Hawaiian Banana Bread Recipe

The Perfect Hawaiian Banana Bread Recipe for Sweet Island Flavor

Hawaiian banana bread changes ordinary baking into a slice of paradise with its unexpected tropical twist.

Ripe, sweet bananas merge perfectly with tangy pineapple chunks, creating a unique flavor profile that dances across your palate.

Shredded coconut adds a delightful textural contrast, bringing depth and complexity to this beloved quick bread.

Imagine a recipe that transports you to sandy beaches and lush island landscapes with just one bite.

Soft, moist, and incredibly aromatic, this bread captures the essence of pacific island cuisine in a simple home-baked treat.

Each slice promises a mini-vacation for your taste buds, blending familiar comfort with exotic sensations.

You’ll fall in love with this delectable fusion of tropical ingredients and classic baking techniques.

Easy Tips for Soft, Moist Island-Style Bread

Easy Tips for Soft, Moist Island-Style Bread
  • Boost Banana Ripeness: Select overripe bananas with dark brown or black spots for deeper, sweeter flavor and smoother texture in your bread.
  • Prevent Ingredient Clumping: Sift dry ingredients thoroughly to eliminate flour lumps and ensure even distribution throughout the batter.
  • Master Mixing Technique: Fold ingredients gently with a spatula, using minimal strokes to maintain the bread's soft, tender crumb and prevent tough texture.
  • Customize Tropical Twist: Experiment with additional mix-ins like macadamia nuts or dried mango pieces to enhance the Hawaiian-inspired profile.
  • Check Moisture Balance: If pineapple seems extra juicy, slightly drain excess liquid to maintain ideal bread consistency and prevent sogginess.

The Right Way to Store and Reheat This Fruity Loaf

The Right Way to Store and Reheat This Fruity Loaf
  • Refrigeration: Wrap the Hawaiian banana bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping its delightful tropical flavors intact.
  • Freezing: Slice the bread before freezing for easier portioning. Wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, preserving its delicious texture and taste for future enjoyment.
  • Reheating: Bring refrigerated bread to room temperature, then warm gently in the oven at 300°F for 10-15 minutes. Microwave individual slices for 15-20 seconds if you're craving a quick, warm treat.

What to Eat and Sip with Hawaiian Banana Bread

What to Eat and Sip with Hawaiian Banana Bread
  • Tropical Rum Cocktail Companion: Pair this Hawaiian banana bread with a light, refreshing Mai Tai or Piña Colada to enhance the tropical flavor profile and complement the bread's fruity essence.
  • Creamy Café Delight: Serve alongside a smooth cappuccino or macchiato, allowing the bread's sweet and coconut notes to balance perfectly with the rich, creamy coffee undertones.
  • Tropical Fruit Plate Partner: Create a side of fresh mango, papaya, and passion fruit slices to amplify the Hawaiian-inspired taste, bringing out the bread's natural sweetness and tropical character.
  • Honey Butter Boost: Spread a dollop of homemade honey butter on warm slices to elevate the bread's richness and add an extra layer of decadent tropical indulgence.

Island-Inspired Variations for Your Banana Bread

Island-Inspired Variations for Your Banana Bread
  • Tropical Nutty Banana Bread: Add chopped macadamia nuts and replace coconut with toasted pecans for a crunchy Hawaiian-inspired texture.
  • Rum-Infused Island Bread: Incorporate 2 tablespoons dark rum into the batter and sprinkle optional rum-soaked dried pineapple chunks for an adult tropical treat.
  • Chocolate Coconut Fusion: Mix in ½ cup dark chocolate chips and increase coconut to ½ cup for a rich, decadent island-style banana bread experience.
  • Gluten-Free Paradise Loaf: Substitute wheat flour with almond flour and gluten-free baking mix, keeping all other ingredients consistent for a lighter, allergy-friendly version.

Why Hawaiian Banana Bread Feels Like a Tropical Treat

Why Hawaiian Banana Bread Feels Like a Tropical Treat
  • Tropical Flavor Explosion: Combines sweet bananas, tangy pineapple, and coconut for a delightful Hawaiian-inspired taste that transports your taste buds to a sunny island paradise.
  • Super Simple Baking Adventure: Requires basic ingredients and easy mixing techniques, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels, from novice to experienced home cooks.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Treat: Delivers a moist, tender bread that works wonderfully as a breakfast option, afternoon snack, or dessert with its rich, indulgent texture and balanced sweetness.
  • Quick Prep, Maximum Enjoyment: Takes just over an hour from start to finish, providing a satisfying baking experience with minimal time investment and maximum delicious results.

What Makes Hawaiian Banana Bread So Special

Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Soft and creamy base for rich texture and flavor.
  • Sugar: Sweet foundation that helps create a tender crumb.
  • Eggs: Crucial binding agent that provides structure and moistness.
  • Banana: Ripe and soft fruit that adds natural sweetness and moisture.
  • Pineapple: Tropical fruit that brings tangy flavor and extra moisture.
Dry Ingredients:
  • Flour: All-purpose white flour provides essential structure for the bread.
  • Baking Powder: Leavening agent that helps bread rise and become fluffy.
  • Baking Soda: Additional leavening component that supports breads texture.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
Texture and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Coconut: Shredded and adds tropical texture with nutty undertones.

How to Bake Sweet Pineapple Banana Bread at Home

How to Bake Sweet Pineapple Banana Bread at Home

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F for perfect baking conditions.

Step 2: Cream Butter And Sugar

In a large bowl, blend softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, mixing for 3-4 minutes.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Gradually incorporate eggs into the mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in:
  • 1 mashed banana
  • Crushed pineapple (with juice)

Mix until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Prepare Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together:
  • Flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Step 5: Combine Wet And Dry Mixtures

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, being careful not to overmix.

Step 6: Add Coconut Texture

Carefully fold in shredded coconut, distributing evenly throughout the batter.

Step 7: Prepare Baking Pan

Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan and pour in the batter, spreading evenly.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 9: Cool And Serve

Let the bread rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

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Hawaiian Banana Bread Recipe

Hawaiian Banana Bread Recipe


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4.7 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 1 1x

Description

Tropical Hawaiian banana bread brings island-inspired comfort to classic quick bread. Ripe bananas, toasted macadamia nuts, and coconut create a delightful slice of paradise you’ll savor with each delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 very ripe banana (mashed)
  • 1 cup crushed pineapple (do not drain)
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ cup butter (softened)

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda

Garnish:

  • ¼ cup shredded coconut

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring an even temperature for optimal baking performance.
  2. In a spacious mixing bowl, cream softened butter with granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
  3. Gradually introduce eggs, beating thoroughly after each addition to create a smooth consistency.
  4. Mash 1 ripe banana and blend it into the butter mixture along with crushed pineapple, including its natural juice, stirring until completely incorporated.
  5. In a separate bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents.
  6. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, using minimal strokes to prevent overdeveloping the gluten and maintaining a tender crumb.
  7. Sprinkle shredded coconut throughout the batter, distributing it evenly without deflating the mixture.
  8. Grease a 9×5 inch (23×13 centimeters) loaf pan, then carefully pour the batter, smoothing the top with a spatula to create an even surface.
  9. Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes, testing for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean when the bread is fully cooked.
  10. Remove from the oven and allow the bread to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Tropical flavors burst through this moist banana bread, transforming a classic recipe into a Hawaiian-inspired delight.
  • Crushing fresh pineapple adds natural sweetness and moisture, creating a unique texture that sets this bread apart from traditional versions.
  • Coconut brings a delightful tropical crunch, complementing the soft banana and tangy pineapple with its rich, nutty undertones.
  • Softening butter completely ensures smooth mixing and helps create an incredibly tender crumb that melts in your mouth.
  • Room temperature ingredients blend more easily, helping you achieve a perfectly balanced and consistently smooth batter without lumps.
  • Letting the bread cool completely prevents crumbling and allows flavors to develop fully, making each slice more delicious.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 563 kcal
  • Sugar: 37g
  • Sodium: 210mg
  • Fat: 29g
  • Saturated Fat: 18g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 70g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 105mg
Julian Park

Julian Park

Co-Founder, Cuisine Researcher & Food Culture Writer

Expertise

  • Global Food Cultures & Culinary History
  • Regional Flavor Profiles & Cooking Techniques
  • Food Anthropology & Cultural Identity
  • Culinary Research & Narrative Writing
  • Street Food Traditions & Heritage Dishes

Education

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), Los Angeles, CA

  • Degree: Certificate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Professional culinary techniques, global cuisine fundamentals, and real-world training in restaurant-style cooking and food presentation.

Julian Park is a natural storyteller at The Dream Café who blends hands-on culinary experience with a passion for exploring global food traditions. A graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles, Julian combines professional technique with a love for cultural discovery, diving into how dishes reflect heritage, migration, and identity. 

His work spans everything from in-depth cuisine guides to reflections on everyday meals around the world. With a curious palate and a journal always close by, Julian helps readers connect with food in a way that feels so insightful and personal.

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