Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
*This page may contain affiliate links
This cinnamon swirl banana bread is ultra moist, packed with flavour, and topped with a crispy cinnamon sugar crust. So easy and so delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This is the best banana bread I’ve ever made. If you love banana bread and cinnamon rolls, this recipe is for you. It’s ultra moist, packed with ripe bananas, and has a sweet, buttery cinnamon swirl running through it.
The cinnamon sugar topping crisps up perfectly in the oven, adding an extra layer of flavour and texture and it makes your kitchen smell incredible while it bakes!
This banana bread is super easy to make. You just mix everything together, layer the cinnamon swirl, and bake.
Top Tips for the Best Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
- Use very ripe bananas – The darker, the better! Overripe bananas add more natural sweetness and moisture to the bread.
- Don’t overmix the batter – Mix until just combined to keep the banana bread soft and tender.
- Layer the cinnamon swirl properly – This ensures you get beautiful swirls of cinnamon goodness evenly throughout the bread.
- Check for doneness – Insert a toothpick into the middle; if it comes out with a few moist crumbs, it’s ready.
Ingredients for Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
For the Banana Bread:
- 225g unsalted butter, melted or 225ml vegetable oil (1 cup vegetable oil or 1 cup melted butter)
- 100g granulated sugar (½ cup sugar)
- 100g light brown sugar (½ cup packed light brown sugar)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 250g plain flour (2 cups all-purpose flour)
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- ¼ tsp salt
- 300g very ripe bananas, mashed (about 4 medium bananas)
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 60g unsalted butter, melted (¼ cup butter)
- 40g dark brown sugar (3 tbsp packed dark brown sugar)
- 40g granulated sugar (3 tbsp sugar)
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare the Tin
Preheat your oven to 180C (160C fan) / 350F and line a 3lb (9×5″) loaf tin with baking paper.
Step 2: Make the Banana Bread Batter
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together both sugars and the melted butter (or oil) until smooth and combined.
Add the eggs and vanilla extract, then whisk until just combined.
Sift in the flour, bicarbonate of soda, and salt. Fold everything together gently using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
Finally, fold in the mashed bananas until just combined. Do not overmix!
Step 3: Make the Cinnamon Swirl
In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon until fully combined.
This mixture will be thick, like a cinnamon sugar paste.
Step 4: Assemble the Banana Bread
Pour ¼ of the banana bread batter into the prepared tin and spread it out evenly.
Dollop ¼ of the cinnamon swirl mix on top, then swirl it through the batter with a knife.
Repeat this process 3 more times, layering and swirling, finishing with the cinnamon swirl mix on top.
Step 5: Bake the Banana Bread
Bake in the preheated oven for 50-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Leave the banana bread to cool in the tin slightly before removing it as it will very hot, then transfer it to a cooling rack or plate to serve.
You can eat it slightly warm (which is amazing) or let it cool completely before slicing.
Why This Banana Bread is So Good
- Ultra moist & soft – The combination of vegetable oil or melted butter and bananas keeps the bread super moist for days.
- Rich cinnamon flavour – The buttery cinnamon swirl adds incredible warmth and sweetness.
- Crispy cinnamon sugar topping – It creates a beautiful crust that adds the perfect texture.
- Perfect for any time of day – Enjoy it for dessert, or a snack.
- Stays fresh for days – Store it in an airtight container for up to 4 days, and it stays moist and delicious.
Watch My Step-by-Step Video
Want to see exactly how I make this cinnamon swirl banana bread? Watch my full step-by-step video on my YouTube channel.
For more baking inspiration, follow me on Instagram @fitwafflekitchen and TikTok @fitwaffle!
Other Recipes You’ll Love
If you love cinnamon and banana recipes, check out these two similar recipes from Fitwaffle Kitchen:
- Cinnamon Apple Cake – A soft and fluffy apple cake with swirls of cinnamon sugar and a crunchy cinnamon topping.
- Carrot Cake Loaf – A super moist spiced cake with carrots, raisins, and a rich cream cheese frosting.
Both are easy to make and packed with flavour!
Final Thoughts
This cinnamon swirl banana bread is one of the best banana bread recipes I’ve ever made. It’s super moist, full of banana flavour, and has an irresistible cinnamon sugar swirl.
It’s so simple to make, and the best part is it stays fresh for days!
If you give it a go, let me know what you think! Tag me on social media so I can see your bakes and share them!
Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
Ingredients
For the banana bread
- 225 ml vegetable oil (or 225g unsalted Butter)
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 100 g light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 250 g plain flour
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 300g very ripe bananas about 4 medium bananas, mashed
For the cinnamon swirl
- 60 g unsalted butter melted
- 40 g dark brown sugar
- 40 g granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C (160C fan) and line a 3lb (9x5") loaf tin with non-stick baking paper or a loaf liner
For the banana bread
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together both sugars and the melted butter (or oil) with a hand whisk until combined
- Then, whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract until just combined
- Sift in the flour, bicarbonate of soda, and salt, then fold these in with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon
- Fold in the mashed bananas until just combined
For the cinnamon swirl
- Mix together all the ingredients for the cinnamon swirl in a small bowl with a fork or spoon until fully combined
Assemble it
- Pour 1/4 the banana bread mix into your prepared loaf tin, spreading it out evenly, then dollop on 1/4 of the cinnamon swirl mix and swirl it through with a knife
- Repeat this with the remaining batter to make 3 more layers, finishing with the cinnamon swirl on the top
- Bake for 50-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean
- Leave to cool in the tin for about 1 hour, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely (or eat it slightly warm if you can't wait - it tastes amazing either way!)
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days
- Please use the cooking times as a guide, your banana bread may need more or less time depending on your tin and your oven :)
So goood!!
Seems yummy. I’m excited to try this recipe.
Excited to try this recipe
This is the best banana bread recipe I’ve ever tried!