Easy Pineapple Banana Bread Recipe
If there’s something I love as much as banana bread, I also hold carrot cake very near and dear. It’s so moist and soft and I love the warming spices and flavors, and of course the mandatory cream cheese frosting. It gets me every time. I made this banana pineapple bread when I was in Aruba in August and unfortunately a serrated knife got me and I sliced my hand open while slicing this bread immediately before taking the photos. Not my finest morning or photos, but the bread is some of the best I’ve ever had. It was a 95-degree day in Aruba the day I baked this bread and adding crushed pineapple seemed like a fitting idea to go with the sweltering tropical heat inside my kitchen. The pineapple adds sweetness, a touch of texture, and moisture to the loaf.
I also added six ounces of pineapple Greek yogurt added to the batter. One box of vanilla instant pudding also went into the batter. It’s optional, but three ounces of pudding mix intensifies the vanilla flavor and adds softness and tenderness. I stop at nothing to avoid dry bread. Not that this loaf needed any help in the moisture and softness department because between the juicy carrots, gooey bananas, squishy raisins, pineapple and pineapple yogurt, it was falling-apart-soft. I love the ease of this recipe. No mixer required, no creaming of butter and sugars, just a bowl and a spoon or whisk is all that’s needed. When I’m in Aruba, I have no mixer and no dishwasher and am especially mindful of how much elbow grease a batter requires and how many dirty dishes a recipe makes.
Each bite has so much texture. Little bits of tender sweet carrots, shreds of tangy pineapple, chewy raisin chunks, soft sweet bananas. The flavor is almost tropical from the pineapple yogurt and shredded pineapple. If I would have had any shredded coconut on hand, a half cup or so would make a scrumptious addition, but there was already plenty going on in this jam-packed loaf. After slicing my hand open, I could not wait to both pour a mimosa and smear cream cheese frosting all over the insides of the bread, not just dotted on the top. The more then merrier when it comes to frosting. Or mimosas.
What’s in Banana Pineapple Bread?
I made this banana bread with vanilla pudding mix, but it’s completely optional. Keep scrolling to see my suggestions on how to substitute the pudding mix. Here’s what else you’ll need to make the pineapple banana bread recipe:
Unsalted butter Light brown sugar and granulated sugar Eggs Vanilla extract Pineapple Greek yogurt Mashed banana Grated carrots Crushed pineapple Raisins Chopped walnuts (optional) Instant vanilla pudding mix (optional) Cinnamon All-purpose flour Baking soda Salt
Can I Substitute the Pineapple Yogurt?
Yes! If you can’t find pineapple Greek yogurt where you live, you can also use plain or vanilla yogurt, or substitute sour cream. Don’t use watery thin yogurt because it won’t give the bread the body, fullness, or richness that a thicker yogurt will.
Can I Omit the Vanilla Pudding Mix?
Yes, the instant pudding mix is optional. If omitting, you may wish to add an additional 1/4 cup granulated sugar and an additional 1/4 to 1/3 cup flour, based on taste preference and how your batter looks.
How to Make Banana Pineapple Bread
Melt the butter, then stir in the sugars, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk that together, then stir in the yogurt, bananas, carrots, pineapple, raisins, and nuts. The pudding mix is added next (add it like you would a dry ingredient), then the remaining dry ingredients. Turn the batter into a greased and floured 9×5-inch loaf pan and bake until done.
What Size Loaf Pan Should I Use?
I used a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Although I baked this as one loaf, two loaves probably would have been better since two loaves may have baked more evenly than one. Baking it as a 10- or 12-cup Bundt will also work wonderfully. In the end, one 9×5-inch loaf worked out just fine.
Tips for Making Banana Pineapple Bread
Eating carrot cake without cream cheese frosting is like eating popcorn without butter and should never be done. I doused the slices in cream cheese frosting that’s made with browned butter, cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla. If you’ve never browned butter, reviewing this information will help you create the rich, nutty-aroma, and amber-hued butter that’s so scrumptious. Watch the butter closely and stop cooking when the butter is browned, not burned, because burnt butter is like burnt tofu. The smell is hideous and lingers forever. As a shortcut, browned butter can be made in the microwave and I find it tastes no differently than the stovetop method, and it’s easier. I am in love with browned butter and it makes frosting taste even better, richer, and more luxurious.
More Easy Banana Bread Recipes:
ALL OF MY BANANA BREAD RECIPES! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Six-Banana Banana Bread — Not sure what to do with overripe bananas you have on hand? Make this Six-Banana Banana Bread! This is the best banana bread recipe EVER — it’s so moist and flavorful!
Pineapple Coconut Oil Banana Bread — Incredibly moist and is ever so slightly coconut flavored thanks to the coconut oil in the batter. You’ll definitely want seconds of this easy banana bread recipe!
Cream Cheese-Filled Banana Bread — This is the BEST homemade banana bread recipe! This banana bread tastes like it has cheesecake baked in! Soft, fluffy, easy and tastes ahhhh-mazing!!
Carrot Banana Bread — EASY, no-mixer, super soft banana carrot bread that reminds me of carrot cake but healthier!! Great Easter brunch idea or spring baked good!
Brown Sugar Blueberry Banana Bread — Smear some homemade blueberry butter onto a slice of this blueberry brown sugar banana bread and prepare to fall in love!
Caramel Macchiato Banana Bread – Banana bread that tastes like a caramel macchiato!! Soft, tender, infused with salted CARAMEL and topped with a brown sugar glaze!! EASY and IRRESISTIBLE!!
Peanut Butter Apple Banana Bread — Jazz up regular banana bread with peanut butter and apples! A perfect combo that tastes amazing together!!
