This strawberry banana bread is a soft and moist quick bread made with ripe bananas, fresh strawberries, and a sweet strawberry glaze. It’s the perfect recipe for spring baking, breakfast, or an easy dessert.
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Why This Recipe Works
I love making this Strawberry Banana Bread when I want something sweet, fruity, and simple to bake. Here’s what makes it special:
- Fresh, Fruity Flavor: The mix of ripe bananas and juicy strawberries gives this bread a naturally sweet, bright flavor that feels fresh and cozy at the same time. It reminds me of the berry goodness in this Strawberry Snacking Cake.
- Soft and Moist Texture: The bananas and oil keep the bread tender and soft for days. Every slice stays perfectly moist without feeling heavy.
- Easy to Make: No mixer needed—just a few bowls and a whisk. It’s the kind of recipe you can throw together on a quiet morning or bake with kids on the weekend.
- Pretty Strawberry Glaze: The simple glaze adds a light sweetness and a soft pink finish that makes the loaf look bakery-style without any extra effort.
- Perfect Anytime Treat: It’s great for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack. The banana base and berry flavor make it a comforting favorite, just like these Gluten Free Wild Blueberry Banana Pancakes.

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Ingredients
- Ripe Bananas – Provide natural sweetness, moisture, and a soft texture. The riper they are, the better the flavor and sweetness.
- Fresh Strawberries – Add a juicy, fruity flavor and a pop of color. Dice them and pat dry to prevent excess moisture. Frozen strawberries work too if thawed and drained.
- Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the bread and helps it brown evenly while keeping the crumb light.
- Brown Sugar – Adds a touch of caramel flavor and extra moisture for a softer texture. Light or dark brown sugar both work well.
- Eggs – Bind the ingredients together and add structure. Room temperature eggs mix more evenly into the batter.
- Vanilla Extract – Enhances the flavor and adds a warm, sweet aroma.
- All-Purpose Flour – Gives the bread structure while keeping it soft. You can replace half with whole wheat flour for a heartier loaf.
- Powdered Sugar – The base for the glaze, creating a smooth, sweet finish.
- Mashed Strawberries or Strawberry Puree – Used in the glaze for fresh berry flavor and a pretty pink color.
- Lemon Juice – Adds a hint of brightness to the glaze and balances the sweetness.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
Instructions


- Mix the dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Mash the bananas: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth.


- Combine wet ingredients: Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla to the bananas and whisk until fully combined.
- Add the flour mixture: Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.


- Mix the batter: Gently stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Fold in strawberries: Gently fold in the diced strawberries.


- Transfer to loaf pan: Pour the batter into a parchment-lined loaf pan and spread evenly.
- Bake until set: Bake for 50–60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.


- Make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, mashed strawberries, and lemon juice until smooth.
- Glaze and finish: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread, let it set, then slice and serve.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.

Substitutions & Variations
Here are some of my favorite substitutions and variations:
- Mix-Ins: I like to add a handful of white chocolate chips for a little extra sweetness. You can also toss in chopped walnuts or pecans for a nice crunch.
- Flour Options: I sometimes swap half of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour. It gives the bread a slightly nutty flavor and a heartier texture.
- Glaze Ideas: You can skip the glaze for a simpler loaf or make it tangier by adding a bit more lemon juice. I sometimes drizzle melted white chocolate on top instead for a sweeter finish.
- Cream Cheese Swirl: Try swirling in a few spoonfuls of softened cream cheese before baking. It adds a creamy, rich layer that pairs perfectly with the fruit.

What to Serve with Strawberry Banana Bread
Breakfast
- This Strawberry Banana Bread makes a lovely breakfast or brunch treat. We like serving it warm with a side of Easy French Toast With Caramelized Bananas for a cozy, fruit-filled morning.
- It also pairs beautifully with Healthy Baked Oatmeal or a slice of Croissant French Toast Bake for a brunch spread.
- If you’re going for a full strawberry theme, add a few Homemade Strawberry Pop-Tarts to the table.
Drinks
- A slice of this bread is even better with something refreshing to sip. Try it with a chilled Strawberry Martini for a fun afternoon treat.
- For brunch or special occasions, we love pairing it with a bubbly Pomegranate Tangerine Bellini, a crisp Blackberry Mint Cocktail, or a festive Cranberry Fizz Cocktail.

FAQs
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries, but make sure to thaw and pat them completely dry before adding them to the batter. This helps prevent extra moisture that can make the bread soggy.
If your bananas aren’t quite ripe, you can bake them (in their peels) at 300°F for about 10–15 minutes until they soften and darken. Let them cool before mashing and using in the recipe.
Store the bread covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for 4–5 days. For longer storage, freeze it (unglazed) for up to 2 months, then thaw and glaze before serving.

More Recipes You’ll Enjoy
- Fresh Strawberry Cake (With Lemon) – This fresh strawberry cake is sweet, juicy, and summery! It’s a perfect centerpiece for your summer brunches or a simple weeknight treat.
- Spanish Tomato Bread (Pan Con Tomate) – Spanish Tomato Bread (Pan Con Tomate) is an easy 6-ingredient tapas recipe made with grated heirloom tomatoes served on crusty toasted bread.
- Breakfast Egg Bread Bowls – Breakfast Egg Bread Bowls are just as fun to make as they are to eat. Filled with eggs, ham, and cheese, each bite will satisfy your soul.
- Strawberry Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast – This delectable Strawberry Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast is simple to make and stuffed with all the flavors of spring.
If you try this recipe, let me know what you think! Rate and review this recipe in the comments below. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me on Instagram @lenaskitchenblog!

Strawberry Banana Bread
Ingredients
For the Bread:
- 3 bananas, ripe, mashed
- 1 cup strawberries, fresh, diced (pat dry)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil, any neutral oil, or melted butter
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
For the Strawberry Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons strawberries, mashed or strawberry puree
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mash bananas until smooth. Whisk in sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla until combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and gently mix until just combined. Fold in diced strawberries (don’t overmix).
- Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
- Whisk powdered sugar with mashed strawberries and lemon juice until smooth. Adjust thickness as needed.
- Drizzle glaze over cooled bread. Let it set, slice, and enjoy!
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor and natural sweetness. The darker the peel, the better.
- Pat strawberries dry before folding them in to prevent excess moisture and soggy spots in the loaf.
- Mix the batter gently and only until the flour disappears. Overmixing can make the bread dense instead of soft.
- Start checking for doneness around 50 minutes. Oven times vary, and you want a clean toothpick in the center.
- If the top browns too quickly, cover the loaf loosely with foil halfway through baking.
- Let the bread cool completely before adding the glaze so it sets nicely instead of melting into the loaf.
- Adjust the glaze consistency by adding more powdered sugar for a thicker drizzle or more strawberry puree for a lighter one.
- Roast the strawberries before adding them to the batter for a deeper, more concentrated flavor.
- Bake the loaf a day ahead and glaze it right before serving for the best texture and presentation.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Freeze unglazed slices for up to 2 months easy future treats.
Photography by Naomi Seiler






Inna
This looks absolutely delicious and I cannot wait to make it this weekend!!
lena gladstone
Can’t wait to hear what you think Inna. It’s so tasty.