Ultimate Moist Nutella Swirl Banana Bread: The Best Easy Recipe

Imagine the aroma of freshly baked bread filling your kitchen, a scent made even more captivating with hints of chocolate and hazelnut. This isn’t just any banana bread; it’s the ultimate Nutella Swirl Banana Bread – unbelievably moist, perfectly sweet, and boasting generous ribbons of rich Nutella marbled throughout. It’s the perfect solution for those forgotten, overly ripe bananas on your counter, transforming them into a decadent treat that truly embodies comfort and will be devoured in a flash!

Indulge in the Irresistible: Why This Nutella Banana Bread is a Must-Try

Each slice of this homemade delight is pure perfection. We’ve mastered the ‘sweet spot’ – that ideal balance where the natural sweetness of ripe bananas harmonizes beautifully with the rich chocolate-hazelnut spread, making every bite incredibly satisfying. It’s so good, you’ll find yourself reaching for ‘just one more slice’ until the loaf mysteriously vanishes. In fact, the very first batch we made disappeared in just two days, a true testament to its addictiveness, especially with only two people in the house!

Initially, this amazing recipe wasn’t even on my immediate sharing schedule. However, after showcasing some sneak peeks of my recipe testing over on Instagram, the overwhelming love and countless requests for an early release convinced me otherwise. How could I keep such a delicious creation from you any longer? So, I scrapped my original plans to bring you this incredible Nutella banana bread recipe right away! Get ready to bake a loaf that will surely become a new family favorite.

The Ultimate Solution for Ripe Bananas: Nutella Banana Bread

Almost every household faces the delightful dilemma of overly ripe bananas. It seems to happen more frequently when we opt for grocery pickup or delivery, where the choice of banana ripeness isn’t always in our hands. Typically, I’d hand-pick a couple of slightly green bananas, ensuring they ripen perfectly over the week. But lately, our orders often arrive with bunches that are already sporting those tell-tale brown spots, signaling their readiness for baking.

Instead of letting these ‘less-loved’ bananas go to waste, we transform them into something extraordinary. This tender, flavorful Nutella banana bread is not just a recipe; it’s a delicious solution to a common kitchen problem, turning overlooked fruit into a cherished family favorite. The natural sugars in very ripe bananas develop a deeper flavor, which is exactly what you want for the most delicious banana bread.

Key Ingredients for Your Homemade Nutella Swirl Banana Bread

Crafting the perfect Nutella banana bread requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why each component is essential:

All-purpose flour: This forms the structural foundation of your banana bread. Whether you use bleached or unbleached flour, both will yield excellent results, providing the perfect crumb.
Baking soda: Our essential leavening agent! Baking soda reacts with acidic ingredients like bananas and yogurt to create carbon dioxide, resulting in a beautifully light and airy texture rather than a dense, heavy loaf.
Kosher salt, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract: These flavor powerhouses work in harmony. Kosher salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors. Ground cinnamon adds a warm, inviting spice that perfectly complements the bananas and rich Nutella. Pure vanilla extract deepens the overall aroma and taste, making the bread truly irresistible.
Melted butter: Using melted butter in this recipe contributes significantly to the bread’s moist texture and infuses it with a rich, buttery flavor. While other oils like canola, vegetable, coconut, or corn oil can be used successfully as alternatives, butter undeniably elevates the taste profile, adding an extra layer of deliciousness.
Plain yogurt: A secret weapon for ultimate moisture! Yogurt adds a subtle tang and helps keep the bread incredibly tender. If plain yogurt isn’t available, full-fat Greek yogurt or even sour cream make excellent substitutes. Remember to whisk thicker alternatives slightly before adding for best results.
Ripe bananas: The undeniable star of the show! Overly ripe bananas (the ones with plenty of brown spots, or even almost entirely brown skins) are crucial. They provide intense banana flavor, natural sweetness, and contribute significantly to the bread’s moist, tender crumb. The riper the banana, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be.
Eggs: Eggs play a critical role in baking. They add essential structure, binding all the ingredients together, and contribute richness and moisture to the batter. Ensure they are at room temperature for better incorporation into the mixture.
Sugar: For this recipe, granulated sugar is highly recommended. We’ve conducted tests with both brown sugar and white granulated sugar, and found that granulated sugar actually allows the distinct banana and nutty hazelnut flavors to shine through more clearly. Brown sugar, while delicious, tended to mask these nuanced flavors slightly. However, both will technically work, so use what you have.
Chopped pecans (optional): For those who love a delightful textural contrast, toasted chopped pecans add a wonderful crunch to each bite. If you prefer a smoother banana bread, feel free to omit them entirely. Chopped walnuts or toasted chopped hazelnuts are also fantastic alternatives that pair beautifully with the flavors.
Nutella: The glorious chocolate hazelnut spread that creates those iconic swirls! Easily found in most grocery stores, Nutella adds a layer of decadent flavor that perfectly complements the banana. For a less sweet option with a more pronounced hazelnut taste, consider trying alternative brands like this one. You can even make your own homemade version for a truly custom and fresh experience.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make the Best Nutella Banana Bread

Making this incredible Nutella banana bread is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for a perfect loaf every time:

Prepare Your Baking Station: Before you even start mixing, ensure your oven is properly preheated to 350°F (175°C). Allowing it 20-30 minutes to reach and stabilize at this temperature is key for even baking. Next, prepare your 9×5 inch loaf pan. A light spray with cooking spray followed by lining it with parchment paper is highly recommended. This simple step creates ‘slings’ that make lifting the finished, cooled loaf out of the pan incredibly easy, preventing any sticking or breakage.
Craft the Perfect Batter: In a small bowl, whisk together all your dry ingredients: the all-purpose flour, baking soda, kosher salt, and the optional cinnamon. Set aside. In a separate, larger bowl, whisk together the cooled melted butter, granulated sugar, mashed ripe bananas, plain yogurt, room temperature eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, folding gently with a silicone spatula. A crucial tip: when there are still a few streaks of flour visible, gently fold in your chopped pecans (if using). This ensures the nuts are evenly distributed without overmixing the batter, which can lead to a tough bread.
The Art of the Swirl: Now for the fun part! Transfer roughly half of your prepared banana bread batter into the greased and lined loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Next, add about ⅓ cup of Nutella on top in several dollops. Using a butter knife or a skewer, gently swirl the Nutella into the batter, making sure to reach almost to the bottom of the pan to create beautiful, marbled ribbons throughout the slice. Repeat this layering process with the remaining banana bread mixture and the rest of the Nutella (another ⅓ cup), creating another stunning swirl on top.
Bake to Golden Perfection: Carefully place your loaf pan in the center of the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 55-60 minutes. The bread is done when a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean, with only a few moist crumbs attached (no wet batter!). If the top starts browning too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the bread cool in the loaf pan for at least 30 minutes before gently lifting it out onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Patience is key here; slicing too early can cause it to crumble.

Essential Tips for Making Perfect Homemade Banana Bread

Achieving a consistently delicious banana bread is easy with a few key considerations:

Invest in Quality Bakeware: While any loaf pan will work, a good quality, heavy-gauge loaf pan (like this set) will ensure more even baking and better browning of your bread. It’s a small investment that makes a big difference in your baking results.
Trust Your Oven, But Verify: An inexpensive oven thermometer is a baker’s best friend. Ovens can often run hotter or cooler than their display indicates, directly impacting baking times and outcomes. This simple tool allows you to accurately calibrate your oven temperature, ensuring consistent, perfectly baked goods every time.
Don’t Overmix: This is a golden rule for quick breads! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough, chewy texture instead of the tender crumb we’re aiming for. Mix your batter until just combined, even if a few streaks of flour remain.
The Magic of Ripe Bananas: The riper your bananas, the better the flavor and moisture for your banana bread. Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots, or even entirely brown skins. If you don’t have ripe bananas, you can speed up the process by baking unpeeled bananas on a baking sheet at 300°F (150°C) for 15-30 minutes until their skins are shiny black.

How to Store Your Delicious Nutella Swirl Banana Bread

Proper storage is essential to keep your Nutella banana bread fresh and delicious. Tightly covered and stored in an airtight container at room temperature, it will remain fresh for two to three days, especially in cooler environments. If you live in a warmer climate or want to extend its shelf life, consider refrigerating it after the first day.

For longer storage, freezing is an excellent option. Once the bread has completely cooled, slice it into individual portions. Wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container. Frozen banana bread can be stored for up to 3 months. To enjoy, simply thaw slices at room temperature for a quick treat or gently warm them in the microwave or toaster oven for that freshly baked taste.

Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Nutella Banana Bread Recipe

Beyond its incredible taste, this Nutella Swirl Banana Bread offers so much more:

A Fun Family Project: This recipe is fantastic for involving kids in the kitchen! They’ll absolutely adore helping to mash the bananas and, most excitingly, creating those mesmerizing Nutella swirls – making it a delightful baking activity for all ages.
An Aromatic Delight: Get ready for your home to smell absolutely incredible! The rich, comforting aroma of baking bananas, warm spices, and decadent chocolate-hazelnut spread wafting from your oven is truly the best natural air freshener imaginable, setting a cozy atmosphere.
Perfect for Sharing: While it’s tempting to keep this entire loaf to yourself, Nutella banana bread is ideal for sharing! Keep a few slices for your own indulgence and surprise a friend, neighbor, or family member with a homemade gift that’s sure to brighten their day.
The Ultimate Comfort Treat: Whether enjoyed as a delightful breakfast, a satisfying snack, or a sweet dessert, this banana bread pairs perfectly with a freshly brewed cup of coffee or tea. It’s pure comfort in every bite, offering a moment of delicious bliss and warmth.

If you like Nutella banana bread, you might also enjoy these recipes:

Maple Pecan Banana Bread
Healthy Maple Banana Nut Muffins
Lighter Double Chocolate Banana Muffins
Chai Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins
Zucchini Muffins
Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins
Lemon Olive Oil Pound Cake
One Bowl Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake
The Best Blueberry Muffins

Yield: 8-10 servings

Swirled Nutella Banana Bread

Prep Time
10 minutes

Cook Time
55 minutes

Total Time
1 hour 5 minutes

Tender homemade banana bread with generous swirls of rich Nutella marbled in the center. This Nutella banana bread is the perfect thing to make if you’ve got ripe bananas that need to be used up! It comes together effortlessly and will be gone in a flash!

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon EACH: kosher salt AND ground cinnamon (optional)
½ cup salted butter, melted and cooled to room temp
1 1/2 cups (~3 medium) ripe bananas, mashed
⅓ cup plain yogurt (or greek yogurt/sour cream, see notes)
2 large eggs, room temperature
⅔ cup granulated sugar (light brown sugar will work too, but granulated is preferred for flavor clarity)
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
⅓ cup chopped toasted pecans, optional
⅔ cup Nutella spread

Instructions

PREP: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350ºF (175°C). Spray a 9×5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
BATTER: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter (cooled), sugar, mashed bananas, yogurt, eggs, and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix gently with a silicone spatula until just combined. When the batter still has some dry pockets, add the chopped pecans (if using) and fold the batter until all ingredients are evenly incorporated, being careful not to overmix.
SWIRL: Transfer roughly half of the prepared banana bread mixture to the loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Follow that up with ⅓ cup of Nutella, dolloped over the batter. Using a butter knife or skewer, gently swirl the Nutella around, going almost all the way to the bottom of the pan to create a beautiful marbled effect. Then add the remaining bread batter, spreading it carefully, followed by the remaining ⅓ cup of Nutella. Repeat the swirling process on top.
BAKE: Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs (no wet batter). If the top browns too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil for the last 15-20 minutes. Let the bread cool in the loaf pan for at least 30 minutes before transferring it to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Notes

Both Greek yogurt and sour cream will also work perfectly for this recipe as substitutes for plain yogurt. The only thing I suggest is measuring them out into a bowl first, and using a small whisk or a fork to whip them smooth before adding them to the bread mixture. I find doing so gives this bread a finer, more consistent texture. You don’t have to do this extra step if you use traditional plain yogurt though!
If you only have unsalted butter on hand, you can absolutely still use it for this recipe! Just increase the amount of kosher salt in the dry ingredients by an additional 1/4 teaspoon to achieve the perfect flavor balance.
For the best banana flavor and moisture, always use very ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots.

Have you made this recipe?

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below. You can also share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #LITTLESPICEJAR, I’d love to see what you made!