Try Chrissy Teigen's famous banana bread recipe that set social media abuzz (2024)

FAQs

Why is there so much banana bread in Maui? ›

While the Great Depression may be behind us—at least the Depression of the 1930s—bakers across Maui continue to consider banana bread a must. “Banana bread was born of necessity,” the owner of Grandma's Coffee House (more below) says. “We had too many bananas, so we made bread.”

Psychologist Liam Casey says it's all part of our attempts to self-soothe. “Food is a reward — we often use words like 'treat' to describe foods like banana bread. In a time when we feel uncertain, giving ourselves a literal treat can be a way of feeling soothed and cared for.

Banana bread recipes emerged in cookbooks across North America when baking powder became available in grocery stores in the 1930s. Some food historians believe banana bread was a byproduct of the Great Depression as resourceful housewives did not wish to throw away overripe bananas.

Even though some banana breads are high in sugar, fat, and overall calories, most banana breads serve as a good source of key vitamins and minerals. For example, bananas are rich in potassium and vitamin B6. Banana bread made with these fruits contains a good amount of these nutrients.

Once a loaf of banana bread is fully baked and taken out of the oven, it's crucial to allow it to fully cool. Banana bread retains heat, especially in the center of the loaf. If the loaf is still warm once it's wrapped for storage, condensation can form, which can lead to mold.

Even sight or smell of food triggers a response in the brain's reward system. All foods are not equal, however, with the strongest hedonic response for the combination of sugar and fat. We have innate preference for sweet foods, which elicit a response as potent as that triggered by cocaine.

Le says refrigerating banana bread will inhibit the growth of mold that can occur at room temperature and will increase its shelf life by up to a week. So if you need to store banana bread for more than a few days, choose the refrigerator.

​Enjoy banana bread on its own, simply sliced and savored at room temperature. Add a drizzle of olive oil, coconut oil, melted butter, a dollop of sour cream, or some sliced fresh fruits. Warm a slice of banana bread in a toaster for a slightly crisp exterior and a warm, melty interior.

Bananas contain high levels of tryptophan, an amino acid, which is converted into serotonin in your body. Serotonin is the feel-good, brain neurotransmitter, which makes you feel happy!

Why do they say to eat a banana before bed? ›

Certain nutrients in bananas are associated with sleep. For example, bananas contain tryptophan and vitamin B6, which are important for the production of serotonin and melatonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (a chemical messenger) that regulates sleep.

Ripe bananas are not only softer and easier to mash and blend into a batter, but they are also sweeter, which is why baking recipes specifically call for ripe bananas in ingredient lists. As the bananas ripen, the fruit converts starches to sugars, making them sweeter and more flavorful.

Yep, the baking soda in a standard banana bread recipe is what reacts with the banana causing it to turn black. Using self rising flour not only alleviates the need for baking soda, but also the salt, making your ingredient list even shorter. 🙌🏼

When it comes to banana bread, moisture is key, and the ratio of flour to banana makes all the difference in getting the perfect banana bread consistency. If you use too much flour, you'll end up with really dry banana bread, and If you don't use enough flour, your banana bread will be way too wet.

INGREDIENTS: WATER, WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, MALTED BARLEY FLOUR, NIACIN, IRON, THIAMIN MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), SUGAR, SOYBEAN OIL, BANANAS, EGG WHITES, DEFATTED SOY FLOUR, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, WHEAT GLUTEN, SODIUM BICARBONATE, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, MODIFIED WHEAT STARCH ...

The flavorful, sweet loaf is full of mashed bananas, crunchy walnuts, and a hint of warm spices for the perfect make-ahead breakfast or afternoon snack.

bananas, enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), sugar, soybean and / or canola oil, eggs, walnuts, pecans, sea salt, sodium bicarbonate, baking powder (sodium acid pyrophosphate, cornstarch, monocalcium phosphate), natural flavor, spice, soy lecithin.