This simple Single-Serve Banana Bread is the best way to use up that single overripe banana! This easy recipe is the perfect treat for one person and is sure to satisfy that banana bread craving.
Having overripe bananas gets me so excited! There are so many delicious treats you can make with them and banana bread is one of our favourites in our home. But what to do with just one overripe banana? It isn’t enough for a loaf of bread or muffins as those require multiple bananas. So what then?
Well, that’s when I break out this Single Serve Banana Bread recipe. Essentially, its like a big banana muffin just for you!
Super simple and delicious, this small-scale banana bread makes a single serving (or 2 servings) using that lonely banana. Each serving requires just 1/2 a banana so I often double it, to be honest. Though if you want to avoid the temptation to eat more, you definitely don’t have to.
Oh, and did I mention it gets whipped up in one bowl too?
Before you know it you have a serving of warm banana bread ready to enjoy!
Why you should make Single Serve Banana Bread
- It’s a great way to use up an overripe banana.
- Only 1 banana (actually only 1/2 a banana) is needed to make a single serving.
- Making a single serving prevents over-indulging on a whole loaf of banana bread.
- The whole thing whips up in one bowl for an easier clean-up.
- You can bake it up in a ramekin or an oven-safe mug. [If you are using a mug, you can actually mix everything up in it too and really cut down on the dish-washing.]
- It makes a delicious dessert for one!
Ingredients in Single Serve Banana Bread
- Banana: Just 1/2 a banana is needed for a single serving.
- Butter: melted. I recommend using unsalted butter as some salted butter can be saltier than others. If you are using a salted butter, omit the extra salt in the recipe.
- Flour: You can use all purpose flour, whole wheat pastry flour or a combination of both.
- Egg yolk: Just one yolk is needed for this small serving. If you are doubling the recipe, use 1 whole egg for the two servings instead of 2 yolks.
- Sugar: equal parts granulated sugar and brown sugar.
- Vanilla extract: adds flavour to the batter.
- Baking soda
- Cinnamon: I love adding just a little cinnamon to banana bread for the flavour.
- Salt
Note: Ingredient quantities and full instructions are in the recipe card at the end of this post.
How to make Single Serve Banana Bread
- Prep: Preheat oven to 350F and grease a ramekin generously with butter.
- Mash: In a bowl, mash the banana with a fork.
- Add the wet ingredients and sugar: Next add the butter, egg yolk, vanilla and sugars, mixing them together until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients: Add the flour, baking soda, and salt and mix together until well combined.
- Bake: Transfer the batter to the ramekin. Bake in the oven for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Can you make this in the microwave?
Like most cakes and quick breads, yes you can make single serve banana bread in the microwave too. This is definitely the quicker way to a single-serve dessert, but keep in mind that the texture will be a little different.
I personally prefer baking in the oven as it produces the best banana bread with the perfect texture, but sometimes, you just want a dessert and you want it quick.
If you want to try this recipe in the microwave, you can follow the recipe as stated and then instead of baking, pop it in the microwave for about 60-90 seconds or so, adding more time if needed. Depending on the wattage of your microwave, you may need to adjust the time. Let it cool a bit (the center of microwaved cakes can be super hot) and then enjoy.
Tips for Making the Best Single Serve Banana Bread
- Use overripe bananas. Overripe bananas are at their sweetest which helps to reduce the amount of sugar in this recipe. Wait for the banana to have plenty of brown spots to ensure its nice and sweet.
- Don’t over mix your batter. When combining the wet ingredients, you can whisk to your hearts content. But once you add the flour, its important to mix just until the batter comes together. If you overwork the batter, the texture of your banana bread will be tougher and less fluffy.
- Add mix-ins! I kept this recipe simple but that doesn’t mean I don’t like stirring in other delicious ingredients. Chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, blueberries, or a swirl of nutella are all delicious options.
That is it! Super easy right?! And so delicious!
I hope you enjoy this single portion treat as much as I do!
Bon appetit!
-Cathy
You may also like:
Easy Banana Bread
Healthy Double Chocolate Banana Muffins
Single Serve Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 1/2 overripe banana mashed
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- 1 egg yolk (if doubling recipe, use 1 whole egg)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup flour (all purpose, whole wheat pastry flour or a combination of both)
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and grease a ramekin generously with butter.
- In a bowl, mash the banana with a fork.
- Next add the butter, egg yolk, vanilla and sugars, mixing them together until well combined.
- Add the flour, baking soda, and salt and mix together until well combined.
- Transfer the batter to the ramekin. Bake in the oven for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. [Check on your banana bread at the 22 minute mark and adjust the time as needed. Depending on the size of your ramekin and how hot your oven bakes, you may need to adjust the time.] Allow it to cool for a few minutes before enjoying as it will be quite hot.
Note: Metric ingredient measurements are provided as a courtesy using a third-party calculator and are rounded to the nearest unit. The recipes provided on this site have not been tested with metric measurements and their accuracy cannot be verified.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is based on third-party calculations and is an estimate only. Accurate nutritional facts will vary based on the particular brands used, portion sizes, measurement accuracy and more.
