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Best Hawaiian Banana Bread with Pineapple and Coconut

5.0 from 55 votes

I absolutely love baking, and one of my favorite things to make is Hawaiian banana bread. This delicious treat combines the sweetness of ripe bananas with the tropical flavors of pineapple and coconut to create a truly unique and irresistible flavor.

Whether you’re looking for a tasty breakfast option or a sweet snack to enjoy throughout the day, Hawaiian banana bread is the perfect choice.

To make this delicious bread, you’ll need a few simple ingredients, including overripe bananas, crushed pineapple, shredded coconut, all-purpose flour, sugar, eggs, and baking soda.

Hawaiian banana bread is a delicious and easy-to-make treat that is sure to please everyone.

More Best Sweet Bread Recipes:

Ingredients

  • Ripe Bananas – best bananas for this recipe will have brown spots on them. They will be super sweet and soft. The riper the bananas, the better, as they will add more flavor and sweetness to the bread. When mashing the bananas, make sure to use a mixer to achieve a smooth consistency.
  • Granulated Sugar is a key ingredient in this recipe. It adds sweetness and helps to create a moist texture in the bread.
  • Canned pineapple is the best option for this recipe as it is already crushed and ready to use (you can use fresh pineapple too if you prefer but it’s a little bit more time consuming) The pineapple adds a tropical flavor to the bread and helps to keep it moist.
  • Buttermilk is my little secret ingredient in this recipe. It adds a tangy flavor and helps to create a tender crumb in the bread. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make a substitute by mixing 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar with 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
  • Butter adds richness and flavor to the bread. Be sure to melt the butter and let it cool slightly before adding it to the batter.
  • Eggs – use room temperature eggs for the best results.
  • Rum Flavoring give it an extra tropical taste. If you don’t have rum flavoring, you can use vanilla extract instead.
  • All-Purpose Flour
  • Baking Powder and Baking Soda are used to help the bread rise and create a light, fluffy texture.
  • Ground Cinnamon and Salt
  • Coconut flakes adds texture and a subtle coconut flavor. You can use unsweetened or sweetened coconut, depending on your preference.

How to Make Hawaiian Banana Bread recipe

To make Hawaiian Banana Bread, I first preheat the oven to 330 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare the bread pan by greasing it with butter/ using a cooking spray or lining it with parchment paper. I then take a large mixing bowl and add the dry ingredients, including flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt, and mix them together.

In a separate small bowl, I mash the ripe bananas and add them to the dry mixture. Next, I add the wet ingredients: beaten eggs, vanilla extract, and melted margarine to the mixture and stir until everything is well combined. Lastly, I fold in the crushed pineapple and mix everything together.

Once the mixture is ready, I pour it into the prepared pan and bake it for approximately 40 minutes or until it turns light gold brown. To check if the bread is done, I use a toothpick and insert it into the center of the bread. If it comes out clean, the bread is ready.

After the bread is baked, I let it cool for about 10-15 minutes in the pan before removing it from the pan and placing the whole loaf on a wire rack to cool completely. Once the bread is cooled, I slice it into pieces and serve it.

Storage and Serving Suggestions

If I want to store the bread for later, I wrap it in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Alternatively, I can store it in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

If I want to add some extra flavor to the bread, I can spread cream cheese on top of the slices before serving. This gives the bread a creamy and tangy taste that pairs well with the sweetness of the bread.

Hawaiian Banana Bread Recipe Variations 

Hawaiian Banana Nut Bread: fold in chopped macadamia nuts into the batter for a crunchy texture. You can also sprinkle some nuts on top before baking for added visual appeal.

Tropical Fruit Medley Hawaiian Banana Bread: Mix in diced tropical fruits like mango, papaya, or passion fruit for a burst of exotic flavors. Consider adding a tablespoon of citrus zest (orange or lime) for brightness.

Coconut-Lime Glazed Hawaiian Banana Bread: Bake the banana bread as usual and prepare a glaze with powdered sugar, coconut milk, and lime juice. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled banana bread for a sweet and tangy finish.

Tips to Bake the best Hawaiian Banana Bread

When it comes to baking the perfect banana bread, it’s important to pay attention to the moisture content. Too much moisture can result in a dense, soggy loaf, while too little moisture can result in a dry, crumbly loaf. To achieve the perfect texture, try adding and adjusting in ingredients like crushed pineapple, coconut, or even yogurt to help keep the bread moist.

If you’re looking for a quick bread recipe that doesn’t require yeast or a lot of rising time, banana bread is a great option. Just be sure to include baking soda or baking powder to help the bread rise. And if you’re short on time, you could even bake the batter in muffin tins for a quick and easy breakfast or snack.

Whether you’re looking for a flavorful banana bread with a moist texture or a quick and easy snack, there’s a type of banana bread out there for everyone. So, next time you’re in the mood for a tropical treat, consider whipping up a batch of Hawaiian Banana Bread and experimenting with different recipe variations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What unique ingredients are typically included in Hawaiian banana bread?

Hawaiian banana bread often includes unique ingredients such as pineapple, coconut, and macadamia nuts. These ingredients add a tropical twist to the classic banana bread recipe and create a delicious flavor combination that is sure to impress.

How does pineapple enhance the flavor of Hawaiian banana bread?

Pineapple adds a sweet and tangy flavor to Hawaiian banana bread that complements the banana flavor perfectly. The acidity of the pineapple also helps to balance out the sweetness of the bread, resulting in a perfectly balanced flavor profile.

Can Hawaiian banana bread be made without coconut, and what are the alternatives?

Yes, Hawaiian banana bread can be made without coconut. If you prefer not to use coconut, you can simply omit it from the recipe. Alternatively, you can replace the coconut with other ingredients such as chopped macadamia nuts, raisins, or even dried cranberries.

How does the preparation of Hawaiian banana bread differ from classic banana bread recipes?

The preparation of Hawaiian banana bread is very similar to classic banana bread recipes. However, the addition of pineapple, coconut may require some adjustments to the recipe. For example, the amount of sugar or flour may need to be adjusted to accommodate the additional ingredients.

Hawaiian Banana Bread Recipe

Hawaiian Banana Bread Recipe

Recipe by Adore Foods
5.0 from 55 votes
Course: Dessert RecipesDifficulty: Easy
Servings

8

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

1

hour 
Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups 1 1/2 mashed ripe banana

  • 1 1/4 cups 1 1/4 granulated sugar

  • 1 can 1 crushed pineapple, undrained (8 ounce)

  • 1/2 cup 1/2 buttermilk

  • 1/2 cup 1/2 butter, melted and cooled slightly

  • 2 large 2 eggs, at room temperature

  • 1 tsp 1 rum flavoring or vanilla

  • 2 1/2 cups 2 1/2 all purpose flour

  • 1 tsp 1 baking powder

  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 baking soda

  • 1 tsp 1 ground cinnamon

  • 1 tsp 1 salt

  • 1/2 cup 1/2 flaked coconut

Directions

  • Heat the oven to 350°F and spray a bread pan with cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl, combine the bananas, sugar, pineapple, buttermilk, melted butter, eggs and rum flavoring.
  • In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and coconut.
  • Make a well in the center of the flour and add the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined, but do not overmix.
  • Pour into the bread pan and place in the oven. Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Use a toothpick to check for doneness. Check at least 3 spots. When the toothpick comes out clean, the bread is done.
  • Let cool before slicing for best results.

Notes

  • Cut a piece of parchment paper or wax paper for the bottom of the bread pan so it will come out of the pan easily.
  • You can mash the bananas with a fork, or you can use a hand mixer to mash them.
  • Do not overmix the bread.  It can get tough and not soft like it should be.
  • Do not overbake.  You want the bread to be moist, not hard and dry.