Got a bunch of spotty bananas that nobody wants? Don’t throw them out! Those soft, overripe bananas are perfect for baking. I always have a few lying around, and I know just what to do- make a banana bread recipe. But not just any banana bread. I mix in Nutella– that rich, dreamy chocolate and hazelnut spread- for a treat that’s next-level good.
The result? A moist, tender loaf with deep swirls of Nutella running through every slice. It’s sweet and nutty, with a soft inside and a golden crust on top. The flavors melt together so perfectly that one bite turns into two, then three. It smells amazing while baking-pure heaven filling the whole kitchen.
You don’t have to be a pro baker to pull this off. Just mash those ripe bananas, stir in your usual batter, and swirl in spoonfuls of Nutella. That’s it! It’s easy, fuss-free, and turns out great every time. I love that it takes ordinary bananas and makes something extra special.
Kids go wild for it, too. Even the ones who won’t touch a plain banana will ask for seconds. It’s a kid-friendly snack that’s better than cookies or candy. Around here, this banana bread recipe twist is a go-to recipe. It’s simple to make, packed with flavor, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Why Banana Bread and Nutella Are the Perfect Match
🍌 The Banana Factor
Ripe bananas are soft, sweet, and easy to mash. They’re the heart of banana bread.
Here’s what happens as bananas ripen:
| Ripeness | Texture | Sweetness Level | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Firm | Mild | Snacking |
| Spotted | Soft | Sweeter | Baking banana bread |
| Brown | Very soft | Very sweet | Smoothies, muffins, or more banana bread |
Tip: The darker the banana, the better the flavor!
🍫 Enter Nutella: A Sweet Upgrade
Nutella is a smooth, sweet hazelnut spread with cocoa. It adds:
- A deep, chocolate flavor
- Creamy texture
- Sweetness without extra sugar
When swirled into banana bread, it becomes gooey, warm, and irresistible.
“This combo changed the way my kids eat bananas. Now, they ask for brown bananas!” – Sara, Abu Dhabi
✅ Why It Works So Well
- Flavor: Bananas are sweet. Nutella is sweet + nutty = perfect match.
- Texture: Moist banana base + creamy swirls
- Visual: Beautiful swirls inside and golden crust on top
🏆 UAE Real-World Example
Bakery Case Study – Sweet Slice, Dubai:
Sweet Slice added Nutella banana bread recipe to their menu. Within 2 weeks, it became their top-selling loaf. Locals said the combination felt “homey but gourmet.”
Ingredients You’ll Need (With Substitutions)
Let’s keep it simple.
Here’s what you’ll need to make a banana bread recipe with Nutella.
📝 Basic Ingredients
| Ingredient | Why It’s Important |
|---|---|
| Ripe bananas | Natural sweetener, moist texture |
| All-purpose flour | Gives structure |
| Baking soda | Helps bread rise |
| Eggs | Binds ingredients, adds richness |
| Sugar (optional) | Boosts sweetness (especially if bananas aren’t very ripe) |
| Oil or melted butter | Adds moisture |
| Vanilla extract | Adds flavor |
| Nutella | Star of the show – chocolate swirl! |
🔄 Smart Substitutions
| Works well with minor texture changes | For This | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eggs | Flaxseed eggs | Great for vegans |
| All-purpose flour | Almond flour or gluten-free mix | Works well with minor texture change |
| Sugar | Honey or date syrup | Natural sweeteners |
| Butter | Coconut oil | Dairy-free option |
| Nutella | Biscoff, peanut butter, or tahini | Tasty variations for nut allergies |
“In our home, we use Biscoff for a spiced version. Kids love it with warm milk.” – Khadija, Sharjah
Step-by-Step: How to Make Banana Bread with Nutella
Ready to bake? Here’s a step-by-step guide:
🔧 Prep Tools
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups
- Whisk or spatula
- Loaf pan (8×4 or 9×5)
- Toothpick (for testing doneness)
👨🍳 Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F).
- Mash 3 ripe bananas in a large bowl.
- Add:
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup oil or melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ⅓ cup sugar (optional)
- Mix well.
- In a second bowl, mix:
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- Combine dry with wet ingredients. Stir gently.
- Pour half the batter into the greased loaf pan.
- Spoon 3 tbsp Nutella on top. Swirl using a knife.
- Add the rest of the batter. Top with more Nutella and swirl again.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes.
- Check with a toothpick should come out mostly clean.
- Cool before slicing.
🎯 Baking Tips
- Don’t overmix. It makes the bread dense.
- Use room-temperature eggs for a smoother batter.
- Warm Nutella slightly to make swirling easier.
Nutella Alternatives or Omission
Not a fan of Nutella? Allergic to nuts? No worries.
Here are tasty alternatives:
🧴 Substitutes You’ll Love
| Substitute | Taste | Notes: Why Try It? |
|---|---|---|
| Biscoff Spread | Spiced, caramel | Nut-free, unique twist |
| Peanut Butter | Protein-packed | Great balance of sweet and savory |
| Chocolate Chips | Sweet | Simple and fast alternative |
| Cocoa Swirl | Cocoa + butter + nuts | Full chocolate flavor with a homemade touch |
| Dulce de Leche | Creamy, caramel-like | Extra indulgent and rich |
❓ Can You Skip Nutella?
Yes! The base banana bread recipe is delicious on its own.
But…
Adding swirls gives extra texture, sweetness, and a “wow” factor.
Pro Tip: If skipping Nutella, sprinkle a few chocolate chips on top instead.
How to Store and Freeze Banana Bread
Fresh out of the oven… but what about tomorrow?
Let’s talk storage tips.
🧊 Storage Guide
| Storage Method | Duration | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 3–4 days | Wrap in foil or plastic wrap |
| Fridge | 5–6 days | Use an airtight container |
| Freezer | Up to 3 months | Slice before freezing for easy portions |
🔁 Reheating Tips
- Microwave: 10-15 seconds per slice
- Oven: 5 mins at 160°C (320°F)
- Add a pat of butter or honey if it feels dry
“I bake two loaves. One for now, one for later. Freezing slices saves time and money.” – Rami, Dubai.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, things go wrong. Here’s help.
🧪 Common Problems and Fixes
| Reduce the banana amount or bake 5 more minutes | Reason | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Bread is too dense | Overmixed or underbaked | Mix gently, bake slightly longer |
| Cracked top | Oven too hot | Lower oven temperature by 5°C |
| Too moist inside | Too many bananas or underbaked | Reduce banana amount or bake 5 more minutes |
| Nutella flavor didn’t swirl deep enough | Not enough used or poor swirling | Use more Nutella and swirl more thoroughly |
🎓 Case Study – Home Baker in UAE
Hiba from Al Ain tried five banana bread recipes in a month:
“Adding yogurt made it moist. But Nutella was the magic ingredient. My neighbors asked for the recipe!”
Final Thoughts
Banana bread with Nutella is more than just a recipe- it’s a cozy hug in loaf form.
It’s the perfect way to use up those brown bananas sitting on your counter. And with a few spoonfuls of Nutella, you take something simple and turn it into something special.
The best part? It’s incredibly easy. No fancy equipment. No complicated steps. Just mix, swirl, bake, and enjoy.
Kids love it. Grown-ups sneak extra slices. It’s the kind of recipe that brings people together.
And the beauty of this loaf? It’s flexible. Swap Nutella for peanut butter, or toss in chocolate chips. You can use less sugar or add chopped nuts for crunch. It’s your bread- make it your way.
Here’s what we covered:
- Why ripe bananas and Nutella make the dream team
- Simple ingredients and smart swaps
- Easy step-by-step method
- Nutella alternatives
- Storage, freezing, and reheating tips
- Troubleshooting for perfect loaves
- Real-life stories from UAE kitchens
Whether you’re baking it for guests, packing it in a lunchbox, or enjoying it with your morning coffee-it’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
So go ahead. Grab those ripe bananas, swirl in that Nutella, and bake yourself a loaf of love.
FAQs
Can I make this banana bread vegan?
Yes! Replace eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg), use plant-based milk or none at all, and swap Nutella with a dairy-free chocolate spread. The result is just as moist, sweet, and delicious-perfect for a vegan lifestyle.
How do I make sure Nutella swirls stay visible?
Warm the Nutella slightly to make it easier to swirl. Use a butter knife or skewer to gently swirl it through the batter after pouring into the pan. Don’t overmix! Swirl just enough to get those pretty ribbons on top and inside.
Can I reduce the sugar?
Absolutely! If your bananas are very ripe, you can skip sugar altogether. Nutella adds enough sweetness. You can also substitute with honey, maple syrup, or date syrup for a natural alternative. The flavor will still be amazing and kid-approved.
Why is my banana bread dry?
Dry banana bread usually means too much flour or overbaking. Make sure to spoon and level the flour, not pack it in. Also, don’t overmix the batter. Bake just until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs!
What’s the best way to serve it?
Banana bread with Nutella tastes amazing warm. Try it toasted with a pat of butter or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s also perfect with coffee or milk. Serve slices as a snack, dessert, or even a quick breakfast on busy days.
