Want to take your banana bread up a notch? There are so many ways to do so! In this post you’re going to discover the top twenty add-ins for the most delicious banana bread ever!
Why Use Add-Ins?
I love taking things up a notch so I’m always adding things to my recipes. In fact, the theme of this site is “doctored” cake mixes, so I’m clearly committed to add-ins!
Why should you add extra ingredients to your banana bread? Here are some compelling reasons:
- Enhanced Flavor: Add-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruits introduce new flavors and can create a more complex taste experience. They can complement or contrast with the sweetness of the bananas, making each bite more interesting.
- Varied Texture: Add-ins add texture to banana bread, whether it’s the crunch of nuts, the chewiness of dried fruit, or the smooth meltiness of chocolate. This variety in texture enhances the overall eating experience and keeps the bread from being monotonous.
- Increased Nutritional Value: Some add-ins, such as nuts and seeds, can boost the nutritional profile of banana bread. They provide additional protein, healthy fats, and fiber, making the bread a more balanced and wholesome option.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Visual appeal can be enhanced by adding colorful or interesting ingredients. For example, berries or nuts can add pops of color and make the banana bread look more appetizing and festive, which is great for special occasions or as a treat to impress guests.
Things to Add to Banana Bread
Now that we’ve established you should add ingredients to your banana bread, let’s take a look at the possibilities. I have an endless list of ideas but I’m going to take you through my top twenty suggestions. Just click the pics for delicious recipes where I’ve used my own suggestions.
Most of these are all tried and true, so I can attest to the outcome. A couple aren’t banana bread recipes but you could easily add a couple of bananas to the recipes to adjust them.
1. Mayonnaise
Baking with mayonnaise might sound unusual, but it has some great benefits! Here are a couple that come to mind:
- Moisture and Richness: Mayonnaise is made from oil and eggs, which are key ingredients in baking. When you add mayonnaise to your baked goods, it helps keep them moist and adds a rich, creamy texture.
- Enhanced Flavor and Tenderness: Mayonnaise can enhance the flavor of your banana bread without overpowering it. It adds a subtle tang and helps tenderize the crumb, making for a more delicate and flavorful result. This is why I swear by mayo in my banana bread!
2. Sour Cream
Baking with sour cream can elevate your baked goods in a couple of significant ways:
- Moisture and Tenderness: Sour cream is rich and creamy, which adds moisture to your banana breads, preventing them from drying out. This results in a tender, soft texture. The fat content in sour cream also helps create a more delicate crumb.
- Enhanced Flavor: Sour cream adds a subtle tangy flavor that complements and enhances the sweetness of the bananas. It balances the flavors, adding depth without being overpowering, making it a great addition to banana bread!
3. Pecans or Walnuts
Adding pecans or walnuts to banana bread can elevate both its flavor and texture. Here are the top two reasons to include these nuts:
- Crunch and Texture Contrast: Pecans and walnuts add a delightful crunch to the soft, moist texture of banana bread. This contrast enhances the overall eating experience, making each bite more interesting and satisfying.
- Rich, Nutty Flavor: Both pecans and walnuts have a rich, earthy flavor that complements the natural sweetness of bananas. Their slightly bitter notes also balance the sweetness, adding depth and complexity to the banana bread.
4. Chocolate Chips
Adding chocolate chips to banana bread brings a delicious twist to this classic treat. Here are the top two reasons to include them:
- Enhanced Sweetness and Flavor: Chocolate chips add bursts of rich, sweet flavor that complement the natural sweetness of bananas. The combination of banana and chocolate creates a deliciously indulgent treat, elevating the flavor profile of the bread.
- Melty, Gooey Texture: When baked, chocolate chips become melty and gooey, creating pockets of smooth, molten chocolate within the banana bread. (Yum! Anyone getting hungry?!) This adds a luxurious, creamy texture that makes each bite more enjoyable.
5. Cocoa Powder
Incorporating cocoa powder into banana bread can create a deliciously rich and unique variation. You can add a half cup of cocoa to pretty much any banana bread recipes and have good results, but you might want to up the banana content a bit to add more moisture. Here are the top two reasons to add cocoa powder:
- Deep, Chocolatey Flavor: Cocoa powder infuses banana bread with a deep, rich chocolate flavor, transforming it into a delightful chocolate-banana combination. The cocoa’s slight bitterness also balances the sweetness of the bananas, creating a more complex and satisfying taste.
- Enhanced Color and Presentation: Cocoa powder gives banana bread a beautiful dark brown color, making it visually appealing and distinct from the traditional version. This darker hue adds a touch of elegance, making it perfect for special occasions or when you want to impress with your baking.
6. Brown Butter
Adding brown butter to banana bread can take it to the next level in terms of flavor and aroma. Here are the top two reasons to include brown butter in your recipe:
- Rich, Nutty Flavor: Brown butter has a deep, nutty, and slightly caramelized flavor that enhances the taste of banana bread. The browning process develops complex flavors, adding a warm, toasty note that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of ripe bananas.
- Aromatic Intensity: Brown butter not only tastes delicious but also adds a wonderful aroma to your banana bread. The process of browning the butter releases a rich, nutty fragrance that fills your kitchen and makes the bread even more inviting and irresistible. (Can I just say that I love the smell of brown butter? I use it in so many different products!)
7. Peanut Butter
Adding peanut butter to banana bread introduces a delightful twist, enhancing both its flavor and texture. Here are the top two reasons to add it to your banana bread:
- Delicious Flavor Combination: Peanut butter and bananas are a classic pairing, creating a rich, nutty flavor that complements the natural sweetness of the bananas. This combination gives the banana bread a distinct, indulgent taste that’s both familiar and comforting.
- Creamy Texture and Moisture: Peanut butter adds a creamy, smooth texture to banana bread, making it even more moist and tender. This extra moisture helps prevent the bread from drying out, resulting in a richer, more satisfying loaf.
8. Sourdough Starter
Incorporating sourdough starter into banana bread can bring unique benefits to your recipe. Here are a couple of great reasons to add it:
- Enhanced Flavor Complexity: Sourdough starter adds a subtle tanginess and depth of flavor to banana bread, which contrasts nicely with the sweetness of the bananas. This complexity creates a more sophisticated taste, making the bread more interesting and flavorful.
- Improved Texture: The natural fermentation process of sourdough starter can give the banana bread a slightly lighter and airier crumb. It can also help keep the bread moist and tender for longer, extending its freshness.
9. Caramel
Adding caramel to banana bread introduces a decadent twist that enhances both its flavor and texture. Here are a few reasons you should consider adding caramel to your banana bread recipe:
- Rich, Sweet Flavor: Caramel brings a deep, buttery sweetness that perfectly complements the natural flavors of banana bread. The combination of caramel and banana creates a deliciously indulgent treat, adding layers of richness and complexity to each bite.
- Gooey, Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture: When swirled into the batter or drizzled on top, caramel adds pockets of gooey, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. This creates a luxurious texture contrast with the soft crumb of the banana bread, making it even more irresistible.
10. Cinnamon
Adding cinnamon to banana bread enhances both its flavor and aroma. Here are the top two reasons to include cinnamon in your recipe:
- Warm, Spiced Flavor: Cinnamon adds a warm, spicy note that beautifully complements the sweetness of the bananas. It deepens the flavor profile of the banana bread, giving it a cozy, comforting taste that’s perfect for fall or any time you want a more aromatic loaf.
- Inviting Aroma: The addition of cinnamon fills your kitchen with a rich, inviting aroma as the banana bread bakes. This enticing scent makes the bread even more appealing, enhancing the overall sensory experience and making it hard to resist a fresh slice.
11. Berries
Adding berries to banana bread introduces fresh, vibrant flavors and textures. Here are the top two reasons to include them:
- Burst of Flavor and Freshness: Berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries, add a burst of tartness and a pop of natural sweetness that contrasts nicely with the rich, sweet banana flavor. This combination creates a more complex and refreshing taste experience.
- Moisture and Texture Variation: Berries contribute additional moisture to the banana bread, which can help keep it tender and soft. They also provide a pleasant textural contrast, with the berries creating juicy pockets that enhance the overall mouthfeel and make each bite more interesting.
12. Chopped Apples
Incorporating chopped apples into banana bread can create a delightful twist on the classic recipe. Here are the top two reasons to add them:
- Added Moisture and Tenderness: Chopped apples release moisture as they bake, which helps keep the banana bread moist and tender. This extra moisture can also enhance the overall texture, making the bread even softer and more enjoyable.
- Flavor Variety and Freshness: Apples add a fresh, slightly tart flavor that complements the sweetness of the bananas. The combination of apple and banana creates a more complex flavor profile, adding a new layer of taste and a pleasant fruitiness to the bread.
13. Coconut
Adding coconut to banana bread brings a delightful twist in both flavor and texture. Here are the top two reasons to include it:
- Tropical Flavor: Coconut imparts a subtle tropical sweetness and nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the banana. This adds a new dimension to the banana bread, making it more exotic and flavorful.
- Texture and Crunch: Shredded or flaked coconut adds a pleasant chewiness and slight crunch to the banana bread. This contrast in texture enhances the overall eating experience, making each bite more interesting and satisfying.
14. Oats
Adding oats to banana bread provides several benefits, enhancing both its flavor and nutritional profile. Here are the top two reasons to include oats:
- Heartier Texture and Flavor: Oats contribute a chewy texture and a slightly nutty, wholesome flavor to banana bread. This added texture makes the bread more satisfying and gives it a heartier, more rustic feel.
- Increased Nutritional Value: Oats are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Adding them to banana bread boosts its nutritional content, making it a more wholesome option with added health benefits, such as improved digestion and sustained energy.
15. Maple/Maple Extract
Incorporating maple syrup or maple extract into banana bread can enhance its flavor and sweetness in unique ways. Here are the top two reasons to add them:
- Distinctive Maple Flavor: Maple syrup or maple extract adds a rich, caramel-like flavor with a hint of smokiness. This unique taste complements the sweetness of the bananas and adds a layer of complexity, making the banana bread more distinctive and flavorful.
- Natural Sweetness: Maple syrup provides a natural, unrefined sweetness that can enhance the overall flavor of the banana bread while potentially reducing the need for additional sugar. This can result in a more balanced sweetness and a healthier alternative to refined sugars.
16. Bisquick
Using Bisquick to make banana bread offers convenience and consistency. Here are the top two reasons to use Bisquick in your banana bread recipe:
- Simplified Preparation: Bisquick is a pre-mixed baking mix that combines flour, leavening agents, and salt. Using it simplifies the preparation process for banana bread, as you can skip the steps of measuring and mixing these individual ingredients. This makes the recipe quicker and easier, especially for those who prefer a more streamlined approach.
- Consistent Results: Bisquick provides a reliable and consistent base, helping to ensure that your banana bread turns out well every time. The pre-measured leavening agents in Bisquick contribute to a light and fluffy texture, reducing the likelihood of baking mishaps and helping achieve a uniform result.
17. Gluten-Free Flour(s)
Using gluten-free flours in banana bread caters to specific dietary needs and can offer unique benefits. Here are the top two reasons to use gluten-free flours:
- Accommodate Dietary Restrictions: Gluten-free flours are essential for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. By using gluten-free flours, you ensure that your banana bread is safe and enjoyable for those who need to avoid gluten, making it inclusive for a wider audience.
- Unique Flavor and Texture: Different gluten-free flours, such as almond, coconut, or rice flour, can impart distinct flavors and textures to banana bread. These flours can create a denser, more moist texture or add subtle nutty or sweet notes, offering a unique twist on traditional banana bread recipes.
18. Yellow Cake Mix
Starting with a box of yellow cake mix for banana bread can simplify the baking process and enhance the final product. Here are the top two reasons to use it:
- Ease and Convenience: Using a box of yellow cake mix streamlines the preparation process, as it already contains most of the key ingredients needed for banana bread. This convenience reduces the amount of measuring and mixing required, making it a quicker and easier option, especially for busy bakers.
- Consistent Results: Yellow cake mix provides a reliable base that helps ensure consistent texture and flavor. The pre-mixed ingredients, including leavening agents, flour, and sugar, contribute to a light, fluffy texture in the banana bread, reducing the chances of baking issues and producing a consistently successful result.
19. Butter Pecan Cake Mix
Using a box of butter pecan cake mix as a base for banana bread can enhance both flavor and convenience. Here are the top two reasons to use it:
- Enhanced Flavor: Butter pecan cake mix adds a rich, buttery flavor and a hint of pecan to the banana bread. This blend of flavors complements the sweetness of the bananas and adds depth, creating a more complex and indulgent taste experience.
- Added Texture: The cake mix often includes finely chopped pecans or pecan flavoring, which introduces a pleasant crunch and nutty texture to the banana bread. This enhances the overall mouthfeel and adds a touch of sophistication to the classic banana bread recipe.
20. Chocolate Cake Mix
Using a box of chocolate cake mix as a base for banana bread can create a deliciously unique twist. Here are the top two reasons to use it:
- Chocolatey Flavor: Chocolate cake mix infuses the banana bread with a rich chocolate flavor, turning the classic banana bread into a chocolate-banana delight. The chocolatey base complements the natural sweetness of the bananas, creating a decadent treat.
- Ease of Preparation: Starting with a box of chocolate cake mix simplifies the baking process by providing a pre-mixed base with all the necessary ingredients. This convenience speeds up preparation and ensures a consistent, reliable result with minimal effort.
You get the idea, folks. You can add in these or other items to take your banana bread up a notch! I’m a fan of most of these methods. Want to know why? Because I love banana bread. It’s really that simple. So, I’m happy to play around with banana bread recipes to elevate them to a new level.
That’s it for this post, friends! I hope you enjoyed these delicious banana bread add-ins. If you add them to your existing banana bread recipes, let me know how they turn out!
And while you’re at it, go ahead and pin some photos to your Pinterest boards!