4 Ingredient Banana Bread
by Sommer Collier — on Aug 8, 2025 Our wonderfully simple banana bread recipe is easy to make with only 4 ingredients, including self-rising flour, plus no oil or butter is needed. While it’s a slightly more healthy option compared to other traditional recipes, this loaf has all of the flavor and moist, tender crumb you want in the best banana bread!
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
I don’t do a lot of casual baking during the week, but when I do, it’s most likely some kind of simple and satisfying banana bread. We have a few fantastic options on the site, like incredible moist banana bread, Kahlua banana bread, high protein banana bread, and chunky chocolate banana bread. But today we wanted to share a loaf that’s a bit more rustic and convenient, and happens to be slightly healthier than traditional banana bread. AND it still has all of the sweet banana flavor, moisture, tender crumb you know and love, of course!
Plus, if you struggle making banana bread, with all of the measuring and step-by-step mixing, this super simple 4-ingredient banana bread recipe is going to be your new go-to! You don’t need cake mix, an electric mixer, or any special equipment… Just a handful of wholesome ingredients, a large bowl, mixing spoon, loaf pan, and a ‘lil bit of patience.
Why You’ll Love This Banana Bread Recipe
- Simple ingredients – This butter and oil-free banana bread is made with just smashed bananas, eggs, a little brown sugar, and self-rising flour that includes leavening agents.
- On the lighter side – This recipe is lean, as far as bread goes, because it does not include butter or oil. You’ll be amazed at how delicious it is, even without the fat.
- Quick and easy – We love that this is a one-bowl recipe for easy cleanup, and that the moist banana bread comes out of the oven in less than an hour!
You can add extra ingredients like nuts… chopped walnuts or pecans, spices, or extracts. But it has such a lovely light texture and pure banana flavor, we think you should try it as-is before changing the recipe.
Ingredients and Tips
- Bananas – When picking bananas for banana bread, it’s best to use bananas that are extremely ripe, meaning soft with black and brown spots. This will give the banana bread the best flavor and texture.
- Eggs – Use large eggs at room temperature.
- Self-rising flour – This is the not-so-secret ingredient to make the easiest banana bread recipe with only 4 ingredients.
- Brown sugar – The moistness and deep, rich flavor of light brown sugar is perfect for making banana bread with natural sweetness, but not too sweet.
Protein Pointer – If you’re trying to add protein to banana bread, we do have a specific protein banana bread recipe. However, if you want to make this one with extra protein, reduce the self rising flour to 1 ¾ cups. Then add ½ cup of vanilla protein powder to the recipe.
Top Tips to Make 4 Ingredient Banana Bread Without Cake Mix
- Use a potato masher or two forks to mash the bananas well. This help them mix more evenly into the batter, thus creating a richer flavor throughout the bread.
- Be careful to not overmix the batter, otherwise you risk having a tough and dry bread! You don’t need a hand mixer or standing mixer, just use a spoon to stir the ingredients just until combined. The moment you can’t see streaks of flour, stop stirring.
- Don’t over-bake the bread! With most baked recipes, you insert a toothpick deep into the center to check for doneness. But with moist banana bread, by the time the toothpick comes out perfectly clean, the banana bread is over baked. So check the banana bread at the lowest time – if you insert a toothpick into the center and it has batter hanging off of it, leave the banana bread in the oven for a few more minutes. However, if there are just some moist crumbs hanging on it, take it out!
Find the full 4 Ingredient Banana Bread recipe with detailed instructions, storage tips, and a video tutorial in the printable form at the bottom of the post.
Storage Notes
- Storing Leftovers – Once cooled, wrap the loaf in plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Keep banana bread stored at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing – Banana bread is great for freezing! Let it cool completely before wrapping tightly in a layer of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Then place it in an airtight plastic ziploc freezer bag, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before enjoying.
Serving Suggestions
Slather warm slices of banana bread with a generous amount of soft unsalted butter, whipped honey butter or cinnamon butter, pistachio butter, or a bit of homemade peanut butter.
4 ingredient banana bread is also super yummy with peach preserves, strawberry jam or sweet and tart strawberry rhubarb jam, or fabulous homemade orange curd. Or any of your favorite jams, jellies, or spreads!
4 Ingredient Banana Bread (without Cake Mix!)
Video
Ingredients
- 4 ripe bananas smashed (about 2 cups smashed)
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 2 cups self-rising flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Set out a 5 x 9 inch bread pan. Grease the bread pan with nonstick cooking spray, or line it with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Set out a mixing bowl. Place the bananas in the mixing bowl and use a fork, or pastry blender, to smash the bananas well.
- Add the eggs and brown sugar to the smashed bananas. Mix until well combined. Then add the flour to the bowl. Stir the batter until the flour is completely incorporated, but no longer. Make sure not to over mix the batter!
- Pour the banana bread batter into the prepared pan. Place in the oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted deep into the center comes out mostly clean. *There should be no batter hanging to the toothpick, but it is OK if there's a little bit of crumb on the toothpick. Banana bread is very moist especially when hot.
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then flip it out of the bread pan and cool completely. Cut with a serrated knife when ready to serve.
Notes
- Unripe Bananas – Check out our super simple guide for how to turn yellow bananas into soft, brown bananas that are perfect for mashing.
- Top Tip – The key to having a great banana bread texture is to make sure the banana bananas are well smashed. Then to not over mix the batter. The moment all the flour is mixed into the batter, stop stirring!
- Storing Leftovers – Once cooled, wrap the loaf in plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Keep banana bread stored at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing – Banana bread is great for freezing! Let it cool completely before wrapping tightly in a layer of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Then place it in an airtight plastic ziploc freezer bag, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before enjoying.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
No brown bananas? No problem! Check out our super simple guide for how to turn yellow bananas into soft, brown bananas that are perfect for mashing.
This recipe will convert fairly well like most easy banana bread recipes. Divide the batter across a 12 cup muffin tin, and bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees. Be sure to check for doneness at the 15 minute mark so they don’t over bake.
