Chocolate Banana Bread
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This Chocolate Banana Bread is a delightful twist on a classic, packing a double punch of chocolate and banana flavors. It’s irresistibly moist and rich, making it the ideal pick-me-up for your afternoon coffee break.
Fool Proof Chocolate Banana Bread
I’ve whipped up this Chocolate Banana Bread recipe, and let me tell you, it’s a real crowd-pleaser. With each bite, you get the rich, indulgent flavor of chocolate perfectly balanced with the natural sweetness of ripe bananas. It’s not just easy to make; it’s a delightful way to turn those overripe bananas into a decadent treat that everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Banana Bread
- Delicious Flavor Combination: The blend of rich chocolate and sweet, ripe bananas creates a mouthwatering flavor that’s hard to resist.
- Simple and Easy to Make: With straightforward instructions and common pantry ingredients, this recipe is perfect for both novice and experienced bakers.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether you’re craving a comforting breakfast, looking for a sweet snack, or need a dessert to impress, this Chocolate Banana Bread fits the bill.
- All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the bread, providing structure. If needed, you can substitute with a gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Gives the bread its rich chocolate flavor. For a different twist, you could use dark cocoa powder for a deeper chocolate taste.
- Baking Soda & Baking Powder: These are leavening agents that help the bread rise. If you’re out of baking powder, you can use a mix of baking soda and cream of tartar as a substitute.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the bread.
- Ripe Bananas: Provide moisture, sweetness, and the key banana flavor. Overripe bananas are best for a stronger banana taste and sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and moisture. If you only have salted butter, use it and reduce the added salt.
- Vegetable Oil: Contributes to the bread’s moist texture. Can be substituted with canola oil or melted coconut oil.
- Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: Sweeten the bread, with brown sugar adding a hint of caramel flavor. You can use all white or all brown sugar if you prefer.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add structure. For a vegan option, try flax eggs (ground flaxseed mixed with water).
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor. You can skip it if you don’t have it, but it adds a nice touch.
- Chocolate Chips: Add gooey chocolate chunks throughout the bread. Feel free to use dark, milk, or white chocolate chips, or even a mix.
- Walnuts or Pecans: Add crunch and nuttiness. You can substitute with almonds, or omit the nuts entirely for a nut-free version.
Let me show you how simple it is to make this Chocolate Banana Bread. You’re going to love how easy and fun this recipe is!
First things first, let’s get your oven heated to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, grab a 9×5-inch loaf pan and either grease it up or line it with parchment paper. This will make sure your bread comes out easily after baking.
Take a medium-sized bowl and whisk together your flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and a bit of salt. This combo is going to give your bread that perfect chocolatey touch. Set this bowl aside for a moment.
Grab your ripe bananas and mash them up until they’re nice and smooth. It’s okay to leave a few small lumps for texture. In another bowl, let’s mix the melted butter, vegetable oil, and both sugars. Whisk them up until it’s all nicely blended. Then, one by one, beat in the eggs, followed by a splash of vanilla extract for that extra flavor.
Time to mix! Fold the mashed bananas into your wet mixture. Then, slowly add your dry ingredients, mixing just until everything’s combined. To make it even better, stir in those chocolate chips and nuts if you’re using them.
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Let’s pop it in the oven for about 60-70 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
Patience is key! Once it’s out of the oven, let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool off completely. This step is crucial for that perfect texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this bread gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply replace the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend. Just be sure it’s a 1:1 substitution blend to ensure the bread’s texture remains delightful.
What if I don’t have ripe bananas?
Ripe bananas are key for sweetness and moisture, but if you’re in a pinch, you can ripen bananas quickly by baking unpeeled bananas on a baking sheet at 300°F (150°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until they become soft and blackened.
How do I know when the bread is fully baked?
The best test is to insert a toothpick into the center of the bread. If it comes out mostly clean, with just a few moist crumbs, the bread is done. If it comes out with wet batter, give it a few more minutes.
Can I use a different type of sugar?
Definitely! While the recipe calls for granulated and brown sugar, you can experiment with other sugars like coconut sugar. Just keep in mind that changing the sugar can slightly alter the flavor and texture of the bread.
Expert Tips
- Use Overripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the better. They’re sweeter and mash more easily, which means more flavor and a moister bread.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Mix the ingredients just until they’re combined. Overmixing can lead to a denser bread, so a light hand is key.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs and butter are at room temperature. This helps them blend more smoothly into the batter for a uniform texture.
- Check Your Oven Temperature: Ovens can vary, so use an oven thermometer to ensure the correct baking temperature. This can make a big difference in how your bread turns out.
- Let It Cool Completely: It’s tempting to cut into the bread right away, but letting it cool completely is crucial. It finishes the cooking process and sets the bread’s structure.
Storage
Storing your Chocolate Banana Bread properly is key to keeping it fresh and delicious. Once the bread has completely cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This keeps it moist and fresh. You can then store it at room temperature for up to 3 days.
If you prefer, you can also keep it in the refrigerator, which extends its freshness for up to a week. And yes, this bread is freezer-friendly! Just wrap it well in plastic wrap and then in foil, and it will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply thaw it at room temperature.
Discover More Delicious Banana Recipes
- Banana Bread
- Marbled Chocolate Banana Bread
- Easy Banana Nut Bread (Healthier)
- Banana Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake
- Banana Blueberry Bread
- Banana Cream Pie
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Chocolate Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 1½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3-4 ripe bananas (mashed)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips (semisweet)
- ½ cup walnuts (or pecans, chopped)
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Mix until well combined. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Fold the mashed bananas into the wet mixture. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts if using.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, leveling the top with a spatula. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
- Serve your Chocolate Banana Bread warm or at room temperature, optionally with a dollop of cream or a scoop of ice cream!
Equipment
Notes
- Make sure your bananas are really ripe – the more speckled, the better. This not only makes them easier to mash but also ensures your bread is wonderfully sweet and moist.
- When mixing your wet and dry ingredients, remember the golden rule: don’t overmix. Just stir until everything is combined. This keeps the bread tender.
- The baking time can vary depending on your oven, so start checking for doneness around the 60-minute mark.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
fabulous cake, great flavour and who doesn’t love chocolate! Although you mention storing it, I don’t think it will last beyond 3 days! Delicious! Thank you
Glad to hear you loved it! It’s true, chocolate banana bread often doesn’t last long because it’s so delicious. Enjoy every slice!
Made this today with a ziplock bag of 6 bananas and i used pumpkin seeds instead of choc Chips. Having the bag of bananas which i smushed them in made it so easy to add.
Kids loved it !!!
Thank you for sharing a “ new recipe” for our family to enjoy.
Happy to hear this was a hit with the kids. Using a bag for the bananas is a clever trick for easy mixing. Enjoy your family’s new favorite!
I thought there was a recipe for skinny chocolate banana bread. I know it had applesauce and unsweetened chocolate chips. I can’t seem to find it anymore. It was so good when I made it last time
I removed it from the blog, it wasn’t doing well at all, but here it is attached.
This recipe looks yummy! As bananas come in different sizes, 3-4 mashed bananas can produce a wide range of volume once mashed. I would like to know what volume of mashed ripe banana that you advise for this recipe. My existing “plain” banana loaf recipe that came from my grandmother calls for 1 cup of mashed banana in a recipe that uses 1 1/2 cup of flour, so I am thinking that is a likely amount for your recipe…but I want to check with you. Many thanks!
For this recipe, aiming for about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of mashed banana is a good guideline, similar to your grandmother’s recipe. This should give you the right moisture and flavor balance, especially with the addition of chocolate. It’s always great to have a reference from a tried and true family recipe. Enjoy your baking! 🍌🍫🍞👩🍳
Thank you !!