Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the bread bakes evenly.

Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.

In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth. Ripe bananas provide natural sweetness and moisture.

Stir in the melted butter until well combined.

Add the beaten egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt.

Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently to combine. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.

Fold in the sifted all-purpose flour until just combined.

If desired, fold in chopped walnuts or chocolate chips for added texture and flavor.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Bake in the preheated oven for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let the banana bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.