Banana Bread with Streusel Topping

This banana bread with streusel topping is the perfect harmony of moist, flavorful banana goodness and a buttery, spiced crunch on top. The rich brown sugar streusel melts slightly into the loaf while baking, creating layers of soft and crumbly textures in every slice. It’s the ultimate cozy bake for any season.

Whether you enjoy it for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet afternoon snack with coffee, this recipe is a fantastic way to use up ripe bananas in a comforting and indulgent way. The ingredients are simple, the preparation is easy, and the result is a bakery-style loaf that will have everyone coming back for seconds (or thirds!).

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Bread:

• 3 to 4 overripe bananas (mashed, about 1½ cups)

• ½ cup butter (melted and cooled)

• ½ cup light brown sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

For the Streusel Topping:

• ⅓ cup light brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 2 tablespoons butter (cold and cubed)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, mash the bananas until smooth. Stir in melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.

3. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

4. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture until just combined—do not overmix.

5. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.

6. In a small bowl, mix the streusel ingredients using a fork or pastry cutter until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over the banana bread batter.

7. Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil during the last 15 minutes.

8. Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 60 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Kcal: 285 kcal | Servings: 10 slices

The Ultimate Banana Bread with Streusel Topping

Few things evoke a sense of comfort and nostalgia like a freshly baked loaf of banana bread. The sweet aroma that fills your kitchen, the soft crumb when you slice into it, and the subtle caramel notes from ripe bananas make it a favorite across generations. But when you elevate this classic with a buttery cinnamon streusel topping, you transform an everyday treat into a bakery-worthy experience.

This version of banana bread is everything you want: moist, flavorful, and with a tender crumb that practically melts in your mouth. And then, there’s the topping: crumbly, sweet, and ever so slightly crunchy, it adds the perfect contrast to the soft interior. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this recipe is both approachable and impressive.

A Little History of Banana Bread

Banana bread, in its modern form, didn’t appear until the 1930s, when baking soda and baking powder became widely available in home kitchens. Before that, recipes involving bananas were more likely to be puddings or custards. But during the Great Depression, the idea of using overripe fruit instead of discarding it was appealing, practical, and frugal, and the humble banana bread was born.

The loaf gained traction through community cookbooks and flour advertisements, eventually becoming a staple in American homes. Since then, it has evolved in countless directions: with chocolate chips, walnuts, cream cheese fillings, and now, with decadent streusel toppings.

Why Streusel?

Streusel, a crumbly topping made of flour, sugar, and butter, originated in German baking. It’s traditionally used to crown coffee cakes, muffins, and fruit pies, offering a contrasting texture and richness. In this banana bread, the streusel elevates the humble loaf, turning it into something reminiscent of a banana coffee cake.

The key to good streusel is cold butter. When baked, the small butter pockets steam and create that beloved crumb texture. Combined with brown sugar and cinnamon, it caramelizes ever so slightly and adds a delightful crunch and flavor burst with every bite.

Choosing the Right Bananas

The riper, the better. Your bananas should have brown spots all over and be soft to the touch. The darker the banana, the sweeter and more flavorful the final bread. Avoid bananas with any mold or blackened flesh, but don’t be afraid of a heavily speckled peel, that’s exactly what you want for rich, naturally sweet banana bread.

Pro tip: If you want to bake banana bread but don’t have ripe bananas, you can speed up the process by placing your bananas in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 15–20 minutes until the peels blacken. Let them cool before peeling and using.

Tips for Perfect Banana Bread

1. Don’t Overmix the Batter
   Stir just until the flour disappears. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour and can lead to a dense or rubbery loaf.

2. Use Room Temperature Ingredients
   Eggs and butter at room temperature blend more easily and create a uniform texture.

3. Let It Cool Before Slicing
   As tempting as it is to cut into the loaf right away, banana bread continues to set as it cools. Letting it rest helps lock in moisture and flavor.

4. Test for Doneness
   Since banana bread is moist, it can be tricky to tell when it’s fully baked. Insert a toothpick into the center, it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If it comes out with wet batter, give it more time and tent it with foil if the top is browning too fast.

5. Storage
   Wrap your cooled banana bread tightly in plastic wrap or foil. It stays fresh at room temperature for 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.

Ingredient Spotlight

• Butter: Adds rich flavor and tenderness. Melted butter also enhances the moistness of the loaf.

• Brown Sugar: Adds a caramel depth to both the bread and the streusel, complementing the banana flavor perfectly.

• Cinnamon & Nutmeg: These spices give warm undertones that pair beautifully with bananas and brown sugar.

• Eggs: Provide structure and help bind the loaf together.

• Flour: All-purpose flour works best here, but feel free to experiment with whole wheat or gluten-free blends.

Delicious Variations

• Add Nuts: Chopped walnuts or pecans add texture and a nutty flavor that balances the sweetness. Fold in about ½ cup to the batter.

• Chocolate Chips: For a dessert-like twist, mix in ½ cup of semisweet chocolate chips.

• Cream Cheese Swirl: Drop dollops of sweetened cream cheese into the batter before baking for a rich surprise in every bite.

• Coconut: Add shredded coconut to the streusel for tropical flair.

• Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Banana bread is quite forgiving and still turns out moist and delicious.

Pairing Ideas

Banana bread with streusel topping is perfect with a hot beverage. Try it with:

• Freshly brewed coffee (black or with milk)

• Chai tea with spices that complement the cinnamon streusel

• A glass of cold milk for a nostalgic treat

• Warm vanilla or almond milk for a cozy nightcap

You can serve it plain, warmed with a pat of butter, or even toasted with a smear of cream cheese or nut butter for a heartier snack.

Nutritional Considerations

While banana bread isn’t exactly a health food, it’s also not a sugar bomb if made mindfully. Using ripe bananas allows you to reduce the added sugar slightly. You can also swap some or all of the flour for whole wheat flour, or substitute half the butter with Greek yogurt or applesauce for a lighter loaf.

Here’s a rough breakdown per slice (based on a 10-slice loaf):

• Calories: ~285 kcal

• Carbs: ~38g

• Sugar: ~18g

• Fat: ~12g

• Protein: ~3g

Of course, these values can vary based on any modifications or mix-ins.

Conclusion

Banana Bread with Streusel Topping is the kind of recipe that blends simplicity with indulgence. It honors the tradition of banana bread, born out of resourcefulness while offering a sweet upgrade that’s ideal for sharing, gifting, or savoring slowly with your favorite warm drink.

Whether you’re baking it as a weekend treat, a thoughtful gift, or just because those bananas are finally overripe, this loaf delivers comfort and flavor in every bite. And the best part? It’s practically foolproof. You don’t need fancy tools or exotic ingredients, just a few pantry staples and a little love.

This isn’t just banana bread; it’s a warm memory waiting to be made.