It’s the sixty-four thousand dollar question, can I bake banana bread in a glass pan?
Okay, perhaps not.
However, I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s wanted to bake some delicious banana bread but didn’t have the perfect apparatus available.
I mean, we’ve all got a glass pan lurking somewhere in the kitchen.
But is it possible to bake perfect banana bread with it?
Let’s find out.
You can bake banana bread in a glass pan, although it may not provide the desired results. Firstly, the glass will absorb and hold onto heat more than a metal pan. So, you should bake your banana bread at a lower temperature. However, it is still likely to come out very brown, and perhaps even burnt, if you don’t keep a close eye on it. Furthermore, the type of glass pan you use could have an impact on the finished product. More surface area to the pan will mean more of a crust.
1. Should I Be Worried About the Heat?
There’s actually nothing wrong with baking banana bread in a glass pan, it’s just that I wouldn’t recommend it.
The glass absorbs heat very well, in fact, much better than lighter-colored metals.
Now, initially, this may seem like a good thing, as it means that it speeds up the baking process.
However, whereas this may be good for some ingredients, you do need to be wary when it comes to something as delicate as banana bread.
In fact, there is an unwritten cooking rule that says if you’re baking with glass, you should lower the temperature by 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
So, if you go use a glass pan to bake banana bread and follow an exact recipe, it’s more than likely that your loaf will end up burnt.
Additionally, due to the changes you’ll need to make in the temperature, you should keep a closer eye on your loaf.
In some instances, you may find that your banana bread seems almost done in around half the time.
However, the likelihood is that it is well-cooked on the outside but still extremely soft in the middle.
So, by all means, use a glass pan, just ensure you make the necessary temperature adjustments.
2. What Type of Glass Pan?
The type of glass pan that you use can also have an effect on your banana bread.
Banana bread is traditionally cooked in a loaf tin/pan.
In reality, this is simply so that it ends up actually looking like a loaf of bread.
Plus, this also makes it far easier to slice.
However, if you don’t have a glass loaf tin, then expect a slightly different outcome.
In fact, it’s more likely that your banana bread will take on a cake-like appearance.
But this isn’t really an issue, as banana bread is essentially a cake recipe but baked in the shape of bread.
I have linked to an interesting article at the end of this one that discusses why it’s called banana bread and not cake.
You should also be aware that the larger the surface area of the pan that you use, the more crust you can expect.
So this will alter the texture, which can also alter the taste somewhat.
Basically, you probably won’t end up with banana bread exactly how you’re used to.
3. What Are the Best Pans For Banana Bread?
Unfortunately, when it comes to baking banana bread, glass pans come pretty far down the list of ideal cookware.
Obviously, the best choice of pan will always be a loaf pan.
This way, your banana bread will actually look like a loaf of bread (as it’s supposed to).
However, darker-colored pans will have much the same effect as glass, as in they will absorb the heat more.
And, of course, this can lead to burning your banana bread.
So, a light-colored loaf pan is perfect.
The very best cookware would be an aluminum loaf pan, closely followed by ceramic, silicone, or stainless steel.
And if you absolutely must, you can use a cast iron loaf pan, which would still be better than glass.
You’ve Been Making Banana Bread Wrong This Whole Time
Final Thoughts
I hope you can see that you can bake banana bread in a glass pan, but it is far from ideal.
The glass will absorb and hold onto heat far more than other cookware.
Therefore, your banana bread may be prone to burning.
So, if you do use a glass pan, then lower the temperature by 25F and regularly check on your banana bread.
Additionally, if you don’t use a glass loaf pan, you should remember that the larger surface area will produce more of a crust.
So, while you can use a glass pan, an aluminum loaf pan will produce the best results.
As I promised earlier, here is an article that explains why your banana loaf is called bread, even though it’s essentially a cake recipe!