This one bowl brown butter banana bread is quick, easy, and truthfully the best banana bread you will ever eat! This recipe is a step above all the other banana bread recipes out there thanks to the brown butter that adds an amazing depth of flavor. It also has one secret ingredient that you wouldn't think to add to a quick bread recipe like this, but it actually gives it the perfect soft and moist texture. Whip this recipe up with just one bowl and a whisk, then top the batter with turbinado sugar to create the most delicious sweet, crunchy top as it bakes!
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Ingredients
- Brown Butter: You'll want to start with a few extra tablespoons of unsalted butter to account for water evaporation as it browns.
- Brown Sugar: Rather than using a combination of granulated sugar and brown sugar like most banana bread recipes call for, I opted for just brown sugar to maximize the moist factor. You can use either light or dark brown sugar.
- Ripe Bananas: You'll need about 2-3 very ripe medium bananas for this recipe.
- Yogurt: Use plain whole milk greek yogurt to give this bread a moist and dense texture.
- Applesauce: This is the secret ingredient to making the most perfect banana bread. Use unsweetened applesauce to make this bread incredibly moist and soft.
- Egg: You only need one egg at room temperature for this recipe.
- All-Purpose Flour: You'll need a little less than two cups of flour.
- Leaveners: This recipe calls for both baking powder and baking soda to achieve the perfect rise.
- Cinnamon: Add a touch of cinnamon for some extra warmth!
- Turbinado Sugar: Before baking, top the batter with turbinado sugar (or raw sugar) to get a sweet, crunchy top!
FAQ
Place unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. You will need to start with a few extra tablespoons to account for water evaporation. As it melts, swirl the pan to encourage even cooking. After it is fully melted, it will start to foam up and then it will start to form big bubbles like it's boiling. You should be able to see the fat solids begin to separate. Then it will foam up again, and the fat solids will start browning. Continue cooking for another minute or so until the butter is evenly golden, the fat solids are brown, and it gives off a nutty aroma. Transfer the brown butter to a bowl for immediate use, or place in the fridge to solidify again.
The key to making homemade banana bread moist and dense is adding both unsweetened applesauce and plain whole milk greek yogurt! Applesauce is typically added to carrot cake to add extra moisture and give the crumb an incredibly soft texture. That is exactly what it does in this recipe, as well. The yogurt also adds moisture, but helps to make the bread dense like all good banana bread should be.
This banana bread will last for about 3 days in an airtight container stored at room temperature. This bread also freezes very well for up to 3 months. To freeze, cut the bread into individual slices and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
Other bread & breakfast recipes you'll love
- Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Bread
- Ultra Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes
- Small Batch Buttermilk Blueberry Muffins
A few extra tips
- Add some extras, like chocolate chips or nuts to make this banana bread even better!
- Be sure to start with a few extra tablespoons of butter before browning to account for water evaporation
- If you do not have ripe bananas on hand, you can roast whole bananas in your oven for about 15 minutes at 300 degrees F. Allow them to cool before peeling and adding to the batter.
Happy baking! x
Print📖 Recipe
One Bowl Brown Butter Banana Bread
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
- Category: quick bread, banana bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Made with brown butter and one secret ingredient, this one bowl banana bread is quick, easy, and truthfully the best you will ever eat! The moist and dense texture along with the sweet, crunchy top will make this recipe your new go-to!
Ingredients
- 100g brown butter (start with 130g of unsalted butter)
- 213g brown sugar
- 300g mashed banana (about 2-3 very ripe bananas)
- 100g plain whole milk greek yogurt
- 130g applesauce (unsweetened)
- 1 egg (room temp)
- 1 tsp vanilla paste or extract
- 200g all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- turbinado sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) and line a 9x5 loaf pan with parchment paper
- Start by browning the butter - place 130g of unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. As it melts, swirl the pan to encourage even cooking. After it is fully melted, it will start to foam up and then it will start to form big bubbles like it's boiling. You should be able to see the fat solids begin to separate. Then it will foam up again, and the fat solids will start browning. Continue cooking for another minute or so until the butter is evenly golden, the fat solids are brown, and it gives off a nutty aroma.
- Weigh out 100g of the brown butter into a large bowl.
- Add the brown sugar, mashed banana, yogurt, and applesauce, and whisk to combine.
- Then, whisk in the egg and vanilla.
- Next, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt, and whisk until just combined.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and top with turbinado sugar for a sweet, crunchy top.
- Bake the banana bread for about 65-75 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Add some extras, like chocolate chips or nuts to make this banana bread even better!
- Be sure to start with a few extra tablespoons of butter before browning to account for water evaporation
- If you do not have ripe bananas on hand, you can roast whole bananas in your oven for about 15 minutes at 300 degrees F. Allow them to cool before peeling and adding to the batter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 33.5 g
- Sodium: 175.8 mg
- Fat: 11.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 57.9 g
- Protein: 5.1 g
- Cholesterol: 51.8 mg
Keywords: quick bread, one bowl recipe, one bowl banana bread, brown butter banana bread
Aleigha says
The only banana bread recipe you will ever need. Brown butter really makes everything better! This recipe does not disappoint!
★★★★★