This Easy Cake Mix Banana Bread recipe makes the BEST banana bread with cake mix, ripe bananas, eggs and applesauce. Moist, delicious and a great recipe for using up ripe bananas!
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If you are looking for an easy banana bread recipe, you'll love this banana bread recipe with cake mix. This 4 ingredient recipe makes moist banana bread that is absolutely delicious!
Because I wanted banana bread without oil, I added applesauce instead of oil or butter. I do the same with my banana applesauce muffins, and they taste great!
Homemade banana bread isn't hard to make, but using cake mix makes it easier to throw everything together. Trust me, this short cut is perfect for busy mornings!
If you like cake mix recipes with bananas, you'll want to try my 2 ingredient banana muffins, cake mix banana cookies and easy banana pumpkin cake!
Ingredients
You only need 4 simple ingredients for this cake mix banana bread recipe. You can find them in your grocery store if you don't have these pantry staples on hand:
- Large bananas -- 4 ripe bananas, about 1.5 cups, mashed
- Cake mix -- box of yellow cake mix or vanilla cake mix or white cake mix
- Eggs
- Applesauce -- unsweetened
- Ground cinnamon -- optional, but adds flavor
You will also need a loaf pan or loaf pans to bake the bread. I used 2 8.5 x 4.5 loaf pans, which are standard size. For your convenience, the link is in the printable recipe card, along with step by step instructions.
Using 2 pans filled about ⅔rds full helps the bread bake faster than filling 1 pan all the way. But, it's up to you.
How to Make Banana Bread Recipe with Cake Mix
First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees f. Then, spray the bottom of your loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray.
You may want to sprinkle a little flour or cake mix on the bottom for easier release. I don't do do this since the pans I use release easily.
Next, mash the bananas in a large mixing bowl. Use a fork or an electric mixer on low speed.
Add the remaining ingredients, and mix the batter until it's well combined.
Don't over mix the batter. There will be lumps from the bananas, which is fine. Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl so that everything is well mixed.
I added a few chocolate chips to one loaf to make chocolate chip banana bread. Some of us love chocolate!
I kept one loaf plain -- for those who do not like chocolate chips in banana bread. You know who you are!
Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pans about ⅔rds full. If you're using just one pan, go ahead and fill it up.
Cooking Time
Bake banana bread in a preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes. When done, a toothpick inserted in the middle of the loaf should come out fairly clean.
It shouldn't have goopy batter, but it may have banana or chocolate on it.
You can also test doneness with a cooking thermometer. When the temperature is 200 degrees f, it's done.
If you're baking the bread in 1 pan, the baking time is about 50 to 60 minutes. When you are using mini loaf pans, bake the bread for about 30 to 35 minutes.
For banana cupcakes, bake in a muffin tin for 18 to 20 minutes or until done. All ovens are different, so the perfect banana bread bake time may vary.
For best results and easier slicing, allow the banana bread to cool a bit.
How to Store
Store loaves of banana bread in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap. Place a paper towel or parchment paper under the loaf to absorb moisture if you like.
You can leave banana bread out at room temperature. No need to to refrigerate it, unless you want to.
This easy banana bread keeps for 3 to 4 days -- if you can resist it for that long! It's actually better the next day because the banana flavor deepens as it sits.
For longer storage, freeze banana bread. Just wrap the loaf of banana bread in plastic wrap and cover it with aluminum foil. For best results, consume it withing 3 months.
Variations and Substitutions
There are several ways to customize this delicious banana bread recipe to your liking.
The easiest way vary your banana bread is to use your favorite cake mix flavor. White cake mix and yellow cake mix are standard, but you can use strawberry cake mix, chocolate cake mix, butter pecan cake mix, or spice cake mix!
Add chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or butterscotch chips for extra sweetness.
Instead of applesauce, use oil-- olive oil or vegetable oil will work --or butter. But, you can also make this a 3 ingredient banana bread recipe by using only bananas, eggs, and cake mix. I've tried everything, and it's all tasty!
This recipe makes vegan and gluten free banana bread, as long as you're using vegan and gluten free cake mix!
Recipe
Easy Cake Mix Banana Bread
Equipment
- 2 loaf pans 8.5 x 4.5 in. Usa Pans
Ingredients
- 4 large bananas ripe, about 1½ cups
- 1 15.25 oz box cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup applesauce unsweetened
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees f
- Spray bottoms of 2 standard loaf pans with non stick cooking spray
- Peel and mash the bananas in a large mixing bowl
- Add the eggs, applesauce, cake mix and cinnamon, and beat with hand mixer on medium speed until well combined. Don't over mix. The batter will be slightly lumpy
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pans, about ⅔ full, and place on middle rack in preheated oven
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean or internal temperature is 200 degrees, according to food thermometer
- Remove from oven and allow to cool until able to handle. Remove from pans and allow to cool completely on wire rack
Notes
Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.
Nutrition
This is one of the easiest banana bread recipes ever! Next time you have some overripe bananas to use up, just grab a box of your favorite cake mix and whip up this quick bread for a delicious treat!
For more easy cake mix recipes, check out our family favorite dessert recipes and bread recipes. Want more easy recipe ideas? Be sure to subscribe to the newsletter and follow me on social media!
Cara says
Oh my goodness!This banana bread was perfect for my Sunday brunch!
Amanda says
This was so easy and delicious. I cannot wait to have it again!
Beth says
I've been making banana bread for years. Making it with cake mix is amazing!
Betty says
Super easy and very tasty! Will be baking this with the grandkids all summer long!