Bake

Nutella Swirl Banana Bread

February  2, 2024
5
5 Ratings
Photo by Nea Arentzen
  • Prep time 15 minutes
  • Cook time 50 minutes
  • Serves 8 to 10
Author Notes

I developed this banana bread recipe using the the 3-2-1 method, which is the idea of using 3 parts flour, 2 parts sugar, and 1 part fat. Although most baking ratios as measured out in weight, this is made extra simple by measuring out the ingredients using a ½-cup measuring cup. This means you can easily whip up delicious banana bread without a recipe whenever the craving hits.

You’ll also notice that in this recipe I chose to list melted butter instead of oil, which I used in the video tutorial on Instagram. That’s because I like to use them interchangeably depending on what outcome I’m looking to achieve. Because butter becomes a solid at room temperature, if you use melted butter in the recipe, the banana bread will be denser and have a slightly richer flavor.

Alternatively, since oil is a liquid at room temperature, banana bread made with oil will have a lighter, moister, and more cake-like crumb. Experiment with both types of fat to see which you prefer–you could even try it with browned butter or olive oil instead!
Nea Arentzen

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Ingredients
  • 3 very ripe bananas
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cups granulated white sugar
  • ½ cups brown sugar
  • ½ cups salted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • cups Nutella
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper (alternatively grease all sides and dust with flour).
  2. In a large bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until only small pieces of banana remain. Add the eggs, sugar, melted butter, and vanilla and whisk until combined.
  3. In a small bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined.
  4. Transfer ½ cup of the batter into the small bowl, then mix in the Nutella.
  5. Pour half of the plain batter into the prepared loaf pan, then dollop all over with half of the Nutella mixture. Add the remaining plain batter over top, then top with the remaining Nutella mixture. Use the back of a knife to swirl the two batters together.
  6. Bake the Nutella Swirl Banana Bread until a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean, about 50 minutes. Let the banana bread cool slightly before slicing.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

Recipe by: Nea Arentzen

Test Kitchen Content Creator & Recipe Developer at Food52

13 Reviews

Amy August 5, 2024
Made this into a gluten-free and dairy-free version. Used a Homemade Nutella Recipe
https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/better-than-nutella/, King Arthur’s GF Measure for Measure and earth balance soy free traditional spread and followed the recipe exactly. Topped with 1/3 cup of dark chocolate chips as my girls wanted it more chocolatey. Had to bake it closer to 1 hour and it came out delish!
judy April 5, 2024
This is delicious and easy to make. Highly recommended.
dblass33@gmail.com February 29, 2024
I thought this was probably the best banana bread I've ever made. I made it with the melted (salted) butter and it had a somewhat nutty (but with a hint of chocolate) flavor. Next time I'm going to try it with canola oil and I'll do a 3rd test with browned butter. It was super easy, love the how fast it came together (and so little clean up)!
Nea A. March 30, 2024
Aw so happy to hear that!! Brown butter is sooo good
Anne February 26, 2024
Great recipe! I was unfortunately out of Nutella but my bananas screamed to be used so I subbed praline paste for the Nutella. Definitely a winner! Great banana flavor with notes of caramel.
Nea A. March 30, 2024
Wow that sounds so delicious. Definitely need to try that
cpvictoria February 23, 2024
Would a gluten free flour likely be successful?
Nea A. March 30, 2024
Yes, it should work well! I love king Arthur’s gluten free flour
Erin February 5, 2024
My daughter is in the middle of making this. The ingredient list only includes baking soda. The instructions list both baking powder and baking soda. Which is correct?
Andrea I. February 13, 2024
Hi- did you get a reply or try it with/ without the baking powder? I'm halfway through the recipe and stuck on the same thing...
Andrea I. February 13, 2024
I did just check a different banana bread recipe that calls for equal parts baking soda and baking powder, so I'm going to try that.
Nicole D. February 22, 2024
Thank you for flagging this, and I apologize for catching it so late. This should be just 1 tsp baking soda. We meant to remove the powder from the steps, and I just updated the recipe.
Nicole D. February 22, 2024
Hi Andrea! I apologize for not seeing this sooner. This should be just 1 tsp baking soda. I just updated the recipe. But did you end up making it with both? Curious how it came out. Thanks!