Banana Bread For One (2024)

Home Cooking For One Recipes Single Serving Breakfast Banana Bread For One

By Joanie Zisk

on Jun 06, 2022, Updated Mar 17, 2024

4.92 from 112 votes

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Bake the perfect Single Serve Banana Bread using just one ripe banana. Moist, flavorful, and ideal for satisfying those banana bread cravings!

Craving that classic banana bread taste but don’t want leftovers? Introducing our “banana bread for one”: perfect for satisfying those spur-of-the-moment urges, baked conveniently in a small ramekin with just one banana!

this Recipe

Looking for delightful single serving and small batch recipes that use only one banana? Try our fluffy Banana Pancakes, creamy Banana Cream Pie, caramelized Bananas Foster, and a petite, moist Hummingbird Cake. Each recipe is perfectly tailored for smaller portions and highlights the sweet, versatile flavor of bananas.

Table of Contents

  • Why You’ll Love This Easy Banana Bread Recipe
  • What Is One Banana Banana Bread?
  • Ingredients
  • Recipe Variations
  • How To Make Banana Bread For One
  • Expert Tips
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Easy Overripe Banana Recipes
  • Nutritional Information Note
  • What To Make With Leftover Ingredients
  • Banana Bread For One Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Easy Banana Bread Recipe

  • Simplicity: Designed for ease, this recipe is straightforward, with a quick prep and bake time.
  • No Waste: Say goodbye to leftover slices; enjoy a full-flavored banana bread tailored for one.
  • Versatile: Pair it with various toppings or mix-ins for a new flavor experience every time.
  • Perfectly Moist: The use of a single ripe banana ensures the bread retains its moist texture.
  • Kitchen Staple Ingredients: Made with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.
Banana Bread For One (3)

What Is One Banana Banana Bread?

One banana banana bread is the delightful answer to the age-old question: “What do I do with this lone ripe banana?” It’s a perfectly proportioned, moist, and flavorful treat baked using only one overripe banana, offering a delicious solution without an overabundance of leftovers.

Ingredients

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  • Flour: All-purpose flour acts as the base. For a gluten-free variant, substitute with 1:1 gluten-free flour.
  • Baking Soda: Gives the bread its rise. Ensure it’s fresh for optimal results.
  • Butter: Provides richness. Substitute with coconut oil for a dairy-free option.
  • Egg Yolk: Binds the ingredients. Hang onto that egg white and use it in one of our egg white recipes like mini Texas Sheet Cake and Coconut Macaroons.
  • Vanilla: Adds depth of flavor.
  • Sugar: Sweetens the bread.
  • Cinnamon: Brings warmth and spice.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness.
  • Banana: The star! Overripe bananas are best as they are sweeter and mash easily. Consider using extra bananas in a small Chocolate Banana Bread or a Frozen Chocolate Banana!

This is just an overview of the ingredients I used andwhy I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.

Recipe Variations

Get creative and modify this classic to suit your cravings. With banana bread as your canvas, the possibilities are endless.

  • Nutty Delight: Fold in walnuts or pecans for a crunchy texture.
  • Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: Add in chocolate chips or cocoa powder for a chocolaty twist.
  • Tropical Vibes: Incorporate shredded coconut and pineapple chunks.
  • Spiced Up: Experiment with spices like nutmeg or cardamom.
  • Berry Fusion: Mix in blueberries or raspberries for a fruity surprise.

How To Make Banana Bread For One

These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make banana bread with one banana.See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and lightly grease a 10-ounce ramekin. Mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
  2. Mash the banana with a fork and add to a medium-sized bowl. Add the sugar and whip the banana and sugar together with an electric mixer or a wire whisk.
  3. Add the melted butter, the egg yolk, and the vanilla; mix well.
  4. Add the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
Banana Bread For One (5)
  1. Pour into the ramekin and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
  2. Remove from the oven and cool slightly before eating.
Banana Bread For One (6)

Expert Tips

  • Use ripe bananas. Ripe bananas make the sweetest banana bread. When bananas have plenty of brown spots on the skin, they’re perfect to use. The browner the skins, the sweeter the banana bread.
  • Buy bananas and freeze them. It’s a great idea to keep overripe bananas handy in your freezer ready for baking. If you’ve got a few forgotten bananas on your counter, freeze them, unpeeled. Freezing bananas will turn the skin black, but once peeled the flesh will be perfect for making banana bread or banana muffins.
  • Leave the batter lumpy. When mashing the banana, leave some of the banana chunks. Overmixing the batter can also result in a tough bread.

Serving Suggestions

Elevate your banana bread experience with these delightful pairings. Whether for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack, these ideas will make every bite memorable.

  • Nut Butters: Slather on almond or peanut butter for an added protein kick.
  • Yogurt: Dollop some Greek yogurt on top and sprinkle with honey.
  • Fresh Berries: Complement the moist bread with a burst of berry freshness.
  • Ice Cream: Turn it into a dessert by adding a scoop of your vanilla ice cream.
  • Whipped Cream: A cloud of whipped cream can make it even more indulgent.
Banana Bread For One (7)

RELATED: 15 Easy Dessert Recipes For One

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make banana nut bread?

If you love banana nut bread, feel free to add about 2 tablespoons of chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter.

What can I do with the leftover egg white?

Consider using the leftover egg white in any of these recipes:
Small Batch of Meringues
Two Vanilla Cupcakes
Two Chocolate Cupcakes
Mini Texas Sheet Cake

How do I store banana bread?

Place the banana bread in an airtight container and store it at room temperature for up to 3 days.
To freeze banana bread, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
To thaw, remove banana bread from the freezer and leave to defrost on the kitchen counter. Enjoy as is, or gently heat in the microwave.

Can I freeze banana bread?

Yes, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the banana bread overnight in the refrigerator before eating.

Can I make banana bread ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time and bake it later. Simply chill the batter in the ramekin for up to 24 hours before baking.

RELATED: Comfort Food Recipes For One

Easy Overripe Banana Recipes

Looking for recipes to use up a couple of overripe bananas? Check out these simple and delicious banana-based dishes:

  • Small Batch Banana Muffins(2 bananas)
  • Grilled Pound Cake with Bananas(1 banana)
  • Banana Oat Pecan Muffins(2-3 bananas)
  • Banana Cream Pie For One(1 banana)
  • Bananas Foster For One(1 banana)
  • Frozen Chocolate Banana(1 banana)
  • Banana Pancakes(1 banana)
  • Mini Hummingbird Cake(1 banana)
  • Tropical Smoothie(1 banana)
  • Green Smoothie(1 banana)
  • Caramelized Banana Pudding (1 banana)

RELATED: The Best Small Batch Cookie Recipes

Nutritional Information Note

The calorie count provided in the recipe is an approximation derived from an online nutrition calculator.

Remember, this recipe produces a generous portion of banana bread baked in a 10-ounce ramekin. You can savor it in a single serving or spread the enjoyment over several days.

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What To Make With Leftover Ingredients

If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:

Banana Pancakes For One

Mini Banana Upside Down Cake

Caramelized Banana Pudding For One

Banana Nut Bread For One

For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit ourFAQ page.

For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit ourStore page.

If you’ve tried this one-banana banana bread or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!

Your Cooking For One Source

Because you’re worth it

Banana Bread For One

4.92 from 112 votes

By: Joanie Zisk

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 30 minutes mins

Cooling TIme: 5 minutes mins

Total: 40 minutes mins

Servings: 1 serving

Banana Bread For One (13)

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Bake the perfectSingle Serve Banana Breadusingjust one ripe banana and a few panty staples. This easy banana bread recipe is moist, flavorful, and ideal for satisfying those banana bread cravings!

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • teaspoon salt
  • 1 medium banana , mashed
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter , melted (plus more for greasing the ramekin)
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Heat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and lightly grease a 10-ounce ramekin. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together. Set aside.

  • Mash the banana with a fork and add to a medium-sized bowl.

    Add the sugar and with an electric mixer or a wire whisk whip the banana and sugar together.

  • Add the melted butter, the egg yolk, and the vanilla; mix well.

  • Add the dry ingredients and mix until combined.

  • Pour into the ramekin and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.

  • Remove from the oven and cool slightly before eating.

Video

Notes

Expert Tip

  • Use ripe bananas.Ripe bananas make the sweetest banana bread. When bananas have plenty of brown spots on the skin, they’re perfect to use. The browner the skins, the sweeter the banana bread.
  • Buy bananas and freeze them. It’s a great idea to keep overripe bananas handy in your freezer ready for baking. If you’ve got a few forgotten bananas on your counter, freeze them, unpeeled. Freezing bananas will turn the skin black, but once peeled the flesh will be perfect for making banana bread orbanana muffins.
  • Leave the batter lumpy.When mashing the banana, leave some of the banana chunks. Overmixing the batter can also result in a tough bread.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 466kcal, Carbohydrates: 75g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 214mg, Sodium: 665mg, Potassium: 478mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 39g, Vitamin A: 671IU, Vitamin C: 10mg, Calcium: 36mg, Iron: 2mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Welcome!

I’m Joanie and I’m incredibly happy you’re here! Our aim is to inspire individuals with access to single serving recipes, education, and a supportive community that will enable them to enjoy the preparation of a meal that will nourish both body and soul.

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137 Comments

  1. I am enjoying looking at your recipes, easy to double them rather downsizing “serves 8” recipes to “serves 2”. I would always double your recipes as I would rather have some leftover than go through the effort and still be hungry. (I am a 230 lb guy)
    However, banana bread for one? For me that is one loaf or two?
    No more work or cleanup to have a second loaf tomorrow. HaHa!

    Reply

Banana Bread For One (2024)

FAQs

What can I substitute if I don't have enough bananas for banana bread? ›

Applesauce

Applesauce is a kitchen staple that makes for a fantastic substitute for bananas. Its naturally sweet, mildly fruity flavor and moist texture make it an ideal replacement in recipes where bananas are used more for moisture than flavor such as certain cakes, quick breads, and muffin recipes.

How many bananas are in Chrissy Teigen's banana bread? ›

The tldr; is that she needed 6 very ripe bananas to work on this recipe, but as you know you can not just buy overly ripe bananas at the store, so she went to Twitter and called on her followers.

Why did my banana bread flop? ›

Some people do not preheat their oven long enough.

It can take 15 minutes to properly preheat some ovens. If your oven has not reached the correct baking temperature before the banana bread is placed in the oven, the banana bread will be undercooked and more likely to sink.

What can I substitute for egg in banana bread? ›

WHAT TO USE INSTEAD OF EGGS WHEN BAKING
  1. MASHED BANANA. ...
  2. APPLESAUCE. ...
  3. SILKEN TOFU. ...
  4. GROUND FLAXSEED OR CHIA SEEDS & WATER. ...
  5. YOGURT. ...
  6. BUTTERMILK. ...
  7. SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK. ...
  8. ARROWROOT POWDER OR CORNSTARCH.

Can you substitute for banana? ›

Unsweetened applesauce can be a good source of vitamin C and be a good substitute for bananas in a recipe that calls for bananas. In baking, 1/2 cup of applesauce can be used for one banana. This can be particularly helpful for those who need a low-potassium diet.

Can you put too much banana in banana bread? ›

Fight the urge to use more banana than called for in your recipe. Using too much banana could make your bread heavy and damp in the center, causing it to appear undercooked and unappealing. If you have bananas leftover, you can always freeze them for later use.

How much does 1 banana have? ›

Source Of. One serving, or one medium ripe banana, provides about 110 calories, 0 gram fat, 1 gram protein, 28 grams carbohydrate, 15 grams sugar (naturally occurring), 3 grams fiber, and 450 mg potassium.

Is it OK to eat a bunch of bananas? ›

Eating too many bananas or other high-potassium foods can cause excess potassium in the body, also called hyperkalemia. This can cause serious health problems, including heart issues. While most people wouldn't be able to stomach the number of bananas necessary to cause this to happen, it's something to be mindful of.

Can you leave freshly baked banana bread out overnight? ›

If you're planning to eat your banana bread within three to four days, it can be left out at room temperature. To keep it fresh, place a paper towel in the bottom of an airtight container. Place the loaf of banana bread on top, add another paper towel, and put the lid on the container.

Why is my banana bread still gooey after an hour? ›

Bake for longer: If the center of your banana bread is still gooey, you may need to bake it for a longer time. Check the bread every 5-10 minutes by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out with moist crumbs, continue baking until the toothpick comes out clean or with a few dry crumbs.

How ripe is too ripe for banana bread? ›

Rotten bananas will often have a fermented or alcohol-like smell. While it's okay if the banana peel is dark brown or even black, if the inside is too, then the fruit is beyond ripe and now on its way to rotten. Another sign that bananas have gone bad is if they start leaking any fluids.

Why does my banana bread not taste good? ›

Skimping on the sugar can dry out a loaf of banana bread and leave it flavorless. It turns out, sugar does more than just make things sweeter. When it comes to banana bread, cutting back on sugar will leave you with a dry loaf totally devoid of any distinguishable flavor.

Why does my banana bread taste bitter? ›

Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) is the raising agent and this can sometimes taste bitter or soapy if the wrong quantity is used. Make sure that you measure the bicarbonate of soda with a proper 1 teaspoon/5ml measuring spoon and the spoon measurement should be level.

Why does my banana bread get hard? ›

The reason is as you mix, the gluten begins to develop, and when too much development happens, you can end up with a dense, chewy loaf rather than the soft and delicious banana bread you were hoping for.

What is the best fruit substitute for banana? ›

Mango is one of the most common substitutes for bananas in smoothies. It has a pretty mild flavor. Because it's not as juicy as most fruits, mango is great at creating a creamy texture. Use about 1 cup of frozen mango to replace 1 banana.

How bad do bananas have to be for banana bread? ›

The best bananas for banana bread aren't yellow; they're black. Or they're at least streaked with black/brown, with just the barest hint of green at the stem. And again, the darker the better: there's no such thing as a too-ripe banana when you're making banana bread.

Can I substitute bananas for oil in banana bread? ›

Mashed ripe bananas can be used to replace oil in recipes, particularly in recipes for banana bread or muffins. Use mashed bananas in a 1:1 ratio, but be prepared for a subtle banana flavor in your baked goods.

When can you not use bananas for banana bread? ›

While it's okay if the banana peel is dark brown or even black, if the inside is too, then the fruit is beyond ripe and now on its way to rotten. Another sign that bananas have gone bad is if they start leaking any fluids. When in doubt, just toss the bananas out.

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