mayonnaise banana bread
There are a lot of banana bread recipes out there claiming to be THE best banana bread. I’ve made a lot of quick breads and banana breads and I’m not kidding when I say this is the easiest and best I’ve ever eaten. The “secret” ingredient is mayonnaise! I know it sounds kind of weird, but trust me. This recipe yields a loaf of banana bread that’s ridiculously moist, just sweet enough, and you probably have everything you need in your fridge and pantry to whip up a loaf. We love this with tea and as a lunch box treat.
Yup. Mayonnaise. Who would have thunk it?
~ preheat oven to 350 degrees F. ~
In a large bowl, combine:
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup + 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise (not Miracle Whip)
3 to 4 very ripe bananas, mashed (3 if they’re really big, 4 if they’re smallish)
1 and 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon sea salt
Generously butter a 9×5 loaf pan. Mix everything until just combined. Don’t over-mix. Pour batter into prepared pan. Smooth top and bake in 350 degree oven for 55 to 65 minutes–just until a toothpick or wooden skewer comes out with a few moist crumbs stuck to it when inserted into the center of the loaf. Cool loaf in pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool the rest of the way. Enjoy slightly warm, at room temperature or cold.
~Melissa
Made this today. It is excellent! I added a little vanilla and some chopped walnuts. It took a little longer to get completely done in the center, but I just kept checking it every 5 minutes until the toothpick came out clean. Will definitely make again.
SO happy you like it! Thanks for visiting and commenting! 🙂
how long will the freshly baked bread last in the fridge?
a week 🙂
It is soooooo gooodd and really delicious!!! Thenk you!!!!
Yay! I’m so happy you like it! XO ~M
Where the recipe says baking soda..does it mean baking powder or is it carb soda?…In Australia baking powder is used witb plain flour to assist witb the rising of the cake…but not needed if using self’raising flour..where as carb soda is used to enrich colour …Which is it in this recipe is it for rising with a plain flour ???
Baking soda is used as a rising agent with plain, all purpose flour in this recipe. 🙂
In the states, we have baking powder and baking soda. Baking soda is the same as bicarbonate of soda and in the UK.
Thanks, Arland! 🙂
Arland, we have the same here in Australia. We have baking powder, baking soda and bicarbonate of soda as you’ve said both “soda’s” are the same product. I’ll be trying this banana bread as I always seem to buy too many bananas then find I’m just having to make another “banana bread” with whatever variation I add. Can’t have enough “banana bread” in the freezer for unexpected guests arriving, just slice, thaw it out and serve. Voila!
Barf
Aw! Well, thousands of people who have tried my recipe and LOVE it can’t be wrong. 😉 Just sayin… Have a wonderful day, Josephine. Bless your heart.
where in the recipe does it call for baking powder or baking soda or did I miss it Thanks
sorry but i see
it now thanks
Baking soda is just that
Banana recipes call for the soda.. yes I lived in Australia… use carb
How long did you end up baking it?
55 to 65 minutes, as the recipe indicates.
Was it good
banana bread
mmmmmm!
I made this today. I added 1 tsp. of vanilla and chopped pecans. I made 3 mini loaves of the most delicious, moist banana bread. thank you for the recipe. I will be making this one again and again.
bake the mini loaves for 45 min.
So happy you like the recipe, Lorraine! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
My daughter baked this and gave me a loaf..I am HOOKED!!!! Know what I will be doing with my ripe bananas from now on, We love pecans, so would add minced pecans in mine..I have baked a lot of banana breads..but this it the TOTAL WINNER.
Yay!!! 🙂 So happy you like the recipe, Marylee! I agree. This is the last word in banana bread. You’ll never need another recipe! Thanks for visiting! XO ~M
Thanks for letting us know times for the mini loaves. I have several mini loaf pans that I would like to use for this recipe.
Such a great little gift idea. Love those mini loaves 🙂
just the though of anyone even having a jar of Miracle Whip in the pantry makes me shudder
This bread sound crazy delish and I will have to bake a loaf for my father this weekend.
Thanks for the great recipe!!
I’m not a fan of Miracle Whip either, Peggy 😉 Enjoy the recipe! xo
Miracle Whip is salad dressing – compare the ingredients
That is true. Miracle Whip is a completely different thing and I don’t think I’d try it in this bread.
Miracle Whip makes a great moist chocolate cake and you put peanut butter frosting on it. Have made it for years. I have a different banana bread recipe but want to try this one. Always like to try new recipes.
Ok have mine in the oven!! Can’t wait to try it. Thank you
I just put two loaves in the oven. I never tried baking banana bread but the over ripe bananas were falling out of the freezer. LOL. My friend shared this recipe with me. Wish me luck.
Haha same here. Miracle whip touched my lips just once in my lifetime. 🙂
I added walnuts to this recipe and baked it in a budnt pan *i could not find my loaf pan* at 350 for 45 minutes and it came out amazing. Best banana bread pin I’ve found and I’ve tried several. Enjoying some right now with a little bit of butter. Thanks!
Hi Tanisha! I’m happy you like the recipe. Thanks for trying it, and for commenting! 🙂 ~M
Can you use this recipes for muffins? How long to bake?
Hello, Sunny! I’ve actually never tried making this bread into muffins. I imagine it would work just fine. Try baking them for a third of the time and then go from there. I do know that muffins usually don’t take as much time to bake as a whole leaf of quick bread. Hope this helps! 🙂
What about high altitude adjustments ???
I’m not sure, Linda. I’ve never made this or any other bread in a high altitude. The best advice I can give is to say that you could do what you usually do when you bake quick bread or cake. Hope this helps! 🙂
Do you think one could use a light best foods mayonnaise? All I have.
Hi Kim! 🙂
I’ve never made this with light mayonnaise. My guess would be that a light mayonnaise wouldn’t have enough oil in it for it to work in this recipe. Hope this helps! 🙂 ~M
This was excellent! My boyfriend was skeptical about using the mayo but this is the most moist banana bread I have ever had! Definitely a do over!
I’m so happy to hear that you and your boyfriend liked it, Sabrina! Thanks for visiting my page. XO ~M 🙂
Did you use any baking powder?
no… I used egg and baking soda.
I use mayo in my cornbread and biscuits . Make it real moist . Also use in cakes , wonderful in chocolate mayonnaise cake . Try it , you will like it .
I agree, such a great addition to baked goods 🙂 Enjoy the banana bread, Leta! ~M
can you use sour cream?
Hi, Delfina! 🙂
If you’d like to make sour cream banana bread, here’s my recipe. It’s a bit different than the Mayonnaise Banana Bread, but it’s still very good! Hope you like it. Here’s the link:
http://chindeep.com/2013/09/04/sour-cream-banana-bread/
This is by far..THE BEST banana bread I’ve made. Very moist and tastes delicious with chopped Walnuts added 🙂
Yay! I’m so happy you like it! 🙂 XO ~M
With this recipe could you use zucchini instead. How would that turn out?
I’m not sure. I’ve never tried substituting.
I’m in England and want to make this recipie. When you say all purpose flour is that what we call plain flour or self raising flour?
Self rising flour contains baking powder… All purpose doesn’t. So I guess I’d just use whatever doesn’t contain extra stuff. 🙂 Hope that helps, Lisa! Thanks for visiting!
Thanks hun I’m going to give it a try 2mre and see how it turns out. Thanks for the help!!
My pleasure! Enjoy 🙂
Plain flour
All purpose=plain, I’m pretty sure.
Yes. All purpose flour has no added rising agents. 🙂
Could u use miracle whip that’s the kind I will eat?
Hi Shari!
I know a lot of people like Miracle Whip and use it in place of Mayonnaise for stuff like sandwiches. Miracle Whip won’t work in this particular recipe though. Sorry about that. Thanks for visiting. That was a very good question 🙂 ~M
My mom told me that during the depression they used mayonnaise as a filler – great in scrambled eggs too! It has an additional egg and oil in it.
Smart lady! 🙂 Thanks for sharing that with me.
What if you use normal salt… Not sea??
that works 🙂 I like to use pink Himalayan sea salt in place of regular table salt in all of my recipes because it’s better for you.
Your reply made me giggle….yes the pink salt is better for you, however the amount of mayo in the recipe kind of makes ” better for you” moot point,,
Hi Dese,
Mayonnaise, especially organic mayo, isn’t bad for you. If you’re active, taking in this type of fat, even every day, is encouraged. I try to make small changes for the better every day. Using the pink (or grey, or black) salt actually is better for you. This is one of the small changes I’ve made. You could substitute pure maple syrup or raw sugar for the regular sugar, if you wish, and if consuming “healthy” banana bread is a concern for you 🙂 Anyhoo… to answer the original question, when reading a recipe, most salt is interchangeable. No worries. ~M
My husband loves raisins, could I add them to this. Thanksso much! Looks delicious!
sure! that would be a yummy addition. Thanks for stopping by, Christine 🙂
I just made the Banana Bread. The best I ever made…so moist and easy to make. I made big and little pans. Some with pecans and some without. And I don’t ever use Miracle Whip anymore, I try to use all natural foods. So was happy to see it was Mayo!!
Thank you Melissa!!
Hello there! Thanks so much for stopping by to leave your sweet comment. 🙂 So glad you like the recipe. It’s my favorite too. You made my day! XO ~M
This is the best Banana bread I have ever made. Only used 1/2 the salt and replaced the extra 2 tablespoons of mayo with chunky apple sauce and also added some cinnamon to the mix. My kids absolutely scoffed it down (so did Hubby). I’ve been making a new one every 2nd day for their lunch boxes. This is definitely a keeper. Thank you
So happy you like the recipe, Tanya! 🙂
I’ve made banana bread before but by fare this the best moist banana bread I have ever baked and eaten. Made it for potluck and it was the talk for the event.
Hi Marva! I’m so pleased you like my recipe! Thanks for letting me know, and for stopping by. 🙂 XO ~M
I just popped my first batch into the oven. I added a tsp. of vanilla, toasted chopped cashews (thought I had pecans, but didn’t), unsweetened coconut flakes, and an extra tablespoon of sour cream, due to the coconut and nuts.
Oh, almost forgot, after buttering the baking dish, I sprinkled raw sugar around, then added the batter, THEN sifted raw sugar over the top of the batter before baking.
All my ingredients were organic, just cause I live, eat and shop that way.
I just cannot leave a recipe alone, always gotta mess with it!
Hope it turns out as well as the reviews I read from others.
I’ll let ya know!
Suzy
I was told it was the BEST banana bread ever from my co-workers…wonder if that’s because I write their pay checks or, hum…
Really, it was delicious. I am over ripening some bananas right now to make this again!
Suzy
Yay!!! Thanks for letting me know, Suzy! 🙂
Interested in trying this with a pumpkin bread. Would you just substitute a cup of pumpkin puree for the mashed bananas do you think? And add some pumpkin spice or cinnamon and nutmeg mixture?
I think that would work, Becky! 🙂
I only have brown sugar. Will this work in the recipe?
Angela
That should be just fine 🙂
My daughter found a recipe similar to this years ago but it used Miracle Whip. We made them into muffins. With Walnuts and chocolate chips. They were fast and fabulous. My daughter burned the recipe,,,,,,,,lol. They were too fast and too easy and too good.
Yum! Sounds awesome, Karen! 🙂
Has anybody tried this with light mayo?
Hi Melody 🙂
Light mayo won’t work for this. The bread needs that extra fat from the fully-loaded mayo. Great question. Thanks for visiting! ~M
Just made this mayonnaise banana bread today and it is amazing!! Since I had a zucchini and a can of crushed pineapple on hand and all the ingredients already out, I made a loaf of zucchini pineapple bread too. I added pumpkin pie spice, vanilla and walnuts to both breads. Great recipe!!
Wonderful, Phyllis! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by. I’m happy you like the banana bread! XO ~M
Added a 1/4 to 1/3 cup finely chopped pecan; delicious!
Ooh! Love that addition! Pecans are so good 🙂 Awesome added crunch. Thanks for sharing, Gar!
Can this be microwaved? If so, how long for ?thx
Hi Fee! 🙂
I’ve never tried microwaving this bread. Sorry I can’t be more help. Please let me know if you try it and how it works. ~M
I am going to make this. I also will add walnuts to it.
I made your banana bread to the letter. Came out better then expected. My co-workers also loved it. They suggested I add walnuts and adjust the sugar to include brown sugar. This a good recipe. Thank you!
Why can’t you use Miracle Whip instead of mayonnaise for this recipe? What does the Miracle Whip do to the recipe that makes it unusable? I’m just curious.
It has to do with sugar and fat content. Miracle Whip is totally different than real mayonnaise. 🙂
I said it before, but this is absolutely the BEST banana bread recipe! I make it a least every 2 weeks. Husband loves it and devours it in 24 hours!
Yay!!! So happy you like it, Adelle! 🙂 XO ~M
Can this be made with gluten free 1 to 1 flour
I’ve never tried making it with GF flour. Sorry I couldn’t be more help.
I made this bread today and it is really good, but am wondering why the outside of my bread comes out really dark, just shy of burnt. My cousin said hers does the same thing. Is it the mayo? Or maybe the pan. I used a dark pan.
Strange. That doesn’t happen to me. Comes out perfect every time. Possibly you’re baking the bread too long? I also only bake with glass pans. Hope that helps! 🙂 ~M
Will try again. Cooked the first one 60 minutes and it was perfect inside..
Enjoy 🙂
If you use a dark pan, reduce oven temp to 325°F.
My mother has a recipe for chocolate mayonnaise cake. It is so delicious and moist. I will definitely be trying the banana bread
can you make zucchini bread the same way?
Just wondering if you could do this with gluten free Robin Hood All Purpose Flour and get similar results?
Hi Theresa 🙂
Generally GF all purpose flours work similar to regular all purpose flours, so I think it should work. However, I’ve never tried making this recipe GF. Please let me know how it works for you. Thanks for visiting! 🙂 ~M
Can you use hole wheat flour instead of regular flour?
Sure, just use a bit less. Use 3/4 cup of flour to every 1 cup of all purpose flour, as a general rule. Hope that helps!
I have so-o-o much zucchini! Do you think I could substitute some for the banana?
I’ve never tried it, but I don’t see why not. 🙂 Just squeeze that zucchini dry before adding.
Can I use salad dressing in place of mayo?
No. It won’t work and will make your bread weird. 🙂
Made this today – this is the best banana bread recipe ever!
YAY!!! 😀 I agree, best ever. Thanks so much, Elena.
If you wanted to make this into muffins, how long would they cook for?
J made it and it was AWESOME.. Very moist and delicious and easy and I put in a 13×9 pan and baked for 25 min.. Love it. Donna
Hi Donna! So happy you like the recipe! 🙂
do you have to use unbleached flour?
No, you can just use all purpose flour.
I don’t have unbleached flour?! I’m sorry I don’t know the difference?! Is the other ok to use?! Thanks!!
You can just use regular, all purpose flour.
I have made this before following your recipe and I just had to come back and give my review.
This loaf is truly awesome! It’s the easiest and best, moist loaf ever. If anyone makes this loaf and it didn’t turn out right, they are not following the instruction properly. Thank you Melissa for my “go to” recipe when I want something quick and easy and delicious too!
Thank you, Audrey! What an awesome review. I truly appreciate you taking the time to stop by and I’m so happy you love the bread! 🙂 XO ~M
I just made this for a 2nd time! This IS the only banana bread I will ever make! I always add nuts to my loaves! The family went crazy for this and Shhhhh I didn’t tell them the secret ingredient!!
Yay!!! 🙂 It’s our favorite too… and your secret is safe with me! lol
Absolutely LOVE this recipe!! It is THE BEST Banana Bread recipe EVER! We cannot get enough of it! This is the only one for us! I always add nuts and 1 teaspoon of banana extract. In fact, I have a loaf in my oven right now! Smells AMAZING! THANK YOU FOR THIS PERFECT RECIPE 💛😊
Hello there! I just happened to be online when your sweet message pinged me. I am SO happy you love the recipe. I agree! It’s the only banana bread recipe you’ll ever need. Enjoy… I can smell your banana bread baking from here 🙂 hee hee XOXO ~M
Great recipe, This is the 3rd time I’m making this banana bread and it’s awesome.
yay! I’m so happy you like it! 🙂 enjoy.
Hi Mellisa….Just celebrated my 95th birthday and made your banana
bread,,,,the best ever…love cooking , baking and trying out new recipes…Canada
is my home………
This is the ONLY banana bread recipe I will use, it is that good, I always add a touch of banana extract and chopped pecans which puts this over the top! I’ve made this umpteen times and have one in my oven right now, perfect for my afternoon coffee on this snowy day! I find myself always buying bananas at the store so I have ripe ones on hand to make this! Thank you so much!
I’m so pleased you like the recipe 🙂 Thanks for letting me know!
I want to print the recipe There does not seem an icon for just that?
Right under the title there’s a “print friendly version” option.
I’ve just made this for the umptenth time! It is my ONLY banana bread recipe I will use. I always add a teaspoon of banana extract & chopped pecans, a must in banana bread! I also line my loaf pan with parchment sprayed with canola oil. Can’t wait to have a slice with my coffee ☕️ 🍌💛
My ONLY Banana Bread recipe! I have a loaf in the oven right now. I always add either chopped pecans or walnuts and a teaspoon of banana extract!
Yay! So happy you like it! 🙂
Can you switch out Almond flour for regular flour to make it Keto?
I’ve never tried that. Let me know how it works for you 🙂
My absolutely favorite banana bread recipe. I always add a teaspoon of banana extract and chopped pecans! Just made one and it’s in my oven baking. It’s a big loaf so I usually end up baking closer to 1 hour & 5 or 10 minutes. I also like to keep this loaf in the refrigerator.
Yay! Love your additions! Thanks for sharing, KMP 🙂
STILL making this awesome banana bread! I always add a teaspoon of banana extract and a cup of chopped walnuts or pecans! This is my only BB recipe,
So glad you like it! 🙂
This is the BEST! This is the only recipe I use!
This is my fav banana bread and I’ve tried a few dozen recipes over the years. Ty so much for sharing it!
You’re welcome! So happy you like it 🙂