Next Time You Make Banana Bread, Turn To Your Slow Cooker - Tasting Table

"There's never a bad time for banana bread, but you may not always have time to make it, and that's a conundrum. Not that it's difficult to make banana bread, but sometimes you are simply too busy to get around to it. Luckily, slow cookers let us prepare meals or snacks while we are out and busy for the rest of the day. And yes, that includes banana bread."

"If you've never tried it, you may be inclined to ask why make banana bread in a slow cooker at all? It's not like a roast or a pot of chili that needs hours to develop flavor, so what is the upside? Well, as we mentioned, it's a time saver. Toss all your ingredients in the slow cooker and head out. It can cook for up to four hours."

"The other reason to make banana bread in the slow cooker is that the end product is far more moist and delicious. With the lid on, you're locking in all that steam. You might lose out on the crispy crust on top from an oven bake, but you never have to worry about the insides being dried out. Plus, parchment paper lining the cooker can help develop a crust, so it's a win-win."

"If you're looking for a rich and cakey banana bread, you don't have to follow the traditional recipe when making it in your slow cooker. Adding sour cream is a great way to ensure a moist banana bread with added fat and richness, but you can experiment with things like buttermilk, yogurt, or even applesauce. All of this can enhance the texture as well as the flavor of the final product."

Slow cooker banana bread provides a hands-off baking option that cooks for up to four hours, saving time while producing a very moist loaf. The closed environment traps steam and prevents dry interiors, and parchment lining can help form a mild crust. Slow-cooker loaves may lack the crispy top of oven-baked versions but gain superior moisture. Ingredient additions like sour cream, buttermilk, yogurt, or applesauce increase richness and tenderness. Dark brown sugar deepens color and flavor but contributes extra moisture, so adjust ratios accordingly. The method suits busy schedules and a preference for moist texture.

Read at Tasting Table