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One Banana Banana Bread

This One Banana Banana Bread recipe really is made with just a single banana and is delicious with loads of cinnamon and banana flavor. It is a small batch recipe that uses simple pantry staples in just a few easy steps.

Why I love this recipe

This sour cream banana bread is a super easy and quick moist banana bread recipe that has the perfect texture and makes one standard-size loaf. It’s great slathered with butter, or toasted, or use the slices to make banana bread French toast.

a loaf of banana bread in a loaf pan.
Banana Bread 1 Banana

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Basic Ingredients

(amounts are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post)

butter

white sugar

eggs

vanilla extract

all purpose flour

baking soda

salt

banana, mashed

cinnamon applesauce

sour cream

Substitutions and Additions

You can substitute the sour cream with canola oil, vegetable oil, or Greek yogurt.

For chocolate chip banana bread, stir 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, or mini chocolate chips, into the batter before pouring it into the bread pan.

For banana nut bread, stir 1/2 cup of chopped nuts into the batter before baking.

Equipment used

How to make easy One Banana Banana Bread

Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 2 – Grease a loaf pan with shortening or butter.

Step 3 – Cream the butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. (You can also use a hand mixer and mixing bowl)

butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla creamed together in a bowl.

Step 4 – Add the flour, baking soda, and salt.

butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, baking soda, and salt mixed together in a bowl.

Step 5 – Next add the mashed banana, applesauce, sour cream, and nuts or chocolate (if using) to the banana mixture. Mix until well combined.

batter in a bowl.

Step 6 – Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 1 hour, or until the center of the loaf is set.

batter in a loaf pan.

Step 7 – Remove the bread from the pan and allow to cool on a wire rack.

a loaf of banana bread in a loaf pan.
Apple Cinnamon Banana Bread

Slice, serve, and enjoy.

a loaf of banana bread half sliced and a side of butter pats.
One-Banana Banana Bread

Pro Tips

To make banana muffins with this batter. Fill the muffin pan cups 3/4 full of batter and reduce baking time to about 25 – 30 minutes.

Ripe, or overripe bananas work best in this recipe. Use a spotted or brown banana.

Store in an airtight container for 3 – 4 days.

Recipe FAQs

Can bananas be too ripe for banana bread?

No actually, for the best results, the riper the better. An over-ripe banana will mash more easily and have more banana flavor.

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Yield: 12 slices

One Banana Banana Bread

a loaf of banana bread half sliced and a side of butter pats.

This One Banana Banana Bread recipe really is made with just a single banana and is delicious with loads of cinnamon and banana flavor. It is a small batch recipe that uses simple pantry staples in just a few easy steps.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Cool Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1⁄2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 ripe banana, mashed
  • 1/2 cup cinnamon applesauce
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • Optional - 1/2 cup chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or chocolate chunks
  • For greasing the pan – shortening or extra butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Grease a loaf pan with shortening or butter.
  3. Cream the butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. (You can also use a hand mixer and mixing bowl)
  4. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Next add the mashed banana, applesauce, sour cream, and nuts or chocolate (if using) to the banana mixture. Mix until well combined.
  6. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until the center of the loaf is set.
  7. Remove the bread from the pan and allow to cool on a wire rack. Slice, serve, and enjoy.

Notes

  • You can use this batter to make banana muffins. Fill the muffin pan cups 3/4 full of batter and reduce baking time to about 25 - 30 minutes.
  • Ripe, or overripe bananas work best in this recipe. Use a spotted or brown banana.
  • Store in an airtight container for 3 - 4 days.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate I may make a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you make a purchase through product links in this post.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 309Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 293mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 1gSugar: 22gProtein: 4g

Nutrition information is a guideline only, is calculated automatically by third party software, and absolute accuracy is not guaranteed.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog and Pin this to Pinterest.

Hi and welcome. I’m Zona and I love creating recipes for easy dinners or desserts. Here you will find quick recipes, recipes that take minimal effort, or recipes that have few ingredients. Eat, drink, and enjoy!

Web Story

Connie

Thursday 16th of February 2023

I do not have cinnamon applesauce....just plain. Can I add some cinnamon spice to the batter, if so how much?

Zona

Thursday 16th of February 2023

Hi Connie, for a 1/2 cup of applesauce try adding 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon. You can always increase the amount if you don't think it is enough. Thanks for your question :)

Teresa

Tuesday 30th of August 2022

Please keep those of us who live in smaller quarters & don't have (& don't have room for) things like Stand Mixers or Food Processors etc. It's just the 2 of us & we have to keep things very simple. In general, I do enjoy your recipes

Sheryl Munoz

Tuesday 14th of June 2022

I have cooked several of your recipes and think they are very good. Nice to have good recipes for just 2 so there isn't piles of leftovers and can cook something different all the time.

Zona

Tuesday 14th of June 2022

Hi Sheryl, perfect I'm so glad you are enjoying my recipes and came to check out my new site also. Thank you :)

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