Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
A moist and delicious cinnamon banana bread recipe that takes less than 20 minutes to prep. Serve this for breakfast or as dessert!
Are you tired of seeing banana bread recipes yet? I sure hope not, because I have a delicious and easy recipe to share with you all today. A few weeks ago, I had some overripe bananas and needed to use them. I decided to make a batch of banana bread but wanted to add a little something extra to it. I threw around a few ideas to my husband and this one ended up being the winner.
Actually, my other idea was a chocolate chip banana bread, but my husband seems to think that bananas and chocolate are a weird combination. Umm, whaaaat? I thought chocolate made everything better?
For the record, he actually orders a chocolate-covered frozen banana every time we go to this local ice cream shop. I still can’t figure out his logic.
But anyway, back to this banana bread. I added an additional banana and a bit of brown sugar to add more moisture to the bread. Moist banana bread = the best thing ever.
Recipe Ingredients
This cinnamon sugar banana bread is like a classic banana bread recipe, but with a cinnamon swirl running throughout it. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- Butter: Always use unsalted butter in baked goods. The amount of salt in salted butters can vary between brands.
- Sugar: I used a blend of granulated and brown sugar to sweeten the bread and make it ultra moist.
- Eggs: Must be room temperature before being mixed into the batter.
- Vanilla extract: Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- Bananas: You’ll need about 4 ripe bananas for this recipe. They should be speckled, but not completely black.
- All-purpose flour: Spoon and level the flour when measuring it. Don’t scoop the flour out of the bag with your measuring cup, otherwise they flour will be compacted and you’ll accidentally measure out too much.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Helps the banana bread rise in the oven.
- Cinnamon and salt: Cinnamon is used in the batter and in the cinnamon-sugar swirl. The salt balances out the sweetness of the batter and enhances the banana flavor.
How to Make Cinnamon Banana Bread
This cinnamon swirl banana bread comes together like a classic quick bread. Mix together the softened butter and sugars, then add the remaining wet ingredients.
Whisk together the dry ingredients in a separate bowl before mixing them into the wet ingredients. Turn about half the batter into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon sugar, then top with the remaining batter.
The banana bread will need to bake for roughly 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Can I Make This Recipe as Muffins?
Yes! The prep time would take longer, of course, but you can certainly make this recipe as muffin. The bake time would likely be around 20 minutes.
Baking Tips
- For the cinnamon swirl, you can either make one thicker layer or two slightly thinner layers. I’ve tried it both ways and they’re equally delicious.
- You’re welcome to stir chopped walnuts (about 1/2 to 3/4 cup) or another mix-in of choice into the batter, if desired.
- This bread freezes well for up to 3 months. When reheated the cinnamon and sugar layer tastes amazing!
More Banana Recipes to Try!

Cinnamon Swirled Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter , softened
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (440 grams) mashed banana (about 4 large bananas)
- 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Cinnamon Sugar Swirl
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- Using a handheld mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined (about 1 minute). Add in the eggs and vanilla, making sure to mix well after each ingredient. Add the mashed banana and stir by hand.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined, making sure not to overmix the batter.
- In a separate bowl mix together the sugar and cinnamon for the cinnamon sugar swirl and set aside.
- For one layer of the cinnamon sugar: pour about half of the banana bread into the loaf pan and sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top, then pour the remaining batter on top.
- For two layers of the cinnamon sugar (like the picture above): pour about one-third of the batter in the loaf pan, sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture on top, and repeat layers, topping with the last third of the banana bread.
- Bake for 55-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the banana bread becomes too dark, tent with aluminum foil for the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool in loaf pan for 10 minutes. Remove the bread from the loaf pan and transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Your husband is definitely contradicting himself. Oh, well!
This looks fabulous, perfectly textured!
I just don’t get him sometimes! Thanks so much, Mir! 🙂
This looks SO good! I love banana bread but my recipe has no swirl. 🙂
I could never get sick of banana bread, Danielle! It’s one of my favorites! Unfortunately, my husband doesn’t like it (crazy, I know) though he does eat a banana every day, go figure! But that just means I get more to myself then. I love your creative twist of cinnamon in here. Sounds delicious!
Sounds like our husbands have a lot in common haha! Thanks so much, Gayle!
Oh my gosh. This is totally looking and sounding like a cross between a cinnamon roll and banana bread. I am such a sucker for both of these, so this bread is totally up my alley! Holy yum!
I almost included in the post that it tastes like a banana bread cinnamon roll when it’s warm. Soooo good! Thanks, Sarah 🙂
That is so cute your husband orders a frozen chocolate banana at the ice cream shop! What a healthy guy! This banana bread looks so amazing! I can never have enough banana bread recipes. Mostly because I buy more bananas we than we can eat, and often have brown ones on my hands that I need to use up. That cinnamon swirl is perfection : )
I always buy wayyy too many bananas too. But you can use them for so much even when they’re a little too ripe. Thanks, Natalie!
I’m never tired of banana bread recipes! I’ve been so into banana bread lately, so this sounds extra good to me right now. And that cinnamon swirl is such a nice touch. Pinned! 🙂
Thanks so much Marcie! Thanks for the pin too 🙂
I’ve been obsessed testing different banana bread recipes, so I’m always excited to try a new one! Cinnamon swirl sounds amazing! Pinned to a couple of boards and will try it!
Thanks, Mira! Thanks so much for pinning too 🙂
Ha- that sounds like something my husband would do 🙂 I love banana bread, and the cinnamon swirl is a perfect addition.
I made banana muffins today, and guess what? I put chocolate chips in them! Bananas and chocolate definitely go together, but so do bananas and cinnamon! Now I’m dying to try this cinnamon-swirl banana bread! Pinned!
Bananas and chocolate do go together! I’m still on a mission to make some banana chocolate chip muffins anyways haha. Thanks so much, Kristine!
That swirl is calling my name!! I looove banana bread, and yours looks so delicious. Pinned!
Ha…husbands are so silly! Chocolate & banana would totally have been great, BUT I think this cinnamon swirl banana bread is even better! Looks delicious!
They really are, but I still think chocolate and banana are a great combination too. Thanks so much, Denise!
Now this puts any banana bread I’ve ever made before to shame… this cinnamon swirl version just looks so incredibly moist, flavoursome and delicious! Great recipe!
Thanks so much, Thalia! Your comment was so sweet, you always have the best dessert recipes so this made my day! Hope you have a great weekend 🙂
Love banana bread and could never get tired of seeing them! Looks delicious! Haha, your husband is too funny, I totally agree with you – chocolate and bananas go hand in hand but I love the cinnamon swirl even better!
Yes, cinnamon swirl!! Love it! I never tire of good banana bread and this one will top the list! Beautiful recipe!
I’m NEVER tired of seeing banana bread recipes… especially with a ton of cinnamon. I love that it can be dessert OR breakfast too, those recipes are the best 🙂
I agree, Medha! If I can eat it for dessert or breakfast I’m one happy girl 😉
This banana bread looks so moist and delicious! Perfect with a cup of coffee!
Hmm I’m with you! I love love chocolate and banana bread… but I must say, this looks amazing!! Great idea to add the cinnamon swirl! I love that combo! 🙂
This banana bread looks delicious. I just love that cinnamon swirl running through!
Danielle, this looks wonderful! I could eat banana bread everyday, and I love seeing new twists on it! Pinned!
Thanks, Michelle! Thanks for the pin too 🙂
I am never tired of banana bread recipes! Your banana bread is beautiful with the cinnamon swirl!
Chocolate and banana totally go together, but I like this cinnamon version too! Looks so moist!
They definitely do, I think my husband is crazy! I loved how moist this bread turned out too. Thanks so much, Amber!
This banana bread looks so moist. It has to be one of the prettiest banana breads I’ve seen so far Danielle.
I have been OBSESSED with banana bread lately – and your version looks sooo yummy – like a cinnamon roll and banana bread had one glorious baby together in the best way possible! Yum!!
I love your description! It describes this banana bread so perfectly! I’m obsessed with banana bread lately too, it’s so good.
It’s going in the oven now. Sounds so yummy and I love cinnamon. I make little loaves and freeze them until I get the munchies.
I love cinnamon as well! Hope you enjoyed the recipe 🙂
Hey Danielle,
Nice blog! Came across this while looking for some ideas on a new twist for a banana bread recipe. I’m definitely going to have to give this a try! Have a great night -Kara
Thanks so much, Kara! So glad you found my blog and I hope you enjoy the recipe 🙂
I don’t normally comment on recipe pages but I have to tell you that this bread came out perfectly! I made a double batch so I could keep one for a ray day snack but my family and I finished both of them over the weekend! Great recipe! I substituted the butter for oil and added a little extra cinnamon/sugar layers just for fun. Your directions were impeccable and we loved it. I am going to follow this blog for more ideas. Thank you. good to find a recipe blogger I can trust…not too many out there.
I’m happy to hear that you loved the recipe, Abby! Extra cinnamon and sugar layers sound like a great idea to me too! So glad you found my blog and thanks for the kind words 🙂
I’ve made this a few times, following the recipe exactly, and it’s delicious! It’s been a crowd pleaser! Thanks!
So glad to hear that, Mary! 🙂
Nice ingredients but I would say half the sugar. Way to sweet even for someone with a major sweet tooth. Less banana too since I had to bake it for nearly 40 minutes more and it was still too moist. *For me* a keeper with the mentioned tweaks. Thinking of adding coconut and or chocolate!
Hi Erica! It can definitely be a bit sweet with the cinnamon swirl. I have another banana bread recipe with a bit less sugar and bananas, it may be a little more what you’re looking for. Here is a link: http://www.livewellbakeoften.com/2016/01/07/whole-wheat-banana-bread/. You could easily add the cinnamon swirl to that one too!
Also, coconut and chocolate sound like a fantastic idea! I may give that a try next time I make more banana bread 🙂
Great, thanks! I will be checking out a great many more methinks.
I made this tonight. I must say. It is very good & moist. The cinnamon & sugar was so yummy. I absolutely love this recipe, and I will be making it again very soon. My entire family loved it. Thank you so much for sharing.
So happy to hear that your family loved the banana bread, Kerry! Thank you for commenting! 🙂
Any tips/changes u can recommenced for baking this is high altitude?
Hi Danielle! Unfortunately I don’t have any experience with baking at high altitude. This guide might be helpful though http://www.kingarthurflour.com/learn/high-altitude-baking.html.