Copycat Starbucks Banana Bread Recipe

Better Than Starbucks Banana Nut Bread Recipe

Starbucks does a great job at making classic banana bread. It is full of ripe bananas with just a hint of nuts and a bit of cinnamon. Their bread is tender, moist and addictive.

This copycat Starbucks banana bread recipe is exactly all that but better because it is homemade (and less expensive).

Starbucks doesn’t put anything in their banana bread that could mask the flavor of the banana. It has just a hint of cinnamon that compliments the banana but doesn’t overpower. Their recipe has nuts. Both walnuts and pecans but not too many and in my personal opinion, not enough. But I happen love nuts.

As a matter of fact, on one of my first trials with this recipe, I put in twice as many nuts as this final version of the recipe.

I cut back on the nuts in order to replicate the Starbucks banana nut bread recipe. If you’re not much of a nut fan, you can certainly omit them, and the outcome will still be amazing.

Here is Why This Recipe Works

Home Baked Freshness: Nothing beats the aroma of freshly baked banana bread wafting through your kitchen. Store-bought can’t compete with that warm, home-baked goodness.

Customization: Want extra nuts, a swirl of chocolate, or maybe a hint of spice? This recipe is your canvas. You get to customize to your taste. Plus, you can slice the loaf thinner for fewer calories per serving.

Cost-Effective: Save some cash by baking a whole loaf at home. It’s more economical than buying individual slices, especially if everyone in your house wants a slice.

Quality Control: You know exactly what’s going into your bread—no mystery ingredients or preservatives. It’s all-natural, wholesome, and made with love.

Why This Recipe Stays So Moist

You don’t need milk or buttermilk in this banana bread copycat recipe. The secret to making this banana bread so moist is in the oil. Cakes and quick bread like this one will be moister with oil than butter.

Starbucks uses soybean and canola oil in their recipe. Soybean and canola oils have a very neutral flavor so they let the bananas shine. Another good choice is to use vegetable oil which also has a neutral flavor but it will keep the bread super moist.

If you’re looking for a banana bread that has more complex flavors than this Starbucks banana bread, try our recipe for Julia Childs Banana Bread that incorporates butter and oil in the recipe. Butter gives the sweet bread a rich flavor while the oil helps it stay moist but also adds a little something to the flavor as well.

Or try our sourdough banana bread recipe for a tangy twist on the classic.

Recipe Variations

Peanut Coconut Crunch: Stir in ½ cup chopped peanuts and ½ cup of coconut flakes. Top with additional nuts.

Whole Wheat Twist: Swap 1 cup of all-purpose flour for 1 cup of whole wheat flour to add a hearty, nutty flavor and a boost of fiber.

How to Store Leftovers Properly

• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap after it is completely cooled. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. 
• Optionally, you can freeze the leftovers for 3 months. Keep it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label it with the date.

Starbucks banana bread (the one that you purchase at the coffee shop) will last a bit longer than this copycat version. Starbucks uses soy lecithin in their recipe to increase the shelf life of their bread.

We obviously aren’t using any soy lecithin in this recipe but if you want it to last longer then you can freeze it. We recommend slicing the bread first then storing it in a freezer safe, sealable baggy. That way you can grab a slice and give it a quick thaw in the microwave.

Can I Freeze Ripe Bananas?

Yes! Freezing ripe bananas is a great way to ensure you always have them on hand for recipes like this banana walnut bread.

Simply peel the bananas, place them in an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag, and store them in the freezer.

When you’re ready to use them, let them thaw at room temperature. They will get a bit watery once thawed, so it’s best to drain most or all of the liquid before using them in your recipe. This will help maintain the right consistency.

More Starbucks Recipes

If you love all the goodies at Starbucks, we have a few more recipes you might like.