Oatmeal Banana Bread
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Aug 14, 2025 
You are going to go nuts over the flavor and moist texture of this incredible Oatmeal Banana Bread. This award-winning recipe is also easily adjusted to make a vegan banana bread version.
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
I have made a lot of banana bread variations over the years, but this is the recipe we always come back to… Hearty Oatmeal Banana Bread.
It involves simple ingredients, no-fuss preparation, pure banana-oat flavor, and a decadent texture. One of my friends even won an award using this oatmeal banana bread recipe!
The combination of ripe bananas and oats creates a lovely, tender, yet rustic texture. The oats soak up and hold the moisture from the bananas, so the bread doesn’t dry out quickly.
Why You’ll Love This Oatmeal Banana Bread
- Comforting – There is nothing more comforting than a warm, soft and incredibly moist banana bread, and this recipe truly makes the BEST slice of banana bread heaven!
- Versatile – This Banana Oat Bread can be served at room temperature, or warm, slathered with butter. It makes a marvelous breakfast or midday snack!
- Simple ingredients – There is nothing complicated about this recipe. Just gather together these easy-to-find staple pantry ingredients and get cookin’!
The sweet, earthy flavor of bananas, grains, and spices is simplistic and alluring. This is truly a recipe you will keep and reuse.
Ingredients and Tips
- Dry ingredients – Use all-purpose flour, baking powder and baking soda.
- Quick oats – These will give extra firmness and structure to the bread.
- Brown sugar – To get that extra sweetness, use a light brown sugar.
- Bananas – For the best results, make sure you are using very, very ripe bananas!
- Unsalted butter – Use room temperature softened butter.
- Eggs – Use large eggs again at room temperature.
- Milk – I like to use whole milk for this recipe.
- Vanilla extract – Make sure to use a high-quality vanilla extract.
- Apple pie spice – You can also add pumpkin pie spice blend instead.
Recipe Variations and Dietary Swaps
- Gluten-free – Use a GF baking mix and oats.
- Vegan – Swap the butter with vegan butter or coconut oil, the eggs with flax eggs (2 tbsp flax and 6 tbsp water), and replace the milk with a nut milk.
- Chocolate chips – Fold in mini dark or milk chocolate chips for extra richness.
- Nuts – If you want an extra crunch, mix in some chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Cinnamon – If you like the taste that cinnamon adds to banana bread, go ahead and add one teaspoon!
How To Make Oatmeal Banana Bread
Our ultra-comforting banana oatmeal bread recipe is so versatile! Although it includes animal products (like butter and eggs) the recipe is very easy to adjust for dietary needs.
Find the full Oatmeal Banana Bread recipe with detailed instructions and storage tips in the printable form at the bottom of the post!
Tips For Success
- If you can’t wait for days for your bananas to turn dark brown, quick-ripen them by popping them in a 350-degree F oven for 5-8 minutes. They will get very dark and very ripe!
- Don’t over mix the batter. Otherwise, the bread will come out rubbery!
- If you don’t use parchment paper, make sure to grease your loaf pan.
Storage Notes
- Storing Leftovers – You can store any leftover banana bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days!
- Freezing Leftovers – Be sure to wrap it well with plastic, and then with foil. If the wrapping is tight, you can freeze the bread for 3-6 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving!
- Reheating Leftovers – Reheat for a few seconds in the microwave and slather on some butter!
Serving Suggestions
I love to top off a nice and warm slice of banana bread with a smear of butter or a heaping dollop of peanut butter for an even heartier bite.
You can also toast a thick slice of banana bread and enjoy it with your favorite cup of coffee for either breakfast or a midday pick me up.
Banana Oatmeal Bread Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour (or GF baking mix)
- 1 cup quick oats
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 3 very ripe bananas (1 ½ cups mashed)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons apple pie spice (or pumpkin pie spice)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Set out a 9X5 loaf pan. Cut a strip of parchment paper 9 inches wide. Then fold it to fit down into the bottom and long edges of the pan. Spray or grease the pan and paper.
- Smash the bananas and measure out 1 ½ cups.
- Set out a large mixing bowl. Add the flour, oats, brown sugar, apple pie spice, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix well. Then mix in the mashed banana, melted butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
- Pour or scoop the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the top with extra oats if desired. Then bake for 45-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted deep into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the bread to rest in the pan for 15 minutes. Then lift is out by the edges of the parchment paper. Wait until the loaf is fully cooled to cut.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Well, no, not really. Although this banana bread recipe includes healthy bananas and oats, it also involves a decent amount of butter, sugar, and white flour, making it more like cake than bread.
Therefore, it does have more fat, carbs, and calories than standard sandwich bread or French bread. Think of our banana oatmeal bread as more of a decadent breakfast or snack than a health food. *wink*
For a healthy banana bread recipe, try my high protein banana bread instead!
Very. The darker and softer the bananas are, the more flavor and sweetness they lend to the bread! Also, the squishy texture makes the bread ultra moist and luxurious. Banana oat bread is a great way to use up the black bananas sitting on your countertop!
We can how you How to Ripen Bananas Fast if needed!
If your banana bread is too wet in the middle, most likely you added too much smashed banana, or too little flour. It’s best to smash the bananas and measure in cups, rather than just counting bananas. With flour, first stir and fluff the flour in the bag/container. Then, scoop it into the measuring cups and level the top.
Very enjoyable recipe! The apple pie spice was a nice touch. I included a respective cup of chocolate chips and sweetened coconut, and topped it with oats, slivered almonds, and brown sugar. I was worried it was too heavy on the banana but it turned into a lovely loaf! In addition, I mixed together the wet ingredients first (mixed before and after adding milk, having solidified the melted butter one too many times in the past by mixing it straight with the cold milk). Made in muffins is perfect too, done in half an hour flat.
My family loved everything about this recipe. A little heartier than most banana breads I make – not too much sugar for the kids – love it!!
What is GF baking mix? Are you referring to Bisquick type of mix? Or do you mean a 1 to 1 gf flour? I’m confused. Help?
Hi there,
Most gluten free flours are a combination of ingredients to replicate wheat flour. You can just use a 1-to-1 GF flour. Hope this helps!
Super moist, not quite sweet enough for me. I’ll add 1/4 cup white sugar next time, but absolutely delicious! Keeping this one!!