If you love classic banana bread but want a naturally sweet, flavor-packed twist, this Honey Vanilla Banana Bread is for you! Made with ripe bananas, rich honey, and fragrant vanilla, this moist and tender loaf is perfect for breakfast, snacking, or dessert. Simple, wholesome, and irresistibly delicious!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Naturally Sweetened – Sweetened with ripe bananas and honey instead of refined sugar.
Moist and Tender – Soft, rich texture with perfect banana flavor.
Easy to Make – Simple ingredients and no fancy equipment required.
Perfect for Any Time – Enjoy for breakfast, snack, or a healthy treat.
Customizable – Add nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit to make it your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Banana Bread:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ¼ cups)
- ½ cup honey
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup melted coconut oil or vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup plain yogurt or sour cream
Optional Add-ins:
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Spatula
- 9×5-inch loaf pan
- Parchment paper (optional for easy removal)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon if using.
Set aside.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, honey, eggs, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and yogurt until smooth and well combined.
Step 4: Combine the Ingredients
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
Be careful not to overmix to keep the bread tender.
Fold in any optional add-ins like nuts or chocolate chips.
Step 5: Bake the Banana Bread
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
If the top starts to brown too much, tent with foil halfway through baking.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Slice and enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Honey Vanilla Banana Bread
Use Very Ripe Bananas – The riper, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be.
Don’t Overmix – Stir just until combined for a light, moist crumb.
Add Toppings – Sprinkle chopped nuts or oats on top before baking for extra texture.
Tent with Foil – Prevents over-browning while the inside finishes baking.
Cool Before Slicing – Letting it cool helps the bread slice cleanly and neatly.
Serving Suggestions
With Butter or Nut Butter – Spread a little for a delicious snack.
Alongside Coffee or Tea – Perfect for a cozy breakfast or afternoon treat.
As Dessert – Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla yogurt or whipped cream.
Pack for a Snack – Great for lunchboxes or road trips.
How to Store & Freeze
Storing:
- Store wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezing:
- Wrap slices individually or the whole loaf tightly in plastic wrap and foil.
- Freeze for up to 2 months.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this banana bread dairy-free?
Yes! Use a dairy-free yogurt and coconut oil instead of butter. - Can I reduce the honey?
You can slightly reduce it, but it helps keep the bread moist and sweet. - Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, but the bread will be denser. Try using half whole wheat and half all-purpose flour for best results. - What if I don’t have coconut oil?
Vegetable oil or melted butter works just as well. - How can I make it extra moist?
Adding yogurt or sour cream keeps the banana bread incredibly moist and tender.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Vanilla Banana Bread is naturally sweet, moist, and bursting with flavor — perfect for when you want something comforting and delicious yet a little lighter. It’s simple to whip up, endlessly customizable, and a guaranteed favorite for banana bread lovers.
Try it out and let us know how it turns out! Don’t forget to leave a comment and share your banana bread creations on Pinterest or Instagram.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 55 minutes
Cuisine: American
Nutritional Information (Per Slice, 10 slices total):
Calories: 220 | Protein: 4g | Carbohydrates: 30g | Fat: 9g | Fiber: 2g | Sodium: 180mg

Honey Vanilla Banana Bread
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Description
If you love classic banana bread but want a naturally sweet, flavor-packed twist, this Honey Vanilla Banana Bread is for you! Made with ripe bananas, rich honey, and fragrant vanilla, this moist and tender loaf is perfect for breakfast, snacking, or dessert. Simple, wholesome, and irresistibly delicious!
Want recipes like this delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe now to get the latest culinary creations you’ll love.
Ingredients
For the Banana Bread:
-
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
-
1 tsp baking soda
-
½ tsp salt
-
1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
-
3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ¼ cups)
-
½ cup honey
-
2 large eggs
-
⅓ cup melted coconut oil or vegetable oil
-
1 tbsp vanilla extract
-
¼ cup plain yogurt or sour cream
Optional Add-ins:
-
½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
-
½ cup mini chocolate chips
-
¼ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon if using.
Set aside.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, honey, eggs, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and yogurt until smooth and well combined.
Step 4: Combine the Ingredients
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
Be careful not to overmix to keep the bread tender.
Fold in any optional add-ins like nuts or chocolate chips.
Step 5: Bake the Banana Bread
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
If the top starts to brown too much, tent with foil halfway through baking.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Slice and enjoy!
Notes
Use Very Ripe Bananas – The riper, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be.
Don’t Overmix – Stir just until combined for a light, moist crumb.
Add Toppings – Sprinkle chopped nuts or oats on top before baking for extra texture.
Tent with Foil – Prevents over-browning while the inside finishes baking.
Cool Before Slicing – Letting it cool helps the bread slice cleanly and neatly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Cuisine: American