Traditional Australian Banana Bread Recipe

2023-07-11

By Sugar Joy

Australian Cuisine

Breakfast

Enjoy a slice of moist and delicious Australian Banana Bread with our recipe, perfect for breakfast or as a snack. 

 Great Depression Simplicity

It is believed to have originated from the simpler banana cake recipe that was widely popular during the Great Depression. The dish gained popularity in Australia during the 1960s when people started experimenting with baking variations.

The Beloved Banana 

Despite the lack of a specific region to credit for the dish, Australia's tropical climate provides an ideal environment for banana plantations, so it's no surprise that this fruit-based dish has become a beloved breakfast staple across the nation. This recipe features simple ingredients like ripe bananas, melted butter, and flour.

Wine and Beer Pairing

The light, crisp taste of Pale Ale from Byron Bay works well with the sweetness of banana bread. A Pinot Grigio from King Valley is also a good choice, as its crisp acidity can help to balance the richness of the bread.

Pitfalls on Banana Bread

 Ripeness of bananas: The ripeness of bananas is key to achieving a moist and flavorful banana bread. Use overripe or blackened bananas for best results. 

 Mixing the batter: Be careful not to overmix the batter as it can result in tough and dense bread. Mix the ingredients until just combined, take a quick look at what we've written A Deeper Dive Into the World of American Batter and Frying.

 Measuring ingredients accurately: Measuring ingredients accurately is important to ensure the right consistency of the batter. Have a look to our tips and recommendations Top Picks for Precision Cooking. 

 Avoid overbaking: Overbaking the bread can result in dryness and a burnt flavor. Test the bread with a toothpick inserted in the center. If it comes out clean, the bread is done.

 Adding extra ingredients: Adding nuts, chocolate chips, or other ingredients to the batter can add flavor and texture, but be careful not to add too many or the batter may become too heavy.

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas

• 1/3 cup melted butter

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• Pinch of salt

• 3/4 cup sugar

• 1 large egg beaten

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter a 4x8-inch loaf pan.

2. In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth.

3. Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas.

4. Mix in the baking soda and salt.

5. Stir in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract.

6. Mix in the flour until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

7. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.

8. Let the banana bread cool in the loaf pan for 10 minutes before removing it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Preparation Time 15 min

Bake Time 60 min

Total time 75 min

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 235

Fat: 7 g

Saturated Fat: 4 g

Carbohydrates: 39 g

Fiber: 2 g

Sugar: 20 g

Protein: 3 g

Regional Ingredients Variations of Banana Bread

Queensland Banana Bread: Known as the "Tropical Banana Bread", this variation includes a mix of mashed banana and crushed pineapple, topped with a layer of shredded coconut and chopped macadamia nuts.

Western Australian Banana Bread: This version is called the "Choc-Banana Bread" and includes a layer of chocolate chips or cocoa powder in the batter, served with a side of vanilla ice cream.

New South Wales Banana Bread: The traditional version of Banana Bread is said to have originated in this region, where it is often served with a side of fresh whipped cream or honey butter, there is a version known as "Anise and Nigella Seeds Banana Bread".

Northern Territory Banana Bread: Here, the bread may be flavored with indigenous spices such as wattleseed or lemon myrtle, and topped with a layer of honey glaze or wildberry jam known as "Roasted Wattleseed and Cinnamon Banana Bread".

South Australian Banana Bread: Known as the "Nutty Banana Bread", this version includes a mix of chopped walnuts, almonds, and pecans in the batter, served with a side of toasted honey oats.

Victoria Banana Bread: This version features a mix of mashed banana and fresh blueberries, topped with a layer of streusel crumble and a sprinkle of powdered sugar known as "Blueberry Banana Bread".

Tasmanian Banana Bread: A hearty variation that includes a layer of grated apple in the batter, topped with a mix of cinnamon sugar and chopped hazelnuts. This version is called the "Apple and Hazelnut Banana Bread".

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