Banana Bread Recipe With Sour Cream

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This is the best banana bread recipe with sour cream that will become your family favorite! Made with overripe bananas, sour cream to make it moist, and a hint of cinnamon, this banana bread is quick to make and no mixer needed!

sliced banana bread loaf


 

I don’t know about you but I always put a bunch of bananas in my grocery cart for the week. Always. Without. Fail.

And I usually do a pretty good job of eating them throughout the week. Mm, usually. Sometimes, not so much. 

There tends to be a few left behind at the end of the week. Sometimes two. Maybe just one. But rarely, do I get through the entire bunch. And throwing out ripe bananas just seems WRONG. AmIright?!

So here’s what I do. I throw them in my freezer until I have enough to make some banana bread. Sometimes in a week I have the perfect amount. And if not, I add each ripe banana to my freezer collection. And then when the banana bread craving strikes – Voila! I have ripe bananas in my freezer waiting for me. 

And so this time, my weekly batch and freezer bananas went to making good old, classic, (can’t believe it hasn’t been on the blog yet!?) banana bread. I’ve made a Healthy Banana Bread Recipe version, and even a Sourdough Banana Bread version…but a good old classic banana bread recipe made with sour cream? Nope. So it was high time I changed that!

But if you’re craving something a little more indulgent, these Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect treat to try next! Made with a soft yeast dough, fresh banana, brown sugar, and topped with cream cheese frosting, they’re the ultimate brunch snack! ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿฉ

slices of banana bread

Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • Uses up those bananas that are about to go bad. That’s the best part about making banana bread! You want to use bananas that are overripe – dark, black and speckled.
  • Quick to whip up – Banana bread falls in the category of quick breads, which means its quick to whip up because it doesn’t use yeast. This bread uses baking soda so in about 15 minutes it’s ready to go in the oven.
  • No electric mixer needed– To make banana bread all you need is a good whisk and a spatula and that’s it. No hand mixer or stand mixer needed here!
  • Wonderfully moist – Sorry for those M word haters out there, but the addition of sour cream to this banana bread makes for a moist, soft, and just sweet enough with lots of banana flavor.

Use Ripe Bananas!

First let’s talk bananas. Your bananas for banana bread should very ripe. Black and speckled. This will mean they are very ripe so the sugars have really come through. 

You want to use brown bananas, not bright yellow bananas for the best banana bread. Here is my full tutorial on how to ripen bananas quickly.

slice of sour cream banana bread with cinnamon butter spread on it

Ingredients Needed

  • All Purpose Flour – Be sure to measure your flour correctly so your bread doesn’t come out dry and cakey. Stir the flour first, then spoon into your cup and level off. Do not pack it down or you will end up with too much flour. For best results weigh your flour.
  • Baking soda – There is ONLY baking soda in this recipe. The photo shows baking powder, but that’s an OOPS on my part! Baking soda will help make your bread rise. Be sure your baking powder is fresh by testing a teaspoon of it with some vinegar or lemon juice to see if it’s bubbly and active.
  • Salt – I prefer fine sea salt, so it dissolves easily into the batter, but kosher or table salt also works.
  • Eggs – Two room temperature eggs for this banana bread recipe.
  • Large Bananas – Of course we need mashed bananas. I just mash mine in a bowl with a fork before I start. And be sure that you use very ripe bananas, that are black and speckled in color.ย 
  • Vanilla extract – For flavor. I like to use pure vanilla but imitation vanilla will also work.
  • White Sugar – I used granulated sugar, but you could also try swapping with coconut sugar for a healthier alternative. Or try replacing half of the sugar with light brown sugar! Sugar adds not only sweetness but also makes for a tender bread. If you’re looking to reduce the sugar in your quick bread, I recommend reducing by only a 1/4 to 1/3 cup.
  • Cinnamon – I love adding a little cinnamon for flavor!
  • Sour Cream – This adds fat and richness. I used full-fat sour cream, but I think light would work, but I don’t recommend fat free. You could try swapping out for greek yogurt, which I did in my healthy banana bread recipe.
  • Oil – I used vegetable oil, but canola oil or other neutral-tasting oil also would work. You could try substituting with melted butter or coconut oil as well, but it might change the moistness and texture slightly. Read my full tutorial on oil vs. butter in quick breads. If you want to reduce the fat you could replace half of the oil with unsweetened applesauce.
ingredients for sour cream banana bread

How To Make Sour Cream Banana Bread

Step 1: Mash Your Bananas

Position a rack in the center of your oven. Preheat your oven to 350oF (177oC). Grease or line a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment paper.

In a separate bowl, you want to mash your bananas. I just do this with a fork. It’s easier to get this done ahead of time, and have them mashed ready to go. 

I used 4 bananas about 1 1/2 cups.

mashed bananas in a bowl with a fork

Step 2: Combine your dry ingredients

In a large bowl you want to whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. And then set aside.ย 

Heather’s Baking Tip

Measure your flour accurately. I use the spoon and level method. You can learn how to measure your flour in this post. Adding too much flour to your banana bread will cause for a dense, dry cakey loaf. For best accuracy, I always recommend using a scale and weighing your flour.

banana bread dry ingredients mixed in a bowl

Step 2: Mix The Wet Ingredients

In a second mixing bowl you want to combine your wet ingredients โ€“ oil, eggs, vanilla, bananas, sugar and sour cream. 

banana bread wet mixture in a bowl with a whisk

Step 3: Fold In The Dry Ingredients

Now using a spatula, fold in the dry ingredients. Just donโ€™t overmix! Overmixing will cause the gluten in the flour to form and too much gluten creates a tough bread. So stop mixing once the last streak of flour is incorporated.

Baking 101

Do NOT over mix. I like to use a spatula and fold in the dry ingredients by hand. You want to stop mixing once they have been incorporated. Too much mixing = too much gluten forming. Gluten is what will give a bread its chew, but for a banana bread you want less gluten to form. So we can accomplish that by making sure we donโ€™t overmix!

bowl of banana bread batter in a bowl with a spatula

Step 4: Bake The Bread

Go ahead and pour batter into the prepared loaf pan with a spatula and smooth the top.

unbaked banana bread in a loaf pan

Then bake the bread in the center of your oven for 60-65 minutes at 350oF until a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs clinging to it. If baking with a glass loaf pan it may take a little bit longer.

Cool in the pan on a wire rack.

baked sour cream banana bread in a loaf pan

Mix-Ins

Storage Instructions

I find it’s great wrapped up for a week in your fridge or at room temperature for up to 2 days as long as the bread is well covered. I like to wrap my banana bread in plastic wrap or aluminum foil also works. You can also store in an airtight container or place in a plastic bag for added protection.

You can also freeze this banana bread. Allow the bread to cool completely and place them in a resealable plastic bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, I just let mine thaw at room temperature and enjoy.

person eating a slice of banana bread topped with cinnamon butter

Recipe Variations

Recipe FAQ’s

Why did my sour cream banana bread recipe sink in the middle?

This probably means you did not bake it long enough. Make sure to test with a toothpick, and touch the top. It should spring back when touched. Also, different ovens can run at different temperatures. So it’s best to use an oven thermometer!

What pan is best?

I baked this banana bread in a 9×5 loaf pan. If you’re using a slightly smaller loaf pan (8 1/2 by 4 1/2u0022) then you may have additional batter leftover. Bake a few banana bread muffins with it! I recommend using a metal pan for best results. If baking with a glass pan, add on an additional 5 minutes of baking time. If you want to make mini loaf pans, like a 5-inch loaf pan you can. You would need three small loaf pans and reduce the time significantly.

Can I use frozen bananas?

Yes you can. Make sure to thaw first and discard the banana juice that is leftover after thawing.

two slices of banana bread stacked on top of each other

More Recipes To Try

If you’re craving more banana bread be sure to try my peanut butter banana bread! Or if you have more bananas to use up try my easy banana cake topped with cream cheese frosting.

Of course you can’t go wrong with my no bake banana split cake!

honey being drizzled over a slice of sour cream banana bread

Let’s Bake Together!

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sliced banana bread loaf

Banana Bread Recipe With Sour Cream

This banana bread recipe made with sour cream is moist and made without a mixer!
4.95 from 37 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 12 slices (1 9×5 loaf)
Calories: 305kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 ยฝ cups (340 g) very ripe bananas (about 4 medium)
  • 2 ยฝ cups (300 g) all purpose flour *spooned and leveled
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ยผ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 ยผ cups (250 g) granulated white sugar
  • ยฝ cup (120 mL) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • ยฝ cup (113 g) sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Preheat and prepare pan. Position a rack in the center of your oven. Preheat oven to 350oF (177ยฐC). Spray a 9×5โ€ loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray or line with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Mash bananas. In a small mixing bowl, mash bananas with a fork. Set aside. 1 ยฝ cups (340 g) very ripe bananas (about 4 medium)
  • Combine dry ingredients. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. 2 ยฝ cups (300 g) all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon fine sea salt ยผ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Combine wet ingredients. In the same mixing bowl with the bananas, whisk in the sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla extract and sour cream. Whisk to combine. 1 ยผ cups (250 g) granulated white sugar ยฝ cup (120 mL) vegetable oil 2 large eggs room temperature ยฝ cup (113 g) sour cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Combine wet and dry ingredients. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix together with a spatula until just combined.
  • Bake. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 60-65 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean. (If baking in a glass pan, you may need to add on an additional 5 minutes of baking time). Remove from the oven and allow the bread to cool completely in the pan set on a wire cooling rack. Store the bread, and any leftovers, covered at room temperature for 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Video

Notes

  • Storage: Keep wrapped at room temperature and store for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 1 week.
  • Freezing: Banana bread will freeze great for up to 3 months. Just wrap it well. Then when ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature and enjoy.
  • Sour Cream – This adds fat and richness. You could try swapping out for greek yogurt, which I did in myย healthy banana bread recipe.
  • Oil – I used vegetable oil, but canola oil or other neutral-tasting oil also would work. You could try substituting with melted butter or coconut oil as well, but it might change the moistness and texture slightly.
  • Use Ripe Bananas. You want to make sure you use very ripe bananas. Bananas that have lots of black specks. The blacker the banana is the sweeter it will be. I actually like to freeze my bananas when they have gotten too ripe to use later for banana bread. If you use frozen bananas, then let the bananas thaw before using them and discard the extra banana juice that leaks out during the thawing process.
  • Mash first. Mash your bananas before adding them to the mixing bowl. I do this by hand with a fork since I have used frozen bananas they are very easily mashed. You could also use a pastry blender, potato masher, or a hand mixer.
  • Measure your flour accurately. I use the spoon and level method. You can learn how to measure your flour in this post.
  • Careful to not over mix. I like to use a spatula and fold in the dry ingredients by hand. You want to stop mixing once they have been incorporated. Too much mixing = too much gluten forming. Gluten is what will give a bread its chew, but for a banana bread you want less gluten to form. So we can accomplish that by making sure we donโ€™t overmix!
  • Use The Right Pan. I used a 9×5 loaf pan. Be sure it’s the right size. And make sure you aren’t using a dark loaf pan, which can bake too quickly and burn. If baking in a glass pan, add on an additional 5 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 305kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 304mg | Potassium: 120mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 111IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
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55 Comments

  1. Maureen Foster says:

    5 stars
    Igo to recipe for banana bread made this for the march baking challenge and it turned out perfect. So moist and easy to make I added walnuts to the batter, I just had to but the addition of the cinnamon puts it over the top.
    Love the recipe. This is my go to banana bread recipe from now on.
    Thank you for a delicious recipe.

    1. aw thank you Maureen that means so much! Love the addition of cinnamon and walnuts too.

  2. Tastes great but it spilled over onto the bottom of the oven so thatโ€™s not fun. I followed everything and have the right size loaf pan.

    1. Hi Melissa, sorry to hear that happened. I’ve made this many times and have never had that happen. Be careful that you didn’t use a 8×4 loaf pan that is very very close looking to the 9×5 pan size and could be the result. Also could be just how many bananas were added making for more batter. Always be sure to leave a few inches for expansion in the oven – if yours makes too much batter next time it’s better to throw some extra batter into a muffin tin and make a smaller loaf to be safe. Hope those tips help for next time!

  3. Doubled the recipe โ€ฆ turned out amazing. Both loaves were nice and high. Definitely a favourite!!

    1. glad it worked out with doubling and glad you enjoyed it!

  4. Emily Flint says:

    5 stars
    I love trying new versions of banana bread and this one did not disappoint. I think I will be adding sour cream from now on, lol!

    1. aw glad you enjoyed!

  5. 5 stars
    I love how moist this was and not like a brick heavy the sour cream really makes the bread lighter and this is a great recipe!

    1. so glad you loved it Claudia!

  6. 5 stars
    Sour cream is the perfect touch to this banana bread recipe! So moist and delicious.

  7. 5 stars
    This is seriously the BEST banana bread, ever. And I’ve made a lot! This recipe is a keeper.

    1. aw thank you Katherine!

  8. 5 stars
    This is exactly the recipe Iโ€™ve been using for a banana cake ! And bread! Yummy my spouse likes a dry banana ( weird huh !?) how do I do that ?

  9. 5 stars
    I wanted to bake something delicious for girls ( 6 and 10) after they got home from school. This came very delicious. I even saved it as a favorite. I don’t bake a lot, but I do cook every day. Thank you so much for the delicious recipe.

    1. aw you’re welcome Puja…glad you enjoyed!

  10. 5 stars
    Outstanding recipe thanks so much! tasted so much good!

  11. 5 stars
    This banana bread is super easy, has tender crumbs, and delicious. I’m going to add some chopped nuts for next time.

  12. 5 stars
    well this turned out delicious! The kids especially love this banana bread.

  13. Cara Campbell says:

    5 stars
    This banana bread is just perfect. Easy, flavorful, and moist.

  14. 5 stars
    Delicious. I had ripe bananas. Saw your recipe. Perfect timing!

  15. 5 stars
    I can never get tired of the classic banana bread. Yours looks so damn delicious. And love all those useful tips.

  16. 5 stars
    It looks perfectly moist and full of banana flavor. I could eat this for breakfast every day.

  17. 5 stars
    This looks super moist and delicious.

4.95 from 37 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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