Coconut Pecan Banana Bread (2024)

The only thing better than homemade banana bread is Coconut Pecan Banana Bread. Sweet coconut, chewy pecans, and moist banana bread are combined in this delicious twist on everyone’s favorite bread.

Was there ever a better way to use those ripe bananas on the counter than by making a loaf of mouth-watering banana bread?

Coconut Pecan Banana Bread (1)

Sometimes, I find myself buying more bananas than I need so they’ll be sure to ripen before we can eat them and I’ll have an excuse to make a loaf of banana bread. I know I’m not alone in this!

There’s hardly a more comforting smell than that of banana bread baking. When I’m making a loaf, it’s a sure bet that my youngest son will come running to see what I have in the oven.

From Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Banana Breadto Triple Chocolate Banana Bread, or the classic Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, I love just about every variation there is on this classic quick bread. (I haven’t yet tried these incredible looking Chocolate Banana Muffins but you can bet they’re on my list.)

Coconut Banana Bread

I’ve shared my Blueberry Coconut Banana Bread with you before, a perfect loaf of moist banana bread stuffed with blueberries and sprinkled with coconut. I loved how that recipe turned out and started playing with variations on the coconut banana bread idea but with pecans.

Like in the blueberry coconut version, I decided to mix shredded coconut into the batter as well as sprinkling it on top of the loaf. This Coconut Pecan Banana Bread is the perfected result with nutty pecans and sweet flakes of shredded coconut are packed into every slice.

A loaf of Coconut Banana Bread is delicious fresh from the oven or lightly toasted and served with a pat of butter for breakfast the next day. It’s sweet enough to be a tasty dessert served alongside a scoop of vanilla or coconut ice cream as well.

This is the ultimate banana bread for coconut lovers!

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Banana Bread with Sour Cream

Sour cream is my secret to making banana bread that stays moist and flavorful even days later. I beat the sour cream into the batter along with the butter and I’ve found it makes a world of difference in the taste and texture.

The outside of the bread develops a slightly crisp crust while the inside stays tender. Taking a bite of this banana bread is a heavenly experience.

A few years ago, I shared my classic no-frills Sour Cream Banana Bread and it was a game-changer. I use sour cream just about every time I bake a loaf of banana bread now and the results are perfect every time.

Somehow I find banana bread with sour cream tastes even better the next day! It stores well sliced or unsliced in a sealed container and will taste even more moist than when it came out of the oven.

This bread also freezes wonderfully so feel free to make a couple of loaves at a time if you have lots of bananas to use! You’ll never regret having an extra loaf of banana bread (or a few extra muffins) around.

For another terrifically moist banana bread option, you’ll want to try these Peanut Butter Banana Muffins too!

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Coconut Banana Muffins

You can make this banana bread as muffins just as easily as making a loaf. Follow the recipe as directed and divide the batter into muffin tins. Bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffin comes out clean.

These muffins make a delicious quick breakfast on the go or lunchbox snack, another reason why it never hurts to have a batch of banana muffins in the cupboard or freezer.

If you like this recipe, you’re sure to also enjoy another of my favorite tropical takes on banana bread, Hawaiian Banana Bread with Pineapple.

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Coconut Banana Bread Recipe

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a loaf pan very well with butter (or line with parchment paper) and set aside. Combine the eggs, sugars, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Whisk to combine. Add the butter and sour cream and whisk again.

  2. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the bowl. Whisk to combine. Add the smashed banana and stir again. Add 1 cup coconut and the pecans and stir once more to mix throughout.

  3. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle with remaining coconut. Bake for 55-70 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing from the pan. Let cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

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Coconut Pecan Banana Bread (5)

Coconut Pecan Banana Bread

5 from 5 votes

Sweet coconut and chewy pecans fill this irresistible banana bread.

PinPrintReview

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 medium bananas, smashed, about 1 ⅓ cups
  • 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut, plus 2 tablespoons reserved
  • 2/3 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a loaf pan very well with butter (or line with parchment paper) and set aside. Combine the eggs, sugars, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Whisk to combine. Add the butter and sour cream and whisk again.

  • Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the bowl. Whisk to combine. Add the smashed banana and stir again. Add 1 cup coconut and the pecans and stir once more to mix throughout.

  • Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle with remaining coconut. Bake for 55-70 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing from the pan. Let cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 327kcal · Carbohydrates: 42g · Protein: 5g · Fat: 16g · Saturated Fat: 8g · Cholesterol: 51mg · Sodium: 260mg · Potassium: 285mg · Fiber: 3g · Sugar: 23g · Vitamin A: 285IU · Vitamin C: 3.2mg · Calcium: 53mg · Iron: 1.6mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @barefeetkitchen or tag #barefeetkitchen!

Coconut Pecan Banana Bread (6)

Coconut Pecan Banana Bread (2024)

FAQs

How do you know when bananas are ripe enough for banana bread? ›

When it comes to baking, you want bananas covered all over in brown spots that smell very fragrant. These are signs that the banana is fully ripe, although you can wait longer until the bananas are completely brown or even black on the outside for the most flavor.

Why is my banana nut bread gummy? ›

For soft and tender banana bread, gently stir the wet ingredients into the dry — don't overmix! The more you stir, the more gluten will develop. The result will be a tough, rubbery banana bread. Simply stir until moist, and then do no more.

Why is my banana nut bread so dense? ›

Using too many bananas can make your bread heavy and damp in the center, causing it to appear undercooked and unappealing. If you have extra bananas leftover, feel free to freeze them and use them another time, but I repeat, do not put them in the batter just because they are there.

Can bananas be too overripe for banana bread? ›

As it sits at room temperature, starches convert to sugars, making the fruit sweeter and softer. These brown spots, often seen as a sign of spoilage, are actually a dead giveaway of peak banana bread potential. But, there is a limit. Black bananas or rotten bananas are a no-go.

What if bananas aren't ripe enough for bread? ›

Ripen Bananas In the Oven

What if you want to make banana bread today, not in two or three days? Try speed-ripening bananas in the oven. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) and line a baking sheet with silicone or parchment. (The bananas may leak a little during baking.)

Why is my banana bread still gooey after an hour? ›

Bake for longer: If the center of your banana bread is still gooey, you may need to bake it for a longer time. Check the bread every 5-10 minutes by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out with moist crumbs, continue baking until the toothpick comes out clean or with a few dry crumbs.

How do you troubleshoot gummy bread? ›

Uneven heat in your oven can be the culprit – if you loaf is nicely golden on the outside but gummy or moist in the inside, it's baking too quickly on the outside. Trying reducing the temperature you're baking at and bake for a bit longer.

What happens if you put too much baking soda in banana nut bread? ›

Using too much baking soda or baking powder can really mess up a recipe, causing it to rise uncontrollably and taste terrible.

What happens if I add too much flour to banana bread? ›

Using too much flour makes for an extra crumbly bread.

If you're tapping your measuring cup to level out flour as you measure, or you're pushing down the piled-up powder, you'll end up using too much of it. I packed my flour for this loaf, and what I got was a crumbly cake with a dry crust all around.

Why does my banana bread taste weird? ›

Rather than the flavor of fresh bananas used in the recipe, using baking powder (instead of the correct ingredient, baking soda) makes this loaf taste more like the artificial banana flavoring used in candies.

What kind of bananas are best for banana bread? ›

Brown bananas are what make banana bread sweet and moist. Can you make banana bread with fresh bananas? Overripe bananas are best, but if you are in a pinch, you can ripen the bananas by baking them in the oven. Place unpeeled bananas on a baking sheet and bake at 250°F until soft, about 15-20 minutes.

How do you check if banana bread is done without a toothpick? ›

Our Favorite Alternative to Toothpicks

Look at your knife set and find the one with the thinnest blade. Then insert the blade into the center of the cake. If the knife comes out clean, the cake is done. If batter or crumbs stick to the blade, let your cake bake a few minutes more and retest with a clean knife.

How long does it take bananas to ripen for baking? ›

Keep the bunch of bananas together. Their friends will help speed the process along. Depending on how green they are, and where on the banana ripeness spectrum you prefer them, they should ripen in 24 hours to 5 days.

How do you test for ripe bananas? ›

Ripe bananas are, of course, yellow. However, Under UV light, known to partygoers as black light, the yellow bananas are bright blue, as discovered by scientists at the University of Innsbruck (Austria) and Columbia University (New York, USA).

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