Banana Bread with Pancake Mix

No one will know you made this Banana Bread using Pancake Mix. It's just as soft, moist, and full of banana flavor as homemade banana bread, but with fewer ingredients to measure. A great option when you're short on time or baking supplies. You can even use frozen bananas!

Want more banana recipes? Try Banana Bread with Oil, Banana Angel Food Cake, and Chocolate Chunk Banana Muffins.

The first time I made banana bread with pancake mix, I was out of flour. But I had Bisquick, which also had baking soda and a little sugar, so I went for it. I added brown sugar for moisture, vanilla extract and cinnamon for rich flavor, and the usual oil and eggs.  

We loved it so much, I make banana bread with pancake mix on purpose all the time now. It's soft and moist, just as flavorful as banana bread from scratch, faster, and more convenient. It's perfect for a beginner baker or if you're short on pantry staples. 

Need more ideas for your extra bananas? Make Fluffy Banana Pancakes with Pancake Mix, Carrot Banana Muffins, and 4 Ingredient Banana Bread Muffins next!

🍞Ingredients

Please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full list of ingredients. 

• Ripe bananas. You'll need 3-4 large bananas. For the most sweetness and intense banana flavor, use overripe bananas with brown or black peels. 
• Brown sugar. Brown sugar adds moisture and rich molasses flavor.
• Oil. I use canola oil, but any neutral vegetable oil works. Banana bread with oil bakes up softer and more moist than butter-based banana bread, so it's my go-to choice. 
• Bisquick Pancake & Baking Mix. This recipe was tested with Original and Heart Smart Bisquick pancake mixes. I haven't tested "just add water" mixes, which contain additional ingredients and may affect the texture. 
• Mix-ins, optional. Stir in up to one cup total mix-ins like chopped pecans, walnuts, blueberries, or chocolate chips. I recommend mini chocolate chips because they disperse more evenly throughout the bread and don't sink.

🍌How to Ripen Bananas in the Oven

If your bananas aren't ripe enough for banana bread, you can ripen them in the oven.   

• Place unpeeled bananas on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper.
• Bake at 300 degrees for 20 minutes or until the peels are black.
• Cool completely, scoop out the flesh, and mash. Strain off any liquid to avoid dense baked goods.

🍌How to Make Banana Bread with Frozen Bananas

• Freeze whole, unpeeled bananas when they're overripe so you can use them later. 
• Place frozen bananas on a plate to catch any liquid. Thaw at room temperature or in the microwave at 50% power for 3-4 minutes. 
• Strain off excess liquid, which can make banana bread dense and heavy.
• After draining, mashed bananas should have a similar texture to fresh bananas.

🥣How to Make Banana Bread with Pancake Mix

Step 1. Place bananas in a large bowl and mash them with a fork or potato masher.  Add brown sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon. Stir until well combined.

Step 2. Add Bisquick mix one cup at a time, stirring after each addition. Stir until just combined. Optional, stir in up to one cup of mini chocolate chips or nuts.

✅Expert Tips

• Use overripe brown or black bananas for the most intense banana flavor.
• Measure Bisquick mix the same way you measure flour. Spoon it into a measuring cup and level off the top. Don't scoop straight out of the box of pancake mix.
• Be careful not to overmix the batter to keep the bread from becoming dense. 
• Banana bread is done when the internal temperature reaches 200 degrees on an instant read thermometer or a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.

🎁Storage

• Storage. Store banana bread tightly wrapped or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days. 
• Freezer. Wrap cooled banana bread loaves or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or on the counter.

❓FAQs