Got overripe bananas? Skip the regular banana bread and level up with this bourbon banana bread recipe. Trust me, once you try adding bourbon to banana bread, you won’t go back to the basic version. The bourbon adds this amazing depth that transforms an everyday quick bread into something company-worthy.
I stumbled on this combo years ago when I had both spotty bananas and an open bottle of bourbon from a party. That random experiment became my most requested recipe. The smell of this baking will make your whole house feel like a fancy bakery mixed with a cocktail bar.
More Desserts ideas
Why You’ll Love This Bourbon Banana Bread
This isn’t just another banana bread recipe. Adding bourbon fixes the biggest problem with most banana breads – they can be kinda one-note and boring. The bourbon creates this complex caramel undertone that makes people ask “what’s in this??”
I brought this to a family reunion and my uncle who “hates sweet stuff” had three slices. My kids call it the “special banana bread” and always know when I’m making it from the smell alone (don’t worry, the alcohol cooks out!).
You can customize this a million ways – add chocolate chips, swap in different nuts, or even throw in some dried fruit. It works for breakfast, snack or dessert topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients for Bourbon Banana Bread
The Basics
- 3-4 very ripe bananas (the spottier, the better for sweetness)
- 1/3 cup melted butter (unsalted works best, but salted is fine too)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (light or dark both work, dark gives deeper flavor)
- 2 eggs, room temperature (cold eggs can make the batter seize up)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (real, not imitation for best flavor)
- 1/4 cup bourbon (I use Jim Beam or Maker’s Mark, nothing too fancy)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (you can sub up to half whole wheat)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Optional Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (toast them first for extra flavor)
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup dried cherries (they pair amazingly with the bourbon)
For vegan version, you can swap butter for coconut oil and use flax eggs instead of regular eggs. The texture’s slightly different but still delicious.
How to Make Bourbon Banana Bread
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5 loaf pan. I line mine with parchment for easy removal, but that’s optional.
- Mash those bananas in a large bowl until mostly smooth. Some small chunks are fine and add nice texture. If your bananas aren’t super ripe, you can microwave them for 30 seconds to soften.
- Mix in melted butter, then add brown sugar and stir until well combined. The mixture should look kinda caramel-colored and glossy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each. Then pour in vanilla and bourbon. You’ll immediately notice the amazing smell happening – that’s when you know it’s gonna be good.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add to the wet ingredients and stir just until no dry flour is visible. Overmixing makes tough bread, so easy does it.
- Fold in any add-ins like nuts or chocolate chips. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 55-65 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out mostly clean. The exact time depends on your oven and how moist your bananas were.
- Cool in the pan for 10 mins, then remove to a wire rack. The hardest part is waiting until it’s cool enough to slice without falling apart!
Tasty Bourbon Banana Bread Variations
Chocolate Bourbon Banana Bread
Add 1/3 cup cocoa powder and reduce flour by same amount. Throw in some chocolate chips too for double chocolate action.
Bourbon Banana Bread Pudding
Cube leftover bourbon banana bread and use it in a bread pudding with extra bourbon in the custard. Talk about next-level dessert!
Nutty Bourbon Banana Bread
Mix in 1/2 cup each of walnuts, pecans and toasted coconut for amazing texture contrast.
Spiced Bourbon Banana Bread
Add 1/2 tsp each of nutmeg, cardamom and ginger along with the cinnamon for a chai-spiced version.
Tropical Bourbon Banana Bread
Mix in 1/3 cup dried pineapple pieces and 1/4 cup toasted coconut flakes for a vacation vibe.
Bourbon Banana Bread
Equipment
- 9"x5" loaf pan
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wire rack
Ingredients
- 3-4 very ripe bananas
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- Optional Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup dried cherries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5 loaf pan.
- Mash bananas in a large bowl until mostly smooth.
- Stir in melted butter and brown sugar until combined.
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla and bourbon.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined.
- Stir in any optional add-ins.
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 55-65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack.
Notes
Nutrition
Bourbon Banana Bread FAQ
Can you add whiskey to banana bread?
Absolutely! Whiskey (especially bourbon) adds amazing flavor to banana bread. The alcohol cooks out during baking, leaving just the flavor behind. About 1/4 cup is perfect for a standard loaf. You can use bourbon, rye or even Irish whiskey depending on what flavor profile you want.
What is the secret to the best banana bread?
The secret to amazing banana bread is using SUPER ripe bananas – they should be very spotty or even black. Those have way more banana flavor and natural sweetness. Also, don’t overmix the batter once you add flour (leads to tough bread), and adding bourbon takes it to another level entirely.
What bourbon tastes like bananas?
Jim Beam Banana Bourbon actually has banana notes! But for regular bourbon, Maker’s Mark has vanilla and caramel notes that pair perfectly with banana bread. Old Forester and Buffalo Trace also work great in banana bread recipes.
What is unhealthy about banana bread?
Traditional banana bread is basically cake – lots of sugar and butter. This bourbon banana bread isn’t health food, but bananas provide potassium and fiber. You can make it healthier by reducing sugar to 1/2 cup, using whole wheat flour, and subbing applesauce for some of the butter.
Is vegetable oil better than butter for banana bread?
It depends on what you want! Vegetable oil makes moister banana bread that stays soft longer. Butter gives better flavor. I prefer butter in this bourbon banana bread because the rich buttery taste complements the bourbon. For best of both worlds, use half butter, half oil.
Make This Bourbon Banana Bread Your Own
This bourbon banana bread recipe has become my signature dish. I started making it when my kids were little and now my oldest requests it whenever she visits from college. There’s something about the combination of sweet bananas and smooth bourbon that creates pure comfort in every bite.
What I love most is seeing people’s faces when they taste it – that moment of surprise when they realize it’s not just regular banana bread. Don’t be afraid to adjust this recipe to your taste – baking should be creative and personal.
Whether you make it exactly as written or put your own spin on it, this bourbon banana bread will become one of those recipes you keep coming back to. And if anyone judges you for adding bourbon to your baking, just save them a slice – they’ll change their mind after one bite!