Serve up a slice of this classic banana bread.

This classic banana nut bread is filled with cinnamon, browned butter, and a hint of nutmeg.

Browning the butter is an extra step that adds a little depth and complexity to the loaf.

Southern Living Banana Nut Bread sliced on a cutting board to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

it’s possible for you to use pecans or walnuts in this recipeyour choice!

Bananas not quite ripe?

While not quite the same, you canripen them in the ovenin a pinch.

Southern Living Banana Nut Bread ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Preheat oven to 350F, and grease 2 muffin trays with cooking spray or line with paper liners.

Prepare batter as directed through step 4.

Divide batter evenly among 21 muffin cups, sprinkling with remaining chopped pecans.

Southern Living Banana Nut Bread whole on a cutting board ready to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Bake 20-23 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin comes out clean.

Here’s a brief outline of the process.

Store it closed with a piece of paper towel to absorb moisture.

Southern Living Banana Nut Bread spraying the pan

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

At room temperature, banana nut bread will last about three days.

In the fridge, it will last up to 7 days.

Store up to 3 months in the freezer.

Southern Living Banana Nut Bread butter after browning

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Thaw at room temperature for an hour before you eat it.

Variations for Banana Nut Bread

Get a little creative with your next loaf of banana nut bread.

Spray a 9- x 5-in.

Southern Living Banana Nut Bread whisking together the dry ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

loaf pan with cooking spray.

Brown the butter:

In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat.

Continue to cook, stirring constantly, as butter begins to brown.

Southern Living Banana Nut Bread combining the wet ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

It will smell nutty and take on the color of light brown sugar.

Be careful to take the butter off the heat as soon as it browns, or it could burn.

Pour into a heatproof container.

Southern Living Banana Nut Bread whisking in the browned butter

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Chill and allow to cool until just warm to the touch and not solidified, about 15 minutes.

Whisk in cooled brown butter.

Stir in flour mixture until evenly combined, but do not overmix.

Southern Living Banana Nut Bread mixing in the flour mixture

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Stir in 3/4 cup chopped pecans.

Add batter to loaf pan:

Pour batter into prepared pan.

Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup chopped pecans.

Southern Living Banana Nut Bread stirring in the chopped nuts

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups mashed banana, from about 4 medium.

If your bananas are smaller, you may need an extra.

Usually, this will happen when the banana bread isnt baked through before its removed from the oven.

Southern Living Banana Nut Bread pouring the batter into the pan

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

We recommend adding about 1/2 cup chocolate chips to this recipe.

you’re able to also freeze banana bread, either as a whole loaf or in slices.

Be sure to wrap well to avoid freezer burn.

Southern Living Banana Nut Bread sprinkling batter with chopped pecans before baking

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Banana Nut Bread on a cooling rack

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox