Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). This sets the perfect temperature for baking your bread evenly and helping it rise beautifully.

Mash the ripe bananas in a mixing bowl until smooth. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be!

Combine melted butter with the mashed bananas in the same bowl. Mix them well until the ingredients are fully incorporated, creating a rich and moist base.

Whisk together the granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until combined. This step adds sweetness and flavor to your batter, making it irresistible!

Stir in the baking soda and kosher salt. These ingredients work together to give your banana bread a light and fluffy texture.

Fold in the all-purpose flour gently until no lumps remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to dense bread instead of the fluffy texture we want.

Add the optional cinnamon and nuts for some extra flavor and crunch. Mix just enough to distribute them evenly throughout the batter.

Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Take a moment to admire the beautiful blend of colors before it goes into the oven!

Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. You know it’s ready when the top is golden brown and your kitchen smells fantastic.

Cool the bread in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This ensures it sets perfectly and is easy to slice.