Lazy Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Banana Bread

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Slow cooker peanut butter banana bread - the title says it all! This super easy and delicious fresh baked treat made with ripe bananas, peanut butter and boxed cake mix is too good (and too easy) to skip.

Three pieces of banana bread on a white background with a whole banana

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🍌Shopping list
🥣How to make this recipe
🍽Serving suggestions
Storing
😉Hints & hacks
❓Frequently asked questions
📖 Recipe

When your daughter's friend says "I can't stop eating this [banana] crack your mom made", you know you have hit on a winner. This super easy recipe disappears at breakneck speed. The good news is: it is so easy to make that it is worth tossing together any and every time you have older bananas laying around. AND - it is so good, it is worthy of being made for for special occasions or anytime you want to bring someone a homemade treat.

🍌Shopping list

To make this delicious crockpot banana bread you will need:

ripe bananas - the darker they are, the sweeter your banana bread will be.
eggs
cake mix - one box of any flavor will do. Vanilla cake mix will make the most traditional flavor. But, if you are a chocolate fan (me!!!) that’s a great choice too.
peanut butter - Traditional, off the shelf creamy peanut butter work well.
non-stick cooking spray

Yep, that's it!

Click here for exact quantities

Ingredients with labels laying on a counter

🥣How to make this recipe

I am a big fan of lining my slow cooker for easier clean up (because I am lazy!). This recipe works well with both slow cooker liners and parchment paper. However, both are optional. Whether or not you are using a liner, the first step is to use a non-stick cooking spray. If you are using a liner, spray it. If you are not using a liner, spray your slow cooker.

In a separate bowl, fully mash all bananas. This can be done with a fork, potato masher or with the back of a spoon. Try to smooth out as many banana lumps as possible. Next, add in your egg and beat together to make sure the bananas and eggs are fully combined. Add in peanut butter and continue to mix until you have a thick liquid-like combination. Finally, add in cake mix and once again, stir together until a thoroughly combined, thick batter is formed.

Pour batter mixture into your (possibly lined) greased slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 3-5 hours, depending on your slow cooker (my banana bread is generally finished right at the 4 hour mark). You can confirm that your banana bread is fully cooked by inserting a dry toothpick into the center. When the toothpick comes out clean your peanut butter banana bread is done.

Turn off your slow cooker and carefully remove the ceramic insert from the heating element. You will need potholders for this - slow and low cooking doesn't mean the insert won't get hot enough to burn you. Place insert on a heat safe surface such as cooktop (that is off) or a placemat and allow to cool. Then dig in!!!!

A full loaf of peanut butter banana bread cooking in slow cooker

🍽Serving suggestions

Decorum would suggest that crockpot banana bread be sliced prior to serving, but (when no one is looking), I have been known to pinch off warm, bite sized pieces with my fingers and stuff them in my mouth! In addition to cooled and sliced, crockpot banana bread is also great served warm with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream. Another great serving option is to toast by the slice and slather with either peanut butter OR with regular butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Apple butter also makes an amazing topping.

When I use chocolate cake mix to make this dish, I like to top with a handful of chocolate chips at the beginning the baking process. The chocolate version is especially delicious served warm with a scoop of ice cream and some Boozy Banana Topping or homemade Blueberry Sauce! Do you have a favorite way to eat banana bread? If so, please share in the comments below!

Three pieces of chocolate banana bread in a diagonal line on a plate

Storing

Peanut butter banana bread should be stored countertop (or in a cabinet) in airtight containers or bags. It will stay fresh this way for 4-5 days. After that it will either start to dry out or to get moldy. If you see or smell mold, toss it! This dish will also freeze really well and will remain at peak flavor in the freezer for 3-4 months.

😉Hints & hacks

Older bananas tend to be sweeter and are prefect for baking.
Some slow cookers, particularly those without a steam hole in the lid, will gather a lot of moisture under the lid. For slow cooking, this is a great thing, but when baking, it can cause your dish to be too wet. A great work around is to place a clean towel or paper towel across your slow cooker before you put the lid on. This will absorb some of the extra moisture. For those models with a steam hole, a paper towel is better since some of the steam will escape through the hole and you don't want to block that action. One of my slow cookers with a hole actually shuts itself down if a heavy towel is used under the lid, for that model, I use paper towels only.
If you would rather not use a towel/paper towel under the lid, another great option for helping to reduce moisture is to cook with the lid off for the last 30 minutes or so,
This is a great dish to make in a casserole crockpot!
Slow cooker liners are an optional but helpful hack whenever using a crockpot. They allow you to cook with little to no cleanup. I like to buy mine in bulk for a better per-piece price. Click here to see what I buy.
Not a fan of slow cooker liners? Parchment paper also works with this recipe and will leave you with virtually zero slow cooker clean up.
In the market for a new slow cooker? Here is the one I am currently lusting after.

Three pieces of crockpot banana bread next to some peanut butter and bananas

❓Frequently asked questions

Can I skip the bowl and make this right in my slow cooker?

Yes! You can mix this entire dish right in your slow cooker if you would rather not dirty a bowl.

My banana bread is mushy in the middle. Why?

A mushy middle means it isn't finished cooking yet.

When ever I bake in my slow cooker the front cooks faster than the back. Why?

Often when this happens, (especially in older slow cookers) it is the result of the heating element not heating your slow cooker evenly all the way around. To help even things out, pick your ceramic insert up out of the heating element about half way through the cooking time. Rotate it 180 degrees and return it to the frame. This way your dish will have a more even exposure to the hotter side.

How will I know when my banana bread is finished cooking?

When you can put a wooden toothpick into the center of the dish and have it come out clean, your banana bread is ready!