This post may contain affiliate links, please see the privacy policy for details.
Starbucks copycat banana bread is the perfect recipe to make when you have bananas turning spotty in your fruit bowl. It is deeply flavored, moist, and perfect served warm with butter. Banana bread is so versatile – great as a snack or breakfast. If you crave the Starbucks banana bread, this is the copycat recipe you’ve been waiting for! Made with easy-to-find pantry ingredients, this quick bread comes together in no time. This is the best banana bread recipe – an easy twist on a classic banana bread with walnuts.
Make this buttery soft Starbucks copycat banana bread and serve it with a generous slather of butter for the most delicious morning, afternoon or anytime treat!
Also try tiramisu French toast bake, banana muffins, banana bread cake, coffee cake muffins, or a choc banana Dutch baby.
Why You’ll Love It
Save money: Skip the Starbucks line for one slice and make an entire loaf of banana bread at home. This recipe will last you all week. Your wallet will thank you.
Accessible recipe: It is an easy recipe to make and mostly uses pantry staples available at most grocery stores.
Use up spotty bananas: Great way to use up those ripe bananas on your counters.
Ingredients for Starbucks Copycat Banana Bread
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
All-purpose flour: Provides the structure and base for the Starbucks banana nut bread.
Baking soda & baking powder: Both leavening agents help the bread rise, giving it a light and fluffy texture.
Ground cinnamon: Adds a warm, spicy note that complements the bananas.
Unsalted butter: Softened butter ensures a rich, moist crumb.
Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds richness.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor with a subtle, sweet aroma.
Ripe bananas: The star of the recipe, providing natural sweetness and moisture.
Chopped walnuts: Adds a crunchy texture and a nutty flavor, with a portion reserved for sprinkling on top for an extra bite.
How to Make Starbucks Banana Bread
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Mix dry ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
Cream butter and sugar: In a stand mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar for 2 or 3 minutes.
Add wet ingredients: Add the egg, milk, vanilla, and mashed bananas. Mix until combined.
Combine ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix until just combined – don’t overmix.
Fold in walnuts: Fold in the chopped walnuts. Pour the batter into the loaf pan and top with the remaining walnuts.
Bake: Bake in the prepared loaf pan until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and serve: Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before slicing.
Substitutions and Variations
Nut swaps: Add chopped pecans for more crunch and flavor.
More spice: Add a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the batter.
Gluten-free: To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free flour with a 1:1 ratio.
Other milk options: Use almond milk, soy milk or another plant-based milk instead of regular milk.
Egg replacements: Replace the egg with ¼ cup of applesauce or an additional mashed banana for an egg-free version.
Flavor additions: Mix in chocolate chips for a sweeter, dessert-like banana bread.
Nut-Free option: Simply leave out the walnuts or replace them with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a nut-free version.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizer: Start with a slice of this Starbucks banana bread recipe, warm with a little butter.
Main: Whip up sheet pan eggs Benedict, this slow cooker overnight casserole, or eggs in a muffin.
Dessert: End with oatmeal with toppings or some pink beetroot pancakes.
How to Store Copycat Starbucks Banana Bread
Store: Leftover Starbucks banana walnut bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Freezer: You can freeze the delicious bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Allow copycat Starbucks banana bread to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Reheat: Warm banana bread in the oven or flash it in the microwave for a few seconds.
Top Tips
Use ultra-ripe bananas: Make sure the bananas are ripe so that the banana bread is sweet and moist.
Mix gently: It’s important not to overmix the batter; it can result in a dense copycat Starbucks banana loaf.
Watch the baking time: All ovens are different so keep an eye on the banana bread as it bakes.
Check doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, the bread is done. If it’s still wet, give it a few more minutes in the oven.
Starbucks Banana Nut Bread FAQs
Yes! Thaw frozen bananas before mashing them. They might release extra liquid, but that’s fine – just mash and use as directed.
Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure it’s one that can be used as a direct substitute for regular flour.
Yes, you can double the ingredients and bake in two loaf pans. Make sure to adjust the baking time if necessary.
No worries! You can use a hand mixer or mix with a spatula or whisk. Cream the butter and sugar well, and don’t overmix the batter.
Starbucks Banana Bread Recipe
Starbucks Copycat Banana Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Cups all purpose flour
- 1 Teaspoon baking soda
- 1 Teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ Teaspoon salt
- ½ Teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ Cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 Cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- ¼ Cup milk
- ½ Teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 bananas, ripe, mashed
- ¼ Cup + 2 Tablespoons walnuts, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 × 5-inch loaf pan and set aside.
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and sugar for 2 or 3 minutes.
- Add egg, milk, vanilla, and mashed bananas. Mix until combined.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the bowl of wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in ¼ cup of the chopped walnuts. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of chopped walnuts.
- Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove banana bread from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Mix gently: It’s important not to overmix the batter; it can result in a dense copycat Starbucks banana loaf.
Watch the baking time: All ovens are different so keep an eye on the banana bread as it bakes.
Check doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, the bread is done. If it’s still wet, give it a few more minutes in the oven.
Nutrition
When those bananas in your fruit bowl start to darken, it’s the perfect time to whip up this Starbucks copycat banana bread. Rich in flavor, it’s best enjoyed warm with a spread of butter. This versatile treat works wonders as both a snack and a breakfast option. If you’ve been longing for that Starbucks banana bread, this is the recipe you’ve been waiting for.
Other Banana Recipes to Try
- What about this easy banana split with berries? So good and kid-friendly, too.
- This banana, matcha, and mango smoothie is silky smoothie and brimming with sunny flavors.
- Slow cooker banana cake is always a treat!
- Whizz up a banana smoothie made with cashew butter for a velvety, creamy finish.
- How cute do these banana cream pies with rum look?
- For a campfire recipe that screams cozy, make my campfire banana boats.
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Whether Starbucks copycat or not, this banana bread is simply too good. Hands down my favorite recipe of yours that I tried.
A favourite banana bread!