18 Incredibly Delicious Ways to Make Banana Bread

These inventive twists on the classic (including gluten-free and peanut butter-topped) will give you the perfect excuse to bake an extra loaf or two!

By: Food Network Kitchen

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Photo By: Armando Rafael

Photo By: Renee Comet

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Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher

Photo By: Renee Comet

Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher

Our Essential Banana Bread Guide

When you've got a bunch of overripe bananas, there's only one logical course of action: Make banana bread. The quintessential quick bread, banana bread is what many choose to make when craving a homemade sweet. But there's far more than one way to make it; we have 14 varieties here to suit every baker's needs and tastes, each recipe irresistible in its own way.

Classic Banana Bread

This fan-favorite recipe is an essential one to have in your back pocket.

Get the Recipe: Banana Bread

Cheesecake-Stuffed Banana Bread

For an extra indulgence (and a to-die-for flavor and texture combo), swirl some cream cheese filling into the banana bread batter just before baking.

Get the Recipe: Cheesecake-Stuffed Banana Bread

Brown-Butter Banana Bread

Taking the extra time to brown the butter for this bread adds ultra-satisfying depth — and the brown-butter glaze is the perfect finishing touch.

Get the Recipe: Brown-Butter Banana Bread

Tahini Banana Bread

Tahini helps keep this bread moist and adds a nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with bananas.

Get the Recipe: Tahini Banana Bread

Strawberry-Banana Bread

Bananas and strawberries play nicely together in this sweet and tart quick bread, and a walnut topping offers extra crunch.

Get the Recipe: Strawberry-Banana Bread

Gluten-Free Banana Bread

A combo of flours made from brown rice and tapioca stands in for all-purpose flour in this bread — but the bread is so moist you might not even be able to tell that it's gluten-free.

Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Banana Bread

Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Peanut butter stands in for butter and oil in this quick bread — and also stars as one of the most-irresistible glazes we've ever dreamed up.

Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Choco-Chunky Banana Bread

Swirled chocolate creates a pleasing marbly effect in this bread's batter, and plenty of banana chunks offer extra texture.

Get the Recipe: Choco-Chunky Banana Bread

Nutella-Stuffed Banana Bread

The top of this hazelnut-adorned banana bread is a sneak peek: There's a layer of creamy chocolate-hazelnut spread in the center too.

Get the Recipe: Nutella-Stuffed Banana Bread

Chocolate-Avocado Banana Bread

Here avocado replaces the butter or oil usually used in banana bread recipes and also makes this treat extra moist. Chocolate pairs well with avocado's savory notes — and it offers extra indulgence too.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate-Avocado Banana Bread

Fruit-Sweetened Banana Bread

Surprise! There's no refined sugar in this bread. The sweetness comes from the natural sugars in the bananas, raisins and dates.

Get the Recipe: Fruit-Sweetened Banana Bread

Banana Bread Lava Cake

Ice cream bars (really!) are the secret ingredient in this gooey cake. Buried in the center of a traditional banana bread batter, they melt as the cake bakes to form a molten core.

Get the Recipe: Banana Bread Lava Cake

Banana Bread Napoleon

The four bananas in this extra-fancy banana bread ensure a light texture and pronounced flavor. A tangy cream cheese-sour cream frosting complements the sweetness. Both bread and filling can be made ahead and held, or just assemble right before serving.

Get the Recipe: Banana Bread Napoleon

Air Fryer Banana Bread

Baking banana bread is much quicker in an air fryer, thanks to the convection-like heat and the need for less batter. Make this round loaf your everyday breakfast go-to: The wheat germ adds a little extra fiber and whole-grain toastiness to your morning.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Banana Bread

3-Ingredient Banana Bread

This beautiful yet simple banana bread comes together with just three basic, easy-to-find ingredients— bananas, eggs and store-bought cake mix! The bananas make this quick bread moist and sweet, while the spice cake mix adds a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg. Cut the banana bread into thick slices and serve for breakfast, dessert or even an indulgent snack.

Get the Recipe: 3-Ingredient Banana Bread

Pumpkin Banana Bread

The combination of ripe bananas and creamy pumpkin puree is a match made in heaven. The dynamic duo provides a perfectly moist, tender, not-too-sweet spiced quick bread that can be enjoyed all year long.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Banana Bread

Banana Bread Ice Cream Loaf

Double the banana flavor in one over-the-top dessert. Layer homemade brown butter banana bread with store-bought butter pecan ice cream, sticky banana caramel and a generous sprinkle of toasted pecans, then cut into thick slices and drizzle with more banana caramel. It's a decadent treat you'll want to make year-round.

Get the Recipe: Banana Bread Ice Cream Loaf

Whole Banana Bread

Who doesn’t love banana bread, especially for breakfast? It’s like having cake in the morning. This version uses the whole banana -- peel included -- which reduces food waste. Half the weight of a banana is in the peel, so why not use it? It gives you the same comforting flavor and even more fiber. Be sure to give yourself enough time to freeze the bananas for at least 6 hours, then allow a couple more hours for thawing. This will soften the peels and make them easier to puree.

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