Welcome to the ultimate kitchen shortcut! This banana bread recipe with cake mix is a total game-changer, delivering a perfectly moist, tender, and flavorful loaf with minimal effort. If you’re craving classic banana bread but are short on time or ingredients, this simple hack using a box of cake mix is your new best friend. It’s a foolproof method that guarantees delicious results every single time.
We’re taking the simplicity of a box mix and combining it with the homemade comfort of fresh banana bread. The result is a quick bread that’s so soft and delicious, no one will ever guess your secret ingredient. Get ready to bake the easiest banana bread of your life!
Why This Cake Mix Banana Bread Recipe is a Game-Changer
You might be wondering if using a cake mix is *really* as good as from-scratch. For this specific kind of quick, moist bread, the answer is a resounding YES! Here’s why you’ll fall in love with this recipe:
Incredibly Easy: With just 4 main ingredients and one bowl, this recipe is perfect for beginner bakers or a fun project with the kids.
Super Moist & Tender: The cake mix provides a consistent, soft, and tender crumb that’s hard to beat. It’s the secret to a guaranteed moist loaf.
Fail-Proof Results: Boxed cake mixes have stabilizers and leavening agents perfectly measured, which takes the guesswork out of baking and prevents common issues like dense or dry bread.
Highly Customizable: This recipe is a fantastic base for all your favorite add-ins. From chocolate chips to crunchy nuts, the possibilities are endless.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe is its short and simple ingredient list. You probably have most of these on hand already!
Just four simple ingredients are needed for this amazing banana bread shortcut.
Yellow Cake Mix: One standard-sized box is the base. Yellow cake mix provides a wonderful buttery flavor and golden color. See our tips below for other cake mix options!
Ripe Bananas: The key to amazing flavor! You’ll want bananas that are very ripe, with plenty of brown or black spots. This is where all the natural sweetness and moisture comes from.
Eggs: Two large eggs help bind the ingredients together and provide structure.
Oil: Vegetable or canola oil adds richness and guarantees a super moist texture.
That’s it! It’s truly one of the simplest baking recipes you’ll ever find. If you’re looking for a classic from-scratch version, our ultimate easy banana bread recipe is a great place to start.
How to Make Banana Bread with Cake Mix: Step-by-Step
In just a few simple steps, you’ll have a warm, fragrant loaf of banana bread ready to enjoy. Let’s get baking!
Preheat and Prep: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
Mash the Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until they are mostly smooth. A few small lumps are perfectly fine and add great texture.
Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs and oil to the mashed bananas. Whisk everything together until it’s well combined.
Add the Cake Mix: Pour the entire box of dry cake mix into the wet ingredients. Using a spatula, stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! A few streaks of flour are okay.
Pour and Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
Cool Completely: Let the banana bread cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before carefully turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial for easy slicing!
The finished loaf, cooled and ready to be enjoyed.
Choosing the Best Cake Mix
While this banana bread recipe with cake mix works beautifully with standard yellow cake mix, you can easily switch it up for different flavor profiles. Here are a few of our favorite options:
Cake Mix Type
Flavor Profile
Yellow Cake Mix
Classic, buttery, and rich. Our top recommendation for a traditional taste.
Butter Pecan Cake Mix
Adds a delicious nutty and buttery flavor that pairs perfectly with banana.
Spice Cake Mix
Infuses the bread with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg for a cozy, autumnal feel.
White Cake Mix
Creates a lighter-colored loaf with a delicate vanilla flavor that lets the banana shine.
Fun Variations & Add-Ins
This is where you can get creative! Gently fold in about one cup of any of the following to the batter before pouring it into the pan:
Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips make this a decadent treat. For the ultimate chocolate lover’s version, check out our from-scratch chocolate chip banana bread recipe.
Nuts: Chopped walnuts or pecans add a wonderful crunch and nutty flavor. This is a classic addition for a reason! If you love nuts, you’ll adore our classic banana nut bread.
Cinnamon Swirl: Mix 1/4 cup of brown sugar with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Pour half the batter into the pan, sprinkle the cinnamon mixture over top, then add the remaining batter.
Cream Cheese Frosting: Once the loaf is completely cool, top it with your favorite cream cheese frosting for an extra-special dessert.
Pro Tips for the MOISTEST Banana Bread Every Time
Use VERY Ripe Bananas: This is the most important tip! The darker and spottier the bananas, the sweeter and more moist your bread will be.
Do NOT Overmix: Mix the batter only until the dry ingredients are just incorporated. Overmixing develops gluten and can lead to a tough, dense loaf.
Check for Doneness Correctly: Ovens vary. Start checking your bread at the 45-minute mark. The toothpick test is your best friend here.
Let It Cool: Slicing warm bread can cause it to crumble and fall apart. Allowing it to cool completely firms up the structure and makes for perfect slices. For other ways to ensure a moist loaf, see how we use a secret ingredient in our banana bread recipe with sour cream.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
Storing at Room Temperature
To keep your banana bread moist, store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 4 days.
How to Freeze Banana Bread
This bread freezes beautifully! Once completely cooled, you can freeze the entire loaf or individual slices.
Wrap the loaf or slices tightly in plastic wrap.
Add a second layer of aluminum foil for extra protection against freezer burn.
Place it in a freezer-safe bag and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To thaw, simply leave it on the counter at room temperature for a few hours.
Banana Bread Recipe with Cake Mix
FL Recipes
Banana Bread Recipe with Cake Mix (Incredibly Moist & Easy!)
This banana bread recipe with cake mix is the ultimate shortcut to a perfect loaf! This simple 4-ingredient hack guarantees an incredibly moist and tender crumb every single time.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth.
Add the lightly beaten eggs and oil to the mashed bananas. Whisk until well combined.
Pour the dry cake mix into the wet ingredients. Use a spatula to stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Nutrition
Calories: 210kcalProtein: 3gFat: 9gFiber: 1g
Notes
Tip 1: Use VERY Ripe Bananas. The spottier, the better! This is crucial for sweetness and moisture. Tip 2: Do Not Overmix. Stir only until the flour is just incorporated to keep the bread tender. Tip 3: Add-Ins. Feel free to fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips or chopped walnuts for extra flavor and texture. Tip 4: Cake Mix Variations. Try using a Spice Cake or Butter Pecan cake mix for a delicious twist.
Yellow cake mix is our top recommendation for a classic, buttery flavor. However, Spice Cake mix adds wonderful warmth, and Butter Pecan cake mix provides a delicious nutty taste. White cake mix also works for a lighter flavor.
Absolutely! This recipe is a perfect base for add-ins. Gently stir in up to 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, or pecans into the batter before baking for extra flavor and texture.
The best way to check for doneness is to insert a wooden skewer or toothpick into the center of the loaf. It’s done when the skewer comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. If you see wet batter, it needs more time.
Store the completely cooled banana bread in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature. It will stay fresh and moist for up to 4 days.
The most common reason for a dry or dense loaf is overmixing the batter. Stir the cake mix in only until it’s just combined. Using bananas that aren’t ripe enough can also lead to a less moist and flavorful bread.
We Hope You Love This Easy Recipe!
This cake mix banana bread is the perfect solution for a quick and delicious treat that the whole family will love. It’s simple, moist, and endlessly adaptable. If you try it, please leave a comment below and let us know what you think! We’d also love to see your creations on Pinterest!
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
