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Bake the perfect single serving banana bread using just one ripe banana. Moist, flavorful, and ideal for satisfying those banana bread cravings!
Craving that classic banana bread taste but don’t want leftovers? Introducing our “banana bread for one”: perfect for satisfying those spur-of-the-moment urges, baked conveniently in a small ramekin with just one banana!
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Banana Bread Recipe
- What Is One Banana Banana Bread?
- Ingredients
- Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- How To Make Banana Bread For One
- Expert Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Variations
- Easy Overripe Banana Recipes
- Nutritional Information Note
- What To Make With Leftover Ingredients
- Banana Bread For One Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Banana Bread Recipe
- Simplicity: Designed for ease, this recipe is straightforward, with a quick prep and bake time.
- No Waste: Say goodbye to leftover slices; enjoy a full-flavored banana bread tailored for one.
- Versatile: Pair it with various toppings or mix-ins for a new flavor experience every time.
- Perfectly Moist: The use of a single ripe banana ensures the bread retains its moist texture.
- Kitchen Staple Ingredients: Made with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.
What Is One Banana Banana Bread?
One banana banana bread is the delightful answer to the age-old question: “What do I do with this lone ripe banana?” It’s a perfectly proportioned, moist, and flavorful treat baked using only one overripe banana, offering a delicious solution without an overabundance of leftovers.
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Flour: All-purpose flour acts as the base. For a gluten-free variant, substitute with 1:1 gluten-free flour.
- Baking Soda: Gives the bread its rise. Ensure it’s fresh for optimal results.
- Butter: Provides richness. Substitute with coconut oil for a dairy-free option.
- Egg Yolk: Binds the ingredients.
- Vanilla: Adds depth of flavor.
- Sugar: Sweetens the bread.
- Cinnamon: Brings warmth and spice.
- Salt: Balances sweetness.
- Banana: The star! Overripe bananas are best as they are sweeter and mash easily.
This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.
How To Make Banana Bread For One
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make banana bread with one banana. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Heat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and lightly grease a 10-ounce ramekin. Mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Mash the banana with a fork and add to a medium-sized bowl. Add the sugar and whip the banana and sugar together with an electric mixer or a wire whisk.
- Add the melted butter, the egg yolk, and the vanilla; mix well.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
- Pour into the ramekin and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and cool slightly before eating.
Expert Tips
- Use ripe bananas. Ripe bananas make the sweetest banana bread. When bananas have plenty of brown spots on the skin, they’re perfect to use. The browner the skins, the sweeter the banana bread.
- Buy bananas and freeze them. It’s a great idea to keep overripe bananas handy in your freezer ready for baking. If you’ve got a few forgotten bananas on your counter, freeze them, unpeeled. Freezing bananas will turn the skin black, but once peeled the flesh will be perfect for making banana bread or banana muffins.
- Leave the batter lumpy. When mashing the banana, leave some of the banana chunks. Overmixing the batter can also result in a tough bread.
RELATED: 15 Easy Dessert Recipes For One
Frequently Asked Questions
If you love banana nut bread, feel free to add about 2 tablespoons of chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter.
You can use a small 10-ounce ramekin or a 6.5-inch cast iron skillet in this mini banana bread recipe.
Consider using the leftover egg white in any of these small batch recipes:
Meringues
Two Vanilla Cupcakes
Two Chocolate Cupcakes
Mini Texas Sheet Cake
Place the banana bread in an airtight container and store it at room temperature for up to 3 days.
To freeze banana bread, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
To thaw, remove banana bread from the freezer and leave to defrost on the kitchen counter. Enjoy as is, or gently heat in the microwave.
Yes, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the banana bread overnight in the refrigerator before eating.
Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time and bake it later. Simply chill the batter in the ramekin for up to 24 hours before baking.
Serving Suggestions
Elevate your banana bread experience with these delightful pairings. Whether for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack, these ideas will make every bite memorable.
- Nut Butters: Slather on almond or peanut butter for an added protein kick.
- Yogurt: Dollop some Greek yogurt on top and sprinkle with honey.
- Fresh Berries: Complement the moist bread with a burst of berry freshness.
- Ice Cream: Turn it into a dessert by adding a scoop of your favorite ice cream.
- Whipped Cream: A cloud of whipped cream can make it even more indulgent.
RELATED: Comfort Food Recipes For One
Recipe Variations
Get creative and modify this classic to suit your cravings. With banana bread as your canvas, the possibilities are endless.
- Nutty Delight: Fold in walnuts or pecans for a crunchy texture.
- Chocolate Dream: Add in chocolate chips or cocoa powder for a chocolaty twist.
- Tropical Vibes: Incorporate shredded coconut and pineapple chunks.
- Spiced Up: Experiment with spices like nutmeg or cardamom.
- Berry Fusion: Mix in blueberries or raspberries for a fruity surprise.
Easy Overripe Banana Recipes
Looking for recipes to use up a couple of overripe bananas? Check out these simple and delicious banana-based dishes:
- Small Batch Banana Muffins (2 bananas)
- Grilled Pound Cake with Bananas (1 banana)
- Banana Oat Pecan Muffins (2-3 bananas)
- Banana Cream Pie For One (1 banana)
- Bananas Foster For One (1 banana)
- Frozen Chocolate Banana (1 banana)
- Banana Pancakes (1 banana)
- Mini Hummingbird Cake (1 banana)
- Tropical Smoothie (1 banana)
- Green Smoothie (1 banana)
- Caramelized Banana Pudding (1 banana)
RELATED: The Best Small Batch Cookie Recipes
Nutritional Information Note
The calorie count provided in the recipe is an approximation derived from an online nutrition calculator.
Remember, this recipe produces a generous portion of banana bread baked in a 10-ounce ramekin. You can savor it in a single serving or spread the enjoyment over several days.
What To Make With Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried this one-banana banana bread or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Banana Bread For One
Ingredients
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 medium banana , mashed
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon salted butter , melted (plus more for greasing the ramekin)
- 1 large egg yolk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and lightly grease a 10-ounce ramekin. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together. Set aside.
- Mash the banana with a fork and add to a medium-sized bowl. Add the sugar and with an electric mixer or a wire whisk whip the banana and sugar together.
- Add the melted butter, the egg yolk, and the vanilla; mix well.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
- Pour into the ramekin and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and cool slightly before eating.
Video
Notes
- Use ripe bananas. Ripe bananas make the sweetest banana bread. When bananas have plenty of brown spots on the skin, they’re perfect to use. The browner the skins, the sweeter the banana bread.
- Buy bananas and freeze them. It’s a great idea to keep overripe bananas handy in your freezer ready for baking. If you’ve got a few forgotten bananas on your counter, freeze them, unpeeled. Freezing bananas will turn the skin black, but once peeled the flesh will be perfect for making banana bread or banana muffins.
- Leave the batter lumpy. When mashing the banana, leave some of the banana chunks. Overmixing the batter can also result in a tough bread.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Wow this recipe came out better than expected! I didn’t want a huge serving so I split the batter between 3 smaller ramekins. I plugged the ingredients into my fitness pal and it was about 150 calories per serving. The perfect snack! Saving this recipe to make again!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
Great recipe, but too many dishes the way it’s made, I just put everything, including the whole egg, in a bowl at one time, stir it with a mini whisk, and use a RUBBER spatula to put it in a dish that will fit in the AIR FRYER! (also, less vanilla and salt, and add pecans)
I made this yesterday and it was delicious! It is an extremely easy recipe! The serving was enough for me and my husband. I will definitely make this next time I have one banana left.
One if my favorite recipes to turn to. I make this recipe almost weekly. Sometimes in use wheat flour (for my toddler) and lessen the sugar or use brown sugar.
Delicious I added pecans soooo good and the perfect size !
Thanks
Hi I live banana bread and cakes and all that has bananas in.Please can you put coconut oil instead of butter and how much for the muffins.
Thanks🙂
Yes. Use 1 tablespoon of coconut oil instead of melted butter.
This was great. Not as quick as those 3 ingredients mug cakes, but it was really nice to have only 1-2 servings and be able to use up the banana. I used whole wheat flour and coconut oil with a couple dashes of flax seed meal. I will definitely keep this recipe.
Im not a baker at all and this recipe was easy to follow. My 5 year old son and I had fun making this as his job was to mash the bananas. We ended up making four mini loafs. Only thing I did different was substitute sugar with artificial sweetener and brushed a little butter on top. They are a hit!! Thank you:)
I have used this recipe a couple of times now. I love this banana bread. It is so moist and flavorful. It is plenty enough for two. Quick and easy to make. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your feedback. I’m so happy you love this banana bread recipe.