Peanut Butter Banana Bread Recipe

This Peanut Butter Banana Bread is a delightful twist on the classic banana bread, combining the rich, nutty flavor of peanut butter with the sweetness of ripe bananas. It’s moist, flavorful, and perfect for breakfast, snacking, or even dessert. The addition of peanut butter gives this banana bread an irresistible taste and texture that will make it a household favorite.

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Grease and line a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper for easy removal.

2. Prepare Wet Ingredients:

• In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas with a fork or potato masher until smooth and creamy.
• Add the peanut butter, melted butter (or oil), brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk together until fully combined and smooth.

3. Combine Dry Ingredients:

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using).
• Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently with a spatula or spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as it can lead to dense bread.

4. Fold in Mix-ins (Optional):

• If using chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or chopped nuts, fold them into the batter at this stage.

5. Bake the Bread:

• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be golden brown and firm to the touch.

6. Cool and Serve:

• Allow the peanut butter banana bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Slice and enjoy warm or at room temperature!

Tips for Success:

1. Use Very Ripe Bananas:
   • The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be. Look for bananas with lots of brown spots on the peel.
2. Don’t Overmix:
   • When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until everything is incorporated. Overmixing can result in a dense or tough loaf.
3. Add a Peanut Butter Swirl:
   • For an extra touch of peanut butter goodness, swirl a tablespoon of peanut butter on top of the batter before baking.
4. Store Properly:
   • Keep the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate it for up to a week. You can also freeze the loaf (or slices) for up to 2 months.

Variations:

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bread:
  • Add ½ cup cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for a chocolaty twist.
  • Toss in some chocolate chips to make it extra decadent.
• Gluten-Free Option:
  • Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend to make this bread gluten-free. Make sure your baking powder is gluten-free as well.
• Peanut Butter Banana Muffins:
  • Divide the batter into muffin tins for individual portions. Reduce the baking time to 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Vegan Peanut Butter Banana Bread:
  • Replace the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water for each egg). Use coconut oil instead of butter and a plant-based sweetener like maple syrup.

Nutritional Information (per slice, based on 10 slices):

• Calories: 290
• Fat: 16g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Protein: 6g
• Sugar: 14g
• Fiber: 2g

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can I make this banana bread without sugar?

• Yes, you can substitute the brown sugar with natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup. Keep in mind this may alter the texture slightly, making the bread more moist.

2. What type of peanut butter should I use?

• Creamy peanut butter works best for a smooth texture, but you can also use crunchy peanut butter if you prefer some extra texture. Avoid using natural peanut butter as it tends to separate, which can affect the consistency of the bread.

3. How do I store the bread?

• Store the peanut butter banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep it in the fridge for up to a week or freeze it for up to 2 months.

4. Can I make this into mini loaves?

• Absolutely! Divide the batter into mini loaf pans and reduce the baking time to about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Conclusion:

This Peanut Butter Banana Bread is a perfect fusion of two beloved flavors, making it an irresistible treat for any occasion. Whether you enjoy it as a breakfast, snack, or dessert, this bread is moist, flavorful, and easy to make. Customize it with your favorite mix-ins or enjoy it as is — either way, it’s sure to be a hit!

Yield: 10

Peanut Butter Banana Bread Recipe

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This Peanut Butter Banana Bread is a delightful twist on the classic banana bread, combining the rich, nutty flavor of peanut butter with the sweetness of ripe bananas. It's moist, flavorful, and perfect for breakfast, snacking, or even dessert. The addition of peanut butter gives this banana bread an irresistible taste and texture that will make it a household favorite.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1/2 cup peanut butter chips (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped peanuts (optional, for topping)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
   
2. Mash the Bananas:
   In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas using a fork or potato masher until smooth.
   
3. Mix Wet Ingredients:
   Add the melted butter, creamy peanut butter, eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Stir until well combined and smooth.
   
4. Combine Dry Ingredients:
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon (if using).
   
5. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients:
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
   
6. Fold in Peanut Butter Chips (optional):
   Gently fold in the peanut butter chips if you want an extra burst of peanut butter flavor in every bite.
   
7. Transfer to Loaf Pan:
   Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spread it evenly with a spatula. If using chopped peanuts, sprinkle them on top of the batter for a crunchy topping.
   
8. Bake the Banana Bread:
   Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
   
9. Cool and Serve:
   Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Storage: Store the banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Add-ins: You can also add chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit for additional flavors and textures.

Peanut Butter Swirl: For an extra peanut butter touch, drizzle 2 tablespoons of melted peanut butter on top of the batter and swirl it in before baking.