Panera Bread Banana Nut Bread Recipe

Panera Bread Banana Nut Bread is a moist, dense quick bread celebrated for its rich banana flavor and crunchy walnut streusel topping. Ideally the bananas should be heavily spotted or nearly black to provide the maximum amount of natural sweetness and moisture to the batter.

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Panera Bread Banana Nut Bread Recipe Ingredients

The Bread:

• 3 large over-ripe bananas, mashed (about 1.5 cups)
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

The Crunchy Topping:

• 1/4 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
• 1 tbsp rolled oats (optional, for texture)
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon

How To Make Panera Bread Banana Nut Bread Recipe

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan generously with butter or non-stick spray.
2. Mash the Fruit: In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork or potato masher until they are mostly smooth with just a few small lumps remaining.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas. Whisk in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is uniform and glossy.
4. Add Dry Ingredients: Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the wet mixture and stir to combine. Gently fold in the flour using a spatula. Stop mixing as soon as the white flour streaks disappear to keep the bread tender.
5. Fold in Nuts: Gently fold in the 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts.
6. Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, toss together the remaining 1/4 cup of walnuts, oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
7. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle the walnut-sugar topping evenly over the batter. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes.
8. Test and Cool: The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Recipe Tips

• Ripeness Rules: Green or yellow bananas will simply not work here. You need the bananas to be soft and aromatic to replicate the dense, moist texture of the Panera loaf.
• Don’t Over-mix: Quick breads get tough and rubbery if you overwork the gluten. Mix the flour in gently by hand rather than using an electric mixer.
• The “Tent” Method: If the walnut topping is browning too quickly before the center of the loaf is cooked, loosely tent a piece of aluminum foil over the top of the pan for the last 15 minutes of baking.
• Pan Size: If you use a smaller 8×4 inch pan, the loaf will be taller and may need an extra 5 to 10 minutes in the oven.

What To Serve With Panera Bread Banana Nut Bread

Banana bread accompaniments are comforting, warm additions frequently served as a breakfast treat or an afternoon snack. Ideally the slice should be warmed slightly in the toaster oven to revitalize the moist interior and crisp up the sugary walnut crust.

• A smear of honey walnut cream cheese
• A hot cup of light roast coffee
• Fresh fruit salad with berries
• A dollop of whipped cream for a dessert variation

How To Store Panera Bread Banana Nut Bread

• Room Temperature: Store the cooled loaf in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap on the counter for up to 3 days.
• Refrigerate: You can store the bread in the fridge for up to 1 week, though this may dry it out slightly.
• Freeze: Slice the loaf and wrap individual slices in plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm in the microwave for 20 seconds.

Panera Bread Banana Nut Bread Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 290 kcal (per slice)
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Protein: 5g
• Fat: 12g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 24g

Nutrition information is estimated per slice based on 10 slices.

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