for additional banana flavor
Nuts – mixed in or on top

Kitchen Tools

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

How To Make This Recipe

This deliciously moist brown butter banana bread is super easy to make!

The special step of browning the butter will only take a little extra time, and it is so so worth it. The extra 5 minutes gives this quick bread an unbeatable rich and delicious flavor.

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: Set the oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2: Then brown the butter. Cut the butter into smaller chunks and add to a small saucepan or pan on the stove over medium heat. Melt butter completely and then continue to cook, stirring constantly, for another 5 minutes until the butter turns golden brown. When ready, the milk solids will become brown bits and there will be a rich nutty aroma. Remove the browned butter from the heat and place in the refrigerator to cool.

Step 3: Next add the cooled butter, mashed bananas, light brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract to a large bowl. Combine evenly.

brown butter banana bread wet ingredient mixture

Step 4: Then to the wet ingredients, add the dry ingredients – all purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Combine thoroughly until a batter forms.

Step 5: Transfer the banana bread batter to a parchment paper prepared loaf pan. Spread evenly.

Step 6: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 70 – 80 minutes. Insert a toothpick or sharp knife in the center of the loaf and make sure it comes out clean to ensure it is fully cooked through.

Step 7: Let cool completely, cut into slices, and enjoy!

Expert Tips

Mash bananas with a potato masher!

Use a light colored pan to brown the butter. This will make it easier to see when the butter has browned!

Stir constantly while browning the butter to prevent burning.

Make sure the browned butter has cooled before adding to the banana mixture.

Measure carefully! Spoon the flour into the measuring cups and use a flat edged knife to level off. Pack the brown sugar.

Make sure to incorporate all the browned butter bits into the batter. That is where all the good flavor is!

Don’t over-mix the batter! Over-mixing leads to dense, rather than light and fluffy bread.

Line the loaf pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup and minimal mess. My favorite way to do this is to first spray the bottom of the pan and sides of the pan with oil and then place the parchment paper on top. The oil helps it stick! See the photos above to get an idea.

Let the banana bread cool completely before cutting into. I like to let it sit for a few minutes and then remove the bread from the pan to cool further.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is brown butter?

Brown butter is butter that is cooked long enough that the milk solids are browned and any water is cooked out of the butter. Salted butter can be used, although unsalted butter is preferred and leads to better results.

Brown butter has a more intense, rich, and deep flavor than normal butter. It is nutty, slightly caramel like, and very buttery!

It is a delicious addition to so many baked goods, like my Brown Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies.

How to best store this recipe?

The recipe can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. However, as it is a rather moist bread it should only be stored for about 3 days in these conditions.

For longer storage, keep in the refrigerator.

Can I freeze banana bread with brown butter?

Yes, you can definitely freeze this banana bread. Just transfer to freezer safe bags or containers and keep in the fridge. It should keep for a couple months.

Love this recipe? Check out some similar ones below…

More Banana Recipes

Connect With Me!

If you make this best ever banana bread or any of my other recipes, I would absolutely love to know! Tag me @wellnessbykay on Instagram so I can see and share your recreations.

Love this recipe? Leave a comment and a rating! I love to see and it helps me continue to develop delicious recipes for this blog.