If you’re searching for the secret to a truly unforgettable banana bread, you’ve found it. This banana bread recipe with yogurt is a game-changer, yielding a loaf that is exceptionally moist, unbelievably tender, and packed with sweet banana flavor. The yogurt is not just an ingredient; it’s the magic touch that elevates a classic treat into something truly special. Forget dry, crumbly banana bread for good—this recipe guarantees a perfect, soft crumb every single time.
We’ve tested countless variations, and the simple addition of yogurt consistently produces the best results. It adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness of the ripe bananas and contributes to a rich, dense texture that stays fresh for days. This is the one-bowl, no-fuss recipe you’ll turn to again and again for bake sales, weekend breakfasts, or a simple afternoon snack.
Why You’ll Love This Banana Bread Recipe with Yogurt
There are so many reasons this will become your go-to banana bread recipe. Here are just a few:
Unbeatably Moist: The yogurt adds and locks in moisture, ensuring the loaf never dries out. It’s the key to that perfect, tender texture.
Incredibly Simple: This is a straightforward, one-bowl recipe that comes together in minutes. Perfect for bakers of all skill levels!
Amazing Flavor: The slight tang from the yogurt perfectly complements the sweet, ripe bananas, creating a more complex and delicious flavor profile.
Foolproof Results: The acidity in the yogurt helps activate the baking soda, giving the bread a beautiful lift and a consistently perfect crumb.
The Magic of Yogurt in Baking
Ever wondered what yogurt actually does in a baking recipe? It’s a powerhouse ingredient that works in several ways. First, its high moisture and fat content create a super tender crumb and a moist loaf. Second, the natural acidity in yogurt reacts with the baking soda, producing carbon dioxide bubbles that help the bread rise, making it light yet rich. This reaction is what sets it apart from other recipes, giving you a superior texture that you just can’t get with milk or water alone. For a similar effect, check out our banana bread recipe with sour cream, which uses the same scientific principle!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple pantry staples you likely already have on hand. The key is using very ripe bananas and full-fat plain yogurt for the best flavor and texture.
Simple, wholesome ingredients for the best banana bread.
Overripe Bananas: The darker and spottier, the better! Overripe bananas are sweeter and more aromatic, providing the best banana flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for our bread.
Baking Soda: Our leavening agent, which gets a boost from the yogurt.
Salt: Balances all the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
Unsalted Butter: Use melted butter for richness and flavor.
Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of molasses flavor that pairs beautifully with banana.
Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds richness. Make sure it’s at room temperature!
Plain Yogurt: The star of the show! Full-fat plain or Greek yogurt works best.
Vanilla Extract: A splash of pure vanilla extract elevates the overall flavor.
How to Make Banana Bread with Yogurt (Step-by-Step)
Making this bread is as easy as mixing and baking. Just follow these simple steps for a perfect loaf.
Prep Your Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Mash the Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until they are mostly smooth with a few small lumps remaining for texture.
Mix Wet Ingredients: To the mashed bananas, add the melted butter, brown sugar, room temperature egg, plain yogurt, and vanilla extract. Whisk everything together until it’s well combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Gently fold them together with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! A few streaks of flour are perfectly okay.
Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 50-60 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 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial for the perfect slice!
Perfectly moist slices of our easy banana bread with yogurt.
Tips for the Best Yogurt Banana Bread
Do Not Overmix: This is the most important rule for any quick bread. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a tough, dense, and gummy loaf. Mix only until the flour is just incorporated.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: An egg and yogurt at room temperature will incorporate more easily into the batter, creating a more uniform texture.
Check for Doneness Correctly: Ovens can vary. Start checking your bread around the 50-minute mark. If the top is browning too quickly but the inside is still wet, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil for the remainder of the baking time.
Patience is Key: Let the banana bread cool completely before slicing. Slicing into it while it’s still warm can cause it to be gummy and fall apart. The texture sets as it cools.
Recipe Variations & Fun Add-Ins
This recipe is a wonderful base for customization. Feel free to get creative with these delicious additions:
Nuts: Fold in 3/4 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for a classic crunch. It’s a simple change that makes a fantastic classic banana nut bread.
Chocolate Chips: Add 1 cup of semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips for a decadent treat. You can find a dedicated recipe for that here: the best chocolate chip banana bread.
Spices: A teaspoon of ground cinnamon or a half teaspoon of nutmeg can add a wonderful warmth to the loaf.
Cinnamon Sugar Topping: Before baking, sprinkle the top of the batter with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon for a sweet, crunchy crust.
Storing and Freezing Your Banana Bread
Storing at Room Temperature
Your banana bread will stay fresh and moist for up to 4 days at room temperature. Store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. The flavor actually deepens on the second day!
Freezing for Later
This bread freezes beautifully! Once completely cooled, you can wrap the entire loaf (or individual slices) tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw, simply leave it on the counter at room temperature for a few hours.
The Perfect Banana Bread Recipe with Yogurt
FL Recipes
Banana Bread Recipe with Yogurt for the Ultimate Moist Loaf
This banana bread recipe with yogurt is the secret to an incredibly moist, tender, and flavorful loaf. Using simple pantry staples like ripe bananas and tangy plain yogurt, this one-bowl recipe is foolproof and yields perfect results every time.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan, or line with parchment paper leaving an overhang for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork. Add the melted butter, packed brown sugar, room temperature egg, plain yogurt, and vanilla extract. Whisk until everything is smoothly combined.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Use a rubber spatula to fold them together until just combined. Do not overmix; a few streaks of flour are acceptable.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, tent it loosely with foil.
Let the banana bread cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Then, remove the loaf from the pan and let it cool completely on the wire rack before slicing and serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 210kcalProtein: 3gFat: 9gFiber: 1g
Notes
Do Not Overmix: This is the key to a tender quick bread. Mix only until the flour disappears. Yogurt Type: Full-fat plain yogurt or Greek yogurt yields the best results for a moist and rich loaf. Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Keyword banana bread with yogurt,moist banana bread,yogurt banana bread
Full-fat plain yogurt is the best choice for the most moisture and richest flavor. Both regular plain yogurt and full-fat Greek yogurt work wonderfully in this recipe.
Absolutely! Greek yogurt is an excellent choice. It’s thicker and has a more pronounced tang, which can result in a slightly denser and very moist loaf. Use the same amount called for in the recipe.
Sour cream is the best substitute for yogurt as it has a similar fat content and acidity. You can substitute it in a 1:1 ratio. Buttermilk is another option, though the bread may be slightly less rich.
A gummy texture is almost always caused by overmixing the batter after adding the flour. Mix only until the dry ingredients are just incorporated. Slicing the bread while it’s still hot can also cause a gummy texture, so be sure to let it cool completely.
The most reliable way to check for doneness is to insert a wooden skewer or toothpick into the center of the loaf. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. If it comes out with wet batter, it needs more time in the oven.
More Banana Bread Recipes to Try
We hope you love this incredibly moist banana bread recipe with yogurt! It’s a testament to how one simple ingredient can make all the difference. If you tried it, please leave a comment below and let us know what you think. Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest! For a different take on a healthy loaf, try our amazing healthy banana bread recipe.
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 »
