Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe

If you’re craving something rich, wonderfully moist, and perfectly chocolatey, this Chocolate Banana Bread is sure to become your new obsession. It’s the kind of treat that feels both indulgent and secretly wholesome, thanks to a clever twist of nut butter and oat flour. Every bite features the natural sweetness of ripe bananas paired with deep cocoa flavors and melty chocolate chips. Whether you call it breakfast, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a sneaky midnight snack, this Chocolate Banana Bread always delivers that ultimate comfort factor.

Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients for Chocolate Banana Bread is a breeze, and each one brings something special to the table — from creating that plush crumb to boosting the chocolate flavor or keeping the loaf perfectly tender. Here’s what you’ll need and why you don’t want to skip a thing:

  • Ripe Bananas: The star of the show — extra ripe bananas lend moisture and that signature natural sweetness.
  • Eggs: Help the bread hold together and add a little lift; use large eggs for best results.
  • Nut Butter (Almond, Peanut, Cashew, or Sunflower Seed): Adds richness and a subtle nutty undertone — plus keeps things dairy-free if needed.
  • Granular Sweetener (Monk Fruit or Brown Sugar): Keeps the loaf just sweet enough; feel free to use your favorite kind.
  • Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the chocolate-banana flavor with warmth and depth.
  • Sea Salt: Just a pinch enhances the sweetness and brings out the chocolate notes.
  • Oat Flour (or Preferred Flour): Oat flour makes the crumb extra soft and a touch nuttier, but any flour you like will work.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers that rich chocolate taste and gorgeous color — go for unsweetened for best results.
  • Baking Powder: Helps the loaf rise so it’s never dense or gummy.
  • Chocolate Chips: Pockets of gooey chocolate in every slice — sprinkle a few on top before baking if you like extra decadence!
  • Protein Powder (for High Protein Option): Swap in for some of the flour if you want your Chocolate Banana Bread to double as a power snack.

How to Make Chocolate Banana Bread

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C); getting this part out of the way first means you won’t lose a second once your batter is ready. Line a 20 cm (about 8 inches) loaf pan with parchment paper, making a sling so you can easily lift out your bread later, or simply grease it well with oil for a quick release. Setting up your pan properly makes all the difference for easy slicing and serving later on!

Step 2: Mash the Bananas

In a large mixing bowl, peel your ripe bananas and use a fork to mash them until they’re completely smooth and almost creamy. You’re looking for a texture where no big lumps remain — this way, that banana sweetness and moisture will be perfectly distributed in every bite of Chocolate Banana Bread.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

Add the nut butter and eggs to the mashed bananas. Stir everything together until well blended; you can use a whisk or a sturdy fork. The nut butter will make the mixture thick and luscious, almost like a cake batter by itself.

Step 4: Mix in Sweetener, Vanilla, and Salt

Stir in your chosen sweetener, vanilla extract, and the pinch of sea salt. Whisk the wet mixture for about 2 minutes to dissolve the sugar and get everything silky-smooth; this helps make your Chocolate Banana Bread tender and not at all gritty.

Step 5: Add Dry Ingredients

Now it’s time for the oat flour (or your preferred flour), cocoa powder, and baking powder. If you’re going for the high-protein version, substitute ½ cup of flour with your favorite protein powder here. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until you have a uniform, thick batter filled with chocolatey promise.

Step 6: Stir in Chocolate Chips

Last step before baking: fold in the chocolate chips. These are what take your Chocolate Banana Bread from good to utterly irresistible! Save a small handful to sprinkle over the top if you’d like the loaf to look extra tempting coming out of the oven.

Step 7: Bake

Pour the finished batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, checking around the 30-minute mark. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter. If you topped with extra chips, they’ll be glossy and melted — perfection!

Step 8: Cool and Slice

Let your Chocolate Banana Bread cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, so it sets up just enough to come out in one piece. Use the parchment sling or gently turn out the loaf and let it finish cooling on a wire rack. Waiting for it to cool fully is the hardest part, but you’ll get neat, tender slices if you do!

How to Serve Chocolate Banana Bread

Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

The best garnishes for Chocolate Banana Bread are simple but impactful: a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of warm peanut butter, or a handful of fresh berries on the side. For an extra-special vibe, try a little smear of Greek yogurt or a dollop of whipped cream, which balances the fudgy, chocolatey crumb beautifully.

Side Dishes

This bread is delicious on its own but pairs especially well with a creamy cappuccino or a tall glass of ice-cold milk for a classic comfort combination. If you want to dress things up for brunch, serve slices alongside a platter of mixed fruit, yogurt parfaits, or even a savory egg dish to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

Chocolate Banana Bread shines as breakfast, but you can easily turn it into dessert by toasting a slice and topping it with vanilla ice cream and extra chocolate chips. For a quick snack, cut it into cubes and layer with yogurt and berries for a rustic trifle. Or, try packing it into lunchboxes for a treat that always brings smiles!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap any leftover Chocolate Banana Bread tightly in plastic wrap or pop it in an airtight container to keep it ultra-moist. It will stay delicious on the counter at room temperature for up to three days, or you can stash it in the fridge for up to a week — though it honestly rarely lasts that long in my house!

Freezing

This bread freezes beautifully: simply slice and separate the pieces with parchment paper, then store them in a freezer-safe bag. Pull out individual slices as needed, and you’ll always have a quick chocolate fix on hand. Frozen, it will keep for up to three months without losing its magic texture or flavor.

Reheating

To enjoy that just-baked flavor again, microwave individual slices for about 10 to 20 seconds, or pop them in a toaster oven until warmed through. The chocolate chips get melty again, making each slice taste like it’s fresh out of the oven. Bliss!

FAQs

Can I use regular flour instead of oat flour?

Absolutely! All-purpose flour or even a 1:1 gluten-free blend works beautifully in this Chocolate Banana Bread. Oat flour makes it a bit lighter and gives a subtle wholesome flavor, but any flour you have handy gets the job done.

Do I need to use protein powder?

Nope — the protein powder is totally optional. It’s perfect if you want to turn your Chocolate Banana Bread into more of a post-workout treat, but you’ll get a lovely loaf without it by sticking to just the flour.

How ripe should my bananas be?

You want bananas that are soft, covered in brown spots, and almost on the verge of being “past their prime.” The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more moist your Chocolate Banana Bread will turn out.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes! Substitute your favorite egg replacer (like flaxseed meal mixed with water) for the eggs, and stick to nut or seed butters and non-dairy chocolate chips. The result is just as dreamy and delicious.

Why is my bread dense or gummy?

Chocolate Banana Bread can turn out dense if there’s too much liquid or not enough lift. Be sure to measure your ingredients, especially the flour and bananas, and check that your baking powder is fresh. Cooling the bread fully before slicing also helps avoid a gummy texture.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a treat that fills your kitchen with the coziest aromas and never fails to satisfy a chocolate craving, give this Chocolate Banana Bread a try. It’s simple, undeniably delicious, and always a crowd-pleaser — I can’t wait to hear how you make it your own!

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Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe

Indulge in the rich, chocolatey goodness of this delectable Chocolate Banana Bread. It’s a perfect blend of moist banana flavor and decadent cocoa, making it a delightful treat for any time of day.

  • Author: nova
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 1 loaf (about 10 slices) 1x
  • Category: Dessert, Snack
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Bread:

  • 3 medium ripe bananas
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup nut butter (almond, peanut, cashew, or sunflower seed)
  • 1/3 cup granular sweetener (monk fruit or brown sugar)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/6 tsp sea salt
  • 1 1/2 cups oat flour or preferred flour
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips

High Protein Option:

  • 1/2 cup protein powder (as a replacement for 1/2 cup flour)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Heat oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a 20 cm (7.9 inches) loaf pan with parchment paper or grease with oil.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mash bananas, then mix in nut butter and eggs.
  3. Add Sweeteners: Stir in sweetener, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: Mix in oat flour (or oat flour + protein powder), cocoa powder, and baking powder until smooth. Fold in chocolate chips.
  5. Bake: Pour batter into loaf pan and bake for 30-40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool before slicing.

Notes

  • You can customize this recipe by adding nuts, dried fruits, or a swirl of nut butter on top before baking.
  • For a gluten-free option, ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 120mg
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: Chocolate Banana Bread, Banana Bread Recipe, Chocolate Bread, Homemade Bread

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