I, like you, have forgotten to eat bananas after purchasing them and have had a few overly-ripe bananas more times than I’d like to admit. Lately though, I’ve been letting my bananas get a bit too ripe purely to make this brown butter banana bread.

When I tell you that this banana bread is absolutely delicious, I mean it. The nutty, caramelized notes you get from the browned butter paired with the gooey bananas is literally a match made in heaven.

What is brown butter (& how the heck do I make it)?

Brown butter is simply butter that has been melted and cooked slightly to help the milk solids in butter caramelize. Typically this is done in a small saucepan over the stove.

That said, however, you’ll want to use a light colored saucepan to make brown butter, as you won’t be able to see when the butter at the bottom of the pan has browned in a dark colored sauce pan which could result in burnt butter.

To make the brown butter needed for this banana bread, add the butter to a saucepan over medium heat and begin stirring the butter as it starts to melt. Once the butter is fully melted, you’ll notice that it starts to sizzle and foam.

Within roughly 5-10 minutes, you’ll see that the butter has turned golden brown and see small specs on the bottom of your pan. You know it’s done when it smells incredibly rich and nutty (not only that, but the foam will start to subside when the browned butter is nearly done).

Make sure you continuously stir the butter! This ensures that the butter will brown evenly and you’ll be able to see when the butter is nearly done.

Pour your browned butter into a small bowl along with the small specs (these tiny bits contain all the yummy flavor you’re after).

Ingredients you’ll need for brown butter banana bread

Correct measurements can be found at the bottom of the post, as always!

• Extra-ripe bananas
• Brown butter
• Brown sugar
• One egg
• Nutmeg
• Cinnamon
• Flour
• Baking soda
• Vanilla bean paste
• Salt

You could also add in chocolate chunks or chopped nuts!

How to make brown butter banana bread

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease your loaf pan with butter or cooking spray. Then, start making your brown butter. Set the brown butter to the side and let cool slightly.

In a large bowl, add and mash the bananas with a fork. Add in the brown sugar, brown butter, vanilla bean paste, and egg – whisk together until fully combined.

In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together. Add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture and fold together until almost fully incorporated.

Spoon the mixture into your prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes and enjoy!

How to store leftover banana bread

Typically, leftover banana bread can be stored on a counter for up to three days or in the fridge for up to a week. If you want to make multiple batches of this banana bread and freeze some loaves for later, you can store it in the freezer for up to three months!

If you decide to freeze the banana bread loaves, let it defrost on the counter and heat it in the microwave before serving! Regardless of when you enjoy this brown butter banana bread, it’ll be a treat!

The Best Brown Butter Banana Bread

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On the hunt for your new favorite banana bread recipe? Give this brown butter banana bread a try – you won’t be disappointed!

• Author: Kayla
• Prep Time: 20 Minutes
• Cook Time: 55 Minutes
• Total Time: 1 Hour & 15 Minutes
• Yield: 12 Slices 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 extra-ripe bananas
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) brown butter 
• 1 egg
• 2 TSP vanilla bean paste
• 1 TSP each: cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking soda
• 1/2 TSP salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease your loaf pan with butter or cooking spray, set to the side.
2. Brown your butter – to do this, add the butter to a saucepan over medium heat and allow to melt while stirring continuously. Within 5-10 minutes, you’ll notice that the butter has turned golden brown and start to see small specs on the bottom of the saucepan. When the butter smells rich and nutty (and the foam starts to subside), you’ll know that the brown butter is done. Pour the browned butter into a small bowl and set it to the side to cool slightly. Check recipe notes or section above for helpful tips!
3. In a large bowl, add and mash the bananas with a fork. Add in the brown sugar, brown butter, vanilla bean paste, and egg – whisk together until fully combined.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together. Add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture and fold together until almost fully incorporated.
5. Spoon the mixture into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes. Let the banana bread cool for 15 minutes in the loaf pan then transfer onto a wire rack to allow it to cool completely. 
6. Serve immediately with or without butter (or freeze up to three months)!

Notes

When making brown butter: Make sure you stir the butter continuously while browning it. It can burn in seconds if you’re not paying attention to it – and no one wants burned butter in a baked good!