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Home › Recipes
31 Comments

Hummingbird Banana Bread with Toasted Coconut

Stacey Pirtle

by Stacey Updated: Mar 14, 2023

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This post may contain affiliate links.

What good southerner can resist anything named hummingbird? Moist and tender Hummingbird Banana Bread is loaded with sunny pineapples, ripe bananas, sweet coconut and buttery pecans. Just like the classic southern Hummingbird Cake, this dense quick bread will be your new favorite for a little taste of the tropics!

Hummingbird Banana Bread Loaf with pineapples, bananas, coconut and pecans.


Get ready to whip up a little sunshine in your very own kitchen! Refreshing pineapple, sweet coconut and loads of rich, vanilla-ey ripe bananas create a wonderfully dense and aromatic quick bread that will have you dreaming of vacation. An island cousin to your favorite homemade banana bread recipe, a buttered slice of heaven has never tasted so good!

RELATED RECIPE: Coconut Lime Bars

What Is Hummingbird Banana Bread

Based on one of Southern Living’s most popular cakes, the Hummingbird Cake- submitted to the magazine in 1978 by one Mrs. L.H. Wiggins of Greensboro, North Carolina- this spin on banana bread is filled with all the same flavors- pineapple, banana and coconut. However, instead of a cream cheese icing, this irresistable bread is topped with a good dose of toasted coconut in order to maintain it’s official status as a bread.

HUmmingbird Banana Bread Ingredients

What You Need To Make Hummingbird Bread

  • vegetable or canola oil
  • white & brown sugar- brown sugar adds a deeper flavor
  • eggs
  • vanilla
  • flour
  • baking soda– helps your bread rise
  • salt
  • ground cinnamon– a wonderful aromatic that enhances the tropical flavors
  • crushed pineapple with juice
  • ripe bananas
  • sweetened flaked coconut
  • chopped pecans
  • sour cream– adds extra moistness

See recipe card for measurements & full instructions.

Hummingbird Banana Bread Loaf Topped with Toasted Coconut

How To Make Hummingbird Bread

Mix the wet ingredients. This easy recipe starts with mixing the oil and sugars together. Then eggs and vanilla are added in.

Add the dry ingredients. Flour, baking soada, salt and cinnamon are mixed together in a separate bowl then added a little at a time to the wet base until all the dry ingredients have been incorporated. The batter gets very thick and dough-like in this step, but it loosens back up in the next step.

Fold in the sunshine. This is the step when the magic happens. One at a time, fold in the sour cream, pineapples + juice, mashed bananas, coconut and pecans. Pour into a greased loaf pan and top with toasted coconut.

Bake. Sit back and relax for about an hour as the smells of island life fill your kitchen. Your bread is done when an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Stacey's Tip: Toast Coconut under the oven broiler on a baking sheet.

A slice of Hummingbird Banana Quick Bread with butter

Tips for Perfect Hummingbird Banana Bread

This recipe is all about maximizing the sunshine. Here are a few tips to get the most out of this Hummingbird Bread recipe.

  • Bananas– When it comes to choosing your bananas for this recipe, the riper the better. And that’s good news for those spotted, brown bananas sitting on your counter. Overripe bananas tend to be sweeter and can have a honeyed, vanilla flavor which will shine in this recipe. Additionally, leave the bananas a little chunky when you mash them. This will help the banana flavor stand out too, as well as add to your bread’s hearty texture.
  • Pineapple Juice– Many recipes will have you drain the juice away from your canned crushed pineapple. However, I think the juice infuses an extra bit of flavor. So the dry ingredients have been adjusted a little to accomodate the extra moisture of this flavor kick.
  • Sweetened Coconut– Sweetened coconut has a more intense tropical flavor than unsweetened. Since that’s what this bread is all about, make sure to choose sweetened flaked, or shredded, coconut when purchasing your ingredients.
  • Pecans– Pecans have a buttery richness that balances the sweet, tropical flavors of the fruit and are the traditional choice for this recipe. In a pinch, though, walnuts make a good substitute.
Close of up Hummingbird Banana Bread slice

Storing & Freezing

Hummingbird Banana Bread can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months if wrapped tightly in a freezer proof material. Furthermore, it can be kept for up to 3 days in the refrigerator if covered or wrapped tightly.

Other Quick Bread Recipes You’ll Love

  • Standout Cinnamon Banana Bread
  • Easy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
  • Cinnamon Apple Quick Bread
  • Carrot Zuchinni Walnut Muffins
  • Mamaw’s Fresh Apple Cake
  • Lemon Supreme Monkey Bread

IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, BE SURE TO LET ME KNOW!

RATE IT, LEAVE A COMMENT OR SNAP A PHOTO.

Tag me on Instagram at #southerndiscourse
Close of up Hummingbird Banana Bread slice

Hummingbird Banana Bread with Toasted Coconut

Moist and tender Hummingbird Banana Bread is loaded with sunny pineapples, ripe bananas, sweet coconut and buttery pecans. Just like the classic cake, this dense quick bread will be your new favorite!
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bread
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour hour
Servings: 5 people
Author: Stacey | SouthernDiscourse.com

Ingredients

  • ½ C vegetable or canola oil
  • ½ C white granulated sugar
  • ½ C brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2.5 C flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅓ C sour cream
  • 8 oz crushed pineapple, with juice
  • 3-4 medium ripe bananas, mashed
  • ¾ C sweetened flaked or shredded coconut
  • ⅓ C chopped pecans
  • ½ C toasted sweetened flaked or shredded coconut, for topping
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Spray 9 inch loaf pan with non stick cooking spray. Toast ½ C coconut on baking sheet under oven broiler. Set aside.
  • Using a stand or hand mixer, mix together oil and sugars in a large bowl. Add eggs and vanilla and mix to incorporate.
  • In a small mixing bowl, use a fork to mix together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add a little four mixture at a time to oil, sugar and eggs, mixing the batter all the while. Batter will become very thick during this step but will loosen up in the next.
  • Fold in one at time: sour cream, pineapples with juice, bananas, coconut and chopped pecans. Using a rubber spatula, fill loaf pan with batter. Top evenly with ½ C toasted coconut.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour to 1 hour, 10 minutes or until toothpick inserted in several places comes out clean. If toasted coconut begins to overbrown while bread is baking, cover loaf with foil.
  • Remove from oven and let cool slightly before removing from pan and serving.
Close of up Hummingbird Banana Bread slice
Did you make my Hummingbird Banana Bread with Toasted Coconut?Show me how it went! Share on Instagram, tag @southerndiscourse, and use the hashtag #SouthernDiscourse!
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Moist and tender Hummingbird Banana Bread is loaded with sunny pineapples, ripe bananas, sweet coconut and buttery pecans.  Just like the classic cake, this quick bread will be your new favorite!

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Filed Under: Bread, Breakfast & Brunch, Desserts, Recipes

Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Avatar photoLINDA K DECARLI

    February 25, 2021 at 4:49 pm

    Question about 3-4 medium bananas – Is that equal to 1cup or 1+ 1/2 cups or 2 cups mashed. The recipe looks good and I would like to make it.
    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      February 26, 2021 at 10:24 am

      Hi, Linda! It is equal to 1.5 C of mashed bananas. I am so excited you are making this recipe. Can’t wait to hear about it!

      Reply
    • Avatar photoCarol

      April 2, 2021 at 11:46 am

      5 stars
      This bread has become one of my favorites! It has just the right touch of sweetness and is perfect for breakfast, afternoon tea or sharing with friends. It’s also very easy to make with things I normally have on hand anyway. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Stacey Pirtlestacey

        April 2, 2021 at 2:38 pm

        Hi, Carol!
        Your comment absolutely made my day because I feel the exact same way about this bread! Not to mention that I adore pineapple wih coconut. I am so glad you are making and sharing this bread with others.

        Reply
    • Avatar photoBecky Cribb

      December 6, 2022 at 2:30 pm

      What size loaf pan?

      Reply
      • Stacey Pirtlestacey

        December 7, 2022 at 10:34 am

        Hi, Becky! Please refer to the recipe card for all the specifics!

        Reply
  2. Avatar photoKelly

    February 25, 2021 at 6:51 pm

    This recipe sounds so good and hubby wants me to make it this weekend. My one question, do you toast the coconut before topping the bread with it or does the coconut toast while the bread is baking?

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      February 26, 2021 at 10:28 am

      Hi, Kelly! I am so excited you are making this recipe! The coconut is toasted before the bread is baked. See the recipe card at the very bottom of the post for exact instructions.
      Looking forward to hearing all about it!

      Reply
  3. Stacey Pirtlestacey

    February 26, 2021 at 10:29 am

    5 stars
    Moist and tender Hummingbird Banana Bread is loaded with sunny pineapples, ripe bananas, sweet coconut and buttery pecans. Just like the classic southern Hummingbird Cake, this dense quick bread will be your new favorite for a little taste of the tropics!

    Reply
    • Avatar photoDenise Johnson

      August 30, 2022 at 5:04 am

      Hi,

      How do I adjust this recipe for altitude of 7,140’.

      Thanks.

      Denise

      Reply
      • Stacey Pirtlestacey

        August 31, 2022 at 12:03 pm

        Hi, Denise! Google would be the best place to find that answer. I know that KingArthurBaking.com has some great information about augmenting recipes for high altitude baking. Let me know how it goes. This is a great little bread recipe; I know you’ll love it! Enjoy!

        Reply
  4. Avatar photoJoy

    August 30, 2022 at 1:44 pm

    Thank you for sharing your recipe

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      August 31, 2022 at 12:05 pm

      Hi, Joy! You are so welcome! Enjoy!

      Reply
  5. Avatar photoLinda Waldo

    September 4, 2022 at 6:56 am

    Hi! This sounds amazing! Is the flour all purpose ? Just checking before I make it, so excited thank you for sharing !

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      September 5, 2022 at 10:12 am

      Hi, Linda! Your are right; it’s all purpose flour! I can’t wait to hear how it turns out. I know you’ll love it!

      Reply
  6. Avatar photoDebbie

    September 5, 2022 at 7:43 am

    5 stars
    Amazing!! This is so good and so moist! I baked this yesterday and we enjoyed it so much!! I will be making this bread again!!! Thank you so much! I am so glad I found your blog. Not only are the recipes so eye appealing and yummy looking, the pictures and suggestions you give for decorating are wonderful! You have been given a God-given talent for hospitality! What a blessing!!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      September 10, 2022 at 11:53 am

      Oh, Debbie! You have truly made my day! I am so glad you are here at Southern Discourse. I look forward to hearing from you again!

      Reply
  7. Avatar photoTess

    September 5, 2022 at 8:20 am

    Can I use almond flour of coconut to make it gluten free

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      September 5, 2022 at 10:17 am

      Hi, Tess! I haven’t made this recipe with those flours, but I don’t see why they wouldn’t work. Let me know how it turns out. Enjoy!

      Reply
  8. Avatar photoTammy J

    September 14, 2022 at 7:02 pm

    5 stars
    I divided the batter into two 8” loaf pans and did not toast the coconut prior to baking. The coconut still toasted while baking and the 2 loaves were perfect, just cut back on the baking time. Will definitely use this recipe again!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      September 28, 2022 at 12:02 pm

      Hi, Tammy! I am just tickled you loved this recipe! It is one of my favorites.

      Reply
  9. Avatar photoConnie

    September 24, 2022 at 1:33 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Stacey, I make coconunt banan bread often and just recently made some withheld pineapple(Hummingbird Bread). Your recipe sounds amazing! Will this make two 8×4 loaves? Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      September 30, 2022 at 5:41 pm

      Hi, Connie! Thanks! Yes, this recipe will make two 8×4 loaves. Enjoy!

      Reply
  10. Avatar photoRose Sorendo

    September 25, 2022 at 11:14 am

    5 stars
    Best banana bread ever! I have celiac so I had to use (King Arthur) gluten free flower. I baked in two loaf pans for45 to 50 minutes. It’s hard to make moist gluten free baked goods but this recipe was a winner! It’s now added to my recipe box and will definitely be made many times again.

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      September 30, 2022 at 5:45 pm

      Hi, Rose! Oh, this just made my day! I am so tickled this recipe worked for you and that you loved it. Made my day!

      Reply
  11. Avatar photoBillie Altenhofen

    December 5, 2023 at 2:35 pm

    5 stars
    Very nice and moist and flavorful

    Reply
    • Stacey PirtleStacey

      December 12, 2023 at 6:06 pm

      Hi, Billie! Thank you so very much!

      Reply
  12. Avatar photoCheryl Russell

    July 10, 2024 at 2:57 pm

    5 stars
    In the oven now and OMG my house smells AWESOME!! Thank you for sharing!!

    Reply
    • Stacey PirtleStacey

      July 30, 2024 at 2:54 pm

      Hi, Cheryl! You are so welcome! I hope you loved the bread as much as we do! It’s a fave. ❤️

      Reply
  13. Avatar photoThomas Marlene

    January 2, 2025 at 2:53 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve been looking for this recipe for years and now I’m happy to see this again and I saved it where now it won’t be lost! Thank you so very much!!! ♥️

    Reply
    • Stacey PirtleStacey

      January 7, 2025 at 6:08 pm

      Hi, Marlene! You are so welcome! I am so glad you found it too! (I just love to hear when readers find lost recipes here. It’s one of my most absolute favorite things.) Happy Baking!

      Reply

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Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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