Three things inspired this recipe. First, sometimes you want to make banana bread but you only have one ripe banana.
Or maybe I should say, sometimes you have a ripe banana and you want to do something with it (ideally, make banana bread). But is that one lonely banana enough all on its own? Spoiler: Yes.
Related: 50+ Healthy Breakfast Ideas and Date Shake and classic (full sized) banana bread.
Second, sometimes you just want to bake something. Is it just me, or does everyone feel this way now and again (especially in the winter months)? Ideally, I want to bake something easy that will make my whole kitchen smell amazing.
But I’d prefer if the end result was NOT a dozen cookies or scones or whatever because I know myself well enough to know that this means I will likely eat a dozen cookies or scones over the following couple of days.
I want a little treat, sure, but mostly I just want to carry out the act of baking something and just get a little bite of something at the end.
Third, and most literally, this recipe is inspired by Chrissy Teigen’s recipe from her cookbook (which I love). But, I’ll be the first to admit that this is a much more simple version that results in a smaller serving amount in the end.
It’s really very different, but I was still inspired by her recipe and I love her cookbook so much I wanted to mention it anyway. 🙂
If you only have one banana, make this banana bread. If you LOVE banana bread (raises hand high) but don’t need a giant bundt cake size in your house due to a lack of self-control, make this banana bread.
Here are some mini loaf pans if you don’t have any!
Be sure check out these banana bread-inspired recipes:
- Overnight Baked Banana Bread Oatmeal
- No-Bake Banana Cream Pie
- Banana Bread Muffin Cookies
- How to Quickly Ripen Bananas
- Chocolate Chip Banana bread
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Ingredients
- 1 banana (ripe)
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup walnuts (chopped)
Instructions
- In a medium size mixing bowl, mash the banana. Then stir in the egg, vanilla extract, and oil until combined. Then, add all at once the flour, sugars, baking soda, and salt. Fold until combined. Then stir in the chopped walnuts.
- Spoon into your prepared (oiled or lined with parchment) baking vessels and bake at 325°F
- Regular size muffins or a baked donut pan will yield six and should be baked for 14-15 minutes.
- If you use mini loaf pans (like I have in the photos), this will yield three and should be baked for 18-20 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
I didn’t like the look at all with sliced bananas on top
An excellent small batch banana bread that has been wonderful every time. Today, with an excess of fresh pairs, I made this with 1.5 c. Fresh diced pairs instead of the banana. I am happily munching on it now, fresh from the oven. I mashed the cup and stirred the 1/2 c. In as chunks.
Good recipe! Waaay too sweet. I use 3 tbsp of sugar, rest of the recipe as written.
Proportions are fine, but this needs nearly 2x as much time in a hotter oven (350). I also added cinnamon and nutmeg.
Agreed! Had to leave mine in an extra 10-15mins
Shocked how delightful these were! I had one random banana and figured I’d make some muffins. Super moist and sweet!
I made banana bread for the 1st time using this recipe & it was sooooo delicious 😋. Definitely my go-to recipe! Thank you!
I absolutely love this banana bread recipe. I make it all the time. I normally make it in little heart shape muffins or mini muffin pan. I just adjust the time. I make them for my husband’s work and they always request them.
Great recipe!
My go-to recipe whenever I have ripe bananas!
This recipe was yummy! I made it for my parents and they LOVED it!
This recipe was so good! I didn’t have any walnuts so I used chocolate chips instead and I can’t stop eating this. It came out so moist and flavorful.
Love this recipe. Used all brown sugar because like its flavor and also added hemp protein and could not taste the protein. Then baked in doughnut pans as suggested. It was a treat
hey baking sis annie! 🤗
such a great idea using hemp hearts! may i pretty please ask how much you used?
i truly appreciate you!
💕, baking sis prisma
Hey Emma, this is my 2 time baking this recipe and it’s just as delicious as the first. I’ve sent this recipe to my best friend and am excited for her to try it. Thank you!!
How could i add protien powder to these?
hi baking sis annie! 🤗
well whenever we bake at home, i try and add a lil protein too. for this recipe, we would probably do 1/2 a scoop {scoop found inside protein powder} to one scoop, depending on the day haha.
hope this helps!
have a beautiful & blessed day ✨
happy baking!
🫶🏽, baking sis prisma
So so so good
Thank you so much. This will be my third time using this recipe. It’s so darn good, easy and also grand kids approved. That one banana bread is a hit!❤️
Loved the banana bread, I listened to the other comments and decreased the sugar to half and it was perfect, I’m so happy to be able to use my one banana
Lovely base recipe but as many others pointed out, it’s very sweet.
We initially did it with 50% sugar and it still ended up way too sweet for our tastes. Currently having a second go with 25% sugar. That should still be plenty sweet 😉
Aside from that, I also replaced some flour with oats and added some cinnamon and cocoa nibs. Turned out great!
Easy and delicious! Sometimes you only have one banana.
I’ve waited 10 years for this recipe! Perfect (No Banana slice on top).