This pistachio banana bread recipe is simple, easy, and oh so much fun to make and eat. With green batter comes a golden brown loaf of moist and flavorful banana bread that's perfect for snacking.
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Where I live, pistachios are expensive, but boxed pudding isn't! By adding pudding mix to banana bread batter, we achieve a pistachio flavor without the cost and add extra moisture to the loaf.
While I've always loved using pudding mix in cookies (like my Valentines M&M Cookies), I recently tried it in banana bread, and I've been missing out! It adds flavor, texture, and moisture to every bite, making it irresistible.
For more banana bread recipes, try my One Bowl Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, Chocolate Orange Banana Bread, and Carrot Cake Banana Bread.
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Simplicity at its finest. Made with just a few simple ingredients and without dirtying every dish in the house, it's as easy to make as you can imagine.
- Quick prep. It's so fast to throw together that the batter can be ready in the same time it takes for the oven to preheat. While it's not as fast as our 3 Ingredient Banana Bread or Red Velvet Banana Bread, it's still pretty quick.
- It's always popular. Banana bread doesn't need a time of the year to make an entrance at your house. It's evergreen and always well-received.
🛒 Ingredients
Ripe bananas. Use spotted, ripe bananas for the best flavor and sweetness. If you have extras, try our Breakfast Banana Splits.
Pistachio pudding mix. A box of instant pistachio pudding mix adds flavor and moisture. Use only the dry mix and do not prepare it ahead of time. This same pudding mix is also used in our Chocolate Pistachio Bundt Cake.
Green food coloring. Optional, but a few drops help keep the loaf green since the color from the pudding mix fades during baking.
Glaze. Made with just powdered sugar and milk for a simple, sweet topping.
Pistachios. Optional chopped pistachios add texture and highlight the pistachio flavor.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Use very ripe bananas: Overripe bananas add sweetness and help cut down on added sugar.
Skip the food coloring: The bread tastes the same without it and saves a few cents.
Leave off the pistachio topping: The glaze is optional and the bread is flavorful on its own.
🥄 Instructions for Pistachio Banana Bread
To make the bread:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease an 8x4 loaf pan. Set aside.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, mash bananas.
Step 3: Stir in oil or melted butter.
Step 4: Mix in the baking soda and salt.
Step 5: Mix in the vanilla, egg, and sugar until smooth.
Step 6: Stir in pistachio pudding mix and flour until no streaks remain.
Step 7: Pour into prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick can be inserted and come out clean.
Step 8: Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
To make the Glaze:
Step 9: Whisk together milk and powdered sugar in a bowl until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled loaf.
Step 10: Sprinkle chopped pistachios over the top of the glaze and let rest about 5 minutes to set before slicing and serving.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Expect a color change. This banana pistachio bread is easy to make, but the loaf will not stay green once baked.
- What happens in the oven. The batter starts green and holds its color for much of the bake time, then turns golden brown as it finishes.
- Keep it green. If you want a green loaf, add green food coloring. Gel food coloring works best since a small amount gives a vibrant color.
❄️ Storage and Make Ahead
Storage: Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Make Ahead: Bake the loaf a day in advance and store tightly wrapped. The bread can also be frozen for up to 3 months and thawed before serving.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
Serve Pistachio Banana Bread with coffee or tea, fresh fruit, or a dollop of whipped cream or yogurt for a simple dessert or snack.
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❓ Pistachio Banana Bread FAQs
You can make banana pistachio muffins using this banana bread recipe. Simply divide the batter amongst a greased or lined muffin pan and fill them ⅔s of the way full. Then bake for about 15-20 minutes until a toothpick can be inserted and come out clean.
You can freeze this banana bread after the bread has cooled completely. Simply wrap it well in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw before eating.
Your banana bread with pudding mix will be finished baking when a toothpick can be inserted and come out clean. The internal temperature of the bread will be about 200 degrees F if you wanted to check it with an instant-read thermometer.
🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
- Stovetop Banana BreadRecipe $1.64 / Serving $0.21
- Red Velvet Banana BreadRecipe $2.81 / Serving $0.28
- 3 Ingredient Banana BreadRecipe $2.05 / Serving $0.10
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Banana BreadRecipe $2.69 / Serving $0.27
🐝 If you tried this Pistachio Banana Bread, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Pistachio Banana Bread
Ingredients
Pistachio Banana Bread
- 1 cups mashed ripe bananas, about 2 to 3 bananas - ($0.75)
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil - ($0.23)
- 1 large egg - ($0.15)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - ($0.03)
- ½ cup granulated sugar - ($0.18)
- 3 drops green food coloring, optional - ($0.04)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda - ($0.01)
- ¼ teaspoon salt - ($0.01)
- 1 box (3.4 ounces) pistachio pudding mix - ($0.83)
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour - ($0.20)
Glaze
- 2 tablespoons milk - ($0.01)
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar - ($0.54)
- ¼ cup chopped pistachios, optional - ($0.45)
Instructions
- Preheat. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8x4 loaf pan. Set aside.
- Mash bananas. Add the bananas to a large mixing bowl and mash until mostly smooth.
- Add wet ingredients. Stir in the vegetable oil, egg, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar until combined. Add food coloring if using.
- Add leavening. Mix in the baking soda and salt.
- Add dry ingredients. Stir in the pistachio pudding mix and flour just until no dry streaks remain. Do not overmix.
- Bake. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make glaze. Whisk the milk and powdered sugar until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled loaf, sprinkle with chopped pistachios if using, and let set for about 5 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Color. The batter bakes to a golden color. Add green food coloring if you want a stronger green finish.
- Doneness. The bread is done when a toothpick comes out clean or the internal temperature reaches about 200°F.
- Muffin option. Divide batter into lined or greased muffin tins and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Freezing. Wrap cooled bread tightly and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw before serving.
Nutritional Information
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