Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread was specialty of Grandma Mills. It’s a delicious dessert bread that cooks up fluffy and moist in the pressure cooker.
Instant Pot Banana Nut BreadBanana Bread is one of those sweets that just about everyone loves. Jan Borden Freeman is a wonderful baker, as a result of her Grandma Mills teaching her to bake when she was in her 20’s.
Jan purchased an Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker last year and has been cooking up a storm. Her most favorite and prized recipe from her Grandma is her Grandma Mills’ Banana Nut Bread. She realized that baked goods were not only possible in a pressure cooker, but they come out very moist and delicious.
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Ingredients for Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread
- All Purpose Flour
- Bananas
- Butter
- Sugar
- Baking Soda
- Sea Salt
- Walnuts – totally optional
Jan decided to convert her Grandma’s famous Banana Nut Bread and the very popular Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread was born.
Nordic Ware 6-Cup Bundt Pan
Click to purchase this Nordic Ware 6 cup Bundt Pan.
The above photo of Jan’s cake is so beautiful, so I wanted to show case it. However, Jan says she gets her best results using this little Nordic Ware 6 cup Bundt Pan.
Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread is always a hit with Jan and her family. All the kids’ kids, still make this wonderful bread and remember their Grandma.
Lottie Bell Donnell Mills “Grandma Mills”
Jan wanted to give the history behind the bread and talk a little about Grandma Mills. She says: “Lottie Mills was a dear Christian woman from Oklahoma City. She loved to cook meals and bake desserts. She loved to have people over for a meal and dessert, and to share her love of Christ and the gospel.”
Pressure Cooker Grandma Mills’ Banana Nut Bread
How To Keep Sweets from Taking on Taste From Savory Recipes
- Easy.
- Get yourself a second and third silicone gasket/seal. They are super cheap.
- They come in colors. We use one for sweets, one for savory and one for strong smelling recipes like my incredible Instant Pot Butter Chicken recipe.
In a Medium Mixing Bowl, add butter, sugar and eggs. Using a Hand Mixer, beat until combined. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl. There should be no sugar granules left in the bowl.
Place bananas in a Small Mixing Bowl and mash well. Add the mashed bananas to the butter, eggs, sugar mixture and gently beat to combine.
Some people like nuts in their bread, others don’t. This is a personal choice.
Don’t Scoop from the Container or Bag of Flour
If you don’t read anything else of this story, please at least read my article on How to Properly Measure Flour.
I don’t want you to end up with a rubbery or a brick Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread and then blame the recipe. Proper measurement of Flour is essential!
Besides incorrectly measuring the flour, over working a batter will also lead to a heavy and dense bread.
Add the rest of the dry ingredients to the Flour
So, now that you know How to Properly Measure Flour, measure out the two cups of Flour. You did read that article, right????
Okay, then, add the rest of the dry ingredients into the Medium Mixing Bowl and beat just until combined. Do not over work your batter. Doing so will cause a very heavy and dense bread.
If using walnuts or your favorite nut, gently fold them in now and combine by hand. If you want to use Chocolate Chips, hand fold them in now.
Grandma and Grandpa Mills with their Children
Grandma and Grandpa Mills had five children. The above photo shows the lovely couple with their children.
Jan goes on to say: “This Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread is just one of her many recipes. She created this Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread many, many years ago. Her recipe was in her head and she measured the ingredients with the palm of her hand or by the pinch.
One day we made a loaf of banana bread with her. As she eyeballed the ingredients in the palm of her hand or by a pinch, we measured everything and wrote it down. I’ve been making Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread since the 1970s but she had been making it for decades before she shared the recipe with us.”
Pour the Batter into a Cake Pan
If you don’t have a 6 cup Bundt Pan, grease a 7 inch Push Pan or 7 inch Cake Pan and place a Parchment Round in the bottom. Grease the Parchment Round too.
Pour the batter in and jiggle the Bundt Pan, so that the batter is even. You may need more time, if using a Cake Pan instead of a Bundt Pan. The Bundt Pan is the preferred pan and will give you better results, time and time again.
Jan continues:
“A few months after I got the Instant Pot, I saw a pressure recipe for a carrot bread or cake. I thought I would experiment with Grandma’s recipe. I love the way it turned out. The taste reminds me of Grandma Mills, but the Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread is more moist because cooking it in the pressure cooker.
Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread cooks for about the same amount of time as in the oven. As I said, it’s more moist…and it’s fun being able to use my Instant Pot. During the scorching hot summer months, I can still make Banana Nut Bread without heating up the house. Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread freezes well. I cut it and wrap each piece, individually.”
Place Pan into Pressure Cooker
Jan also uses a 6 cup Bundt Pan (which I find gives a more even bake) for this recipe to change things up a bit. Grease and flour the bottom of the pan, since parchment paper wont work well.
Add some water to the bottom of your Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker and place a Trivet inside.
Place the cake pan of batter on top of the Stainless Steel Trivet. You are all ready to bake!
Banana Bread will rise quite a bit
Tips and Tricks for Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread
- A 6 cup Bundt Pan works best.
- If you don’t measure the Flour properly, you WILL end up with a rubber/brick Banana Bread. Please read my article How to Properly Measure Flour.
- Over working the batter will cause a dense and heavy bread.
- Allow the pressure to release for a bit. Grandma Mill’s Banana Nut Bread will rise nicely.
- Allow it to cool, before slicing.
Pressure Cooker Grandma Mills’ Banana Nut Bread, Bundt Style
Jan hopes you will enjoy her Instant Pot Grandma Mills’ Banana Nut Bread, as much as she and her family have been enjoying this for years.
One of my readers, Elisa, says: “I just made the best banana bread I have ever had. Used this recipe with following adjustments. Added 1 tsp of vanilla, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, dash of cloves and 1/4 cup of apple sauce. UNBELIEVABLE!!!”
Thank you, Elisa. I am so thrilled that you enjoyed this recipe. 🙂
More Instant Pot Dessert Recipes to Make:
- Instant Pot Pumpkin Bundt Cake w/Butterscotch
- Instant Pot Bhapa Doi {Steamed Yogurt Pudding}
- Choco-Spice Layer Cake w/Mocha Buttercream Frosting
- Instant Pot Pumpkin Bundt Cake w/Butterscotch
- Pressure Cooker New York Cheesecake [Instant Pot] – the BEST recipe ever! You must make this right away.
Enjoy this recipe from the oven or from the Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker.
Kitchen Equipment and Essentials
- Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker
- J.A. Henckels Classic 7-inch Hollow Edge Santoku Knife
- J.A. Henckels Classic 8 inch Chef’s Knife
- Amco Advanced Performance 18/10 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
- Simply Gourmet (Dry) Stainless Steel Measuring Cups
- Anchor Hocking Glass (Liquid) Measuring Cups
- di Oro Living Silicone Spatulas Set
- LamsonSharp Chef’s Slotted Turner– I totally love this spatula!
- Rachael Ray Stoneware EVOO Oil Dispensing Bottle
- Porcelain & Bamboo Salt Box with Spoon
- My FANTASTIC Teak Cutting & Charcuterie Board & Compartments
- Stainless Steel Tall/Short Trivet & Egg Cooker Set
- 3.5 Quart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl
- Small 1.5 Quart “Pot in Pot” Mixing Bowl
- Cuisinart Electric Hand Mixer
- 7 inch Parchment Paper Round
- Nordic Ware 6 cup Bundt Pan
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Here is the handy printable recipe:
Ingredients
- ½ cup Butter room temperature
- 1 cup White Sugar
- 2 large Eggs room temperature
- 3 medium Bananas mashed
- 2 cups All Purpose Flour properly measured
- 1.5 teaspoons Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1 cup Walnuts optional (or other nut)
Optional Add Ins
- 4 oz Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 4 oz Toffee Chips
Recommended Products
Instructions
- Add bananas to a small bowl and with a potato masher, mash bananas well. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl add butter, sugar and eggs.
- Beat at high speed until light and creamy, making sure to scrape the sides of the bowl, so that all sugar is mixed into the butter and eggs.
- Add the mashed bananas and beat at high speed to combine.
- Add all dry ingredients, except walnuts and beat using medium speed just combined. Do not over mix the batter.
- With a spatula, gently fold in walnuts and/or chips, if using.
Conventional Oven
- Pour into greased/floured 8 inch loaf pan.
- Bake at 350° 60-70 minutes.
- Remove from pan and cool on rack.
Pressure Cooker
- Grease a 6 cup Bundt Pan. Line the bottom with a parchment round or paper, if you like.
- Pour in batter and smooth it out so batter is level.
- Add 1.5 cups of water into Pressure Cooker cooking pot. Place Trivet in Pressure Cooker cooking pot.
- Place cake pan on Trivet. Lightly cover the pan with a piece of paper towel and then a piece of foil.
- Lock on lid and close Pressure Valve. Cook at High Pressure for 55-60 minutes.
- When Beep sounds, allow a 10 minute Natural Pressure Release. Allow cake to cool in pan.
Notes
How to Serve Instant Pot Banana Nut Bread
- Hot coffee
- Hot Tea
- Hot Cocoa
- Scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Toasted with a slather of butter
- Turn it into French Toast!
Nutrition
PIN this Pressure Cooker Grandma Mills’ Banana Nut Bread!
Can I make this in my 3 quart instant pot with a 3 cup bunt pan? If so how long should I cook for?
The banana nut bread is so easy to make and is absolutely delicious. I made it to take to a group, but i couldn’t take it because we ate it all. Will definitely make it again. I used a 6-cup bundt pan in my IP. Thank you. This is a correction: I meant to say I used a 6-cup bundt pan.
The banana nut bread is so easy to make and is absolutely delicious. I made it to take to a group, but i couldn’t take it because we ate it all. Will definitely make it again. I used a 7” springform pan in my IP. Thank you.
You weigh the flour but have to guess on the banana’s? I would like to know in cups please so I can substitute apple sauce as my daughter is allergic to banana’s
Jill, the Instant Pot Crusty Bread post mentions using the yogurt whey when making Grandma Mill’s Banana Nut Bread, but I don’t see any mention of whey in the banana bread post. How do I use whey in this recipe? Thanks in advance for your response.
Kathy, in lieu of liquid. Jill
I had the same question as Kathy. The only liquid I see is the eggs. How much whey would be used to replace the eggs? Is that the liquid you’re talking about?
Made this tonight in a 6 cup cake pan…it is still cooling and I couldn’t keep my fingers off….tastes delicious!!
can’t wait to try it
Why does mine taste so dry?
Been given a case of bananas so I will be making Banana Bread for gifts and thank you.
For the banana nut bread, how would you adjust the time for a 3 cup bundt pan rather than a 6 cup? Also, do you fill the pan to the top or ?
I have the same question about the 3 cup pan Will make the full recipe and cook two 3 cup cakes? What is advised for cooking time?
Please disregard my first post. Self-correcting issues! 🙂 I want to make one recipe and cook 2 small cakes using the 3 cup bunt oan. What is the recommended time? Thanks!
For the banana nut bread, how would you adjust the time for a 3 cup bundt pan rather than a 6 cup?
Would this work with a butter replacement, (margarine, oil, etc…)? We have a dairy allergy in the house and he can’t eat butter.
Hi Jill, this has been by go to banana bread. I like the sour cream one more in the oven. Two questions:
I read someone’s post stating that she just switched banana in recipe for pumpkin and made pumpkin. Think it’ll work?
Also,look what happened when I put the cute red bundt pan on top shelf of dishwasher. Was it hand wash only do you know?
?
Well I guess I don’t know how to add a photo. But red came off.
Edited to say”Hi Jill, this has been my go to banana bread. I like the sour cream one more in the oven. Two questions:
I read someone’s post stating that she just switched banana in recipe for pumpkin and made pumpkin bread . Think it’ll work?
Also,look what happened when I put the cute red bundt pan on top shelf of dishwasher. Was it hand wash only do you know?
?
Well I guess I don’t know how to add a photo. But red came off.
Made in my 8q IP, followed recipe except used ghee instead of regular butter and used my large Bread n Cake Bake crock pot pan with lid. I used rack IP came with. Soo Delish! It’s is so moist. Thank you for recipe.
I made this in my instant pot using a 7″ springform pan. It filled up right to top! I cooked on high presssuee for 70 minutes and reduced the baking soda to one teaspoon. Otherwise followed the recipe. Turned out awesome!
I made this yesterday following all the directions and using 1 cup hazelnuts, chopped, plus 1/2 cup chocolate chips and HP for 56 mins. Delicious!! After reading your notes on “how to measure flour correctly” I just weighed 250 grams of flour on my food scale. Maybe you could add the flour weight to the recipe in addition to the cups? I’m a big fan of Bob’s Red Mill products so used his white flour. I have an antique granite ware fluted tube pan that just fits into my 6qt IP so it was fun to use it and have a pretty banana bread. Thanks for sharing Grandma Mills recipe!!
For those asking about gluten free substitutes, I used Bob’s Red Mill GF Flour blend in place of all purpose flour. The first time I made it it tasted a little over cooked. I knocked the time down to 50 min and it came out perfect the second try.
Any idea what quantities I should use if I want to switch to coconut and or tapioca flour ? I think I need a lot more eggs. I would also supstitute coconut sugar, but that usually works out pretty even.
Thanks.
Works great and very moist. I let it go for 70 minutes and just made it in a pyrex bowl.
this looks like it rises quite a bit. I have a small bundt pan – less than 7 inches – closer to 6 or 5 1/2. How full should I fill the pan?? I don’t want it to overflow – can always make 2!