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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.
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!
Table of Contents
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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 or 13.25 oz
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ 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
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Want more easy recipe ideas? Be sure to check out more of my bread recipes, and subscribe to the free newsletter or follow me on social media!
How do you make this without eggs?
Technically, you can make banana bread without eggs. I make banana muffins without eggs, but I have not tried it with this recipe.
Can you use other cake mixes with different fruit
You can use different cake mix flavors, but I haven’t tried different fruit with this recipe.
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.
Thank you so much for the wonderful review, Judy!
I’m to see that gluten free cake mix will work here as well. Thanks.
Easy way to make the bread! Huge flavor and nobody will know you didn’t do it from scratch!
This was delicious and I can’t believe it starts with cake mix! Learn something new every day!
Oh my goodness!This banana bread was perfect for my Sunday brunch!
This was so easy and delicious. I cannot wait to have it again!
I’ve been making banana bread for years. Making it with cake mix is amazing!
Super easy and very tasty! Will be baking this with the grandkids all summer long!