As if banana bread couldn’t get any better, try adding cooked bacon. Bacon takes this classic to a whole new level in this Bacon Banana Bread.
Every so often a simple idea turns out to be brilliant — this is one of those times. Combining ripe bananas and crispy bacon yields a loaf that is at once sweet, salty and utterly irresistible.
Bacon + Banana Bread = Brilliance
I’ve always loved quick banana bread and use my grandmother’s trick for an easy version made with a boxed cake mix — it keeps things simple with just a few ingredients. We enjoy it for breakfast and sometimes make peanut butter sandwiches from the slices for lunch.
I kept thinking about how often we eat banana bread with bacon on the side, and one morning decided to put them together in the same loaf. The result was even better than I imagined: moist banana bread studded with flavorful bacon crumbs that add crunch and a savory counterpoint to the sweetness.
The finished loaves disappeared in less than a day. This recipe works well with both traditional and gluten-free yellow cake mixes, so you can choose the version that suits your household. The balance of sweet banana and salty bacon makes it especially addictive — so addictive, in fact, that you may want to bake more than one loaf.
My husband complained he didn’t get enough, and I promised to make it again. Next time I might use the regular cake mix on purpose so I have to share! Warm slices of banana bread with crispy bacon bits are one of my favorite Saturday morning treats.
If you enjoy bacon-forward dishes, this loaf is a great addition to any breakfast or brunch rotation. The recipe is straightforward and perfect for cooks of all skill levels.
Bacon Banana Bread
2 loaves
40 minutes
40 minutes
Bacon Banana Bread is simple to prepare with only four ingredients. The combination of ripe bananas and crispy bacon creates a loaf that’s both comforting and exciting.
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix (or 2 boxes GF yellow cake mix)
- 2 eggs
- 4 ripe bananas
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- Smash bananas in a large bowl. Add eggs, cake mix and three-quarters of the crumbled bacon; mix thoroughly by hand until combined.
- Spray two loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray and divide the batter evenly between them. Sprinkle a single line of the remaining bacon crumbs down the center of each loaf.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow loaves to cool before slicing.
Notes
I like to use overripe bananas that I’ve frozen until needed. Thaw them, then mash before adding to the batter for easy prep and extra banana flavor.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24
Serving Size: 1 slice
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 223
Total Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 59mg
Sodium: 305mg
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 22g
Protein: 4g
Did you make this recipe?
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