This might be the only recipe for banana bread you’ll ever need. It’s like classic banana bread, but sweetened with honey and some extra vanilla, this Honey Vanilla Banana Bread has just enough unique flavor to wow everyone, with no refined sugar. Keep scrolling for the recipe!
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No matter the time of day, time of year, wherever the location and however old you might be…there’s always something so comforting about baking a warm loaf of banana bread.
There are what seems to be a trillion fancy banana bread recipes out there these days (which I am very much in favor of, keep them coming!) so I wanted to keep this one on the more classic side. But, it still has a unique flavor as it’s sweetened naturally by bananas and honey – no refined sugar!
If you want a more dense, hearty banana bread – check out my (grain-free) Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread. But if you’re in the mood for a more classic, fluffy banana bread this is the recipe for you.
Honey Vanilla Banana Bread
A classic soft and fluffy banana bread recipe, sweetened with honey.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 60
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 3 medium or 2 large bananas (about 1 1/2 cups)
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup honey
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract or paste
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- optional mix-ins or toppings: crushed nuts, chocolate chips, peanut butter glaze or frosting *
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees and grease a 8½x4½ inch loaf pan
- In a large bowl whisk together butter and honey, then whisk in the eggs, mashed banana, milk & vanilla. Combine well
- In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking soda and salt
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix just until combined
- Pour the batter into loaf pan. Add any toppings you’d like. If topping with more banana, slice longways and place on top of batter, cut side up
- Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center
- Let cool in the loaf pan for 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing
Notes
* how to make peanut butter glaze and peanut butter cream cheese frosting is below
Keywords: classic banana bread recipe, honey banana bread recipe, easy banana bread, vanilla banana bread recipe, best easy banana bread recipe, easy classic banana bread, easy honey banana bread, low sugar banana bread
I love how this banana bread turned out! It’s so light and fluffy – sweet but not too sweet.
You could easily add mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips, or keep it as a “blank canvas” for a nice smear of butter or peanut butter for breakfast.
What flour should I use?
I have not tried using any other flours, but whole wheat flour should work just fine. If gluten-free, a 1:1 gluten-free flour or oat flour would be your best option. Almond flour may work, however it may not hold together quite as well.
Do not attempt with coconut flour (as it has a very different absorbency).
Are there any substitutions for using butter?
Instead of butter you could use the same measurement of coconut oil, or your favorite dairy-free butter.
Can I make this banana bread without eggs?
I also have not tried using egg alternatives, but 2 “flax eggs” should work as well.
How to make a peanut butter cream cheese frosting:
Ingredients:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions:
- Place cream cheese, butter and peanut butter in a large bowl. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat until combined
- Add powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time and beat until smooth and creamy
- Spread over cooled banana bread
How to make a peanut butter glaze:
In a bowl whisk together:
- 3 tablespoons melted creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
Pour over cooled banana bread
As always, if you make this Honey Vanilla Banana Bread or any of my other recipes, be sure to leave a review, and tag me on Instagram so I can see how it turned out! xx
You might also like:
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Grain-Free Cookie Dough Balls
Chocolate Coconut Peanut Butter Fudge Cups
Dark Chocolate Covered Coconut Bars
Sounds really good and will make today. I purchased a bottle of D’Vash date nectar as substitute for the honey. Have you ever baked with D’Vash? Will update how it turned out, hopefully something in the positive.
Made this today and really enjoyed them
too much ads. cant see the recipe!
How ripe should the bananas be? Very ripe?
the riper the better 🙂
I subbed maple syrup and added chocolate chips and it was scrumptious!!
YUM!
My 2 year old loves making and eating this cake. I’m always on the hunt for quick, easy, sugar free recipes and this one ticks all the boxes.
★★★★★
oh yay, so glad it’s toddler approved 🙂
It was a really delicious and soft bread. I added a mixture of cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice to add some more flavor. I also used Mexican vanilla! lovely recipe. Do you think this could be done with oat flour?
★★★★★
Delicious! I haven’t tried, but yes I think oat flour should work 🙂
The kids loved this! I made mini loaves so they are easier to grab and go
Thanks so yummy! I used almond milk for the glaze it tasted fabulous.
★★★★★
Love that idea! So glad you (+ the kids) enjoyed 🙂
Loved the honey in the bread, especially since we harvest our own. It makes it all the more enjoyable to eat. I don’t know if I’ll make banana bread any other way!
★★★★★
So glad! thanks for the feedback! 🙂
I made this banana bread today for the first time. Delicious! I used pure maple syrup and added 1/2 C dark chocolate chips. Yum! Thank you Gracie, for this wonderful recipe! ❤️
★★★★★
Yay, so glad! thanks for the comment 🙂
This recipe is excellent! I made a couple alterations (minor). Used pure maple syrup in lieu of honey (I didn’t have enough honey on hand), and for the flour I did a 50/50 blend of whole wheat and all purpose flour. Baked as muffins at 325 for 25 mins and they were so delicious, light, fluffy, and not overly sweet! Will forever use this recipe
love these alterations and glad they worked out! maple syrup sounds like it would be delicious.
These are delicious! I used a touch less honey since we prefer our sweets “less sweet”. I made them into muffins and they were so light, fluffy, and moist. I’ll be making this again! Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
I’m so glad you enjoyed!!
how many muffins did this make? I do not have the correct bread pan size, so I was thinking that muffins would be the way to go!
12 muffins!
How many calories for 1 muffin?
Best banana bread I have ever made is what I was told by my family! I did include the peanut butter sauce and it is delicious! Thank you for the recipe and I will continue to use it for future banana bread.
yay, so glad! thanks for the feedback 🙂
was really excited to make this recipe and i followed the instructions step by step but it did not turn out and instead was a burnt soupy mess.
That’s strange! No one else has seemed to have that issue. Could it be your oven?
I made this for my family last night and everyone loved it! There are only 3 people in my family, but we ate all of it in a few days. I can’t wait to make this again. It is definitely a new family favorite. Thank you!
Love to hear it!! So glad you all enjoyed 🙂
Does this need yo be refrigerated?
Very good. The temp and cooking time was off however. Should be 350 for 55-60 min. The inside was still very raw at 325 degrees for 60 min, had to cover with foil to prevent burning. There are no instructions for how much to add of mix ins.
★★★★
Hey Claire! Perhaps it could be your oven? I’ve made this many times at that temperature and cooking time and never had that issue! But I’m glad you found a fix 🙂
sooooo good!!!
YAY!!
I’m not sure if it was maybe the silicon pan I used, or the gluten free all purpose flour but it didn’t cook in 55 min, more like 95m. Not sure what I did wrong. Also, I don’t bake very often
I love the fluffy texture! I made mini muffins using my air fryer, instead of a making banana bread loaf. Definitely not too sweet, either. I will be trying more of your recipes! Thanks!
★★★★★
I have shared this recipe with family and friends. Every single time I need to make banana bread, I open this recipe up. Sometimes I add chocate chips, and once I added orange peel (highly reccommended). Love love love
★★★★★
I’m so glad, thank you for this comment Hazel! 🙂
The peanut butter glaze really makes it! Love that you use honey instead of sugar!
I’m glad you enjoyed!! I love the honey too, it adds such a warm flavor 🙂
This recipe look delicious! I would like to make it gluten free but I was wondering if that would mess with the consistency too much? Thank you!
★★★★★
I’ve made this with gluten-free 1:1 flour and it turned out great! my favorite is Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 or King Arther 1:1 🙂
This banana bread is delicious!! Very easy to make too.
★★★★★
Love this recipe 🙂
★★★★★
Would like to try this recipe. Do you think I could substitute unsweetened apple sauce in place of butter?
Like some others have said, the baking time is way off. I had to double the baking time at 350 degrees because the inside was still raw after over an hour.
★★
Hands down best banana bread. Ever. I have tried so many recipes with honey and this one is by far the best. Thank you thank you!
★★★★★
I added 1/2 tsp of cinnamon and topped with a streusel topping and baked as muffins on 325 for 25 min.