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Copycat Starbucks Banana Bread

If someone asks me if I can replicate a recipe,  I get excited about the challenge and take it seriously. This recipe is an amazing replica of Starbucks banana bread. I challenge you to make this recipe and see if you can tell the difference between this version and an original store-bought slice of Starbucks banana bread. 

copycat Starbucks banana bread recipe
This banana nut bread tastes just like Starbucks banana bread recipe.

Starbucks does a great job at making classic banana bread. It is full of banana flavor with just a hint of nuts and a bit of cinnamon. Their bread is tender, moist and addictive. This recipe is exactly all that! 

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

loaf of banana bread in a pan with nuts on top
Fresh and hot from the oven!

How to get moist, tender banana bread.

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 banana 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 classic banana bread, try our banana bread recipe that incorporates butter and olive oil in the batter. Butter gives the banana bread a rich flavor while the olive oil helps it stay moist but also adds a little something to the flavor as well.

loaf of banana bread partially sliced
Homemade is always better!

How long does Starbucks banana bread last?

Starbucks banana bread will last a bit longer than this copycat version. Starbucks uses soy lecithin in their recipe to increase the shelf life of their bread. Our homemade version of banana bread will stay nice and moist for 2 days on the counter or 5 to 6 days if you store it in the fridge. Since Starbucks uses soy lecithin as a preservative, you can probably store their bread for a day or two longer.

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.

How many calories are in Starbucks banana bread?

One slice of Starbucks banana bread is 420 calories. You will notice that a slice of this copycat version only has 254 calories. That is because we sliced our loaf of bread into 16 slices. If you want a really hefty slice of banana bread like the ones they serve at Starbucks then slice the loaf into 10 thick slices and each slice will be equal in calories to the coffee house version.

slice of banana bread ready to eat
This bread is super moist!

SOME OTHER RECIPES WE ARE SURE YOU WILL LOVE:

Our Banana blueberry muffins with crumb topping have a tall muffin top just like a bakery style muffin. They are loaded with plump, juicy blueberries and they have a crunchy cinnamon crumb topping. Make a batch and keep some in the freezer for a quick morning snack with your coffee. 

Our sweet potato bread is so tender and moist. It is full of warm spices and packed with sweet potatoes. It tastes very similar to pumpkin bread except the sweet potatoes are available all year so you can make this anytime. 

This zucchini bread is a classic and it’s one of our favorites. The addition of zucchini helps keep the bread moist but it doesn’t taste like vegetables. It is lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg and tastes just like it came from grandmas house. 

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copycat Starbucks banana bread recipe

Copycat Starbucks Banana Bread

Yield: Makes 1 loaf
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

This banana nut bread tastes just like Starbucks banana bread. It is moist and tender and has just the right amount of walnuts, pecans, bananas, and sugar to replicate the Starbucks banana bread recipe.

Ingredients

DRY INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups all-­purpose flour (240 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon salt

WET INGREDIENTS

  • 1-1/4 cups granulated sugar (250 grams)
  • 2/3 cup vegetable oil (130 grams)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups mashed ripe banana (about 4 bananas)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

NUTS:

  • 1/4 cup toasted chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 cup toasted chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350° and grease a 9­ x 5 ­inch loaf pan.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk the dry ingredients together
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk the wet ingredients together. Use a large spatula to gently fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients until they are just combined.
  4. Combine the walnuts and pecans then fold half of the chopped nuts into the batter then pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and top with the remaining chopped nuts. 
  5. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then remove it from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.

Notes

  1. Toast the walnuts and pecans before adding them to the batter. Toasted nuts will have more flavor and texture.
  2. To toast the nuts spread them out on a rimmed baking sheet and place them in a pre-heated oven at 350°F. Bake for 5 to 8 minutes or until they are fragrant. Let them cool before chopping them and adding them to the batter.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 254Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 248mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 1gSugar: 19gProtein: 3g

Nutrition information is a guideline only, is calculated automatically by third party software, and absolute accuracy is not guaranteed.

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Nisha Cornel

Saturday 18th of September 2021

Tried this today! Turned out great! Used sunflower oil since that’s what I had on hand! Thanks !

Dahn Boquist

Saturday 18th of September 2021

Thanks for the comment. Glad to hear it tastes great with sunflower oil.

Heather Jones

Sunday 16th of May 2021

I have found a recipe that actually states which sugar to use. Thank you

Dahn Boquist

Monday 17th of May 2021

You're welcome, enjoy!

Thepenny.project

Monday 12th of October 2020

My bread came out perfect. I did a little tweak bynusing half brown half white for the sugar. I added 2 tbsp greek yogurt and instead if vegetable oil i used coconut oul.. i used a glass loaf pan so i lowered the temperature to 325 instead and cooked for 65 minutes. Delicious recipe!

Dahn Boquist

Monday 12th of October 2020

Thanks for the comment and tips about recipe tweaks.I have used coconut oil in the past as well and it gives a light coconut flavor, very nice.

Cavet Smith

Monday 7th of September 2020

Incredible! Definitely a hit ! Followed the recipe to a T

Dahn Boquist

Monday 7th of September 2020

Thanks for the comment, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Abby

Monday 27th of April 2020

Can I substitute a cup of apple sauce for a cup of the bananas?

Dahn Boquist

Monday 27th of April 2020

I haven't tried that with this recipe. It would change the texture a bit but I can't say how much.

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