Easy Banana Bread with Cake Mix

Did you know you could make a cake mix banana bread with just oil and eggs? Not only can you but it is incredibly tasty. So simple even my teenagers can bake it after school when they want a treat. If you are like us and love cake mix recipes of all kinds, you need to make this one next!

We have been all about easy boxed cake mix hacks lately. What is easier than using a boxed mix to tweak it into something semi-homemade? Yeah we don’t think there’s anything else either. Y’all there are SO many things you can transition these boxes into. We are using the yellow variety but white or spice mix works for this too.

The star of the show is the fruit though right? I buy a bunch every single week, without fail. Sometimes they disappear the next day, other times none are touched and they turn brown. I HATE to waste food, especially something so wonderfully sweet, so over the years have created a list of overripe banana recipes. This is the newest addition.

Yellow Cake Mix Banana Bread Ingredients

All you need to make this are a few eggs, vegetable oil, boxed or homemade yellow cake mix and your ripe bananas too. You will not follow the directions on the back of the box, use what is explained in the recipe card below instead.

As far as mashing I do prefer that there is a bit of chunk left. That will give you super moist areas when you bite into it, just my opinion.

Can you add chocolate chips?

Yes but I would only use 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips. Other options enhance the flavor would be to add a bit of banana flavor extract or vanilla. About 1/4 tsp will work for that add in. Another fun idea is to sprinkle on some muffin crumb topping to the loaf or muffins before baking.

Can you add nuts?

For sure. You could use 1/4 cup crushed walnuts and the rest chocolate chips or just 1/2 cup to add a bit more texture and flavor. You want them chopped up into small bits so they are easier to eat and don’t overwhelm the dish, weighing it down. A few could be added to the top before baking to make it pretty too.

How Long to Bake Banana Bread with Yellow Cake Mix

In a loaf pan you want about 45 minutes or so but check the last 5 minutes to ensure that it doesn’t bake too long or it will dry out. You want it to stay super moist but cooked all the way thru to the middle so there is a fine line between the two.

How do you know when it’s done?

Some swear by checking with a toothpick, you can do that but don’t wait until it is dry. Instead there should be moist crumbs attached. If you don’t have one just use your finger. Touch gently in the center. If it doesn’t bounce back it needs more time, give it 3 minutes and check again that way.

How long do you bake this into muffins?

Yes. If you want to make cake mix banana muffins use paper liners. Alter the bake time to about 18 minutes or until the tops bounce back when touched gently in the center. Remove pan, use a spoon to remove muffins from hot pan and put them on a cooling rack so they don’t continue baking and dry out.

FAQ

Make our banana bread recipe with yellow cake mix friends!! We will show you how to do just that here. If you only have 3 you can cut this recipe in half which will make 1 loaf pan worth vs. 2 and enjoy away too.

Let’s talk about the word ripe and what I mean when they are perfect for this. Don’t wait until they are black and slide out with weird liquid, brown is better. The darker they are the more natural sugars have been created yes, but to a point friends.

If you want to make this and/or our banana bread pudding but your fruit is about right, but you need another day just throw them in a bowl in the fridge. The cold will slow down the ripening process which will give you a bit more time to bake.

You always want to allow leftovers to cool completely to room temperature first. Keep it whole instead of storing it sliced to stay as moist as possible. Store in an airtight container or I like to wrap in plastic wrap and then slide it into a freezer bag. Keep on the countertop for best results, in the fridge will dry it out faster.

Slice a piece when you’re ready to enjoy as is, or put on a plate with a bit of butter on top. Warm in the microwave for 30 seconds so it melts and absorbs inside to make it tender again. If they were in muffin form remove the wrapper first, break in half and follow the same steps.

Other Easy Recipes with Yellow Cake Mix You’ll Love

When you want to include fruit our pineapple upside down cake with yellow cake mix tops the list. Yes that uses canned tidbits but always a hit at get togethers.

You can use this to make cake mix brownies. If using this color they will resemble blondies but can use Devil’s Food for a chocolate version too. Add chocolate chips to yellow cake mix cookies for a quick treat too.