Orange-Spice Banana Bread with Toasted Walnuts
A fragrant banana bread with warm cinnamon and nutmeg spices, bright orange zest, and crunchy toasted walnuts. The addition of yogurt creates an exceptionally moist crumb while the citrus notes provide a fresh contrast to the sweet, ripe bananas. Perfect for breakfast, afternoon tea, or as a comforting dessert. This version stands out from basic banana bread with its aromatic spice blend and textural contrast from the nuts.
Ingredients
- 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- 1 ¼ cups toasted walnuts, chopped coarse
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons orange zest, grated
- 3 very ripe bananas, soft, darkly speckled, mashed well
- ¼ cup plain yogurt
- 2 large eggs, beaten lightly
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- 1
Heat oven to 350 degrees
- 2
Grease bottom only of regular loaf pan or grease and flour bottom and sides of nonstick loaf pan
- 3
Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, walnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg and orange zest in a large bowl
- 4
Mix mashed bananas, yogurt, eggs, butter, and vanilla with wooden spoon in a medium bowl
- 5
Lightly fold banana mixture into dry ingredients with rubber spatula until just combined and batter looks thick and chunky
- 6
Scrape batter into prepared loaf pan
- 7
Bake until loaf is golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 55 minutes
- 8
Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack
- 9
Serve warm or at room temperature
Tips
Use very ripe bananas with dark spots for maximum sweetness and flavor
Toast walnuts in a dry skillet for 3-4 minutes to enhance their nutty flavor
Don't overmix the batter - lumps are fine and prevent a tough texture
Good to Know
Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week
Can be made 1 day ahead and stored covered at room temperature
Serve warm or at room temperature, sliced thick
Common Mistakes
Don't overbake to avoid dry bread
Don't overmix batter to prevent tough texture
Use very ripe bananas to avoid bland flavor
Substitutions
Nut-Free Alternatives
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I freeze this banana bread?
Yes, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
What if I don't have orange zest?
You can substitute lemon zest in equal amounts or omit it entirely, though you'll lose the citrus brightness.
How do I know when the bread is done?
Insert a toothpick in the center - it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.