Banana Bread in a Loaf or 9x13 Pan - with Sour Cream - Ovenspiration (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Sula · This post may contain affiliate links · 12 Comments

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Anyone can make banana bread, and everyone should! It’s easy and delicious, and the “best-est” way to use bananas that become a little too . . . “mature.”

I am the queen of overbuying bananas. I purchase four planning to haveone a day, but by the fourth day the remaining banana is just too ripe for me. Problem:what to do with just one over-ripe banana? Solution: freeze it! Just throw the unpeeledbanana into the freezer.

Once I have three frozen bananas, I’ve got the starting point for moist and delicious banana bread.

Banana Bread in a Loaf or 9x13 Pan - with Sour Cream - Ovenspiration (1)

Why I love this banana bread

First of all, I've tried LOTS of banana bread recipes in my time, and I honestly think this is the best banana bread in the world, no kidding.

It's moist and full of that sweet banana flavor we all crave.

And the crust? Definitely the star of the show. I don’t know if it’s the sour cream or what, but the delicate crust on the top of every loaf is divine. It has a creamy-chewy-crunchy texture unlike any bread I’ve ever had, drawing rave reviews from everyone who tries it.

Ingredients

Banana Bread in a Loaf or 9x13 Pan - with Sour Cream - Ovenspiration (2)

Using frozen bananas to make banana bread

As I noted above, when my bananas get too ripe, I put them in the freezer, intact. When you thaw out a frozen banana, the fruit has essentially turned to a liquid.

I just snip off the end of the peel and squeeze the liquified banana into a measuring cup.

From experience I found that it takes between two and three bananas to produce one cup of “puree”, so plan accordingly. It seems a little weird, but it actually eliminates the need to mash up perfectly good bananas.

Or needing to time the maturity of your bananas perfectly - it never lines up with when you have the time or are in the mood to make banana bread. This way, you are in control!

How to make banana bread

Everything else is straightforward. Just cream the butter and sugar together, add bananas and sour cream, then eggs. Mix the dry ingredients separately before adding to the banana mixture.

Banana Bread in a Loaf or 9x13 Pan - with Sour Cream - Ovenspiration (4)

The pans should either be greased and floured first, or lined with parchment paper. I use the parchment paper option as you can see.

Put the batter into the pans. These are silicone pans in a 7x3 size, you can use whatever loaf pan(s) you prefer.

Banana Bread in a Loaf or 9x13 Pan - with Sour Cream - Ovenspiration (5)

Bake the banana bread for about 50-55 minutes. Use the toothpick test - a toothpick inserted in the loaf should come out clean when done.

Once the bread is cooled, it becomes obvious why I like to use parchment paper. Not only is it cleaner, it’s much simpler for removing the loaf from the pan after cooking – just lift it out, tugging the paper! Easy peasy!

Banana Bread in a Loaf or 9x13 Pan - with Sour Cream - Ovenspiration (6)
Banana Bread in a Loaf or 9x13 Pan - with Sour Cream - Ovenspiration (7)

How to Make Banana Bread in a 9x13 Pan

You can bake this banana bread in a 9x13 pan, if you wish.

Follow the same guidelines, including lining the pan with parchment paper.

Because the batter is more spread out, it bakes a little more quickly. The baking time needed is about 40-50 minutes. Begin checking at 40 minutes to ensure you remove the bread from the oven once it is baked through.

Banana Bread in a Loaf or 9x13 Pan - with Sour Cream - Ovenspiration (8)

I like this option as it is easier to serve in some settings, like if you are taking it to a potluck or cookout. You also get a little more delicious crust per piece, which is ALWAYS a good thing!

More Sweet Breads to Enjoy

  • Cranberry Walnut Muffins
  • Matcha Green Tea Muffins
  • Air Fryer Banana Bread
  • Eggnog Cranberry Bread

And if you want to see a really unique twist on banana bread, check out this Easy Broccoli Banana Bread. What a great way to get some broccoli in your kids!

Need to go gluten free? What the Fork has a gluten free banana bread that also has a dairy free option. Because everyone should have the chance to enjoy banana bread!

And if you catch your bananas BEFORE they are over ripe, you can make some Frozen Banana Pops, a favorite for kids of all ages!

📖 Recipe

Banana Bread in a Loaf or 9x13 Pan - with Sour Cream - Ovenspiration (14)

4.99 from 75 votes

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Best Banana Bread - in a 9x13 or Loaf Pan

Deliciously moist and crusty! Make it in loaf pans or a 9x13 pan to get delicious banana bread every time.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time50 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Servings: 20

Calories: 157kcal

Author: Sula

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mashed bananas
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 1 ⅓ cups white sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour one 9x13 inch pan, or two 7x3 inch loaf pans. (or line with parchment paper)

  • Combine banana and sour cream. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla and banana mixture. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; stir into the banana mixture. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan or pans.

  • For a 9x13 pan: Bake 40-50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. For loaf pans: Bake for 50-55 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.

Nutrition

Calories: 157kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 128mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 174IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

Banana Bread in a Loaf or 9x13 Pan - with Sour Cream - Ovenspiration (2024)

FAQs

How long does banana bread cook in the oven? ›

Bake at 350°F for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean and the top springs back to the touch. Tip: Check the bread at 40 minutes.

Should you bake banana bread in glass or metal? ›

Is a Glass or Metal Pan Better for Baking? Since aluminum baking pans conduct heat more quickly and are easier to wash, store, and care for, I prefer them for baking in most circ*mstances. In fact, using glass or even ceramic baking pans for certain recipes, such as brownies or banana bread, may create adverse results!

What happens if you put too much baking soda in banana bread? ›

It reacts with an acid to produce carbon dioxide — or loads of bubbles — a process that allows cakes, cookies, and other baked goods to rise. Too much baking soda will result in a soapy or bitter taste with a coarse, open crumb. It can rise too fast or much, be too cakey when you want crumble or chewy.

Can you put too much banana in banana bread? ›

Fight the urge to use more banana than called for in your recipe. Using too much banana could make your bread heavy and damp in the center, causing it to appear undercooked and unappealing. If you have bananas leftover, you can always freeze them for later use.

What oven rack should I bake banana bread on? ›

Middle. The default position. It's ideal for most foods since it situates the item in the middle of the oven, allowing the hot air to circulate evenly around the food, resulting in even cooking. Use this for a single tray of cookies, sheet-pan dinners, fish, brownies, banana bread, and so on.

What temperature should banana loaf be when cooked? ›

Bake your banana bread until it registers an internal temperature of 200 to 205°F. Use an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center. This is the best and easiest way to ensure your bread is perfectly cooked through but not overdone.

Should you use parchment paper when baking banana bread? ›

Not only does the parchment prevent the outer edges from getting too dark and overcooked, but it also makes it easier to remove the cooked banana bread from the pan! PIN THIS RECIPE NOW! What is this? Another tip – and this is true with any quick bread – is to make sure you don't over mix the batter.

Should I grease loaf pan for banana bread? ›

For a picture-worthy loaf of banana bread, don't go overboard with greasing your loaf pan. Grease the bottom of the pan just ½ inch up the sides for a uniform loaf with a slightly rounded top. If you grease all the way up the sides of the pan, the loaf can sink, resulting in a flat top.

Should I wrap banana bread in foil or plastic wrap? ›

Once the loaf is fully cooled, cover it in plastic wrap. Then, wrap the loaf in aluminum foil. This will ensure it's airtight and will keep the loaf from drying out and avoid freezer burn.

What if I accidentally used baking powder instead of baking soda in banana bread? ›

If you use baking powder instead of baking soda, add a total of three times the amount of baking powder than the recipe recommends for baking soda to “fix” the mistake. However, keep in mind that adding too much baking powder can cause the baked goods to taste bitter. The batter can also rise too quickly and then fall.

Is baking soda or powder better for banana bread? ›

Just using baking soda as your leavening agent will work perfectly fine in banana bread in most cases. However, if you don't have any acidic ingredients on hand, like buttermilk, and you're only using a small amount of mashed bananas, you might need to use baking powder.

What happens if you accidentally use baking powder instead of baking soda in cookies? ›

Baking powder: Baking powder can be used to replace baking soda, though not at a 1-to-1 ratio. Because the former is not as strong as the latter, it's important to use three times the amount of baking powder as baking soda. Be aware, a slightly bitter, off-putting taste might result from using that much baking powder.

What is the disadvantage of banana bread? ›

Traditional banana breads are made with ingredients such as white flour, sugar, and oil. As such, this dish is often high in calories, carbs, and added sugar.

Why use mushy bananas for banana bread? ›

They need to be soft enough that they can seamlessly blend into the quick bread batter, leaving small pockets, rather than large chunks, of banana behind. And then there's the flavor.

Can a banana be too ripe for banana bread? ›

Here's the secret: overripe bananas don't necessarily mean too-ripe bananas for banana bread. It really comes down to personal preference. Those brown-speckled, mostly yellow bananas are still ripe and will bake into a great loaf.

How long to leave bananas in oven? ›

How to Ripen Bananas in the Oven
  1. Preheat oven to 300°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Place unpeeled bananas on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space in between. Be sure to remove any produce stickers before baking.
  3. Bake until the banana peels are black and the fruit is soft, 15 to 30 minutes.
May 19, 2023

How long do you bake bread in the oven and at what temperature? ›

Pop the loaves into a 375º oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. The loaves should be golden brown. If you want to be sure they're baked through, use your thermometer to check the internal temperature of the bread. You're looking for about 185º.

How long to bake banana bread reddit? ›

Pour batter into a loaf pan (no need to grease it). Bake 50 to 60 minutes in preheated oven. Make this the day before you plan to serve it.

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