This is a heartier spin on classic banana bread, with mashed sweet potato folded in alongside the bananas for extra moisture, natural sweetness, and a subtle earthiness that plays well with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. It comes together with basic pantry ingredients and no fancy equipment — just a mixing bowl, a fork, and whatever baking pan you already have.

Watch the full recipe video here

Why Add Sweet Potato to Banana Bread

Mashed sweet potato adds extra moisture and a naturally sweet, slightly earthy flavor that complements ripe bananas without overpowering them. It also gives the bread a denser, more filling texture compared to standard banana bread, making it feel more like a hearty snack than a light treat.

Ingredients

• 2 large ripe bananas
• 2 small sweet potatoes (about ⅔ cup), boiled until tender
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp baking soda

How to Make Banana Sweet Potato Bread

1. Preheat the oven.
Preheat to 350°F.

2. Mash the base.
In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas and sweet potatoes together with a fork until smooth.

3. Mix in the wet and dry ingredients.
Add the olive oil, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, baking powder, and chopped nuts. Mix well.

4. Fold in the flour.
Fold in the flour and mix thoroughly until you get a smooth, sticky batter.

5. Add the vinegar and baking soda.
Pour in the vinegar, then the baking soda, mixing both in quickly. These react together to help the bread rise, but the reaction fades fast, so get the batter into the oven as soon as it's mixed in.

6. Bake.
Pour the batter into a greased or lined baking pan and bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

7. Cool and serve.
Allow the bread to cool before slicing and serving.

Recipe Tips

• Work quickly after adding baking soda: The vinegar and baking soda react immediately to help leaven the bread, so the batter should go into the oven right away for the best rise.
• Use very ripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the bread will be.
• Customize the mix-ins: Swap the walnuts or pecans for chocolate chips, or adjust the spices with ginger or allspice for a different flavor profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use canned sweet potato instead of boiling my own?
Yes, canned sweet potato puree works well as a substitute — just make sure it's unsweetened and well-drained.

Why does the recipe use both baking powder and baking soda?
Baking powder provides steady lift throughout baking, while the baking soda reacts with the vinegar for an extra quick rise, giving the bread better texture overall.

How should I store this bread?
Store it wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week for longer freshness.