Banana bread will stay raw in the middle if it contains too much mashed banana, if it is not cooked for long enough, if the oven is not hot enough or if the oven has not been preheated. If the batter is too wet then it will also take a long time to cook through and can end up raw in the middle.
This article will explore the top reasons why banana bread can end up cooked on the outside but stay raw in the middle. Check out each reason to find out why it could be happening to your bread.
Why banana bread stays raw in the middle
Check out the top reasons why banana bread can end up raw in the middle and how to fix each one.
1. Not leaving the banana bread in the oven for long enough
The top reason why banana bread will stay raw in the middle is if it is not left in the oven for long enough. Banana bread can take up to an hour or even longer to cook all the way through.
If you are cooking in a conventional oven (not fan forced) or if you are using a thick stainless steel bread pan then it will take longer.
To know if your banana bread is cooked, take it out of the oven and poke a butter knife or skewer in the center. If it comes out clean then it is cooked, if it still has uncooked batter on it place it int eh oven for 5 minutes longer. Keep adding it back in for 5 minutes until it has cooked through.
I have baked banana bread in glass before and it actually cooks quicker. Glass conducts heat fast so will heat up faster and stay hot for longer.
2. Not preheating the oven
If you put the banana bread in the oven as it is heating up it will be blasted by extra hot air as the oven raises to the desired temperature. Most ovens will rapidly heat above the temperature that you will ultimately bake it at.
The banana bread will look cooked or even dark brown on the outside before it has cooked in the middle.
The key is to always preheat the oven before putting your banana bread batter in. This will make sure that it cooks evenly and will cook through in the middle at the same time that the outside forms a nice crust.
3. Not having the oven at the correct heat
Cooking banana bread in an oven that is not at the correct temperature can give you banana bread that is raw in the middle. Setting the oven heat too low will mean that the bread will take forever to cook and it can dry out on the outside.
Always preheat the oven to a temperature that is 350 degrees Fahrenheit, or around 175 degrees Celsius. This will mean that a normal banana bread loaf in a 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.4 inch pan will cook in around 50 minutes.
4. Adding too much mashed banana
Add too much mashed banana to bread recipe will cause the batter to be too wet and it will take longer to cook through. Banana contains a large amount of water so adding extra will make the bread too moist.
This will mean that it will still stay soft and mushy in the middle even if it has fully cooked through.
It is best to add a maximum of 2 medium bananas to your bread to help it to cook through in the middle.
5. Making a batter that is too wet
Adding too much egg, milk, yogurt or water to your banana bread batter can also stop it from cooking through. If the batter looks like thin pancake mix it will stay mushy in the middle.
Most banana bread recipes will have around 2 medium eggs and some water or milk. Measure these out accurately to make sure that the batter has a thick consistency and will cook through.
For more on the best banana bread batter consistency, check out my article here: Should Banana Bread Batter be Lumpy? | 5 Causes of Lumps
What to do if banana bread is raw in the middle
If you test your banana bread and it is still raw in the middle you can put it back in the oven for an extra 5 minutes. Test it again with a skewer and if it is still raw put it back int eh oven for another 5 minutes. Repeat this process until it has cooked through.
If you have cooled your banana bread and it is still raw in the middle it is easier to cut it into pieces and bake it again. Cut it into slices and place it on an oven tray. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Cook it for 10-15 minutes and you will get a nice crust and cook it through.
Why is My Banana Bread Raw in The Middle | Summary
Banana bread can be cooked on the outside and raw in the middle if the oven ha snot been preheated, if the oven is not hot enough, if the batter is too wet or if it contains too much mashed banana. Always preheat your oven, measure your ingredients and test your banana bread with a skewer before taking it out of the oven. Pop it back in for another 5 minutes if it is still raw in the middle.
Happy cooking.
I am an accredited practicing dietitian, experienced gardener and a dedicated cook. I love writing and sharing my experience so you can learn from my successes and mistakes.