Hummingbird Banana Bread Recipe

Irresistible Hummingbird Banana Bread Recipe for Sweet Comfort

Crafting delectable hummingbird banana bread brings pure joy to your kitchen adventure.

Sweet memories of southern hospitality bloom with each slice of this classic dessert.

Pecans and cream cheese create a luxurious texture that melts perfectly on your tongue.

Ripe bananas whisper tropical promises while cinnamon adds warm complexity to every bite.

Tropical fruits dance alongside traditional ingredients, creating a symphony of flavors you’ll adore.

Expect a moist, tender crumb that celebrates comfort and creativity in one delightful recipe.

Bake this irresistible treat and watch smiles light up around your table.

Why Hummingbird Banana Bread Is a New Classic

  • This hummingbird banana bread recipe offers super simple steps that even beginner bakers can master without stress.
  • Combining classic banana bread with tropical pineapple and warm spices creates a delightful twist on a traditional favorite.
  • Perfect for breakfast, afternoon snack, or dessert, this bread pleases both kids and adults with its sweet, moist texture and familiar flavors.
  • Flexible recipe allows adding nuts or skipping them, making it adaptable to personal preferences and dietary needs without compromising taste.

What Goes Into Hummingbird Banana Bread Goodness

Main Ingredients:
  • Ripe Bananas: Fresh, soft bananas provide natural sweetness and moisture to the bread.
  • Flour: The primary structural component that gives the bread its texture and form.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the bread's richness.
Sweeteners:
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Add depth of flavor and help create a tender, moist crumb.
Liquid and Fat:
  • Vegetable Oil: Ensures a soft, tender texture and helps keep the bread moist.
Spices and Seasonings:
  • Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Salt: Enhance the overall flavor profile with warm, aromatic notes.
Leavening and Binding:
  • Baking Soda: Helps the bread rise and creates a light, airy texture.
Optional Add-Ins:
  • Crushed Pineapple, Chopped Nuts: Provide additional flavor complexity and textural interest.

Steps for Baking Hummingbird Banana Bread with Flair

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up your oven to 350F (175C).

Grease a standard loaf pan with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mash Bananas

Grab ripe bananas and mash them in a large mixing bowl.

Aim for a texture that’s mostly smooth with a few small banana chunks for extra flavor and moisture.

Step 3: Create Wet Mixture

Combine the mashed bananas with:
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Vegetable oil
  • Eggs

Whisk these ingredients together until they form a smooth, well-integrated mixture.

Step 4: Prepare Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, blend the following dry components:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Ground nutmeg
  • Salt

Whisk these ingredients until evenly distributed.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

Stir carefully to avoid overmixing, which can make the bread tough.

Step 6: Add Tropical Touches

Mix in:
  • Crushed pineapple
  • Chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Fold these ingredients into the batter until just incorporated.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.

Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 60-70 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Remove the bread from the oven and let it rest in the pan for 10 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Slice and serve warm or at room temperature for maximum enjoyment.

Baker’s Tips for Hummingbird Banana Bread

  • Use overripe, spotty bananas for maximum sweetness and deeper flavor in your bread.
  • Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture just until combined to prevent tough, dense bread texture.
  • Swap nuts or omit entirely for nut allergies; drain pineapple thoroughly to avoid excess moisture.
  • Bring eggs and other cold ingredients to room temperature for smoother batter and more even baking.
  • Wrap cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in airtight container to maintain moisture for 3-4 days at room temperature.

Keeping Hummingbird Banana Bread Fresh

  • Store cooled banana bread in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Keep away from strong-smelling foods to preserve its delicate flavor.
  • Wrap completely cooled bread in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
  • Place parchment paper between slices, store in freezer-safe bag. Microwave frozen slice for 20-30 seconds or toast directly from frozen state.
  • Keep bread in sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Place paper towel underneath to absorb excess moisture and maintain texture.

What to Serve with Hummingbird Banana Bread

  • Savor Sweet Beverage Companions: Creamy vanilla latte perfectly complements the banana bread's warm spices and rich texture, creating a delightful morning indulgence.
  • Enhance Flavor Dynamics: Bold Caribbean rum cocktail highlights the tropical pineapple notes, bringing out the bread's exotic undertones and adding a sophisticated twist.
  • Elevate Tasting Experience: Chilled cream cheese frosting drizzle transforms the banana bread into an decadent dessert, adding luxurious smoothness and extra sweetness.
  • Explore Contrasting Pairings: Spiced chai tea balances the bread's sweetness with its complex herbal profile, offering a refreshing and aromatic counterpoint to each bite.

Banana Bread Add-Ins and Flavor Ideas

  • Gluten-Free Hummingbird Bread: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free baking blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals. Maintain same moisture and texture by adding xanthan gum.
  • Vegan Banana Delight: Substitute eggs with flax eggs or applesauce, use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil, and ensure all ingredients are plant-based. Keep the rich flavor profile intact.
  • Low-Sugar Tropical Option: Reduce sugar content by using stevia or monk fruit sweetener, add extra ripe bananas for natural sweetness. Include chia seeds for added nutrition and texture.
  • Nut-Free Hummingbird Version: Omit chopped nuts for those with allergies. Replace with toasted coconut flakes or sunflower seeds to maintain crunch and add interesting texture.

FAQs

  • What makes hummingbird banana bread different from regular banana bread?

This version combines classic banana bread with hummingbird cake flavors, adding pineapple and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg for a more complex, tropical-inspired taste profile.

  • Can I substitute the vegetable oil with another type of oil?

Yes, you can use coconut oil or canola oil as direct substitutes. These oils have similar fat content and will help keep the bread moist and tender.

  • Is this recipe suitable for people with nut allergies?

The nuts are optional, so you can easily omit them. Simply skip adding chopped nuts to make the bread nut-free and safe for those with allergies.

  • How ripe should the bananas be for this recipe?

Use very ripe bananas with dark brown or black spots. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your banana bread will be, creating a more intense banana taste.

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Hummingbird Banana Bread Recipe

Hummingbird Banana Bread Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Moist banana bread infused with tangy cream cheese and sweet pineapple elevates classic Hummingbird Banana Bread to a delightful Southern comfort treat. Creamy, nutty, and perfectly balanced, this recipe brings warmth and nostalgia to your kitchen.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup canned unsweetened crushed pineapple, drained

Sugars and Oils:

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)

Spices and Optional Add-ins:

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and coat a loaf pan with non-stick spray or butter.
  2. Transform ripe bananas into a rustic mash, leaving some delightful textural chunks for extra character.
  3. Incorporate granulated and brown sugars, vegetable oil, and eggs into the banana mixture, blending until smooth and harmonious.
  4. Create a separate dry ingredient foundation by whisking flour, baking soda, aromatic cinnamon, warm nutmeg, and salt together.
  5. Delicately fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring minimally to maintain a tender crumb and prevent over-mixing.
  6. Gently introduce crushed pineapple and optional chopped nuts, distributing evenly throughout the batter.
  7. Transfer the luscious mixture into the prepared loaf pan, ensuring an even surface.
  8. Bake for 60-70 minutes, rotating midway through for consistent golden-brown coloration.
  9. Verify doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean with minimal crumbs.
  10. Allow the bread to rest and cool slightly in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
  11. Slice and savor the bread while warm or at room temperature, enjoying its rich, moist texture.

Notes

  • Ripeness matters for maximum banana flavor, choose bananas with dark brown or black speckled peels for intense sweetness.
  • Use room temperature eggs and oil to ensure smoother batter blending and more even baking results.
  • Toast chopped nuts before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide extra crunch in the bread.
  • For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain similar texture and structure.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 70 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Southern Cuisine

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 14 g
  • Sodium: 180 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Jack Sullivan

Jack Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Storyteller

Expertise

Single-recipe development with a narrative approach, Culinary storytelling and food history, Seasonal and regional ingredient utilization, Home cooking techniques adapted for modern kitchens​

Education

New England Culinary Institute (Montpelier, VT)
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Focused on farm-to-table cooking, sustainable practices, and modern plating techniques.​

​Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Emphasized Southern Appalachian cuisine and local ingredient sourcing.​


Jack grew up surrounded by smoky skillets and handwritten recipes in the mountains of North Carolina. His roots in Appalachian cooking shaped the way he sees food – as something that connects people, tells a story, and holds meaning.
With hands-on training and a background in sustainable, regional cooking, Jack started Boil And Broil to make meaningful meals more accessible. He’s all about one-dish recipes that are simple to follow but rich with flavor and history.

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