Starbucks Banana Bread Copycat Recipe

There’s something comforting about a thick slice of Starbucks banana bread alongside a hot cup of coffee. This homemade copycat recipe delivers the same moist texture, rich banana flavor, warm hint of cinnamon, and crunchy walnuts that make the café version so popular. Best of all, it’s easy to make with simple pantry ingredients.

This recipe is designed for an 800 ml loaf pan. If you’re using a standard 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.5-inch loaf pan, simply double the ingredients and bake for 65 to 75 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Moist and tender crumb
• Rich banana flavor from ripe bananas
• Light hint of cinnamon
• Crunchy walnuts in every bite
• Easy one-bowl recipe
• Just like Starbucks banana bread

Starbucks Banana Bread Recipe

Make moist Starbucks Banana Bread at home with ripe bananas, walnuts, and cinnamon. This easy copycat recipe is soft, flavorful, and perfect with coffee.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 2 ripe bananas (240 g), mashed
• 90 g brown sugar
• 1 Large egg
• 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1 tablespoon milk (15 g)
• 75 ml vegetable oil (about 5 tablespoons)
• 140 g bread flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda (2 g)
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon (0.25 g)
• 30 g chopped walnuts

Method

 

1. Prepare the Oven

   Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F). Lightly grease your 800 ml loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.

2. Mash the Bananas

   Place the ripe bananas in a large mixing bowl. Add the brown sugar and mash everything together using a fork until mostly smooth.

3. Mix the Wet Ingredients

   Add the egg and stir until combined. Mix in the vanilla extract, milk, and vegetable oil. Neutral oils like sunflower, canola, or rice bran oil work best because they won't overpower the banana flavor.

4. Add the Dry Ingredients

   In the same bowl, add the bread flour, baking soda, and cinnamon. Gently fold the ingredients together until no dry flour remains. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread soft.

5. Fold in the Walnuts

   Stir in most of the chopped walnuts, reserving a small handful for the top.

6. Fill the Pan

   Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the remaining walnuts evenly over the surface.

7. Bake

   Bake at 180°C (356°F) for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

8. Cool

   Remove the loaf from the pan as soon as it's baked and place it on a wire rack. Allow it to cool completely before slicing.

Recipe Notes

• The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the bread will be.
• Bread flour creates a texture that’s very similar to Starbucks’ banana bread, but all-purpose flour can also be used.
• Baking soda provides the classic banana bread flavor. If needed, substitute with 1 teaspoon baking powder, although the flavor and texture will be slightly different.
• Do not overmix the batter, as this can make the loaf dense.

Tips for the Best Copycat Starbucks Banana Bread

• Choose bananas with lots of brown spots.
• Measure flour accurately using a kitchen scale.
• Use neutral-flavored oil for the softest crumb.
• Let the bread cool completely before slicing.
• Toast the walnuts beforehand for extra flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Starbucks-inspired banana bread is wonderfully moist, packed with ripe banana flavor, lightly spiced with cinnamon, and finished with crunchy walnuts. Whether you’re serving it for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or dessert, it’s a simple homemade treat that pairs perfectly with coffee or tea. Once you try this easy copycat recipe, you’ll have all the cozy café flavors right from your own kitchen.