Cinnamon Banana Bread (Warm, Soft & Comforting)

Cinnamon banana bread is pure comfort baked into a loaf. It takes everything we love about classic banana bread soft texture, sweet banana flavor and adds warm cinnamon spice that makes your kitchen smell absolutely amazing while it bakes.

This bread is cozy without being heavy, sweet without being overwhelming, and perfect for any time of day. It’s especially lovely with a cup of tea or coffee, slightly warm, with a little butter melting on top.

What makes this recipe special is its soft crumb, balanced sweetness, and gentle cinnamon warmth in every bite. It’s easy to make, beginner-friendly, and uses simple pantry ingredients—no mixer, no complicated steps.

Let’s bake a beautifully fragrant cinnamon banana bread, step by step.

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Why This Cinnamon Banana Bread Works

• Ripe bananas add natural sweetness and moisture
• Cinnamon brings warmth without overpowering
• Brown sugar deepens flavor and keeps the loaf soft
• Oil or melted butter prevents dryness
• Gentle mixing creates a tender crumb

Key Tip: Cinnamon flavor deepens as the bread cools—this loaf tastes even better the next day.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

Wet Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas (very soft)
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup oil or melted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Add-Ins

• Chopped walnuts or pecans
• Cinnamon sugar swirl (extra cinnamon + sugar)
• Chocolate chips

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Step-by-Step Instructions (With Image Prompts)

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Step 1: Preheat the Oven & Prepare the Pan

Preheat your oven to 170°C / 340°F. Grease a loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving extra paper hanging over the sides for easy removal.

This helps the loaf bake evenly and prevents sticking.

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Step 2: Mash the Bananas

Place the ripe bananas in a large bowl and mash with a fork until mostly smooth. A few small lumps are fine.

Very ripe bananas are essential for sweetness and moisture.

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Step 3: Add Oil or Melted Butter

Pour the oil or melted butter into the mashed bananas and mix well until combined.

This step keeps the bread soft and tender, not dry.

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Step 4: Add Sugar, Eggs & Vanilla

Add brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and slightly creamy.

Brown sugar pairs beautifully with cinnamon.

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Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

This ensures the cinnamon is evenly distributed.

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Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Gently fold with a spatula until just combined.

• Batter should be thick and smooth
• Do NOT overmix

Overmixing makes banana bread dense.

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Step 7: Add Optional Cinnamon Swirl (Optional but Lovely)

If using, mix 2 tablespoons sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Sprinkle half over the batter, lightly swirl, then add the rest on top and swirl gently.

This creates a beautiful cinnamon ribbon inside.

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Step 8: Pour Batter into the Pan

Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top evenly.

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Step 9: Bake the Banana Bread

Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.

If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil during the last 15 minutes.

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Step 10: Cool Completely

Let the loaf cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then lift it out using parchment paper and cool fully on a wire rack.

Important: Cooling allows the cinnamon crumb to set properly.

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Step 11: Slice & Serve

Slice once fully cooled. Enjoy plain, toasted, or with butter or honey.

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How to Know Your Cinnamon Banana Bread Is Perfect

• Soft, moist crumb
• Warm cinnamon aroma
• Evenly baked center
• Lightly golden top

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Using underripe bananas
❌ Overmixing the batter
❌ Too much cinnamon (can taste bitter)
❌ Cutting while hot

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Easy Variations You Can Try

• Cinnamon Walnut Banana Bread
• Cinnamon Sugar Topped Version
• Dairy-Free Version (use oil)
• Extra-Spiced Version (add nutmeg or cloves)

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Storage & Freezing Tips

• Store at room temperature for 2 days
• Refrigerate for up to 5 days
• Freeze slices individually for 2 months

Cinnamon banana bread tastes even better the next day.

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Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon Banana Bread is warm, comforting, and wonderfully simple. It’s the kind of recipe that fills your kitchen with cozy aromas and makes any day feel a little more special.

Once you bake it, you’ll keep coming back to it especially when those bananas turn extra ripe 🍌✨