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.

Add the melted butter to the mashed bananas and mix until combined.

Stir in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. This helps distribute the leavening agent evenly.

Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients bowl. Stir gently with a rubber spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bread tough.

If desired, fold in the chopped walnuts for added texture and flavor.

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

Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This indicates that the bread is fully cooked.

Once baked, remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.