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Banana bread with cake mix is an easy recipe anyone can make. A tasty way to use up ripe bananas and perfect for a quick breakfast or snack.

easy banana bread recipe with cake mix sliced on the table

Banana Bread the Easy Way

If you are looking for an easy banana bread recipe, you’ll love this cake mix banana bread recipe with just 4 ingredients. It makes soft and moist banana bread that is absolutely delicious!

Homemade banana bread isn’t hard to make, but using cake mix makes it easier to throw everything together. Trust me, this shortcut is perfect for busy mornings! 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!

box of cake mix, eggs, ripe bananas and applesauce on table

Ingredient Notes

You only need 4 simple ingredients for this quick bread recipe. Full amounts are in the printable recipe card below.

  • Ripe bananas — They should be mostly brown. Overripe bananas are perfect!
  • Box of cake mix — Yellow cake mix or vanilla cake mix or white cake mix. Using a vanilla flavored mix means one less ingredient to use! If you use a mix without vanilla, you may want to add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for flavor.
  • Eggs
  • Applesauce — unsweetened
  • Ground cinnamon — optional, but adds flavor. I use a little more than usual here, because we are making 2 loaves. You can use less if you like.

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. Using 2 pans filled about 2/3rds full helps the bread bake faster than filling 1 pan all the way. But, it’s up to you.

How to Make Banana Bread with Cake Mix

First, preheat your oven. Then, spray the bottom of your loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray. Depending upon the type of pan you use, 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.

mash bananas in mixing bowl with fork

Add the remaining ingredients, and mix the batter until it’s just 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.

mix banana bread ingredients with hand mixer in mixing bowl

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 2/3rds full. If you’re using just one pan, go ahead and fill it up.

2 loaves of banana bread batter in bread pans with chocolate chips

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 that bread is done 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.

2 loaves of banana bread with cake mix on cooling rack with chocolate chips

Storage

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 3-4 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 within 3 months.

Recipe Tips

Don’t over mix the batter or the bread may be tough and chewy.

For best results and easier slicing, allow the banana bread to cool before slicing.

Some brands of cake mix have changed from 15.25 oz to 13.25 oz. I have tested this recipe with both sizes and haven’t noticed a change.

Variations

Use your favorite cake mix flavor. You can use strawberry cake mix, chocolate cake mix, butter pecan cake mix, or spice cake mix!

Make chocolate chip banana bread with semi sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or butterscotch chips for extra sweetness.

Instead of applesauce, use oil– olive oil, coconut 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!

More Cake Mix Recipes with Bananas

Try my 2 ingredient banana muffins, cake mix banana cookies and easy banana pumpkin cake!

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5 from 11 votes

Easy Cake Mix Banana Bread

By: Dee
Banana bread with cake mix is an easy recipe anyone can make. A tasty way to use up ripe bananas and perfect for a quick breakfast or snack.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 12

Equipment

Ingredients  

  • 4 large bananas ripe, about 1½ cups
  • 1 15.25 oz box cake mix or 13.25 oz
  • 2 large eggs
  • cup applesauce unsweetened
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon optional

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350℉
  • 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 2/3 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

Video

Notes

Add 1 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips to 1 or both loaves if desired.
If making 1 loaf in same size pan, bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until done. If making cupcakes, bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until done.
Store in airtight container up to 3 days for best quality.
Can be wrapped in foil and frozen for up to 3 months for best taste.
Some brands of cake mix have changed from 15.25 oz to 13.25 oz. I have tested this recipe with both sizes and haven’t noticed a change.

Nutrition

Calories: 57kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 31mg, Sodium: 13mg, Potassium: 182mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 78IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 14mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Bread, Breakfast
Cuisine: American
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Recipe Rating




16 Comments

  1. Gina says:

    How do you make this without eggs?

    1. Dee says:

      Technically, you can make banana bread without eggs. I make banana muffins without eggs, but I have not tried it with this recipe.

  2. Kathi says:

    Can you use other cake mixes with different fruit

    1. Dee says:

      You can use different cake mix flavors, but I haven’t tried different fruit with this recipe.

  3. Judy says:

    This is absolutely the BEST and easiest banana bread ever. Every time I bake it..makes 2 loaves, one to give and one to keep..they ask for the recipe. I have made it so many times I can sit and write it down for them. I love that I can use the little individual cups of applesauce. One is all you need. Stop throwing away those really ripe bananas and make this. You won’t be sorry.5 stars

    1. Dee says:

      Thank you so much for the wonderful review, Judy!

  4. Katherine DeMonico says:

    I’m to see that gluten free cake mix will work here as well. Thanks.5 stars

  5. Betty says:

    Easy way to make the bread! Huge flavor and nobody will know you didn’t do it from scratch!5 stars

  6. Irene says:

    This was delicious and I can’t believe it starts with cake mix! Learn something new every day!5 stars

  7. Cara says:

    Oh my goodness!This banana bread was perfect for my Sunday brunch!5 stars

  8. Amanda says:

    This was so easy and delicious. I cannot wait to have it again!5 stars

  9. Beth says:

    I’ve been making banana bread for years. Making it with cake mix is amazing!5 stars

  10. Betty says:

    Super easy and very tasty! Will be baking this with the grandkids all summer long!5 stars