We’ve been on a big banana bread kick in my house. But the problem was… every time I make a new loaf, it’s gone in a couple days! So I needed a quick, easy, and SIMPLE recipe to get in our banana bread fix without spending too much time in the kitchen. *enter 4 ingredient banana bread.*

And if you’ve been around here a while, you know I’m all about the easy sweet treats! This time last year I went through a huge 3-ingredient oreo mug cake phase (major pregancy craving!) and over the summer, I couldn’t stop making my healthy no-bake cookie dough bars. There’s just something about having a healthier sweet treat on-hand that leads to happier days and a happier life.

Something else I always have on-hand? Bananas. I pretty much buy a bunch of bananas every week because, again, we just love them in this house. However, we often find ourselves with a few overly ripe bananas by the end of the week. But thanks to this 4 ingredient banana bread recipe, I always have a way to put them to good use!

I made my banana bread gluten-free, but you totally don’t have to! This recipe is also naturally dairy-free which I LOVE. And I should mention, it’s easily made refined sugar-free as well. For all dietary swaps, check out the “adjust this recipe to your dietary needs” section below. Happy 4-ingredient baking, friends!

a slice of 4 ingredient banana bread with a bite taken out.

What You’ll Need to Make 4 Ingredient Banana Bread

Bananas: The star of the show! These bananas bring natural sweetness and moisture to the bread. The riper, the better – those speckles on the peel are a sign of maximum flavor.

Eggs: Eggs play a crucial role in binding the ingredients together, providing structure to the bread. They contribute to the moist and tender texture we all love.

Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds a rich caramel flavor and sweetness to the banana bread. It complements the bananas perfectly, creating a delightful depth of taste.

Self-Rising Flour: The key to keeping it simple! Self-rising flour contains baking powder and salt, eliminating the need for additional leavening agents. It ensures your banana bread rises beautifully. But if you don’t have self-rising flour, feel free to use regular flour instead, then add 1 teaspoon of baking powder to the recipe!

Tips and Tricks

The riper your bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your banana bread will be. Don’t shy away from those brown speckles!
Mix the ingredients until just combined. Overmixing can affect the texture, so keep it simple and stir until everything is blended.
Allow your banana bread to cool slightly in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack. This patience ensures a neater slice and preserves the bread’s texture.

sliced 4 ingredient banana bread with a knife on the side.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Gluten-Free: Swap out the self-rising flour for a gluten-free alternative to make this banana bread gluten-free. I used Beth Blends Grain-Free Flour Blend in my 4 ingredient banana bread and it worked great!

Make it Refined Sugar-Free: Opt for coconut sugar as a substitute for brown sugar for a refined sugar-free option.

Incredible 4 Ingredient Banana Bread (gluten-free!)

4 from 19 votes

Recipe by Samantha Course: DessertDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Total time

hour

Baking doesn’t have to be complicated, and this 4 ingredient banana bread proves just that! With one bowl and a handful of simple ingredients, you can whip up a loaf of incredibly moist and delicious banana bread. Best enjoyed as a breakfast, snack, or dessert!

Ingredients

3 large and overripe bananas
2 eggs
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit and grease or line a 9×4-inch loaf pan.
Place the bananas in a large bowl and mash well with a fork, until mostly smooth.
Add the eggs to the bowl and whisk to combine. Then, dd the brown sugar and flour, then mix again until fully combined and no pockets of flour remain.
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted down the center of the bread comes out clean.
Remove the banana bread from the oven, then let it cool completely before slicing.