Description
This Best Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe is a rich, moist, and easy-to-make loaf that perfectly combines the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with indulgent chocolate flavor. Ideal for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy snack, it offers a tender texture and a delightful balance of flavors that can be customized to suit various dietary needs and preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3–4 ripe bananas (about 1 to 1¼ cups mashed)
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free version)
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (adjustable)
- 2 large eggs (or 2 flax eggs for vegan option)
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened or ¼ cup oil (coconut oil for dairy-free)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ to ¾ cup chocolate chips or chunks
Instructions
- Prepare Your Bananas and Dry Ingredients: Mash the ripe bananas in a large bowl until mostly smooth with some small lumps remaining for texture. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt to distribute evenly.
- Mix Wet Ingredients Separately: In another bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, then mix until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet banana mixture. Mix gently, just until combined to avoid overmixing and keep the bread tender. Stir in the chocolate chips toward the end.
- Pour Batter into Loaf Pan: Grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper. Pour the batter evenly into the pan and smooth the top. Optionally, sprinkle additional chocolate chips on top for decoration.
- Bake Until Perfectly Cooked: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use ripe or overripe bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Do not overmix the batter to prevent dense bread.
- Ensure eggs and butter (or substitute oils) are at room temperature for better mixing.
- Check doneness with a toothpick for moist crumbs.
- Adjust sugar quantity according to the ripeness of your bananas and personal sweetness preference.
- Optional add-ins: chopped nuts, cinnamon, or extra chocolate for variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of loaf)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: chocolate banana bread, moist banana bread, easy banana bread, chocolate chip banana bread, gluten-free banana bread, vegan banana bread