4.94 from 15 votes

Nutella Swirled Banana Bread

Nutella Swirled Banana Bread recipe | photo by Zoë François

The first time I tried nutella was in France, on my honeymoon. I thought French kids were the luckiest people on earth. There was no way my mom would have given me a chocolate hazelnut spread on anything. (For the record it was the 1960s, she was a hippy and didn’t allow any sugar at all. Hence my full on sugar rebellion and career as a pastry chef.) French kids get nutella for breakfast, on their bread at lunch or as a late night snack. They all seemed healthy enough, so I think the French moms are on to something. My honeymoon was 23 years ago and in the meantime we Americans have had a hazelnut spread revolution of our own. Now you can find it on the shelves of Costco and 7-eleven. My house is never without a jar.

I’ve spread nutella on just about everything, but one of my favorites is freshly baked banana bread. In an “aha! moment” I decided to swirl the nutella right into the batter and bake them together. I’m not claiming to have discovered this combo, but I believe this may be the tastiest pairing ever there was. I now always make two loaves of nutella swirled banana bread, otherwise it disappears too quickly. One we eat while it is still warm and a bit gooey, the other sits for breakfast the next day. It is magnificent and super simple to make.

Nutella Swirled Banana Bread recipe - ingredients | photo by Zoë François

This is a short video I made with Craftsy on this recipe. In the video I only make one loaf, but I always bake two!

How to Make Banana Bread with Swirls of Nutella

You’ll find a recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Nutella Swirled Banana Bread recipe - two loaf pans greased with butter, lined with buttered parchment | photo by Zoë François

Preaheat oven to 350°F. Grease two Loaf Pans (8.5 x 4.5 x 2-3/4-Inches) with butter, lined with buttered parchment.

Nutella Swirled Banana Bread recipe - bananas mashed with a potato masher | photo by Zoë François

Mash the bananas with a Potato Masher, so they still have some small lumps, set aside.

In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the sugar, butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the sugar/butter mixture, just until smooth. Add the bananas and mix just until they are combined.

Nutella Swirled Banana Bread recipe - heated Nutella drizzled over banana bread batter | photo by Zoë François

Heat the nutella in a microwave for about 20 seconds to soften it. If you don’t use a microwave, you can heat the nutella over a double boiler for a couple of minutes. Drizzle 2/3 of the nutella over the banana bread batter.

Nutella Swirled Banana Bread recipe - folding 2/3 of the Nutella into the batter with a rubber spatula | photo by Zoë François

Using a rubber spatula gently fold the nutella into the batter, trying not to over mix, so you can see the swirls when it is baked.

Nutella Swirled Banana Bread recipe - dividing the batter into the prepared pans | photo by Zoë François

Carefully divide the batter into the pans, trying not to overly mix the batter, so the swirls stay well defined.

Nutella Swirled Banana Bread recipe - adding the rest of the Nutella and swirling it into the batter | photo by Zoë François

Add the rest of the nutella and swirl into the batter.

Nutella Swirled Banana Bread recipe - loaf baked | photo by Zoë François

Bake for about 45 mintues or until a tester comes out clean.

Nutella Swirled Banana Bread recipe - two loaves cooling on a wire rack | photo by Zoë François

Allow to cool in pan for about 10 minutes on a cooling rack.

Nutella Swirled Banana Bread recipe - one loaf cooling on a rack on a countertop | photo by Zoë François
Nutella Swirled Banana Bread recipe - sliced after 10 minutes of cooling | photo by Zoë François

Remove and eat one of them while it is still warm and gooey.

Nutella Swirled Banana Bread recipe - sliced and served on a marble platter with more Nutella | photo by Zoë François

Save the other nutella swirled banana bread for the next day and serve with more melted nutella.

Banana Bread with Swirls of Nutella | ZoeBakes by Zoë François

Banana Bread with Swirls of Nutella

I've spread Nutella on just about everything, but one of my favorites is freshly baked banana bread. In an "aha! moment" I decided to swirl the nutella right into the batter and bake them together. I'm not claiming to have discovered this combo, but I believe this may be the tastiest pairing ever there was.
4.94 from 15 votes
Servings: 2 loaves

Ingredients

  • 2 cups 480g mashed very ripe bananas (about 4 large)
  • 1 cup 200g lightly packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup 110g unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup 120ml whole milk
  • 2 eggs at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 1/3 cups 400g all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup 140g Nutella

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F / 175 degrees C. Generously grease two 8 by 4-inch / 20 by 10cm loaf pans, then line them with greased parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, combine the bananas, brown sugar, butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla and mix well with a wooden spoon.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture and stir just until smooth.
  • Heat the Nutella in the microwave for about 20 seconds to soften.
  • Divide half of the banana batter between the prepared pans. Drizzle half of the Nutella over the two pans and run a knife through the batter in a zigzag pattern to distribute.
  • Add the remaining batter to the pans, top with the remaining Nutella, and swirl into the batter with the knife again.
  • Bake until a tester comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then remove from the pans and set on a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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34 thoughts to “Nutella Swirled Banana Bread”

    1. I’m with you Laura!

      I rarely make the same recipe twice, since there are just so many to get through in one lifetime, but I find myself making this one a lot!

      Cheers, Zoë

    1. Thanks Katrina!

      I was probably the last one to this nutella swirled banana bread, but I am happy I got there! 🙂

      Cheers, Zoë

  1. I actually first discovered Nutella, or a chocolate hazelnut spread, in Israel when I was 17 and went nuts for it. But same as you, it just didn’t exist in the States back then. Now I really find it too sweet for my liking – at least the jarred kind – but pairing it with a banana bread is both genius (it tames the sweetness while bringing out the chocolate) and perfect (I always put mini chocolate chips in my banana bread). My family will love this! Yours is gorgeous as usual.

    1. Hi Jamie,

      Have you made your own? I think it is a worthwhile endeavor and then it would be much less sweet. I agree, I can’t eat it on its own or I find it cloying.

      z

  2. Hi Zoe!
    This sounds really yummy!
    I don’t know if you remember me, but we’ve met a couple times. Once when I took a class from you and the last time was when you hosted Deb Perleman in MSP for her book tour visit. I was the red haired girl who sat right next to you in the library w/my Husband and when you sat down I reintroduced myself? Anyways, I was really hoping to get your opinion on something….
    I’ve narrowed my range/oven down to either a Wolf 60″ All Gas Range or the 48″ Dual Fuel. My question since I know you bake so much and I really enjoy baking is: Do you think baking in an electric convection oven is better than baking in an all gas oven? The Wolf DF electric oven has 2 fans and they say is a “true” convection because the heating elements come f/behind the fans. Whereas the gas oven is just a singe fan that blows. Also wondering if you think having 2 regular size all gas ovens would be more useable than having the 1 30″ oven along w/an 18″ companion that would be both electric convection? Both would have gas cooktops. I love to bake pie, scones, bread, cookies and I have actually called our local bakeries and asked the bakers what they use and most said they bake in all gas ovens! (Rustica, Patisserie 46, Cafe Latte) but I’ve heard for home kitchens that electric convection is better for baking. So I’m conflicted and since I know you just remodeled your own kitchen if you would have an opinion on this? We are in the process of planning a new home in Grand Marais, MN and so this will be my forever kitchen!
    Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
    Shannon Wahlstrand

    1. Hi Shannon,

      Gas is wonderful, but unless you have steam injectors you will be happier baking bread in an electric oven. I find most gas ovens, including Wolf, are made in such a way that they don’t trap steam, which is essential for baking bread. I have electric ovens and am about to get the new electric wall ovens from BlueStar. The bluestar is 30″ wide, but can fit a full sized sheet pan, which is great. I don’t think I’d find an 18″ oven very useful, but you may?

      Enjoy, Zoë

      1. Zoe,
        Thanks so much for your reply and insight! I had a feeling I would be happier with an electric oven since that’s what I use now and have never owned a gas oven. Only considered a gas because they cost much less than a Dual Fuel Electric range and it would have been two 30″ ovens for the price of the DF. I did not know that Blue Star had electric ovens, maybe because we are only looking at ranges and I am not sure we’ll have room for a 48″ + a wall oven, which would be ideal! We are just a two person household so thought the small oven might come in handy at times…..might have to check out Blue Star again. Thanks again for your honest opinion from a baking standpoint and for helping confirm my decision! I really appreciate it!!!
        Shannon

        1. Hi Shannon,

          Let me know what you go with. The BlueStar electric oven comes out soon, but I think you are right and it will only be wall ovens at first.

          Enjoy! Zoë

  3. I made this recipe, and it got rave reviews! I will say that it’s very important to ‘swirl in’ the nutella. That made all the difference in the world-I had the best results when i set up the batter in the pans, then used a knife to incorporate the nutella-its nice when you’re eating it to have the difference between banana bread and the nutella goodness 🙂 Thanks for the idea (and for furthering my addiction to nutella)

  4. Hi Zoe
    Over 20 years ago I moved to Italy and that was the first time I tasted Nutella, my kids when they were little (right only when they were little) would grab the jar and a spoon and off they would go. I am going to have to give your banana bread a try, looks delicious. Thanks Rosemary @anitalianinmykitchen.com

  5. I made this today and the loaf sunk where the Nutella on top was swirled. My toothpick came out clean, and it tasted done. Why do you think that happened? Thx

    1. Hi Debbi,

      It may just be that the Nutella was a bit thick in spots. If you melt it and drizzle it in a thinner stream it may help.

      Thanks, Zoë

  6. I have never made banana bread before (new to baking, here) but my husband loves Nutella so I thought I’d give it a try. It was very good but I thought it was just a tad dry. Any tips on how to moisten it up just a bit?

  7. Just found this recipe and would like to try it as I was very disappointed with the New York Times recipe for Nutella banana bread. Your recipe looks delicious! Would it work with small loaf pans? Thank you!

  8. This bread is amazing! Easy to put together and delish. Another commenter said it was dry – not at all for me! But I did weigh my bananas out of curiosity and I needed 6 instead of 4 FYI. I had a bunch of bananas in the freezer to use so I did just defrost and use those. Excellent recipe – thank you!

  9. Sorry this isn’t a comment about this recipe, but I do have a question about another Zoe recipe. I’d like to make the pumpkin-apple-caramel hotdish featured in the Oct. issue of Food Network magazine, but am wondering if it will keep if made a day ahead of serving it. Love Zoe’s recipes – her marble pound cake from “Zoe Bakes Cakes” is a favorite of my son-in-law.

    1. Hi Judith,

      I am so thrilled you are going to try the recipe. When I tested the recipe, I made it in the evening and my boys ate it the next day and loved it.

      Thank you so much for the wonderful note! Zoë

  10. 5 stars
    Thank you for your reply re: the pumpkin-apple caramel hotdish cake. I will be making it next week. Also made your banana nutella bread, but used chocolate-tahini to swirl in it instead of the nutella. A big hit. Thanks for providing us with all the wonderful goodies.
    Judith

  11. 5 stars
    This is very good, although it is a bit messy with swirls of Nutella on the top of the loaf. Next time I make these, I may swirl all the Nutella into the first layer of batter, then smooth the remaining batter on top. The flavor is fabulous no matter what!

  12. 5 stars
    I made this today. First of all, the house smelled incredible. This is fantastic that it makes 2 loaves because you WILL need to eat one while it’s warm. Fantastic recipe.

  13. 5 stars
    I’ve tried other Nutella Banana Bread recipes and this is the one I keep returning to time after time. I do use about 1/4 c. To 1/3 c. extra Nutella (who wouldn’t? Lol!) We use almond milk and non-dairy butter and sometimes I chop some hazelnuts to add to the top. It’s good all ways! Thank you, Zoe, for this fantastic all purpose recipe. ❤️

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