Sometimes, the best recipes are the simplest. This 3-Ingredient Cake Mix Banana Bread is proof that you don’t need a pantry full of ingredients to whip up something totally delicious. It’s moist, fluffy, and packed with banana flavor—and the best part? You only need three things to make it happen. Perfect for busy mornings, lazy weekends, or those “I have ripe bananas and don’t know what to do with them” moments.
Why You’ll Love This Banana Bread
Aside from how ridiculously easy it is, here’s why this one’s a keeper:
Super Quick: From mixing bowl to oven in 5 minutes flat.
Minimal Ingredients: No eggs, oil, or dairy needed (unless you want to customize).
Moist & Delicious: Ripe bananas keep it soft, cake mix makes it foolproof.
Customizable: Add nuts, chocolate chips, or cinnamon if you’re feeling fancy.
Great for Using Up Bananas: The riper, the better.
Ingredients in 3-Ingredient Banana Bread
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Ripe Bananas (3–4 medium): The browner, the better. They bring the moisture and sweetness.
- Cake Mix (1 box): Yellow cake mix works best, but spice cake or chocolate cake mix are fun options too.
- Eggs (2): These help hold everything together and make it fluffy.
That’s it! Just three simple ingredients. (Note: Optional add-ins below.)
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven: Set to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Mash the Bananas: In a large bowl, mash the bananas until mostly smooth.
3. Add Eggs and Cake Mix: Stir in the eggs, then the cake mix. Mix until well combined. (It’ll be thick—that’s okay.)
4. Pour & Bake: Pour batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Cool & Slice: Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Slice and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 10 slices
Calories per slice: ~180–220 (depends on cake mix brand)
Prep Time
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Bake Time: 45–50 minutes
Total Time: 50–55 minutes
How to Serve Banana Bread
- Toasted with butter
- Drizzled with honey or peanut butter
- With a scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Next to your morning coffee
- Packed in lunchboxes or picnics
Optional Add-Ins
Want to make it your own? Try adding:
- Chocolate chips
- Chopped walnuts or pecans
- A sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg
- Vanilla extract (½ tsp)
- Swirl in some peanut butter or Nutella
Tips for Success
- Use super ripe bananas—they should be very spotty or black.
- Don’t overmix—mix just until everything is combined.
- Let it cool before slicing for clean, perfect slices.
- Freeze leftovers—wrap individual slices for a quick snack later.
FAQs
1. Can I use any flavor of cake mix?
Yes! Yellow or spice cake mix are most popular, but chocolate or vanilla also work well.
2. Can I make muffins instead?
Absolutely. Just pour into muffin tins and bake for 20–25 minutes.
3. Do I need to add oil or butter?
Nope! The bananas keep it moist enough on their own.
4. Is this banana bread overly sweet?
It’s sweet like banana cake. If you prefer less sweetness, use a spice cake mix or add an extra banana and reduce the eggs to 1.
5. Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes! Just make sure your cake mix doesn’t contain dairy.
6. How long does it last?
It stays fresh at room temp for 2–3 days, or in the fridge up to a week.
7. Can I freeze it?
Definitely! Wrap slices individually and freeze for up to 3 months.
8. What if I don’t have eggs?
You can try an egg substitute like flax eggs or extra mashed banana (results may vary slightly).
Conclusion
This 3-Ingredient Cake Mix Banana Bread is the ultimate “I need banana bread now” recipe. It’s fast, foolproof, and totally satisfying—no mixer, no stress, just cozy goodness in every bite. Once you try it, you’ll be hooked.
Print
3-Ingredient Cake Mix Banana Bread
- Prep Time: 10min
- Cook Time: 35min
- Total Time: 45min
- Yield: 2loaves
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This incredibly easy banana bread requires just three ingredients: a box of yellow cake mix, ripe bananas, and eggs. It’s a quick and delicious way to enjoy homemade banana bread with minimal effort.
Ingredients
– 1 (15.25 oz) box yellow cake mix
– 3 ripe bananas
– 2 large eggs
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two small loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth.
3. Add the eggs to the mashed bananas and mix well.
4. Stir in the dry cake mix until fully combined.
5. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pans.
6. Bake for 25–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Allow the bread to cool before slicing and serving.
Notes
– Optional add-ins: chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor.
– For a single loaf, use a 9×5-inch pan and bake for 45–55 minutes.
– This recipe is versatile; feel free to experiment with different cake mix flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1slice
- Calories: 200kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg