Filipino banana bread recipe: Use up those ripe bananas! (2024)

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In 327 BCE, bananas were said to have been discovered by Alexander the Great, as he conquered several parts of India. Although the origin of banana bread isn’t exactly known, it’s said to be first made in the 18th century by some housewives who were doing experiments with pearlash.

It became very popular due to the recipe’s simplicity. In the 1930s, it was a regular feature in American cookbooks, right when baking powder and baking soda became popular.

Though this recipe originated in a foreign country, it’s become one of the most favorite Filipino foods!

You can even say that the Filipino people have adopted this recipe and have been enjoying it for decades.

It can be eaten at any time of the day, whether there’s an occasion or just for simple snack time.

It only takes about 10 minutes to prep and 55 minutes to bake, which isn’t too long! You won’t even need a mixer when doing this scruptuous recipe.

Check out YouTube user Panlasang Pinoy’s video on making Filipino banana bread with raisins:

Cooking tips

The banana bread recipe has several variations. It’s up to you to choose the one that’s best for your palate.

All ingredients can be combined together in a wide mixing bowl.

It’s best to use bananas that are very ripe to ensure that your banana bread will have that distinct sweetness and flavor. Pick those with peels that have a lot of brown spots already, as overripe bananas are very sweet.

The exact measurements should be followed for the best-tasting bread. But you can add some more sugar if you prefer it really sweet (not advisable for diabetics though!).

Be strict in following the flour measurement to avoid making the bread bitter in taste.

Since it has a variety of recipes to choose from, you can add in some nuts, chocolate chips, or even a few pieces of raisins or dried cranberries for a more daring flavor.

Substitute and variations

If you don’t have all the ingredients, check out some of these substitutes and variations that can go well for baking banana bread.

Use frozen bananas instead of fresh bananas

Maybe you had a ton of bananas and didn’t know what to do with them, so you froze some. You can definitely use them to make banana bread!

However, make sure you thaw them first before starting the recipe.

Use yogurt or almond milk instead of evaporated milk

Since sugar will already sweeten the recipe, you can choose not to add evaporated milk and instead, replace it with plain yogurt (or even Greek yogurt if you’re eating healthy). Yogurt’s acidic nature helps baked items rise and expand when combined with baking soda.

You can also substitute with almond milk if you’re trying to be healthier.

Use maple syrup instead of vanilla extract

You can substitute an equivalent amount of maple syrup for vanilla extract because the 2 ingredients have similar flavors. The ideal syrup is pure maple syrup; however, pancake syrup will also do the trick.

There won’t be any overt flavor changes, although maple syrup has more sugar than vanilla.

Use oat flour or wheat flour instead of regular flour

If you’ve only got oat flour on hand, then you can sub it for regular flour. Just make sure to measure out the equivalent weight; don’t go by volume measurements, as oat flour is much lighter than regular flour.

You can also substitute with wheat flour for a healthier option.

Use coconut sugar or brown sugar instead of white sugar

White sugar is sweet, but it doesn’t have a deep taste. If you want that, then use coconut sugar or brown sugar instead.

Add chocolate chips, chopped pecans, and chopped walnuts

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you can add some mini chocolate chips to the batter and mix well. Chocolate pairs perfectly with bananas, so it’ll be delicious!

Chopped pecans and walnuts add a nice crunch too. Other chopped nuts also do well if you don’t like pecans or walnuts.

Banan muffins instead of loaves

If you don’t have a loaf pan, then not to worry. You can make banana bread muffins instead!

Simply put the batter into your muffin tray and bake. The bake time will be much shorter since each muffin will cook faster than an entire loaf, so keep an eye on the loaf pan in the oven.

How to serve and eat

When you’re finally done with baking and have cooled down this very delicious banana bread recipe, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Why not take it out on the porch and enjoy the breezy afternoon while taking a bite of this delectable banana bread with a cup of your favorite brewed coffee? Or you can partner it with champorado.

You may also bring a book with you and enjoy your reading time while consuming this bread and sipping on coffee.

On the other hand, if you have some friends coming over, they’ll definitely love it if you serve them a slice of banana bread and maybe a glass of ice-cold juice. It’ll be more enjoyable to hang out and they’ll surely be looking forward to your next invite!

The kids will certainly love this banana bread recipe too, and snack time will be a fun time for them.

Similar dishes

Can’t get enough of our favorite banana bread recipe? Check out some awesome similar dishes that’ll surely fill your tummy!

Dark chocolate banana bread

Do you love your banana bread chocolatey? Dark chocolate powder and our sweet mashed fruit create a delicious flavor combination in your dark chocolate banana bread.

When you want a dessert that’s a little bit healthier than a traditional cake, this is a perfect substitute!

Maruya

A Filipino-style fritter is called a maruya. It’s often produced using saba bananas.

The most popular variation is made by deep frying bananas that’ve been thinly sliced and “fanned” in the batter.

Banana turon

If you want to try other types of banana dishes, banana turon or banana rolls will surely fill your tummy!

It’s a well-liked food in the Philippines that’s sweet, crispy, and filling. A flour lumpia wrapper is rolled with ripe saba banana, jackfruit, and brown sugar before being fried to a golden crisp.

How to store banana bread

Just like cooking this banana bread recipe, storing its leftovers doesn’t take a lot of effort either.

Simply put your load of banana bread in a clean airtight container and refrigerate it. You then have up to 4 days after storing to finish your delectable banana loaf.

You can also freeze banana bread for up to 4 months.

Get a slice of your own banana bread today

This recipe doesn’t only benefit your tummy, but it’ll also benefit your health because of the protein in it. Carbohydrates and cholesterol are just on the low side, and they won’t have an adverse effect on your health.

Salamat at mabuhay!