Browned Butter Banana Bread
This browned butter banana bread is incredibly rich and indulgent. There’s just something so comforting about a warm slice of banana bread, fresh from the oven, but when you infuse it with the rich, nutty flavor of browned butter and sweet toasted pecans, you take a classic comfort food up a whole notch. This simple yet indulgent twist is going to have you craving banana bread and you can’t go wrong with this easy, fool proof recipe that covers everything from how to brown butter to toasting pecans, and includes tips to ensure your banana bread turns out perfectly every time.
When it comes to baked goods, simple banana bread tops the chart for me, closely followed by cinnamon rolls in all the forms, especially Mini Cinnamon Rolls as you can eat so many without the guilt. I love Chocolate Babka, and Zucchini Bread, and of course Chocolate Cookies. But Banana Bread is my all time favorite. And when you add the rich nuttiness of browned butter…OMG! It just takes it to a whole new level.
How to Brown Butter for Browned Butter Banana Bread
The first step in making this banana bread recipe is browning the butter. I love browned butter, Haddock with Browned Butter White Wine Sauce, Browned Butter Asparagus, or whipping it up and putting it over Roasted Halibut, you just can’t go wrong! So let’s dive into how to do it properly so you get that added depth of flavor that regular melted butter just can’t beat.
To brown butter:
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Continue heating and stirring as it melts. The butter will start to foam, and then the milk solids will begin to brown, giving off a nutty aroma.
- Do NOT WALK AWAY. Be sure to keep a close eye on your pan as you want browned butter, not burnt butter, and it can flip quickly. It is tricky like that, so basically let that butter simmer, and keep stirring while it browns.
- Once you get to a golden brown color, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly before using it in your recipe.
Toasting Pecan Pieces
Toasting pecans is an added step, but trust me when I say it is worth the effort. It takes about 5 minutes, but brings out their natural oils and enhances their sweet nutty flavor, making them a perfect addition to banana bread.
How do you toast pecans?
Simply spread the pecan pieces in a single layer in a heated skillet, over medium heat.
Let them sit for about 10 seconds.
After 10 seconds is up, turn heat to medium-low, and stir constantly for 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes is up, they will be nice and toasted, and not burnt, again, DO NOT WALK AWAY, stir the whole time.
Then remove from heat.
Be sure to let them cool before adding them to your batter.
What you Need for Browned Butter Banana Bread
The ingredients for browned butter banana bread are easy to find, and you likely already have them in your kitchen. Here’s what you need:
- Overripe bananas: 3 of them. If you do not have bananas that are ripe enough, you can still make the banana bread, just be sure to mash them well, and add a little extra sugar to compensate for them not being as sweet.
- Butter: You will brown it using the method above.
- Pecans: While optional, I found they compliment the browned butter so beautifully you definitely want them in this banana bread.
- Sugar: You use 1/2 a cup, but if you like your banana bread extra sweet, add up to 1 cup total.
- Flour: You need all-purpose flour, be sure to measure it out using the spoon and level method so you do not have too much. It will be heavier and not as tender and fluffy if you use too much flour.
- Vanilla Extract: It adds a nice flavor.
- Salt: Just a pinch or so, use kosher salt. If you are using table salt, cut the amount down.
- Egg: 1 large egg is all you need, but give it a nice whisk with a fork to get it fluffy, it will help make your bread even better!
- Baking Soda: This is your leavening agent, which gives your bread rise.
How to Make Browned Butter Banana Bread
- Preheat oven.
- Brown butter.
- Toast pecans.
- Mash bananas.
- Whisk egg.
- Mix everything together.
- Pour into baking pan.
- Bake.
- Cool.
- Cut and enjoy!
Tips for Great Results Every Time
I make a lot of banana bread at my house, and Easy Banana Bread Muffins, so I have perfected the art, and here are a few of my tips:
- Use ripe bananas for maximum flavor. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be. You can adjust the sweetness by adding sugar if needed.
- Do not overmix your batter. It will make it tougher, and not as tender.
- Don’t over bake your banana bread. It’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs attached.
- Let your bread cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This will help prevent it from sticking to the pan. Then let it cool completely before slicing.
The Importance of Not Over-mixing
When it comes to banana bread (and most quick breads like this Zucchini Quick Bread), over-mixing can lead to a tough, dense texture from over-developing the gluten.
To avoid this, mix your batter until the dry ingredients are just incorporated. It’s okay if there are a few lumps remaining.
Over-mixing can also cause your bread to be dry, so be gentle when folding in the ingredients.
Fun Mix-Ins and Variations
This banana bread recipe is so easy to make, and I use pecans in it, but there is a world of customization at your fingertips with banana bread, and you can add whatever fun mix-ins or variations you want. Or, skip the pecans all together and leave it plain. But here are a few of our favorite options:
- Chocolate chips: Add a handful of chocolate chips to the batter for a sweet twist. Semi-sweet is recommended, but use what you’ve got.
- Walnuts: Swap out the pecans for walnuts for a different flavor profile. Best if you toast the walnuts too!
- Cinnamon swirl: Mix cinnamon and sugar together and swirl it into the batter before baking for a flavorful twist.
- Coconut: Get some coconut flakes, and stir them into the batter.
FAQs
Q: Can I freeze banana bread?
A: Yes, banana bread freezes well. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil before freezing. Thaw it at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy it.
Q: Can I use margarine instead of butter?
A: While you *technically* can use margarine, it won’t have the same rich flavor that browned butter provides. Butter is recommended for the best results.
Q: Can I make banana bread without nuts?
A: Absolutely! Simply omit the nuts or replace them with chocolate chips or dried fruit for a delicious variation.
Browned butter banana bread is perfect for breakfast, snacking, or even a delightful dessert. It is moist(sorry, but it is), flavorful, and a total delight. This is the recipe you have been waiting for. Take those extra 10 minutes to brown your butter and toast your pecans for a richer, deeper, nuttier, more delightful flavor, and enjoy!
Browned Butter Banana Bread
Equipment
- 9x4x4 bread loaf pan
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1/2 cup pecans
- 3 ripe bananas
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 egg whipped with a fork
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Farenheight
- In a sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat, once melted, reduce heat to medium low and continue cooking, watching closely and stirring occasionally. Let butter simmer, stirring occasionally, as it does, it will start to turn golden, once it is golden and smells butter, remove from the heat, about 5 minutes.
- When butter is browned, pour it into a mixing bowl.
- Return sauce pan to the stove over medium heat, and gently toast the pecans in the same pan. Add the nuts to the already hot pan and lay them out as flat as possible. Let the pecans sit in the pan for about ten seconds, then give them a good stir. Continue to cook the nuts for another five minutes, stirring continuously (do not walk away), then remove from heat and add to the same mixing bowl as the browned butter.
- Add remaining ingredients, and stir to combine. Do not over-mix.
- Grease your bread pan and pour the batter in.
- Place in preheated oven on the middle rack, and cook for approximately 50 minutes to an hour, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool on a cooling rack until completely cooled, then slice and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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Tori says
Just made this and my entire house smells amazing!
The brown butter added an extra layer of flavor and my kids devoured it! Thank you so much for sharing!!
Rachael says
I am so glad you enjoyed this banana bread recipe. Thank you!