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This banana bread is soft and moist, packed with sweet banana flavor and a ribbon of warm cinnamon sugar running through the middle. The top is crowned with a golden cinnamon oat crunch giving the banana bread the perfect finishing touch.

Banana Bread on a platter with a slice cut off and showing and bananas in the background.

I have been on a banana kick lately. We keep buying bananas, running out, buying more, and then no one eats them so I have to turn them in to a delicious baked good so they don’t go to waste.

While I make The Best Banana Bread fairly often, sometimes I want something a little bit different. I’ve been experimenting with different types of banana cookies and I’m loving these Banana Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. I also like combining the bananas with other fruits like in these Blueberry Banana Muffins.

However, I still enjoy making a loaf of banana bread and enjoying it for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert. I’ve been on the lookout for a new banana bread recipe and this Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread was calling my name.

When making this bread it’s important to have very ripe or even overly ripe bananas. If you don’t have ripe bananas, don’t worry, there are ways to speed up the process.

How do you ripen bananas?

If you don’t have ripe bananas you can speed up the process. Place the bananas in a paper bag with an already ripened banana or an apple and fold down the opening of the bag to close the fruits in together. Your bananas will ripe in a day or two.

If you need the bananas the same day then place unpeeled bananas on a foil lined baking sheet Bake at 300 degrees for 15-20 minutes and your bananas will be ripe.

This recipe uses three bananas which makes it a great way to use up those extra bananas. The main bread recipe is similar to others I’ve used but there is a layer of brown sugar and cinnamon that runs through the middle of it.

The top is supposed to have the same brown sugar and cinnamon topping but I added oats to it and I think it really adds to the texture and the flavor.

Ingredients:

ripe bananas (see above for ways to ripen them quickly)
salted butter (or unsalted if you prefer)
granulated sugar
egg
vanilla extract
all purpose flour
baking soda
salt
brown sugar
cinnamon
quick oats

To make the banana bread preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 5 loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside.

In a large bowl combine the mashed bananas, melted butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix well. In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking soda, and salt.

How do I mash bananas?

If your bananas are ripe enough you can just put them in your hands and squeeze them until they are good and mashed. You can also use a fork and place the bananas in a bowl and mash them that way. Another way to mash them is to use your hand mixer. Cut the bananas into pieces and starting the mixer on low and increasing until the bananas are mixed.

Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until combined. Pour half of the bread batter into the prepared pan then sprinkle half the cinnamon brown sugar mixture on top. Carefully pour the remaining batter over top of the cinnamon and brown sugar mixture. Add the oats to the remaining cinnamon mixture and sprinkle over the top. Bake for 1 hour.

This banana bread was amazing! It was moist and full of sweet banana flavor. However, the layer of brown sugar and cinnamon is easy to spot in the middle of the bread and it’s the perfect combination of sweet and spiced.

The cinnamon oat layer on top is super crumbly and has a different texture than the bread which adds to the flavor of the bread. Overall, this may be my new favorite banana bread recipe!

How do I store the banana bread?

Place the banana bread on a plate or platter and cover with foil or plastic wrap for up to 4 days. You can also cut the bread into slices, wrap in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 6 months.

If you’ve tried my Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread or any other recipe on Hezzi-D’s Recipe Box please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. I love hearing from you! You can FOLLOW ME on:

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