Simple Cast Iron Skillet Banana Bread

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Bake this Cast Iron Skillet Banana Bread with Pecans for a cozy Southern treat. Golden edges, rich banana flavor, and perfect for the grill or oven!

Here at Backyard Texas Grill, we don’t just know our way around the smoker — we love to experiment with the cast iron skillet, too. It’s perfect for baking up both savory and sweet treats.

Today’s Skillet Banana Bread is a great example: It’s rich with flavor and that golden edge only cast iron can create. It’s the perfect side for a weekend brunch, a backyard cookout, or just a quiet morning coffee.

Whether it’s slow-smoked brisket or a slice of banana bread fresh from the oven, we believes the secret ingredient is always the same — a little Texas love and a whole lot of flavor.

The Perfect Dessert (or Breakfast) in a Skillet!

Whether you like to eat banana bread for breakfast with some bacon and a cup of coffee nearby, or nibble on a piece after dinner for dessert, you’re going ot love this simple recipe. Because it starts in cast-iron skillet it’s perfect for serving up at a barbecue, too.

(Hey, nothing says “southern” like a slice of classic banana bread!)

We promise you’re going to love this moist, delicious version. It’s easy to make, loaded with texture, and perfect for any occasion, even a mid-afternoon snack. (I’m getting hungry just typing this.)

No matter when you serve it, you’re going to love it. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s bake up some bread, y’all!

Banana Bread Ingredients

You’ll find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a look at what you’re going to need. These are simple ingredients. Just make sure you start with speckled bananas. The riper they are, the sweeter the bread.

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional but lovely in a skillet bake)
• 2–3 very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 – 1 ¼ cups)
• ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup chopped pecans (optional)

For the Skillet

• 1 tablespoon butter (for greasing)
  Optional: sprinkle of cinnamon sugar for the pan

How to Make Banana Bread in a Cast Iron Skillet

This looks complicated, but I promise, it’s not! Here’s how I did it:

Prep the Skillet & Oven
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Place a 10-inch cast iron skillet on the stove and melt 1 tablespoon of butter in it.
Turn off heat and swirl butter to coat the bottom & sides.

Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using).

Mix Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine mashed bananas, oil, eggs, and vanilla.
Stir until well mixed.

Combine
Add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and stir just until combined.
Do not overmix.
Fold in pecans if using.

Bake
Pour batter into the buttered skillet.
Bake for 28–38 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
(Cast iron bakes faster than a loaf, so start checking at 28 minutes.)

Cool & Serve
Let cool in the skillet for at least 10–15 minutes before slicing.
Serve warm — it’s heavenly as-is or with a smear of butter or honey butter.

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⭐ Optional Add-Ons (If You Want Extra Goodness)

• Cinnamon-sugar topping:
  Sprinkle 1–2 teaspoons over the batter before baking
• Brown sugar pecan crumble:
  Mmm. Delicious! Mix up a crumble (flour/brown sugar/butter) and sprinkle it on top before baking.
• Chocolate chips: ½ cup makes it more dessert-like. Some folks like to skip the pecans altogether and just go with chocolate chips. That’s fine by me!

Questions People are Asking

1. Can I make this banana bread on the smoker instead of in the oven?

Yes! The smoker gives your banana bread a beautiful, rustic flavor that fits right in at the Backyard Texas Grill. Here’s how to do it:

How to Smoke Banana Bread in a Cast Iron Skillet:

1. Preheat your smoker to 325°F.
2. Use a mild wood like pecan, apple, or maple (avoid heavy smoke like mesquite).
3. Prepare the batter as directed and pour into a well-greased 10-inch cast iron skillet.
4. Place skillet on the smoker grates (indirect heat).
5. Smoke for 40–50 minutes, checking at 35 minutes.
6. It’s ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
7. Cool for 15 minutes before slicing.

You’ll get a lovely hint of smoke, golden edges, and that same moist banana flavor — a true backyard classic!

2. Can I use butter instead of oil?

Absolutely. Melted butter will give the bread a richer flavor and slightly denser crumb, while oil keeps it lighter and more moist. Either works beautifully — it’s just a matter of personal preference.

3. How do I season a cast iron skillet for baking?

A well-seasoned skillet makes all the difference! If yours is new or hasn’t been used in a while, here’s how to prep it before baking:

1. Wash and dry thoroughly. Make sure it’s completely dry — moisture can cause rust.
2. Rub with oil. Use a paper towel to coat the inside (and outside) of the skillet lightly with vegetable oil, canola oil, or shortening. (Note: I’ve made the mistake of using olive oil and then trying to bake something sweet. I don’t recommend this. Save the olive oil for the savory bakes. You’ll need a neutral oil for baking sweets.)
3. Bake it. Place upside down in a 400°F oven for about an hour, with a sheet of foil underneath to catch any drips.
4. Cool and store. Once cooled, your skillet will have a natural, nonstick finish perfect for everything from cornbread to banana bread.

After each use, simply wipe out crumbs, rub with a drop of oil, and it’ll stay in great shape for years. A good cast iron pan just gets better with time — kind of like your favorite pitmaster. 😉

Other Sweet Treats from Backyard Texas Grill

For a smoking/grilling site we’ve got a lot of desserts and sweet treats. (Hey, what can I say? I love ’em.) Here are some favorites, from our site and from our friends at Out of the Box Baking:

• Pumpkin Spice Skillet Cake: This cake is simple and delicious, and not just during the holidays.
• Cast Iron Peach Dump Cake: One of our family’s favorites!
• Spiced Apple Dump Cake: Y’all, this one is a personal favorite. It’s so easy, too!
• Strawberry Poke Cake: Since we’re talking simple. . .this one is flavorful and easy!
• Apple Cider Cupcakes: Serve these up at your new BBQ (and folks of all ages will love them)!

That’s it for this post, friends.

Thanks for stopping by! If you make this banana bread, feel free to leave a comment. Before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?

Meet Pitmaster Zach Morrow

. . .the man behind the grill—and sometimes, the skillet. When he’s not tending a brisket or perfecting his smoked ribs, Zach can be found in the kitchen, cast iron in hand, baking up family favorites like this Skillet Banana Bread with Pecans.

He believes great food doesn’t have to be complicated—just made with love, patience, and good ingredients. Whether it’s a rack of ribs on the smoker or a loaf of banana bread fresh from the oven, Zach’s goal is the same: to bring folks together, one delicious bite at a time.

Learn more about Zach!