Simple Banana Berry Bread with Mayonnaise

If you’re looking for the perfect loaf of banana bread, one rich with berry flavor, this is the recipe for you! There’s a surprise ingredient in this one. . .mayonnaise! 

Why Bake with Mayonnaise? 

Mayonnaise might seem like a strange baking ingredient, but it serves multiple purposes. Here are just a few: 

1. Moisture: Mayonnaise is made up (mostly) of oil and eggs, which can add moisture to baked goods like this banana bread recipe. This, I learned in my original Banana Bread with Mayonnaise recipe, a personal favorite. This can be especially useful in recipes where you want a moist texture, which is the case with this loaf of bread. 
2. Richness: The oil content in mayonnaise can add richness to this bread, giving it a tender texture and a slightly savory flavor. (Don’t worry! It doesn’t taste like mayonnaise. I promise!)
3. Convenience: Mayo is ready to go and chances are pretty good you’ve already got some in your kitchen. It’s a great substitute for eggs and oil in many recipes, like this one. I used it in my Brown Sugar Pecan Cookies and Oatmeal Blueberry Muffins with Mayonnaise.
4. Consistency: Mayonnaise can help create a consistent texture in baked goods, which means they turn out well each time you make them. That’s certainly the case here! 

Common recipes where mayonnaise is used in baking include chocolate cakes, muffins, and biscuits. However, it’s important to use it in moderation and consider the flavor profile of your recipe, as the tanginess of mayonnaise may not complement every flavor combination.

Ingredients

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a Quick Look at what you’ll. need. These are simple ingredients you might already have on hand.

• 3 large extra ripe bananas
• 3/4 cup whole fat mayonnaise (add a full cup if your bananas are small/medium in size)
• 1 large room temperature egg
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped pecans (optional) 
• 1 1/4 cups chopped fresh berries (your choice) 

Note: I went with blackberries because that’s what I had on hand but you can add any berries you like. Just make sure they’re small berries or chopped into pieces. 

How to Make Banana Berry Bread

This comes together so easily! Just follow a few simple steps.

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Grease and flour a loaf pan and set aside.

In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, mash the overripe bananas. 

Add vanilla, mayonnaise, egg, and sugar. 

Mix until it all comes together. You’ll have a soupy batter. 

Add the flour, salt, and baking powder. Don’t worry if the batter still feels a little thin. 

If you’re adding pecans, this is the time to stir them in. Then gently fold in the berries. 

Add the batter to the prepared pan. 

Place in preheated oven and bake for 50 – 60 minutes or until golden brown. Mine took a full hour. 

Remove and place on wire rack to cool. 

After about 10 – 15 minutes turn out the loaf directly onto the rack to continue cooling. 

Slice and serve. 

Store leftovers in refrigerator, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container. It should stay good for 4 – 5 days. You can freeze this bread to eat later. 

What to Expect from this Recipe

Talk about a delicious treat!

I think I mentioned earlier that banana bread made with mayo is my all-time favorite. It’s moist, rich, and delicious. And I already knew that I would love berries in my banana bread because I’ve got an amazing banana berry cake with similar flavor profile.

It was the addition of the pecans I wasn’t sure about. But I’m awfully glad I added them. Berries, bananas, and pecans are a terrific trio! This truly is the perfect combination of bananas, berries and other luscious flavors.

This is one loaf I’m happy to have on hand, as I’m currently on several writing deadlines and plan to stay home a lot over the next few days to write. So, having banana bread ready-to-go is perfect! This moist bread really hits the spot and will make an easy breakfast treat.

Variations on this Great Recipe

This is my new favorite banana bread recipe! If you like this as a whole loaf, why not try it in a bundt pan? I think it would make a terrific banana berry bundt. It’s such an easy banana bread recipe that you can change it up all kinds of ways. Here are a few ideas that come to mind.

Juicy blueberries: I think this would make an amazing flavor combination! To make a blueberry banana bread recipe, just swap out the berries (fresh blueberries in place of blackberries).

Raspberries: I love raspberries and I think they would be amazing in this recipe. 

Cranberries: Looking for the perfect holiday banana bread? Simple! Add chopped cranberries to the batter for a sharp cranberry flavor! 

Mixed Berry Banana Bread: Use a combination of several berries instead of choosing just one. I think this would be amazing!

Chocolate in place of berries: This is a simple substitute. Just replace the berries with chocolate chips. Flour the chips before adding them so they don’t sink to the bottom. 

Mini loaves: Bake this recipe up in mini loaf pans, if you like. Any good banana bread recipe is fun in smaller pans.

Greek Yogurt: You can swap out yogurt (or even sour cream) for mayonnaise but you might want to add an egg to the recipe.

Banana Berry Muffins: This would make an amazing muffin recipe! (I love that yummy banana flavor in muffin form and you will, too.)

Other Quick Breads from Out of the Box Baking

If you like this delicious bread you’ll love these other offerings from Out of the Box!

Lemon Coconut Loaf with Pecans: This lush lemon loaf is perfect any time of day! You’re going to love this simple but delicious quick bread.

Homemade Pumpkin Bread: It’s fall here in the south and everyone is adding pumpkin to their favorite cakes, pies, and cookies. My friend stopped by today and taught me how to make her family’s favorite pumpkin bread. . .from scratch!

Gluten Free Apple Granola Bread: If you’ve got some granola on hand and you’re in the mood for a simply delicious apple bread, you’re going to flip over this recipe! It’s simple and over-the-top delicious!

Banana Blueberry Oat Bread: If you’re in the mood for a delicious fruity banana bread, have I got a recipe for you! Take those ripe bananas and mix them together with blueberries, oats, and coconut for a luscious bread you’re going to love. 

Caramel Pecan Banana Bread: If you love a delicious banana bread but need one that comes together in a jiffy, have I got the perfect recipe for you! In this post I’m going to show you how to make a simple but delicious caramel pecan banana bread that starts with a box of cake mix.

That’s it for this post, friends!

I hope you enjoyed this classic banana bread recipe. It’s delicious! And if you’re wondering what to do with the rest of those ugly brown bananas, check out my Baking with Bananas post.

If you make this recipe and love it, don’t forget to leave a review and a comment below. And while you’re at it, go ahead and pin some photos to your Pinterest boards!

See this recipe at  

• Full Plate Thursday 
• Weekend Potluck

About the Author

Janice Thompson is an author, baker, and all-around mischief maker! She has overcome a host of baking catastrophes, including a toppled wedding cake, to learn more about the baking process. Janice has published over 165 books for the Christian market but particularly enjoys writing recipes and baking devotions. To learn more about Janice or to drop her a note, visit her About the Author page.