Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread [Grandma Mills Recipe] (2024)

By Jill Selkowitz / 138 Comments Updated / As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs I earn from qualifying purchases; see all disclosures.

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Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread is a fluffy and moist quick bread. The delicious aroma of bananas and warm spices will fill your home.

Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread [Grandma Mills Recipe] (1)

Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread

Banana Bread is one of those sweets that just about everyone loves. Jan Borden Freeman is a wonderful baker, as a result of her Grandma Mills teaching her to bake when she was in her 20’s.

Jan purchased an Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker last year and has been cooking up a storm. Her most favorite and prized recipe from her Grandma is her Grandma Mills’ Banana Nut Bread.She realized that baked goods were not only possible in a pressure cooker, but they come out very moist and delicious.

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Ingredients for Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread

Pro Tip: Chocolate Chips can be added in addition to walnuts or in place of.

Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread [Grandma Mills Recipe] (2)

Nordic Ware 6-Cup Bundt Pan

Type of Pan for Banana Nut Bread

  • My recommendation is to use this Nordic Ware 6 cup Bundt Pan so that the bread cooks up light and fluffy without any dense centers.
  • A round cake pan or 6 inch Fat Daddio’s Push Pan can be used as well, but you will need to add about five minutes to the cook time. The center of the banana bread may be denser with this type of pan.

Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread [Grandma Mills Recipe] (3)

Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread

If you have ever cooked a meal in your Instant Pot and then made a dessert, you will know that sometimes the dessert will pick up the flavor of what you just cooked.

How To Keep Desserts from Taking on Flavor of Savory Recipes

  • If you have just cooked a savory recipe like Instant Pot Classic Pot Roastin your Instant Pot, you may notice that the silicone gasket/seal smells like beef, carrots and rosemary.
  • My recommendation is to buy extra silicone seals and use one for one for sweets, one for savory and one for recipes which are very fragrant like my incredible Instant Pot Butter Chicken recipe.

Don’t Scoop from the Container or Bag of Flour

Baked goods are different than cooking. There is a science and in some cases if you don’t follow an instruction, the dessert won’t turn out as planned. For instance, my very popularInstant Pot New York Cheesecake, which is the BEST Instant Pot Cheesecake around can be easily ruined IF you over beat the eggs. One simple thing, don’t over beat the eggs. That one little instruction can cause your cheesecake to rise like a souffle while cooking and then fall while cooling. The cheesecake comes out spongy and eggy. For cakes in the Instant Pot, there are only two important instructions to follow (other than the ingredients) to make a perfect light, springy and soft cake.

Soft and Fluffy Banana Bread

  • Read my article on How to Properly Measure Flour. Seriously, if you don’t read anything else in this post, read that article.
  • There is a right way and a wrong way to measure your flour. If you simply scoop out flour from the bag, you may be actually packing in too much. This will lead to a very dense bread.
  • When mixing up quick breads like Banana Nut Bread, it is important not to over mix.
  • Toss the ingredients into your mixing bowl and gently combine them together. Stop mixing once all ingredients are incorporated

Pro Tip: Proper measurement of Flour is essential! Your bread will end up rubbery or like a brick if the batter is over mixed and/or the flour is not properly measured.

Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread [Grandma Mills Recipe] (5)

Add the rest of the dry ingredients to the Flour

So, now that you know How to Properly Measure Flour, measure out the two cups of Flour. You did read that article, right????

Okay, then, add the rest of the dry ingredients into the Medium Mixing Bowland beat just until combined. Do not over work your batter. Doing so will cause a very heavy and dense bread.

If using walnuts or your favorite nut, gently fold them in now and combine by hand. If you want to use Chocolate Chips, hand fold them in now.

Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread [Grandma Mills Recipe] (6)

Pressure Cooker Grandma Mills’ Banana Nut Bread, Bundt Style

In a Medium Mixing Bowl, add butter, sugar andeggs. Using a Hand Mixer, beat until combined. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl. There should be no sugar granules left in the bowl.

Place bananas in a SmallMixing Bowl and mash well. Add the mashed bananas to the butter, eggs, sugar mixture andgently beat to combine.

Delicious Add Ins to Banana Nut Bread

  • Dried Cranberries
  • Chocolate Chips
  • Raisins
  • Coconut Flakes

Pro Tip: This Banana Nut Bread doesn’t even need any extra add ins as it is delicious as written.

Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread [Grandma Mills Recipe] (8)

Place Pan into Pressure Cooker

Baking desserts in the Instant Pot is easy and convenient. No need to preheat an oven and the Instant Pot can be plugged in anywhere there is an outlet.

We also love thisSimply Delicious Buttermilk Banana Bread. It is an oven recipe, but can easily be cooked in the pressure cooker too!

Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread [Grandma Mills Recipe] (9)

Banana Bread will rise quite a bit

Tips and Tricks for Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread

  1. A 6 cup Bundt Panworks best.
  2. If you don’t measure the Flour properly, you WILL end up with a rubber/brick Banana Bread.Please read my article How to Properly Measure Flour.
  3. Over working the batter will cause a dense and heavy bread.
  4. Allow the pressure to release for a bit. Grandma Mill’s Banana Nut Bread will rise nicely.
  5. Allow it to cool, before slicing.

Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread [Grandma Mills Recipe] (10)

Pressure Cooker Grandma Mills’ Banana Nut Bread, Bundt Style

Banana Nut Bread will be nice and spongy and airy! Try a smear of cream cheese on a slice. Even peanut butter is delicious.

More Instant Pot Dessert Recipes to Make:

  • Instant Pot Pumpkin Bundt Cake w/Butterscotch
  • Instant Pot Bhapa Doi {Steamed Yogurt Pudding}
  • Choco-Spice Layer Cake w/Mocha Buttercream Frosting
  • Pressure Cooker Banana Pudding Cheesecake

Enjoy this recipe from the oven or from the Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker.

Kitchen Equipment and Essentials

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Here is the handy printable recipe:

Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread [Grandma Mills Recipe] (11)

Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread [Grandma Mills Recipe]

4.98 from 41 votes

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes minutes

Pressure Release: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 157kcal

Author: Jill Selkowitz

Ingredients

Optional Add Ins

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Add bananas to a small bowl and with a potato masher, mash bananas well. Set aside.

  • In a medium bowl add butter, sugar and eggs.

  • Beat at high speed until light and creamy, making sure to scrape the sides of the bowl, so that all sugar is mixed into the butter and eggs.

  • Add the mashed bananas and beat at high speed to combine.

  • Add all dry ingredients, except walnuts and beat using medium speed just combined. Do not over mix the batter.

  • With a spatula, gently fold in walnuts and/or chips, if using.

Conventional Oven

  • Pour into greased/floured 8 inch loaf pan.

  • Bake at 350° 60-70 minutes.

  • Remove from pan and cool on rack.

Pressure Cooker

  • Grease a 6 cup Bundt Pan. Line the bottom with a parchment round or paper, if you like.

  • Pour in batter and smooth it out so batter is level.

  • Add 1.5 cups of water into Pressure Cooker cooking pot. Place Trivet in Pressure Cooker cooking pot.

  • Place cake pan on Trivet. Lightly cover the pan with a piece of paper towel and then a piece of foil.

  • Lock on lid and close Pressure Valve. Cook at High Pressure for 55-60 minutes.

  • When Beep sounds, allow a 10 minute Natural Pressure Release. Allow cake to cool in pan.

Notes

How to Serve Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread

  • Hot coffee
  • Hot Tea
  • Hot Cocoa
  • Scoop of vanilla ice cream
  • Toasted with a slather of butter
  • Turn it into French Toast!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread [Grandma Mills Recipe]

Amount Per Serving

Calories 157Calories from Fat 99

% Daily Value*

Fat 11g17%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 52mg17%

Sodium 371mg16%

Potassium 242mg7%

Carbohydrates 12g4%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 105IU2%

Vitamin C 4mg5%

Calcium 24mg2%

Iron 0.8mg4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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© ThisOldGal.com - Sharing the recipe link to any of my recipes posts are both encouraged and appreciated. Unauthorized and improperly attributed or non-attributed use of this material, including screen shots, copy/paste of full recipes to any social media site, website, mobile application or service (e.g., copymethat, recipe keeper, pepper) or cookbook, without the requisite attribution or otherwise with express written permission from Jill Selkowitz is strictly prohibited. You may share a photo with a link back instead.

PIN this Pressure Cooker Grandma Mills’ Banana Nut Bread!

Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread [Grandma Mills Recipe] (18)

Instant Pot Grandma Mills’ Banana Nut Bread

Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread [Grandma Mills Recipe] (19)

Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread [Grandma Mills Recipe] (2024)

FAQs

Why is baking powder not used in banana bread? ›

As a general rule, you can use either baking soda OR baking powder in banana bread – both ingredients will make your banana bread rise. While baking soda will react with acidic ingredients in the batter to raise your bread, baking powder can leaven banana bread without the addition of acidic ingredients.

Why did my banana bread come out rubbery? ›

You Over-Mix the Batter

For soft and tender banana bread, gently stir the wet ingredients into the dry — don't overmix! The more you stir, the more gluten will develop. The result will be a tough, rubbery banana bread. Simply stir until moist, and then do no more.

Why is my banana nut bread so dense? ›

An overmixed banana bread batter will result in a dense, rubbery loaf. As you're prepping your batter, heed the advice of "stir until just moistened" and "no more than 10 seconds."

Can you put too much banana in banana bread? ›

Unfortunately, this isn't always the case with bananas (per Allrecipes). If you add more bananas than the recipe calls for, you could be left with a loaf that you probably won't want to eat or serve to anyone else. However, you could also get exactly what you wanted — a more flavorful, still edible loaf (via Insider).

Which is better in banana cake baking soda or baking powder? ›

Baking soda is a leavening (rising) agent used in most of baked goods. It is more effective when compared to baking powder which is why it is added in a smaller quantity. It is used to make the cake or in your case banana bread rise and create an aerated crumb texture.

What happens if you put too much flour in banana bread? ›

If you use too much flour, you'll end up with really dry banana bread, and If you don't use enough flour, your banana bread will be way too wet. The secret lies in how you measure the flour. The scoop out of the bag method could be packing way too much flour.

Why is my banana nut bread gooey in the middle? ›

Banana bread is made with a very wet batter. It's important to use a tester to make sure it's fully baked. Cutting it before it is completely cooled can lead to the gummy texture. Cooling the bread to room temperature allow us the starch that gels during baking to set again.

Why is my banana bread tasting weird? ›

Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) is the raising agent and this can sometimes taste bitter or soapy if the wrong quantity is used. Make sure that you measure the bicarbonate of soda with a proper 1 teaspoon/5ml measuring spoon and the spoon measurement should be level.

When not to use bananas for bread? ›

Mold on bananas is fuzzy white, gray, or greenish—it looks a lot like mold on bread. If a banana smells rotten or fermented or is leaking fluid, it's time to say goodbye. If the fruit inside, not just the peel, is black, that's a sign that your banana is too far gone to safely eat.

Can dogs eat bananas? ›

Yes, dogs can eat bananas. In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They're high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not part of your dog's main diet.

Why is my banana bread bland? ›

Your oven may not have been set to the correct temperature. You may not have used the correct pan size. You may not have followed the recipe correctly. For example, you may have added too much liquid, or you may not have added enough of some dry ingredient, and therefore your dough may have had too much moisture.

What happens if you put too much baking soda in banana nut bread? ›

Bitter Taste: Excessive baking soda can leave a bitter taste in the bread. Baking soda is alkaline, and an excessive amount of it can result in an unpleasant flavor. Unpleasant Texture: Too much baking soda can lead to a coarse and crumbly texture in the bread.

What are the black lines in banana bread? ›

Short Answer: The alkaline environment of a batter with baking soda results in discoloration of the pulp fibers. Short Answer: The alkaline environment of a batter with baking soda results in discoloration of the pulp fibers.

What happens if you use baking powder instead of baking soda in bread? ›

Baking powder: Baking powder can be used to replace baking soda, though not at a 1-to-1 ratio. Because the former is not as strong as the latter, it's important to use three times the amount of baking powder as baking soda. Be aware, a slightly bitter, off-putting taste might result from using that much baking powder.

Why baking powder is not used in baking? ›

The reason behind this is that in egg-based cake recipes, eggs act as leavening agents, which means they help in rising the cake. Baking powder is normally used in recipes with non-acidic liquid ingredients, such as regular milk. Recipes with acidic mixtures (buttermilk or sour cream, for example) call for baking soda.

What happens if you don't put baking powder in bread? ›

Potentially the product won't rise as much. You can offset this if you add some acid (eg,lemon juice, buttermilk, yogurt, white vinegar) to the batter. Baking powder is just baking soda and cream of tartar and a little cornstarch to buffer.

Why can you not use baking powder instead of baking soda? ›

If you have a baking recipe that calls for baking soda, and you only have baking powder, you may be able to substitute, but you will need 2 or 3 times as much baking powder for the same amount of baking soda to get the same amount of leavening power, and you may end up with something that's a little bitter tasting, ...

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