Nutella Swirl Banana Bread

You know sometimes I just look at those ripe bananas sitting on my counter and think hmm what can I do with these before they turn all brown and mushy and honestly sometimes they do get a bit too ripe and I almost throw them away but then I remember my favorite go to recipe which is this Nutella Swirl Banana Bread and I tell myself okay let’s do this and sometimes it works perfectly and sometimes the bread comes out a little lopsided or the Nutella doesn’t swirl exactly right but that’s okay because it still tastes amazing and I love it so much.

I remember one rainy afternoon when the kids were bored and I had nothing planned and the bananas were just begging to be used so I grabbed them and started making this Nutella Swirl Banana Bread and White Chocolate Raspberry Blondies of course I forgot to preheat the oven at first and then I laughed at myself because I was standing there with melted butter in one hand and a whisk in the other and it ended up baking a little unevenly on one side but you know what the taste was still so rich and chocolaty and the kids gobbled it up and I felt like a hero in that tiny moment.

Another time I made this Nutella Swirl Banana Bread and I was trying to be fancy with the swirls and I got a little carried away and the Nutella sank to the bottom in some parts and the top looked messy and honestly I almost took a picture to show everyone the imperfect side of baking because sometimes baking isn’t perfect but it’s real and it’s fun and the bread was soft and moist and full of chocolatey ribbons and my husband said it was the best banana bread he had in months and that made me smile so big.

I love serving this bread with other treats because it’s so versatile and fun and when I tried it I paired it with a warm cup of coffee for myself and hot chocolate for the kids and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for a dessert moment and sometimes I add fresh strawberries or bananas slices on the side or a spoonful of peanut butter to make it a little more special and one day I even tried it with a small drizzle of honey and it tasted amazing and all these ideas work so well with the Nutella Swirl Banana Bread and they make every bite a little adventure and honestly you can eat it just as it is and it will still make everyone happy.

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup Nutella

Ingredients notes

For this recipe you need ripe bananas because they are sweet and soft and mash easily and give the bread a nice moist texture and the melted butter should be warm but not hot and helps mix everything smoothly and sugar makes the bread sweet enough for everyone to enjoy. You can use brown sugar for a richer taste and egg helps hold all the bread together and vanilla extract adds a soft flavor that makes everything taste yummy and baking soda helps the bread rise up light and fluffy. The pinch of salt balances the sweetness and makes the flavor pop and all-purpose flour makes the structure of the bread so it holds and the Nutella is what makes the swirls rich and chocolaty and it melts a little in the oven to make soft ribbons inside the bread.

How to make Nutella Swirl Banana Bread?

Step 1: preheat the oven

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and this is important because the bread will cook evenly and you do not want it too hot or too cold.

Step 2: prepare the pan

Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with butter and lightly dust with flour or use parchment paper so the bread will not stick and comes out clean.

Step 3: mash the bananas

In a large bowl mash the ripe bananas using a fork until smooth and it is okay if there are a few lumps because they make the bread extra tasty and soft.

Step 4: mix butter and sugar

Add melted butter and sugar to the mashed bananas and mix them well using a spoon or whisk until smooth and combined.

Step 5: add egg and vanilla

Crack in egg and pour in vanilla extract and stir everything together and make sure the mixture is creamy and consistent.

Step 6: mix dry ingredients

In a separate bowl combine all purpose flour baking soda and pinch of salt and stir gently so they are evenly mixed and no clumps remain.

Step 7: combine wet and dry

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture and mix gently until everything is just combined and do not overmix because that makes the bread dense.

Step 8: swirl in Nutella

Spoon half of the batter into the prepared pan and then drop spoonfuls of Nutella over the top and use a knife or skewer to swirl it gently into the batter. Pour the rest of the batter on top and add more Nutella and swirl again.

Step 9: bake

Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown and smells amazing.

Step 10: cool

Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely so it slices neatly and does not fall apart.

kitchen equipment needed

• Loaf pan 9×5 inch
• Mixing bowls
• Fork or potato masher
• Spoon or whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Knife or skewer
• Wire rack

storage options

You can keep the banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 to 3 days and it stays soft and tasty and for longer storage wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months and thaw it overnight before eating. Slices can be toasted lightly to refresh them.

variations

One easy variation is to add chopped walnuts into the batter for a crunchy texture and another is to mix in chocolate chips for extra chocolatey bites and you can also try peanut butter swirl instead of Nutella for a nutty flavor and a fruity variation is to add blueberries or raspberries into the batter and for a healthier version use whole wheat flour and reduce the sugar slightly and all these variations still keep the bread moist and delicious.

faq

what is this Nutella Swirl Banana Bread recipe made of?

This banana bread is made of mashed ripe bananas butter sugar, egg, vanilla, flour, baking soda salt and Nutella which gives it a soft sweet and chocolatey taste.

what does this Nutella Swirl Banana Bread taste like?

The bread tastes sweet and moist with a soft banana flavor and rich chocolatey swirls from the Nutella and it is soft on the inside and slightly golden on top and each bite is sweet but not too sweet.

can i use frozen bananas?

Yes you can use frozen bananas just let them thaw completely and mash them before using and they will work just like fresh bananas.

can i make it vegan?

You can try using plant based butter and egg substitute like flax egg and it will still bake but the texture may be slightly different and taste will remain delicious.

can i add nuts?

Yes adding walnuts or pecans gives a nice crunch and complements the soft banana bread and Nutella swirl.

how do i know when it is done?

Insert a toothpick in the center and if it comes out clean or with a few crumbs the bread is done and the top should be golden brown and smell fragrant.

can i double the recipe?

Yes you can double it but make sure you use a larger pan or bake in two pans and adjust the baking time slightly and check for doneness with a toothpick.

can i use other spreads instead of Nutella?

Yes you can use peanut butter almond butter or even chocolate spread and swirl it the same way to keep the soft texture and delicious flavor.

Nutella Swirl Banana Bread

Recipe by LaylaCourse: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

8

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

55

minutes

Calories

320

kcal

Total time

1

hour 

10

minutes

Soft and sweet banana bread with delicious Nutella swirls that melt in every bite, and perfect for snacks or breakfast.

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas

• 1/2 cup melted butter

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• Pinch of salt

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup Nutella

Directions

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and this is important because the bread will cook evenly and you do not want it too hot or too cold.
• Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with butter and lightly dust with flour or use parchment paper so the bread will not stick and comes out clean.
• In a large bowl mash the ripe bananas using a fork until smooth and it is okay if there are a few lumps because they make the bread extra tasty and soft.
• Add melted butter and sugar to the mashed bananas and mix them well using a spoon or whisk until smooth and combined.
• Crack in egg and pour in vanilla extract and stir everything together and make sure the mixture is creamy and consistent.
• In a separate bowl combine all-purpose flour, baking soda, and pinch of salt and stir gently so they are evenly mixed and no clumps remain.
• Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture and mix gently until everything is just combined and do not overmix because that makes the bread dense.
• Spoon half of the batter into the prepared pan and then drop spoonfuls of Nutella over the top and use a knife or skewer to swirl it gently into the batter and pour the rest of the batter on top and add more Nutella and swirl again.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown and smells amazing.
• Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely so it slices neatly and does not fall apart.