The Best Moist Banana Bread

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.

In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth. Aim for a pureed consistency with no large chunks.

Stir in the melted butter into the mashed bananas until well combined.

Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until fully blended.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

Gradually add the flour mixture to the banana mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can lead to a tougher bread.

Fold in the optional nuts or chocolate chips if using.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.

Bake for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.