The Best Ways to Eat Banana Bread and How to Serve It

I’ll be honest: As soon as I’m done baking a loaf of banana bread, I’m ready to slice it up and dig in. Waiting for the warm banana bread to cool to room temperature is nearly impossible! In my opinion, the best way to eat is warm, right out of the oven. But there are so many different ways to serve banana bread. 

Before I delve into all the amazing ways to enjoy banana bread, check out my go-to banana bread recipe. Trust me when I say that if you’ve got a few overripe bananas lying around, you’re gonna want to try this easy recipe. But don’t blame me once you’ve eaten the entire loaf!

Ways to Eat Banana Bread

There’s something so comforting about a freshly baked loaf of banana bread. 

• ​Enjoy banana bread on its own, simply sliced and savored at room temperature.
• Add a drizzle of olive oil, coconut oil, melted butter, a dollop of sour cream, or some sliced fresh fruits.
• Warm a slice of banana bread in a toaster for a slightly crisp exterior and a warm, melty interior.
• Spread butter, nut butter, or even a drizzle of honey on your toasted or untoasted banana bread slice.
• Pair your banana bread with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for a comforting and satisfying combination.

Creative Ways to Transform Banana Bread

Take things up a notch and turn your homemade banana bread into an all-new dish. 

• French Toast: Use banana bread slices into decadent french toast for breakfast. Top with maple syrup, brown sugar, fresh fruit, or whipped cream.
• Parfaits: Layer crumbled banana bread with yogurt, granola, and fresh fruit for a healthy and satisfying parfait. If you’re a chocolate lover like me, I recommend adding a handful of chocolate chips for a sweet treat. 
• Ice Cream Sundaes: Crumble banana bread over ice cream sundaes for a delicious topping. Pair it with dark chocolate, whipped cream, and nuts for a flavor explosion.
• Sandwiches: Have you ever had a peanut butter sandwich using your own banana bread? This is your sign to make one immediately.
• Breakfast Bowls: Build your own breakfast bowl featuring banana bread chunks, yogurt, granola, seeds, and fresh fruit for a protein-packed and delicious start to your day.

Beyond Breakfast: Savory and Sweet Uses for Banana Bread

• Bread Pudding Potential: Cube leftover banana bread and use it in bread pudding for a sweet dessert.
• Snacking on the Go: Portion out banana bread slices in individual bags or containers. 
• Smoothie Surprise: Add frozen banana bread cubes to smoothies for a boost of flavor and added texture. 
• Turn Muffins into Cupcakes: If you made your banana bread using muffin tins, grab your mixing bowl and an electric hand mixer to make cream cheese frosting.

My Favorite Banana Bread Tips

Baking Tips:

• Don’t underestimate the importance of ripeness! Use medium bananas with brown speckles for the sweetest flavor and moistest texture. Avoid green bananas or bananas with black mushy spots.
• ​Place the wet ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Place the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Then, slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet. While a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer certainly help, your arm is strong. Use it!
• Resist the urge to overmix! Once the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients are just combined, stop mixing. Overmixing can lead to a tough and dense loaf.
• Take the chill off your eggs and butter before mixing. This allows them to incorporate more efficiently and creates a smoother batter.
• Grease your loaf pan properly to prevent sticking. Parchment paper liners can also be helpful for easy removal.
• To start, I recommend baking slightly under the recommended bake time. Use a toothpick test—insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf; it should come out clean with a few moist crumbs. Overbaking leads to dry and crumbly bread.
• Banana bread isn’t limited to loaves. I typically bake banana bread in an x4-inch loaf pan or an x5-inch loaf pan. But for quicker baking and individual portions, I use a muffin tin for banana muffins.

Healthy Swaps:

• Fats: Instead of butter or oil, I like using unsweetened applesauce for some moisture and a lighter texture. Opt for avocado oil or olive oil for a heart-healthy fat source.
• Sugar: Occasionally I reduce the overall sugar content in the recipe by 1/4 to 1/3. I also often use half of the white sugar with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup. These options offer a touch of sweetness with added nutrients
• Flour: Substitute all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a boost of fiber. Explore gluten-free flour blends for a dietary restriction-friendly option.
• ​Sweeteners: Consider using ripe bananas as a natural sweetener. The riper the banana, the sweeter it will be, potentially allowing you to reduce the added sugar further.
• Add-ins: When I know I’ll be eating the banana bread for breakfast, I’ll swap chocolate chips for chopped nuts, seeds, or dried fruit like cranberries or raisins. All of these options give a satisfying and healthy crunch.

Storing Tips:

• Cool Completely: Let your banana bread cool completely on a wire rack before storing it. Trapped heat can lead to moisture condensation and mold growth.
• Airtight is the Way to Go: Store your banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or a reusable container all work well.
• Freeze for Later: For more extended storage, banana bread freezes beautifully! Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Alternatively, place the slices in a freezer bag. Frozen banana bread will keep for up to 3 months.

Using Banana Bread:

• Classic Slice: The most obvious way to enjoy banana bread is simply sliced and enjoyed on its own, perhaps toasted with a smear of butter or jam.
• French Toast Twist: This is one of my favorite ways to use leftover banana bread. Use the banana bread slices instead of regular bread for a decadent French toast breakfast.
• Parfait Perfection: Layer crumbled banana bread with yogurt, granola, and fresh fruit for a healthy and satisfying parfait.
• Bread Pudding for Dessert: Cube leftover banana bread and use it in bread pudding for a unique and flavorful twist.
• Snacking on the Go: Portion banana bread into individual slices or mini loaves for a grab-and-go snack that’s perfect for lunchboxes or after-school treats.

So, despite the willpower-testing aroma of warm banana bread, I always recommend letting it cool completely before digging in. Patience is a virtue, and a cool loaf will slice and store much better. But hey, I get it  –  fresh-out-of-the-oven banana bread is pretty darn tempting!

Now that you’re armed with my tips and tricks, why not give my easy banana bread recipe a try? I can’t wait to hear what you think! Happy baking!