Blueberry Banana Bread

Blueberry Banana Bread is one of the best recipes one can make with very ripe bananas. Its tender and moist texture, is incredible, with big, juicy blueberries popping in every bite for a sweet and tangy combination. It is topped with a simple vanilla glaze to balance the citrus and berry flavors. I have made my fair share of banana breads in my life, and I can assure you, that once you try this one, you will be hooked.

glazed blueberry banana bread on a cutting board with lemons and bananas in the background

Making blueberry banana bread in about an hour is incredible. You do not need yeast, and there is no kneading required, either. Just a handful of simple ingredients mixed in a bowl poured into a pan, and baked in the oven—simple and delicious.

If you have flour, eggs, and a few other baking ingredients, you can make this bread right this moment. Toss in some nuts, or chocolate chips, to make it extra tasty. The lemon zest plays an integral part in the deliciousness of this dish. I have always loved banana bread with lemon zest myself.

This fool-proof banana bread recipe is perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a snack. If you have some very ripe bananas on hand that just begging to be baked into something flavorful and good, this recipe should be on top of your list.

I absolutely love the sweet berries in this bread, bursting with juice in every single bite. The fresh lemon zest and juice add even more freshness and flavor. The bread is tender, and rich, and it basically melts in your mouth!

If you are looking for some other banana bread recipes, try my traditional Banana Bread with sour cream, and brown sugar or this scrumptious Chocolate Chip Banana Bread made with semisweet chocolate chips.

ingredients in bowls on a white table

Why you will love this recipe

  • It is fast: You can have this delicious treat ready to eat in less than an hour.
  • No yeast needed: You do not need yeast for this quick bread.
  • It is easy: No kneading or rolling. Just stirring and pouring.
  • You can make it how you like it: replace the blueberries or add something to make it special.

What you’ll need to make this blueberry banana bread

Special items:

  • Loaf pan – A 9×5-inch loaf pan is what I use.
  • Stand mixer – For mixing it all up.
  • Sifter – To sift the dry ingredients.
  • Spatula – For folding in the blueberries.
  • Bowls – To mix up the ingredients.

The ingredients for blueberry banana bread

  • Butter – Unsalted butter, softened to room temperature, is recommended for its easiest incorporation and best flavor.
  • Sugar – White granulated sugar has the right taste and texture.
  • Eggs – Use two large eggs, beaten, at room temperature.
  • Bananas – They have to be overripe for the best taste and texture.
  • Lemon zest – Make your fresh zest right before you need it.
  • Lemon juice – After using the lemon for zest, squeeze out the juice.
  • Flour – All-purpose flour works the best for the right texture.
  • Blueberries—I recommend fresh blueberries. If you use frozen, toss them in flour first and do not thaw them.
  • Baking powder – To help it rise.
  • Salt – Kosher salt for the freshest, cleanest taste.

For the glaze:

  • Powdered sugar – Also known as confectioners’ sugar or icing sugar.
  • Milk – Whole milk will give you the thickest icing with the best taste.
  • Vanilla – Pure vanilla extract gives it the best flavor. 
photo collage of steps how to make blueberry banana bread

How to make blueberry banana bread recipe?

  1. Preheat: First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Cream: Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl with your electric mixer or a stand mixer, cream sugar and butter together until it is fluffy and light.
  3. Beat: Next, use a small bowl to beat eggs before adding them to the sugar mixture. Beat until combined.
  4. Add bananas: Then, add your mashed bananas, lemon zest, and juice, and whisk until it is all mixed together. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl.
  5. Sift: Next, sift all your dry ingredients into a medium bowl including the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder.
  6. Fold in blueberries: Then, add the flour mixture to the banana mixture and stir until combined. Do not overmix. After, gently fold the blueberries in using a spatula.
  7. Bake: Lastly, pour the blueberry banana bread batter into the loaf pan and bake it for 45 to 55 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test. A toothpick stuck into the center should come out mostly clean with no raw batter.
  8. Cool: Afterward, leave it to cool to room temperature on a wire rack. Run a butter knife around the edges before removing.

Glaze:

  1. Mix: First, mix the powdered sugar and two tablespoons of milk along with the vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Stir until it has no lumps. If it is too thick, add another teaspoon of milk.
  2. Cool and drizzle: Once the bread is cooled off, drizzle the glaze over it using a spoon or fork.
  3. Serve: Finally, you can slice and serve as soon as the glaze sets.
photo collage of steps how to make lemon blueberry banana bread

Expert tip

How to choose the best bananas for banana bread

Choosing the best bananas depends on when you plan to use them. If you buy them for bread you plan to make that day, you must get the ripest ones. When baking banana bread, your bananas must be overripe, so you can usually get a great deal on those past their prime.

Do not buy any leaking fluid, moldy, or smell funny. Look for bananas that have a deep yellow color, with brown spots on it, they should smell sweet and also very fragrant.

If you do not plan to use them right away, get yellow bananas. You want them to be plump and full of intact peels with no black or brown spots. Do not buy any that have soft spots or splits in them. If the stems are split or dirty, don’t get them. Also, if the banana is bright yellow but the stem is still green, it may have been artificially ripened.

Green bananas are full of starch and have less sugar, so they are better for those who are watching their sugar levels. You will not miss the sugar much after heating it in the oven or microwave. But they will still be healthier than naturally overripe bananas. But you can not use them to make banana bread.

homemade. lemon blueberry banana bread topped with sugar glaze on a cutting board

Recipe variations:

  • Brown sugar: You can switch out half of the white sugar for brown sugar for a deeper, caramel like flavor.
  • Whole wheat flour: For more fiber, use whole wheat flour. Keep in mind that the bread will be denser.
  • Gluten-free: Similarly, you can also use gluten-free flour like 1:1 flour.
  • Frozen blueberries: If your grocery store does not have any fresh blueberries, frozen blueberries will do just fine.
  • No baking powder: If you do not have any, you can use baking soda. However, you will have to use 1/3 of the amount of baking powder the recipe calls for because baking soda is three times stronger.
  • Apple sauce: For a lighter texture and less calories, substitute some (or all) of the sugar for apple sauce. 
  • Greek yogurt Add a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream to the mix for extra tender bread.
  • Add cinnamon: Added cinnamon can give your banana bread even more flavor. 
  • Banana blueberry muffins: Use this recipe to make blueberry muffins, bake them for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees F.
  • Crunchy: Another way I enjoy this bread is with some chopped nuts. My favorites are walnuts.
  • Other additions: In addition to nuts, candy, and fruit, you can add poppy seeds, dill, rosemary, and chia seeds.   

How to serve:

  • Put a dollop of homemade whipped cream on top for an even more decadent dessert.
  • Slather a warm slice of blueberry banana bread with butter or honey and serve it with a London fog latte.
  • Another way to top this delicious bread is with some cream cheese frosting. 
  • Add extra blueberries or banana slices on top after baking just before serving.
  • This also tastes great with a bit of peanut butter. 
  • Slice the whole loaf and make the best French toast your family has ever had. 
  • I like to serve this bread with ice cream, including plain old vanilla.
  • Pudding is a nice accompaniment for this bread instead of ice cream. Try it with my Magnolia Bakery banana pudding.
sliced moist blueberry banana bread with lots of blueberries

Frequently asked questions

How can I ripen my bananas fast?

If you have a few days, you can put them in a paper bag and fold the top loosely. The ethylene gas that the bananas release will speed up the ripening process. Adding avocados or apples will hasten this process. But if you want to make your bread today, you can put your bananas on a baking sheet and bake them for 15 minutes at 250 degrees F. For even faster ripening, poke holes and put them in the microwave for a minute or two in 30-second increments.

Why is my banana bread soggy in the middle?

Sometimes, we get urged to use more banana than the recipe calls to give it more flavor or moisture. However, this can make your bread too moist. This can also be an issue if you have too many blueberries or use frozen blueberries. If you use frozen blueberries, do not thaw them and toss them in flour first. Another issue could be that your bread is not done cooking. Stick it back in the oven for a few minutes and see if that helps.

Why is my banana bread dry?

On the other end of the spectrum, dry blueberry banana bread can be caused by too much flour. Use the spoon and level measuring method. First, gently spoon the flour into a measuring cup and then level it with the back of a knife. Do not scoop your flour. You will always end up with too much because it gets packed down. It may also be that you overcooked it. Another thing that can cause dry banana bread is unripe bananas. Always use overripe bananas, even if you have to cook them first.

Why don’t you use yeast in blueberry banana bread?

This is a quick bread, meaning it can be made without waiting for yeast to rise, and you do not have to knead it. Mix everything in a bowl, pour it into a pan, and bake it. Fast and simple. Instead of yeast, quick breads typically use baking powder, baking soda, or both to help them rise. Because of this, your blueberry banana bread will be more dense, moist, and delicious.

How do I keep the blueberries from sinking to the bottom?

This issue has been a problem for many bakers until someone accidentally dumped their blueberries into the flour while cooking. You don’t have to do that, but you can toss them in two tablespoons of flour before adding them to the batter. This will prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the pan.

sliced blueberry banana bread with lots of juicy blueberries on a wooden board

How to store leftovers:

  • Store: Put your leftover blueberry banana bread in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
  • Freeze: You could also freeze your blueberry banana bread for up to three months wrapped in plastic in a freezer bag.
  • Thaw: Remember to put your frozen blueberry banana bread in the fridge to thaw overnight before serving.

More recipes with bananas:

Recipe tips:

  • Start checking on the bread at the 50-minute mark, and if you still need to bake more, check on it every 5 minutes.
  • In addition, bananas must be brown, very ripe, and easy to mush. Obviously, don’t wait for the bananas to turn completely brown, that is overdoing it.
  • If you use frozen blueberries, you don’t have to wait until they are thawed out. Frozen is fine, toss them in a teaspoon of cornstarch.
  • In addition, the sugar can be reduced from 1 cup to 3/4 cups.
  • Add parchment paper to the bottom of the loaf pan or loaf pans to keep your bread from sticking.
  • If the cake starts to brown too much on the sides or on the top and it’s still not done, cover it with aluminum foil so it doesn’t burn.
  • Make sure a toothpick inserted comes out clean before removing it from the oven. 
  • If you don’t have a wire cooling rack, use a removable grate from a gas stove or just roll up four pieces of aluminum foil and set the loaf pan on top.
  • You can use a hand mixer and a large bowl if you do not have a stand mixer.
  • Use the spoon and level method to measure your flour so you don’t end up with too much.
  • If the glaze is too thick, add another tablespoon of milk. If you want it to be thicker, add more sugar.
Blueberry Banana Bread

Blueberry Banana Bread

Catalina Castravet
Blueberry banana bread has an incredibly tender and moist texture. Juicy blueberries pop in every bite for a sweet and tangy combination.
4.93 from 13 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 435 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup white granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups mashed bananas about 3 medium bananas
  • 1 lemon juice and zest
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries

Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 – 3 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Grease a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  • Cream butter and sugar together in the bowl of an electric mixer or using a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
  • Beat eggs in a small bowl and add them to the butter mixture; beat until combined.
  • Add mashed bananas, lemon zest, and lemon juice, and whisk until thoroughly combined. If needed, use a spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
  • Sift all dry ingredients into a medium bowl: flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • Slowly add the sifted dry ingredients to the banana mixture and mix just until combined. Be careful not to over-mix; this is very important.
  • Using a spatula, fold in the blueberries.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out mostly clean, with no raw batter on it. Start checking on the bread at the 50-minute mark, and if you still need to bake more, check on it every 5 minutes.
  • Let it cool completely before placing it in the loaf pan. Run a knife over the edges, and gently remove the bread from the pan.

Glaze:

  • Add the powdered sugar to a medium bowl, along with two tablespoons of milk and the vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined with no lumps. If the mixture is too thick, add one more tablespoon of milk. I like the glaze on the thicker side yet pourable, so it will look white and shiny, not transparent.
  • After the bread has cooled, drizzle the icing over it with a fork or spoon.
  • Slice and serve!

Nutrition

Calories: 435kcalCarbohydrates: 77gProtein: 4gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 165mgPotassium: 331mgFiber: 3gSugar: 47gVitamin A: 515IUVitamin C: 13.5mgCalcium: 77mgIron: 2.6mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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4.93 from 13 votes

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40 Comments

  1. Love the blueberries & banana together! I get a little bored with banana-only bread sometimes, so this is really great!

  2. Did not get the flavor of the lemon. What was the point of it? I was thinking next time, I will try adding juice to icing glaze.4 stars

  3. Has anyone actually made this bread? I like to read reviews of the actual recipe that has been made and tasted, thank you.

  4. I prefer to read reviews from people who have actually made recipes and tasted them, I can see that it looks wonderful that is why I am considering making this recipe.
    Thank you

  5. I just baked this with my kids. I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out perfectly. Very lemony and moist. Unfortunately I’m meant to be on a diet and ate half of it!5 stars

  6. I just baked this blueberry banana bread using all purpose rice flour and vanilla extract instead of lemon! It came out beautiful and delicious! 5 stars

  7. I have made this twice. Once I added slices to my Christmas tins to give away and WOW! I had requests for more of the banana/ blueberry bread. I added some crushed pecans and walnuts to the top before baking. It was beautiful after adding the glaze. Very VERY delicious! Thank you.

  8. So I would have never paired bananas and lemon together… but I made it and WOW!!! Thank you! I didn’t even make glaze, perfect with coffee! Mine turned out pretty dense (I didn’t sift, I wonder if that was it but I do not mind actually) and I didn’t have fresh blueberries so I tossed some frozen ones with a tablespoon of flour and folded into the batter. So delicious, will be making it again for sure. Oh and there was plenty of lemon flavor!

  9. So good and my husband absolutely loved it! I did add extra lemon (1/2 the juice and zest of a lemon) and I added 1tsp of vanilla to the bread mixture.5 stars

  10. Hi,
    I am a hobby bakery and will try anything once.
    Your recipe for a Blueberry and Banana Loaf is ideal for my busy colleagues at the
    nursing home. The thing is, there are 25-30 staff, so I would need to make a
    substantial size cake.
    I was thinking of using a size 9″square tin and double the measurements, would this work?

    Thank you
    Ingrid

    PS all help appreciated making cake today

  11. Perfect & simple recipe! I made it last night after noticing half my fruit was going bad. It turned out moist and delicious. Looks like I’m having cake for breakfast.5 stars

    1. I like to leave it in the pan for 10-15 minutes after moving it to a cooling wire rack.

  12. Thank you for this amazing recipe!! I just love it! The lemon flavor comes out and there’s very little banana flavor – which makes it sooo good! And the fresh blueberries make it moist and delicious!! This bread disappeared at my house!!5 stars

  13. I’ve made this as a loaf and as muffins uncountable times and every time is mouthwatering! 🤤A winning start among friends and family! 🌟
    I make it with whole spelt flour tho, and a bit of haba Tonka for a twist of vanilla … DELIGHTFUL! Thank You!!5 stars

  14. I’ve made this as a loaf and as muffins uncountable times and every time is mouthwatering! 🤤A winning start among friends and family! 🌟
    I make it with whole spelt flour tho, and a bit of haba Tonka for a twist of vanilla … DELIGHTFUL! Thank You!!5 stars

  15. I’m really looking forward to trying this recipe. I usually get my lemons from a local farmers market and are smaller then store lemons. I’m hoping you can give me an exact measurement for the lemon components.
    Thanks 😊
    Mandy

  16. I used a big 🍋 like this but I couldn’t get to much Zest, I used a grated cheese, but most of the zest got stuck on it, is there anything else I can use, because I love this recipe, thank you for chering it with us.

  17. I made without the lemon, didn’t have one in the house. It was you yummy and bursting with fresh blueberry flavor! Will be making again soon.5 stars