Irresistible Nutella Swirl Banana Bread with Cinnamon Crumb Topping

Nutella Banana Bread – a truly irresistible treat featuring a moist and soft banana bread base infused with a luscious chocolate hazelnut spread swirl. To elevate this classic comfort food, it’s generously topped with a delightful cinnamon brown sugar crumb, adding a perfect balance of texture and spiced sweetness. This recipe transforms ordinary banana bread into an extraordinary dessert or a special breakfast delight.

This Nutella banana bread holds a special place in my heart, rooted in cherished family memories. It’s actually my mother-in-law’s beloved recipe, a staple at our family gatherings. Having lived away from home for nearly six years now, there are days when I intensely long for the warmth of family-baked desserts shared around the dinner table, accompanied by the playful sounds of board games. During my time away, I’ve discovered that recreating the flavors we enjoyed together is a beautiful way to bring a piece of home into my own kitchen. This particular recipe takes Jamie’s foundational banana bread and elevates it with a generous swirl of Nutella, crowned with a delectable brown sugar cinnamon crumb. It’s more than just a recipe; it’s a taste of nostalgia and comfort.

If you’re a fellow banana lover, here are some other fantastic banana recipes you absolutely must try. Each one offers a unique and delicious way to enjoy ripe bananas:

• Easy and Fast Banana Snack Cake – Perfect for a quick treat, this snack cake is incredibly simple and always a crowd-pleaser.
• The Most Moist Banana Coffee Sheet Cake – Indulge in an exceptionally moist cake, ideal for pairing with your morning coffee or as an afternoon pick-me-up.
• Famous Banana Caramel Cake with Brown Butter Frosting – A show-stopping dessert featuring the rich flavors of banana and caramel, topped with a divine brown butter frosting.

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Why You’ll Love This Nutella Banana Bread Recipe

• Effortlessly Easy to Make – This recipe is designed for simplicity, requiring just a few basic ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. It comes together with minimal fuss, making it perfect for both novice bakers and seasoned pros looking for a quick yet satisfying project. The straightforward steps ensure a stress-free baking experience from start to finish.
• Perfectly Kid-Friendly Fun – Get the little ones involved! This easy Nutella banana bread recipe is a fantastic activity to do with kids. They’ll love mashing the bananas, swirling the Nutella, and sprinkling the crumb topping. Plus, anything with Nutella is a guaranteed hit, making it the perfect afternoon baking project that culminates in a treat everyone will adore.
• The Irresistible Nutella Factor – This is truly the game-changer! The combination of sweet, ripe bananas and creamy, chocolatey hazelnut Nutella is a match made in heaven. The Nutella swirl adds a hidden layer of rich flavor and moisture, transforming traditional banana bread into something exceptionally decadent. Bananas and Nutella are truly two peas in a pod, creating a flavor profile that’s both comforting and exciting.
• Crunchy Cinnamon Crumb Topping – I decided to add a unique cinnamon crunch topping that truly elevates this bread. Unlike a full streusel, it’s a lighter, crispier texture that provides a wonderful contrast to the soft, moist bread beneath. While you could technically omit this step, I wholeheartedly recommend it! The warm spice of cinnamon perfectly complements the banana and Nutella, adding an extra layer of flavor and a delightful crunch that makes every bite unforgettable.

Key Ingredients You Will Need for the Best Nutella Banana Bread

While the full list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card below, here’s a closer look at some essential components and why they are crucial for achieving the perfect Nutella banana bread:

• Unsalted Butter – I always opt for unsalted butter to control the overall saltiness of the recipe. Ensure your butter is at room temperature. This is vital for properly creaming it with sugar, which incorporates air and creates a light, tender crumb in your banana bread.
• Sugar – You’ll use granulated sugar for the main banana bread batter, providing essential sweetness and helping with the bread’s structure. For the delicious cinnamon crunch topping, brown sugar is used. Its molasses content adds a deeper, caramelized flavor and a slightly chewier texture to the crumb.
• Ripened Bananas – The secret to the best banana bread lies in using *very* ripe bananas. Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots or even entirely brown skins. These bananas are much sweeter and easier to mash, imparting an intense banana flavor and contributing significantly to the bread’s moistness. I typically use 3 medium to large bananas for this recipe.
• Nutella – The star of the show! You won’t need an entire jar, but about a third of a cup will create a beautiful, rich swirl. While not strictly necessary, slightly melting your Nutella beforehand can make it easier to swirl evenly into the batter for those perfect chocolate hazelnut ribbons. Its creamy texture and distinct flavor are what make this banana bread truly special.
• All-Purpose Flour – Provides the main structure for your bread. Measuring it correctly (spooned into a measuring cup and leveled) is key to avoiding a dense or dry loaf.
• Eggs – Act as a binder, adding richness, moisture, and helping the bread to rise. Like butter, make sure your eggs are at room temperature for optimal emulsification.
• Baking Soda & Salt – Baking soda provides the leavening, reacting with the acidic bananas to create a light and airy texture. Salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors in the bread.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Bake Your Nutella Banana Bread

Crafting this delightful Nutella banana bread is simpler than you might think! I’ve broken down the process into easy-to-follow steps, perfect for any home baker. I typically use my trusty KitchenAid stand mixer for creaming, which makes the process even smoother. For baking, I recommend using a good quality loaf pan like the one I used here to ensure even baking and a beautiful golden crust.

Step 1: Prepare the Crumb Topping. In a small bowl, combine the ground cinnamon and brown sugar. Mix them together thoroughly until you have a uniform, crumbly mixture. This will be sprinkled on top later, adding a fantastic texture and spicy-sweet flavor. Set this aside.

Step 2: Preheat Oven and Prep Your Pan. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Then, generously spray the inside of a large-sized bread pan with cooking spray, ensuring you cover all the sides and into every crevice. This crucial step prevents the bread from sticking and ensures a clean release once baked. You can also line it with parchment paper for extra insurance. Set the prepared pan aside.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer, cream the room temperature unsalted butter and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes. The mixture should become light, fluffy, and pale in color. This process incorporates air, which is essential for a tender and moist banana bread. Remember to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula to ensure everything is evenly combined.

Step 4: Add the Eggs. With the mixer on medium-low speed, add the eggs one at a time, incorporating each fully before adding the next. After each egg addition, pause to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. This ensures that the eggs are thoroughly mixed into the butter and sugar mixture, creating a smooth, emulsified batter.

Step 5: Incorporate the Bananas. Add the mashed ripe bananas to the wet mixture. Mix on the lowest speed just until they are fully incorporated. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; we simply want the bananas evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 6: Add the Dry Ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture in the stand mixer. Mix on the lowest speed possible *just* until combined, and no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing the flour will develop the gluten too much, resulting in a tough, dry banana bread. Gentle mixing is key here!

Step 7: Create the Nutella Swirl. Pour approximately half of the banana bread batter into your prepared bread pan. Using the back of a spoon, gently spread it out to create an even layer, ensuring the batter reaches all four corners of the pan. Next, drizzle or spoon the Nutella onto the top of this first layer of banana bread batter. Don’t worry about being too neat; the more organic the swirl, the better! Finally, pour the remaining banana bread batter over the Nutella layer. Gently spread this top layer to cover the Nutella completely, again reaching into all corners of the pan.

Step 8: Add the Cinnamon Topping. Generously sprinkle the prepared cinnamon brown sugar mixture evenly over the entire surface of the banana bread batter. Make sure to get good coverage, as this topping will create that delightful crunch and aromatic spice during baking.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection. Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for 65-68 minutes. Baking times can vary depending on your oven, so always rely on visual cues and the toothpick test. Insert a toothpick into the center of the bread; it should come out with a few moist crumbs attached (not wet batter). If it comes out clean, it might be slightly overbaked. Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before attempting to transfer or slice it. This allows the bread to set and prevents it from crumbling. Serve warm or at room temperature, and enjoy!

Expert Baking Tips for the Perfect Nutella Banana Bread

• Always Use Room Temperature Ingredients. This tip cannot be stressed enough! Room temperature butter and eggs emulsify much better with other ingredients, creating a smoother batter that traps more air. This leads to a higher rise and a more evenly textured, moist bread. Plan ahead and take your ingredients out of the fridge at least 30 minutes to an hour before you start baking.
• Do Not Overmix the Batter Once Flour is Added. As soon as you add the flour, mix on the lowest speed possible just until it’s combined and no dry streaks remain. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a dense, tough, and dry banana bread instead of the desired moist and tender crumb.
• Thoroughly Spray Your Pan. To ensure your beautiful banana bread comes out of the pan cleanly and without sticking, generously coat all sides and corners of your loaf pan with cooking spray. For extra peace of mind, you can also line the bottom with a strip of parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to use as “handles” for easy lifting.
• Ensure Your Bread is Fully Baked. After the initial 65-68 minutes of baking, I often turn off my oven and let the bread sit in the residual heat for an additional 10-15 minutes. This gentle, residual baking ensures the center of the loaf is thoroughly cooked without over-browning the crust. Always double-check with the toothpick test!
• Invest in a High-Quality Bread Pan. A good quality loaf pan, especially one that is light-colored and heavy-gauge, conducts heat more evenly. This helps prevent overcooked or burnt edges while ensuring the center bakes through perfectly. I found that using a reliable pan like the one I got here makes a noticeable difference in the final product.
• Use Very Ripe Bananas. The browner the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be. They also provide natural moisture. If your bananas aren’t quite ripe enough, you can bake them unpeeled on a baking sheet at 300°F (150°C) for 15-30 minutes until their skins turn black and they are soft.

Frequently Asked Questions – Nutella Banana Bread

Can I use Biscoff instead of Nutella?

Absolutely! If you’re a fan of cookie butter, Biscoff (or any other brand of cookie butter spread like this one here) makes a fantastic substitute for Nutella. It will give your banana bread a delightful spiced, caramel-like flavor that pairs wonderfully with bananas. The method for swirling would remain the same.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, this recipe can easily be doubled! If you’re making a larger batch, you might want to bake it in two separate loaf pans or a larger bundt pan, adjusting the baking time accordingly. Doubling the recipe is also a great idea if you plan on freezing some for a later date, ensuring you always have a delicious homemade treat on hand.

Can I turn this recipe into muffins?

You certainly can! This recipe works beautifully for muffins. It should yield approximately 24 banana bread muffins. Simply divide the batter among muffin liners in a muffin tin (like this muffin tin and these muffin liners). For the Nutella swirl, add a small dollop of Nutella on top of each muffin before baking and swirl it gently with a toothpick. Bake them for a shorter period, typically 16-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. The crumb topping can also be added to the muffins!

Can I add chocolate chips or nuts?

Yes, for an extra layer of flavor and texture, feel free to fold in about ½ to 1 cup of chocolate chips (milk, dark, or white) or chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans are great) into the batter just before adding it to the pan. This will complement the Nutella and banana beautifully.

Storing and Freezing Your Nutella Banana Bread

To maintain the delicious moisture and freshness of your Nutella banana bread, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. I personally love to use a dedicated bread bag to keep it perfectly fresh. Properly stored, your banana bread will remain wonderfully moist and flavorful for up to 5 days – though honestly, it’s so good, it rarely lasts that long!

Freezing Your Nutella Banana Bread for Later

This Nutella banana bread freezes exceptionally well, making it perfect for meal prep or enjoying a homemade treat whenever a craving strikes. You can freeze the banana bread whole or sliced. For optimal freshness, ensure it is completely cooled before wrapping. I suggest wrapping the bread tightly in plastic wrap, then an additional layer of aluminum foil or placing it in a freezer-safe bread bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw it at room temperature or warm individual slices in the microwave or oven.

How to serve: Once the bread is done, I love letting it cool for about 20 minutes before cutting right into it – there’s nothing quite like a warm slice of banana bread. However, it is equally delicious served at room temperature, perfect with a cup of coffee or tea, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly indulgent dessert.

For all things easy and delicious cakes and sweet treats, I have listed some more fantastic recipes below for you to explore!

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Recipe

Nutella Banana Bread

Molly Murphy

moist and soft banana bread base with a chocolate hazelnut spread swirl. Topped with a cinnamon brown sugar crumb

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe
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Course Dessert

Cuisine Bread

Ingredients

For the Banana bread

• ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs room temperature
• 3 ripe bananas mashed
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• Pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ⅓ cup nutella spread (I slightly melted mine, but not necessary.
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoon brown sugar

Instructions

For the bread

• In a small bowl mix the ground cinnamon and brown sugar until combined. Set aside.
• Preheat your oven to 325, with cooking spray, generously spray the sides and crevices of a large size bread pan. Set aside,
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium-high for 3 minutes. With a rubber spatula, scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
• Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping after each addition.
• Add the mashed bananas mix on low, until incorporated!
• Next add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix on the lowest speed just until combined and there are no flour streaks. Don’t over mix!!!
• Pour half of the the banana bread batter into the prepped pan. With the back of the spoon, gently even it out, and make sure the batter gets into all four corners.
• Pour the Nutella onto the top of the banana bread batter. Pour the rest of the batter onto the Nutella spread. Spread with the back of the spoon to each corner of the pan.
• Generously sprinkle the cinnamon mixture to the top of the banana bread ensuring you cover the top.
• Bake for 65-68 minutes, or until a toothpick is inserted and comes out with a little crumbs. Let it cool completely in the pan before transferring onto Nutella on top. Serve and Enjoy!

Keyword banana bread, nutella, quick recipes

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