Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s at the right temperature when you pop your batter in. You’ll want to bake your banana bread at this temperature for a nice, even rise.

Lightly coat a 9x5-inch loaf pan with coconut oil or line it with parchment paper. This will make removing your banana bread after baking a breeze.

Using a fork or potato masher, mash your ripe bananas in a large mixing bowl until they’re smooth. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and moister your bread will be. If your bananas are on the firm side, don't worry—just mash them a little more thoroughly.

Add the coconut oil (or your oil of choice), brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Mix everything together until it’s well combined. You should have a smooth, creamy base. If you’re using applesauce or maple syrup instead of sugar, now’s the time to add those too.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. This helps distribute the dry ingredients evenly before adding them to the wet mixture.

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the banana mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Take care not to overmix. Overmixing can lead to a dense loaf, and we want light, fluffy banana bread!

If you're adding walnuts, chocolate chips, or any other goodies, fold them in now. This adds a fun twist to the flavor and texture of the bread.

Pour your batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. It should be about three-quarters full, which allows space for the bread to rise while baking.

Place your loaf in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top is browning too quickly, you can cover it with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes.

After baking, take the banana bread out of the oven and let it rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Trust me, it’s worth the wait! This will help the bread firm up and make slicing easier.