The Inexpensive Addition For Perfectly Moist Banana Bread

Banana bread is one of the most basic quick-to-make breads out there, and one of the reasons it's beloved by so many home bakers is because it can be customized in a number of ways. You can enhance your classic recipe with sweet ingredients like maple syrup or cream cheese or elevate banana bread with a splash of citrus, like orange juice (via Cooks). Whether you have a go-to banana bread recipe or enjoy trying out new ones, there are a few common mistakes people make with banana bread, including not weighing ingredients and overbaking your sweet treat, both of which can result in dry banana bread.

As recommended by Betty Crocker, there are a few creative ways to save a dry loaf of banana bread, like turning it into ice cream sundaes or french toast sticks. However, the best course of action is to use ingredients that will add moisture to your recipe from the get-go. There's a surprising go-to pantry staple that's perfect for the job!

Vanilla instant pudding mix is the key ingredient to perfectly moist banana bread, according to The Kitchn. It's also the secret ingredient that celebrity chef and television personality Chrissy Teigen relies on to give her famous banana bread its moist and out-of-this-world fluffy texture, per Cravings. Simply mix a 3.5-ounce box of vanilla instant pudding (make sure it's not the cook-and-serve variety) into the recipe's dry ingredients for supremely moist and flavorful bread. While you may be tempted to make Teigen's recipe with banana pudding mix for extra banana-y flavor, don't. She claims it gives the banana bread a fake taste (via Cravings). The pan in which you prepare the recipe matters, too! While you can prepare Teigen's recipe in two 8x4-inch loaf pans, she recommends using a Bundt pan for the moistest banana bread possible.

Once you've baked your banana bread, there are a few additional things you can do to help retain that moisture, including storing it properly. After cooling your cooked bread completely, lay a paper towel on the bottom of an airtight container or bag, then place the loaf on top and cover it with another paper towel before sealing the container or bag, as recommended by MyRecipes. When stored this way, your banana bread should stay fresh for up to four days — if you don't devour it all before then.