This banana macadamia nut bread is an easy and delicious quick bread recipe with chopped macadamia nuts and ripe bananas. The perfect recipe for those ripe bananas that are sitting on your counter.

Banana bread is one of the most classic quick breads around. It seems like all of us have made this bread or have someone in the family who makes it regularly, and I think that’s because it just feels like a slice of home when you bite into it. I know it does for me. Growing up, my mom made banana bread with our leftover bananas all the time. She’d even freeze our overripe bananas to keep for making her delicious bread at a later date.
When I grew up and started cooking, I made banana bread all the time, as well. In fact, it was something that I almost always had on hand for the kids and their friends to snack on when they came home from school or their extracurricular activities. Of course, I snacked on it quite a bit myself! It’s so delicious and so easy, and I think you’re going to love it.
Banana Macadamia Nut Bread
This delicious banana bread recipe is loaded with the sweet banana flavor we all love about this bread along with the rich, buttery flavor of macadamia nuts. Using just a few simple ingredients, this recipe creates a moist, dense banana bread that is absolutely perfect when served with a little butter and a glass of milk. Every bite is rich and flavorful. It’s an explosion of banana goodness in your mouth!
Why You’ll Love This Banana Macadamia Nut Bread Recipe
- It’s moist and delicious. This recipe is everything banana bread should be. It’s dense, but it’s not dry. In fact, it’s very moist, making it even better.
- It uses simple pantry staples. If you eat bananas regularly, the only thing you might have to shop for is macadamia nuts.
- It’s super easy to make! Those few ingredients translate to a few steps, so you’ll be in and out of the kitchen fast.
Tips and Variations
Although this recipe is quite simple, I have some tips that will help you make it the best it can possibly be. I also have some fun ideas for variations so you can switch things up from time to time.
Tips
- If you use a glass baking dish, lower the temperature to 325 degrees when baking.
- Use very overripe bananas if possible. The best bananas are the ones with very dark skin and banana flesh that is very soft and turning brown. They’re not pretty, but they’re so good in the bread.
- Only mix the batter until just combined to ensure your bread stays tender.
Variations
- Try adding different nuts like walnuts, pecans, or almonds.
- Adding milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, or dark chocolate chips is always a tasty addition. You can also add cinnamon to make it a more traditional banana bread recipe.
- Add sweetened flaked coconut for a delicious flavor of the tropics.
- For even more sweetness, drizzle a simple glaze of powdered sugar and milk over the top of your bread.
Banana Macadamia Nut Bread FAQ
If you have questions about this banana macadamia nut bread, then read on. The following FAQ answers the most frequently asked questions about this recipe.
How long is banana bread good?
This banana bread will be at peak freshness for about 4 days in a resealable container at room temperature, but it will last for up to 6 days.
Can you freeze banana bread?
Yes, you can. Wrap the loaf or slices in a double layer of plastic wrap and then in a layer of foil. Place the wrapped loaf directly in the freezer. Place the wrapped slices in an air-tight, freezer-safe container. The bread will keep for up to 4 months.
What are the best bananas for banana bread?
Very overripe. The skin should be black or, at the very least, streaked with black or brown. The rule of thumb is that there’s no such thing as a too-ripe banana when it comes to making banana bread.
Why is my banana bread dry?
There’s not enough moisture in it. If you use too much flour, your bread will be dry. On the other hand, if you use too little, it will be too wet.
How to Ripen Bananas Quickly
Place your bananas in a paper bag such as a brown paper lunch bag or grocery bag. Then add a ripe banana or apple and loosely fold the paper bag closed. The ethylene produced by the ripe banana or apple will encourage the other bananas to ripen further.
How to Store Banana Macadamia Nut Bread
Never refrigerate your banana bread. The cold air dries it out. Instead, place your bread on a plate and cover it will plastic wrap or place it in an air-tight container (the better option, in my opinion).
Ingredients for Banana Macadamia Nut Bread
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this delicious banana bread.
- All purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Butter
- Sugar
- Large egg, slightly beaten
- Ripe bananas, mashed approximately 4 bananas
- Chopped macadamia nuts
How to Make Banana Macadamia Nut Bread
Just like the ingredient list, the instructions for this recipe are incredibly simple. It only takes a few steps to make!
Step 1: Prep
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9×5 loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. Then, mash the bananas as thoroughly as possible.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a small bowl, whisk flour and baking soda together and set aside.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar together until creamy on medium speed using a hand or stand mixer. Then, add the egg and beat until combined. Finally, add the mashed bananas into the mixing bowl and stir.
Step 4: Make the Bread Batter
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Then, stir in half cup macadamia nuts.
Step 5: Bake
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Serve warm with butter.
Try This Delicious Banana Macadamia Nut Bread Today
This banana macadamia nut bread is everything we’ve ever loved about this sweet quickbread. It’s dense, moist, and overflowing with the flavors of banana and macadamia nuts. It’s a classic treat that everyone always loves. Keep it on hand for snacking, as a sweet breakfast, or even a dessert. However you decide to serve it, I know you’ll come back to this recipe again and again.
Looking for More Banana Dessert Recipes?
Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas – This super simple dessert is made with three ingredients and make a great dessert for summertime.
Bananas Foster Monkey Bread – This recipe makes a great dessert or a sweet appetizer that is made with biscuits that are rolled in cinnamon and sugar.
Try this delicious Double Chocolate Banana Bread from Great Grub, Delicious Treats. It’s a chocolate banana bread, but is loaded with lots of chocolate chips. Also try these Banana Bars are a banana cake that is topped with a cream cheese frosting.
Banana Macadamia Nut Bread
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- â…“ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg, slightly beaten
- 2 cups ripe bananas, mashed approximately 4 bananas
- ½ cup chopped macadamia nuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° and spray a 9×5 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray, set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk flour and baking soda together. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer or stand mixer, beat butter and sugar together until creamy.
- Add egg and beat until combined then add mashed bananas. Stir.
- Add dry ingredients into wet ingredients and stir just until combined.
- Sprinkle macadamia nuts into the mixture, stir.
- Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish and bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and serve warm with a pad of butter.
Here are a few pics that are the perfect size for saving to your favorite Pinterest boards.