This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Starbucks banana bread recipe is a moist, bakery-style copycat of the famous banana walnut loaf from Starbucks. It’s soft, slightly dense, packed with ripe banana flavor, and loaded with crunchy walnuts, just like the original.
If you love the ultra-moist texture and balanced sweetness of Starbucks banana bread, this homemade version recreates it perfectly, without the line or the price tag.
While you’re here, check out more Starbucks copycat recipes like my Starbucks white chocolate mocha latte, Starbucks pumpkin muffin recipe, Starbucks banana muffin recipe, Starbucks sweet cream cold brew, and Starbucks salted caramel cold brew.
I eat a lot of banana bread from Starbucks and I have to say this was like by far the closest
Table of Contents
- Why This Starbucks Banana Bread Copycat Works
- Is This the Real Starbucks Banana Bread Recipe?
- What Does This Starbucks loaf Taste Like?
- Starbucks Banana Bread Ingredients vs. This Copycat
- Ingredients for this Starbucks banana walnut bread
- How to make the starbucks banana nut bread recipe
- Pro Tips for the Best Banana Bread
- Frequently asked questions – FAQ
- Starbucks banana bread recipe Recipe
Why This Starbucks Banana Bread Copycat Works
- Bakes tall with a dense, bakery-style crumb
- Made with oil for that ultra-moist texture
- Loaded with ripe bananas for bold flavor
- Packed with walnuts for the classic Starbucks banana nut bread texture
- Simple pantry ingredients — no fancy techniques
Is This the Real Starbucks Banana Bread Recipe?
Starbucks does not publish their exact banana bread recipe, but this copycat version closely recreates the flavor, texture, and moisture of their famous banana walnut loaf. Many readers say it tastes even better than the original.
What Does This Starbucks loaf Taste Like?
Starbucks banana bread is ultra-moist, slightly dense, and rich in banana flavor. Warm hints of cinnamon add depth, while crunchy walnuts give it texture. It’s perfectly sweet — not overpowering, which makes it ideal with coffee.
Starbucks Banana Bread Ingredients vs. This Copycat
Starbucks banana walnut bread typically includes flour, sugar, oil, eggs, walnuts, and spices.
This homemade Starbucks banana bread recipe uses similar pantry staples but allows you to control the sweetness and customize mix-ins.
Ingredients for this Starbucks banana walnut bread
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this quick bread. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed ingredient measurements.
- All-purpose flour- Provides structure. For a healthier option, use half whole wheat flour. ( just add an extra 2 tablespoons of sour cream!
- Baking soda- This is the leavening agent that will help out quick bread to rise.
- Salt- The salt will help balance out the sweetness of this bread.
- Egg- Make sure to use eggs at room temperature for this recipe.
- Granulated sugar or white sugar
- Vegetable oil- You can also use canola oil, or olive oil but be aware that the olive oil will change up the flavors a little.
- Sour cream- This will add extra moisture to our banana bread.
- overripe bananas- Sweet bananas that are extra ripe are perfect to make tender banana bread with extra sweetness to it. Plus this is a delicious way to use up those extra ripe bananas that have been staring you down from the counter for the past week and a half.
- Cinnamon- The hint of cinnamon will deepen the flavor level in this banana bread like no other!
- Vanilla extract
- Crunchy walnuts & pecans– Use your favorite nuts, or omit for a nut-free version.
How to make the starbucks banana nut bread recipe
This is how you can make the most perfect banana bread. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed instructions!
- Preheat the oven and line your pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon and whisk to combine.
- In a large bowl whisk in the eggs and vegetable oil until combined.
- Pour the dry ingredients over the wet ingredients and mix. The batter will be dry but don’t worry.
- Add in the mashed bananas, sour cream, and vanilla extract mixture and mix to combine. Fold the nuts into the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan then top with the pecans.
- Bake in the oven until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Slice your cooled down into thick slices and enjoy this Starbucks recipe at home!
Looking for this recipe in Spanish, Italian, or German? Let me know in the comments!
Pro Tips for the Best Banana Bread
- Customize It: Add chocolate chips, dried fruits, or shredded coconut for fun variations.
- Use Overripe Bananas: Spotty bananas are ideal for sweetness and moisture.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing leads to dense bread. Mix until just combined.
- Line Your Pan: Prevent sticking and ensure easy removal with parchment paper.
Storage & Freezing
- Freezer: Wrap slices or the whole loaf tightly in plastic wrap or saran wrap and freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer bag or airtight container. Thaw overnight in the fridge or on the counter.
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerator: Keeps fresh for up to 7 days.
Delicious Ways to Enjoy Banana Bread
- Warm with a pat of butter. I love air frying mine so it’s a little toasty or even placing it in a toaster oven!
- Toasted and topped with cream cheese or peanut butter.
- As a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a caramel drizzle.
- Crumbled into yogurt or smoothie bowls for added texture.
Frequently asked questions – FAQ
Yes! Replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons water) and use a plant-based yogurt instead of sour cream.
Absolutely! Stir in ½ cup of chocolate chips for a decadent twist. The same ratios go for other mix-ins!
Use a fork or potato masher for chunky texture, or puree in a blender for a smoother batter.
One slice of Starbucks banana walnut bread contains about 420 calories. This homemade version allows you to adjust portion size and ingredients to fit your preferences.
Starbucks banana bread has a slightly dense, bakery-style crumb because it uses oil instead of butter and is mixed gently to avoid excess air.
Starbucks banana bread recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cup all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 egg at room temperature
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 tbsp sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 ripe bananas
- 1/2 cup walnuts divided
- 1/3 cup pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325F then line a greased loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon and whisk to combine.2 cup all purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp cinnamon
- In a large bowl whisk in the eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vegetable oil until combined.1 egg, 1 cup white sugar, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- Pour the dry ingredients over the wet ingredients and mix. The batter will be dry but don’t worry.
- Add in the mashed bananas, sour cream, and vanilla extract mixture and mix to combine. Fold in 1/3 cup of walnuts and 1/3 cup of pecans in the batter.3 tbsp sour cream, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 3 ripe bananas, 1/2 cup walnuts, 1/3 cup pecans
- Pour the batter into a loaf pan then top with the leftover walnuts.
- Bake in the oven for 75 minutes of until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Start checking at the one-hour mark.
- Cool the loaf in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it from the pan and allowing it to cool completley on a cooling rack.
- Slice your cooled down into thick slices and enjoy this Starbucks recipe at home!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
at what step do you add in the walnuts? the steps only mention adding the pecans, and it only mentions adding them to the top once you’ve poured the batter into the pan. The picture shows nuts throughout the loaf, so does a portion of them get mixed into the batter at some point?
Ty
You fold them into the batter after you’ve mixed the bananas with the other ingredients.
Definitely 5 star! We love this banana bread and so far the best I’ve made. Indeed better than Starbucks one I love to order. I used less sugar though.
Question, can I used sugar substitute eg. maple syrup?
Thanks!
So glad you liked it! You can definitely use sugar subs if you want! Powders would be the best and easiest. A liquid like maple would add some moisture and change the texture by making it more wet and dense so just keep that in mind 🙂
This recipe is definitely a hit! I make it as mini loaves instead of one loaf and they come out great! Shared with a friend and she loved it. I’ll definitely keep this recipe handy, it’s amazing!
Thank you so much for the nice review! I’m so glad you liked it 🙂
Best banana bread recipe I’ve ever made. Thank you. I have not made banana bread in a really long time because I just don’t think the recipes are that good. This is my second batch in a week.
I love to hear it! I am glad you are enjoying the recipe.
It was simple amd delicious. I had everything in the house except walnuts. It turned out perfect!
i am obsessed with this bread I have made it for my friends and myself delish
That’s awesome!
very good ,for myself next time a little less sugar and cinnamon , definitely a keeper
Thank you!
Best banana bread recipe out there! My kids loved it!
Thank you!
This turned out so good. Very happy I tried it.
This is TOO GOOD! Might want to change it to “better than starbucks,” just saying. I LOVED this bread and the cinnamon. Double nuts? Yes please. The batter? Delicious.