This 4 Ingredient Banana Bread made with Pancake mix could not be any EASIER! It is moist, delicious, and so incredibly simple!
This 4 Ingredient easy Banana Bread with Pancake Mix recipe is such an easy recipe to make and it’s incredibly moist and so delicious!
It’s seriously THE EASIEST cake or bread recipe that I have ever made because it starts with pancake mix, which I always seem to have 3 half boxes of in the pantry! It started out as a sort-of experiment, but to my amazement, came out the perfect texture, was incredibly moist, and tasted delicious! This is the best way to satisfy any banana bread cravings you might have.
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Simple Ingredients for 4 Ingredient Banana Bread
Overripe Bananas
So what is this delicious banana bread recipe? What are those 4 simple ingredients? Well, of course, bananas is one. You will need 3 large bananas or 4 small.
Normally in baking, you want fresh fruit, but in this case you ideally want overripe bananas that have lots of brown spots. I mean, when you look at them you think, yep those have seen better days and you may typically just toss into the trash. BUT DON’T! Use these perfectly nearly-black-all-over beauties for this recipe.
BTW, you can also slice these over-ripe bananas up and freeze them. Frozen bananas are perfect for smoothies or banana ice cream! For more Freezer Hacks, download this Free Meal Prep Freezer Hack Sheet!
Complete Pancake Mix
And the key ingredient or secret ingredient is COMPLETE PANCAKE MIX! I always seem to have a bag of pancake mix in the pantry and it’s great for those times when you are in a pinch and need to make something fast. You want COMPLETE mix only requiring added water. If you buy a box of pancake mix that requires eggs, then you will need to add eggs.
Complete pancake mix includes several of the ingredients in a banana bread recipe…flour, leavening agent, sugar, salt…all pre-measured and combined for you. NOTE: I used Aunt Jemima Complete Pancake Mix Buttermilk. I also tried Maple Grove Farms Complete Pancake Mix and both worked great.
Other 2 Ingredients
- I do recommend adding Vanilla Extract to this when you mix the pancake dry ingredients with Water. The vanilla gives the best flavor and is such a great pairing with the bananas. That is the 3rd ingredient.
- The final ingredient in this easy 4-Ingredient Banana Bread (as I am not counting water since it is readily available) is the Extra Virgin Olive Oil needed to coat the pan. You can also use vegetable oil or cooking spray.
How to Make 4 Ingredient Banana Bread
For this simple banana bread recipe, in a large bowl mix 2 Cups Pancake Mix with ¾ Cups Water and 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract. Then add 3 overripe bananas and mash using a fork, a potato masher, or even a hand mixer. If it is still too dry, add another teaspoon of water until the dry ingredients are all moist.
Mix to combine the wet ingredients with the dry. Then pour the banana bread batter into a prepared loaf pan that has been oiled. Bake in the oven 350 F degrees for 1 hour or until a toothpick comes out clean and the top is golden brown. If the toothpick comes out wet the first time, put the bread back in for 5 more minutes at a time until done.
While this is quick bread in terms of a fast preparation, it does require an hour for the baking.
That’s it! ENJOY! 😍 Carrie
4-Ingredient Banana Bread Recipe FAQs
You want COMPLETE mix only requiring added water. If you buy a pancake mix that requires eggs, then you will need to add eggs (follow directions for # of eggs per 2 cups of mix). Complete pancake mix includes several of the ingredients in a banana bread recipe…all purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, salt…all pre-measured and combined for you. NOTE: I used Aunt Jemima Complete Pancake Mix Buttermilk. I also tried Maple Grove Farms Complete Pancake Mix and both worked great.
First, you want to bring the banana bread to room temperature before covering it and storing it. If you cover the banana bread while hot or even warm, steam will make the bread soggy. You can let it cool in the pan or remove the bread and put on a wire rack. Once cooled, you can cover it or wrap it in plastic wrap and store it at room temperature for 1 day, but I do recommend storing it in the refrigerator for any longer than that. This banana bread will last for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Yes, you can freeze this baked banana bread. First, make sure to completely cool the loaf of banana bread before covering it. If you cover the banana bread while hot or even warm, steam will make the bread soggy. Once cooled, you can place the bread in an airtight container or plastic bag. Then freeze it for up to 9 months. To thaw it, place it in the refrigerator for 24 hours to thaw.
You can certainly add additional flavors to this! Here are some ideas. Try a teaspoon ground Cinnamon (or more), 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, lemon zest (zest from half or whole lemon), or even ginger (½ teaspoon) are all delicious options!! You could even add in peanut butter or almond butter (¼ cup) or chocolate chips (¼ cup to ½ cup)! For chocolate chips, milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate chips are all great.
4 Ingredient Easy Banana Bread with Pancake Mix
Ingredients
- 2 cups Pancake Mix, COMPLETE mix only requiring added water note, I tried 2 different pancake mixes, Aunt Jemima and Maple Grove Farms and both worked great
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 3 Bananas, over-ripened
- ¾ cups Water
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil Spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the pancake mix, water, and vanilla extract. Mix to combine. If it is still too dry, add another tablespoon of water and again until the dry ingredients are all moist.
- Peel and break up 3 bananas into the bread mixture. Mash up the bananas into the mix and stir to completely combined. Keep some chunks as this will help to keep the bread extremely moist and textured.
- Pour into a bread pan that has been sprayed with a little extra virgin olive oil.
- Bake in the oven for 60 minutes or until a toothpick placed into the center of the bread comes out clean. You can start checking at 50 minutes. If the toothpick comes out wet the first time, put the bread back in for 5 more minutes at a time until done.
- After the bread is done, let sit for 10 minutes before cutting. Enjoy!
Candice says
So excited thank you!
Carrie Tyler says
Hi Candice, Great! I love this easy Banana Bread! Takes just minutes to pull together and is moist and yummy. Let me know how it goes! Take Care, Carrie 🙂
Re'Jeanae Jordan says
would this work for 2 overripe plantains?
Carrie Tyler says
Hi! So sorry for the delayed response. I have never tried this recipe with plantains, but they are a very different texture than bananas and may still be too firm to mix in to the batter. You may end up getting big chunks of plantain without all of the banana flavor throughout. Let me know if you tried it and how it went! Thanks!
Erum MY says
Turned out great.
Sue says
I used a square cake pan, still had to bake well over an hour, but turned out great. Never would have cooked in the center if I used a loaf pan. Also added 1/2 cup chopped walnuts!
Amber says
I am so excited to try this! I was laying in bed last night thinking of what I had on hand and wondered if anyone had ever made banana bread out of pancake mix. I was very excited to see that you had and it worked!
Carrie Tyler says
Thanks, Amber! Let me know how it goes! Just a note, it does need to be “complete” pancake mix. And it will definitely take the full hour to cook through. Some people have told me that a 9×9 worked better than a loaf pan to cook it all the way to the center better, so you may want to try that, but test the center with a toothpick earlier, starting at 30 minutes. My loaf turned out perfect time and time again. Please let me know how it goes!
Thanks,
Carrie
Ana says
Can i make this with pancake mix from scratch or will the butter, eggs, and milk ruin the banana bread?
J Todd says
I just made this recipe with bisquick don’t know how it will Turn out it’s still in the oven. ***Didn’t have no pancake mix or no flour*** we will see what happens after the hour in the oven.
Ana says
add a dash of salt, and i baked it in a 8×6 pan for about 50 mins so it wont be raw in the middle
Carrie Tyler says
Hi Ana, Great tips! Thanks so much
Anita says
Can I double this recipe and put it in a 9 x 13 cake pan?
Carrie Tyler says
Hi Anita! Thanks so much for the question. Yes, you can double the recipe and cook it in a 9×13. Just make sure to watch and test the center as the cooking time will vary vs. the loaf pan size. Please let me know how it goes!
Thanks again, Carrie
Gina says
Added a 1/4 cup of sugar baked for 45mins and it was delish. Will be making this again.
Carrie Tyler says
Thanks, Gina! I’m so happy you enjoyed it and were able to adapt it!
Ashley says
Just did this recipe. It did not turn out. Like previously said, after an hour in oven, done on outside, raw on the inside. Followed the exact recipe!
Carrie Tyler says
I’m so sorry to hear this, Ashley! I’m not sure why it didn’t work for you. What brand/type of pancake mix did you use?
Debbie says
I have one super ripe banana. Can I cut this recipe in half?
Carrie Tyler says
Yes, you can cut the recipe in half. You can either bake it in a loaf pan and have it be a thinner bread where you cut it into squares. Bake at 400F for 20 minutes and start checking doneness with a toothpick, adding 5-10 minutes depending on how wet it may be still.
Or you can bake it in a muffin tin and fill as many muffins as you can. Bake at 400F and start checking at 15 minutes.
Let me know how it goes!
Joe says
I added cinnamon powder, walnuts and honey, pour on aluminum tray, and bake for 60 minutes, came out delicious, crusty on the top, soft on the middle. Thank you.
Carrie Tyler says
Hi Joe, Thank you so much! I love the additions that you made with the cinnamon, walnuts, and honey. What size pan did you use?
Wishing you the best!
Carrie
Daniel says
I am so impressed that you responded about the error… True professionalism…
Val says
Followed your direction using Kruteaz pancake mix. It expired a few months ago but I was desperate to use those bananas. I used 8 by8 glass pan. I added cinnamon, a pinch of allspice, and a handful of frozen blueberries. Sprinkled with sugar on top…to me its bread to others maybe a coffee cake….family devoured it. I’m making another batch today. Thanks for posting your recipe and photos!
Carrie Tyler says
Hi Val, That sounds delicious! Thank you so much and I’m so happy you sent me this message, it made my morning :). I will definitely have to try your variations!
Take Care, Carrie
Nicole Fiorito Crowther says
Mine is in the oven now, just realized that my pancake mix isn’t complete I just used what I had. How will it affect it??? I used Aunt Jemima original
Carrie Tyler says
Hi Nicole, sorry for the delay! Complete means just add water. If your mix calls for eggs, you will need to agg those as well. How did it turn out? Thanks!!
Bobbiejean says
Question…my pancake mix also calls for me to add in eggs. Does that mean I add the eggs? I don’t know what ‘complete mix’ is that you refer to 🙂 the amount of mix you call for is what my mix says so I think it’ll work?? Lol
Carrie Tyler says
Hi! Yes, I would add in the eggs if it calls for them. Complete usually means no eggs are needed, just water. Let me know how it goes!
Kathy says
How long would you recommend to bake them if I were to use a muffin tin instead?
Carrie Tyler says
Hi Kathy, if using a standard muffin tin (not mini muffins), I would start to check the muffins at 15-18 min by inserting a toothpick into the center of one muffin. If it is wet, put them in for another 5 minutes at a time until done. If moist, but not quite done, then bake another 2 minutes at a time. Of course, if the toothpick comes out clean, then you are good to go! Let me know how it goes!
Thanks and take care, Carrie
Meghann says
So excited to have found this recipe this morning! Was feeling like a lazy baker but had to use these bananas before they had to be thrown away! So super easy & is absolutely delicious!!
Thank you!!
Carrie Tyler says
Hi Meghann, Thanks so much for sending this note! I’m so happy it worked out for you 🙂
Carrie
Lucinda says
I actually added 1/2 cup milk, tbs honey and cinnamon and 1/2 cup walnuts let’s see how it comes out!!
Andrea says
Fricking amazing! Easy, delicious. Followed the recipe exactly, but plan to add chocolate chips or blueberries next time. Easiest recipe on the planet!
Carrie Tyler says
Thanks, Andrea! Chocolate Chips or Blueberries would be a great addition!
Debbie D Wood says
I substituted Jumex pineapple coconut nectar for the water — delicious. Thank you for the recipe.
Deb
Carrie Tyler says
Wow, that sounds amazing! Thanks for the idea, Deb!
Carol says
Baked over an hour. Did not cook inside. This recipe should’ve been corrected or removed. Pancake mix needs to be “complete”. Otherwise you need to add eggs. I guess the water amount had been corrected 3/4 cup or 1-1/2 c. ?
Carrie Tyler says
Hi Carol, I’m so sorry that you had trouble with this recipe. Yes, it is indeed COMPLETE Pancake mix. The recipe on the blog was corrected a year ago to clarify ‘complete’ and to show 3/4c water, so I’m sorry that you somehow came across an older version somewhere. Was that on Pinterest or somewhere else? Again, I do apologize for the confusion and a recipe that did not work for you. Thank you for bringing this to my attention and thanks in advance for letting me know where the old recipe was found so I can pull it and make sure no one else has the same problem.
Best Wishes, Carrie
Darelle Flores says
I made muffins instead and the 3/4 cup of water worked perfect. I baked it for 25 min. 😍
Stephanie says
I just made one. Used one cup of water. It’s not great but edible. I’ll try one tomorrow with corrected amount. My Dad misses my Moms, he doesn’t mind that much.
Angela says
Hi, Thanks for your recipe. I had some bananas that were too ripe to eat and I didn’t want to throw them away so I started looking for eggless recipes and found yours. I tried it right away and I just took it out of the oven beautifully brown with a clean tester. Waiting patiently to taste it. I tweaked it a little by adding coconut flakes, dried cranberries and mini dark chocolate. I added a bit more water so it looked like cake batter. Thanks again.
Telma says
Used milk instead of water, added walnuts and chocolate chips. So good! Next time will try chunks of pineapple. Very easy. Thank you.
Carrie Tyler says
Thanks, Telma! I love the additions that you made! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving :).
Carrie
Brenda Bombardier says
I made this this morning I didn’t add any water but I did add 1 cup of oldfashiond oats, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, some cinnamon, ginger and vanilla put it in a bunt pan and cooked it for 25 minutes (could have cooked it a little longer but had to pull it out so I could put the turkey in) came out great
Carrie Tyler says
Thanks, Brenda! I’m glad it came out great for you! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving :).
Belinda says
Hello there, dying to try this recipe but I don’t have any vanilla, is there something I can replace that with?
Thanks, Belinda. Australia.
Carrie Tyler says
Hi Belinda, I am so sorry that I missed this question earlier! You can leave out the vanilla all together or you can use a teaspoon of cinnamon. The recipe will be sweet from the bananas, so the vanilla just brings a bit more flavor depth, but it’s not absolutely necessary for the recipe to work. Were you able to make this? Again, I’m so sorry for the late reply!!!
Happy Cooking!
Carrie
Jenna says
Made muffins. Baked for over 45 minutes the outside was nice and brown the inside was gooey and undercooked. Afraid if I baked them any longer the outside would be burnt.
Carrie Tyler says
Sorry to hear that, Jenna. Did you use complete mix that does not require eggs?
Steve says
This was the most tasteless banana bread ever. It needs some brown sugar. Also needs something to help it rise a bit.
Jaimie says
Just moved into a new home and was without a lot of baking ingredients so this recipe was convenient, easy and fast to make – even without a mixer.
I doubled the recipe and baked it in a bundt pan (used butter instead of olive oil). To the batter I added 1/4 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar & some cinnamon (for additional flavor & moistness). I also added slightly more than 1/2 cup chopped trail mix – because I wanted more texture and it was all I had in my pantry. The trail mix had dried cranberries, raisins, almonds & pumpkin seeds. I baked it for about 50 minutes – waited 5 minutes then turned the cake over. I made a thin glaze of brown sugar with fresh squeezed orange juice & drizzled it over the “bundt cake” while it was warm. My husband loved it saying it tasted like a festive fruit cake! Thanks for this simple & quick recipe!
Erica says
Hey Carrie! I just tried this recipe! So easy! I used 2 Cups of Kodiak Cakes Power Cakes Pancake and Waffle Mix, Peanut Butter flavor and substituted milk for the water. Came out perfect and loaded with protein! Thanks for the recipe!
Carrie Tyler says
Thanks so much, Erica! I love that you used a peanut butter flavor!! That must of been delicious 🙂
Stephanie J says
Hi there so I just finished mixing the ingredients plus I added Hersheys Reese peanut butter chips, then placed it in the oven. This is only my second time making banana bread, the first one I kinda burnt the top of it for some reason, this was a completely different recipe than this one so crossing my fingers that it turns out this time.
Carrie Tyler says
Hi Stephanie! Oh my, peanut butter chips sound heavenly in this! Please let me know how it turns out.
Carrie
Susie says
Will bisquick pancake mix work?
Carrie Tyler says
Yes! Use Bisquick Complete (no eggs needed). If it’s not complete, then make sure to add eggs according to the instructions on the box.
Pntdldy says
Thanks for posting. I’m trying Paleo since that’s pretty much a normal diet for me, but minus the junk food. I have Birch Benders Paleo pancake mix, complete, my vanilla is elsewhere so added about 1/8 c of coconut flower sugar. I made muffins, also, as I don’t have my loaf pan on hand. Was thinking after I had everything filled I could have used maple syrup. Left out nuts this time, if it works then there will be more to come.
Carrie Tyler says
Thanks so much! How did they turn out? Muffins are definitely a great way to go with these 🙂
Happy New Year!
Carrie
Nancy Mcpherson says
Made exactly as written first time, added chopped walnuts 2nd time. Awesome, easy recipe. Wondering if I could also make it with apples. Thank you so much.
Carrie Tyler says
Hi Nancy, Thanks so much for trying this recipe and I love the addition of walnuts to it! Apples would be delicious, but I have not tried that and think that you may need to increase the liquid. Perhaps adding a 1/4 cup of applesauce along with 1 cup (maybe 1.5 cups) of diced apples? Or just increase the water. If you try this, please let me know!! I will give it a try too!!
Happy New Year!
Carrie
Freebird says
Dear Carrie,
Is there any way you can tell us how many oz. or cups of smashed banana to use??
I find such a different range of sizes when shopping for bananas! Lol
Poni Rose says
Modified the recipe a bit. Sprayed my loaf pan with Baking Spray ( it has flour mixed in). Used Giant brand pancake just add water mix. I also used Unsweetened Vanilla Almond milk instead of water. I did add a slight bit of honey to the batter along with the vanilla…and mashed bananas in seperate bowl and then added. Once in pan, had some sliced strawberries in which I hid some in the batter for a nice surprise. Was not undercooked and baked perfectly! Thank you for the recipe!
Vi says
I made it exactly as instructed cooked it in an 8×8 pan for 45 minutes. Perfection!!
Micah says
I can’t wait to make this recipe! I always have pancake mix on hand and I have two boys that love bananas but every once in a while they get really bad! And the fewer the ingredients means I just might have on hand I’m not a baker! I’ve taught myself to cook over 2021 to feed my two growing banana eating monkeys(4&6boys)!
Carrie Tyler says
Thanks, Micah! It’s definitely an easy one. I hope you like it!
Judi landry says
Followed receipt as you said, baked for 50 minutes at 350 degrees and turned out great! My husband truly enjoyed it! 😃
Candace says
Followed recipe and it turned out perfect! So good! Everyone enjoyed it!!!
Thanks for the great recipe!
Brenda says
Instead of bananas has anyone tried it with blueberries? And is it the same ingredients or do you have to add something to it?
Carrie Tyler says
Hi Brenda! I have not made this recipe with blueberries, but here are my thoughts on how you would need to adjust. The bananas bring moisture and sweetness to the recipe, so I would add another 1/4 water to the mix. I would also add 2-3 teaspoons of sugar to help sweeten the bread. The blueberries will add some sweet, but mostly delicious blueberry tartness, so you will need to balance that out.
Please let me know how it goes!
Carrie
John Katzer says
I used Krusteaz pancake mix, subbed milk for water, added 1-2 tsp cinnamon, about 1/3 cup honey, and 2/3 cup walnuts. Added about 2 TBS water to thin a little. Since people said they had trouble getting the inside done, I made muffins in cupcake cups instead. They were done in about 35-40 minutes. Stuck like glue to the paper liners, should have just greased the tins and skipped the paper holders. Otherwise, taste and texture are very good.
Gracie Stapleton says
Very easy to make and great taste. Thank you 😊
Andrea says
I am so pleased with how this came out and it took me about 3 minutes to put everything together throw it all in the food processor and bake it for an hour absolutely wonderfully came out well! I appreciate it not being overly sweet I’ve never actually tried a banana bread that wasn’t overly sweet and you don’t miss it
Daina says
Very easy-peasy recipe for banana bread! Husband was craving banana bread. Had the overriped bananas but no flour. Using pancake mix is a great hack. Added a pinch of salt and cinnamon and a 1/3 cup of chopped walnuts and it was delish! Baking time is on point at an hour, but totally worth the wait.Thanks Carrie for this recipe!
Linda Scheschy says
I noticed comments about needing some brown sugar so I added 1/4 cup. Also only had 2 bananas so I added 1/3 cup of chunky peanut butter…yummy! It looks beautiful and is very moist.
Cindy Blake says
This was absolutely delicious! I decided to try it and add 1/2 cup of sourdough starter.. I also love banana bread with nuts, so added about 3/4 of a cup of chopped walnuts. I left the batter sit for about 30 minutes before baking. It turned out unbelievably moist and flavorful, you sure can’t be the ease of preparation! Thanks for a great recipe!
Carrie Tyler says
Hi Cindy! I love the customizations you made! So happy you enjoyed it.
Thanks for the message.
Carrie 🙂