Banana Bread Made in a Bread Machine: Simple Step-by-Step Recipe

A bread machine is an easy way to make homemade banana bread while the machine does the work. This Bread Machine Banana Bread recipe yields a moist, flavorful loaf that’s perfect for brunch or a snack.

I grew up with my mom baking banana bread often; the aroma of fresh banana loaf is one of my favorite memories. These days I sometimes make chocolate chip or chocolate-raspberry variations, but classic banana bread remains a staple. I’ve been experimenting with using a bread machine and this method is based on a simple, reliable loaf that’s similar to my favorite buttermilk banana bread.

The bread machine environment traps steam, which helps keep the banana bread exceptionally moist. The result is consistently tender and delicious.

🥘 Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray
• Buttermilk, room temperature (or sour cream)
• Butter, room temperature, cut into ½-inch pieces
• Large eggs, room temperature
• Vanilla extract
• Ripe bananas, mashed — about 3 medium bananas (soft, yellow with brown spots)
• Kosher salt
• Granulated sugar
• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Optional: chopped walnuts or pecans

If you have overripe bananas you’re not ready to use, freeze them whole. Defrost when you’re ready to bake — frozen bananas also work great in smoothies or later batches of banana bread.

🌾 Can I use all-purpose flour in a bread machine instead of bread flour?

Yes. Bread flour is only necessary for high-protein yeasted doughs. For quick sweet breads like banana bread, all-purpose flour works perfectly.

🍽 Equipment Needed

• Rubber spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Bread machine (any model with a “Cake” or quick-bread setting works)
• Wire cooling rack

🥣 How to Make Banana Bread in a Bread Machine

Lightly spray the inside of the bread pan and the kneading paddle with nonstick cooking spray, including the sides.

Add the ingredients to the bread pan in this order: buttermilk, softened butter, eggs, vanilla, mashed bananas, salt, sugar, flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Secure the pan in the machine.

Select the Program for Cake or Quick Bread on your machine and press Start. Different machines have different buttons; use the setting that treats the batter like a cake or quick bread rather than a yeasted loaf.

During the initial mixing, monitor the batter and use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides so dry ingredients incorporate fully. Be careful to keep the spatula clear of the paddle. If you plan to add nuts or chocolate chips, add them near the end of the mixing cycle to avoid crushing them.

Once mixing finishes the machine will move into the baking cycle. Let it complete the bake. When the cycle ends, use oven mitts to remove the bread pan and transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

🫙 How to Store Leftover Banana Bread

After the loaf has cooled, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days, or wrap tightly and freeze for longer storage. Thaw frozen slices before serving or toast them straight from frozen.

✏️ Helpful Tips

• Add mix-ins: Fold in chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit near the end of mixing for variation.
• Use overripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the bread. You can also roast bananas in the oven to intensify their sweetness.
• Follow your machine: Bread machines vary. If yours has a sweet-bread or cake setting, use that. I prefer the cake setting because banana bread doesn’t need a yeast rise or extra kneading.

Serve warm slices with a smear of honey butter, cream cheese, or plain butter for a simple, delicious finish.

🍌 Looking for More Banana Bread Recipes?

Banana Bread

Easy Bread Machine Banana Bread

Breakfast

Buttermilk Banana Bread Recipe

Desserts

Blueberry Banana Muffins

Muffins

Fruit Explosion Muffins – Mixed Berry Muffins

If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below — I love hearing how it turned out for you.