If you’re searching for the most comforting treat to enjoy with your morning coffee or as an after-dinner sweet, you simply have to try Chocolate Chip Banana Bread. Each slice is supremely moist, beaming with banana flavor, and flecked generously with gooey chocolate chips. It’s the kind of recipe that makes your kitchen smell amazing and disappears quickly from the countertop! Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just breaking out your mixing bowls for the first time, this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread will win you over with its simple process and unforgettable flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of pantry staples and a few fresh items to bring this delicious loaf together. Each ingredient has its own special job, making the Chocolate Chip Banana Bread irresistibly soft, fragrant, and loaded with chocolatey goodness.
- Unsalted butter: Creamed with sugar, it makes the bread rich and tender; soften for the best results.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the banana bread just right, while helping create a classic loaf texture.
- Large eggs: They bind everything together and add a lovely lightness to each slice.
- Very ripe bananas: The secret to deep banana flavor and moist crumb; the more speckled, the better.
- Vanilla extract: Just half a teaspoon boosts all the flavors and adds warmth to the loaf.
- All-purpose flour: Gives the bread its structure while keeping it soft and airy.
- Baking soda: Helps the loaf rise beautifully so it’s never dense or heavy.
- Salt: A pinch perfectly balances out the sweetness and enhances every flavor note.
- Semisweet chocolate chips: Folded in and scattered on top, they melt into pools of chocolate for delicious pockets in every bite.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Pan
First things first, preheat your oven to 350˚F (175˚C). Generously butter and flour a standard loaf pan (around 9 x 5 inches). This step is worth the extra minute—it ensures your Chocolate Chip Banana Bread pops out easily and looks picture-perfect every time!
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Grab your mixing bowl and paddle attachment (or a sturdy spoon). Cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is fluffy and pale. This creates little air pockets that help make the loaf light and soft, so don’t rush this step!
Step 3: Add Eggs and Bananas
Lightly beat the eggs and add them to the butter-sugar mixture. Mash the ripe bananas by hand with a fork until chunky, like applesauce, and stir them in with the vanilla extract. These creamy, sweet bananas guarantee a moist loaf bursting with real fruit flavor in every bite.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This helps distribute the leavening and seasoning evenly, so no pockets of baking soda sneak into your Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, stirring until everything is just incorporated. Remember, overmixing will make the bread rubbery, so stop as soon as you don’t see streaks of flour.
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips and Bake
Fold in 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips and pour your batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the last 1/4 cup of chips on top for that signature bakery-style finish. Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean—melted chocolate aside!
Step 7: Cool and Slice
Let your Chocolate Chip Banana Bread rest in the pan for about 10 minutes before turning it onto a wire rack. Waiting a bit longer will give you neater slices, but it’s perfectly acceptable to enjoy a warm piece while the chocolate is still luxuriously melty.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Garnishes
A dusting of powdered sugar, a handful of toasted nuts, or a smear of whipped butter takes each slice of Chocolate Chip Banana Bread to café-worthy territory. For a fun twist, a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce can make it extra special for dessert.
Side Dishes
Pair a thick slice with your favorite hot beverage for a comforting breakfast, or serve it alongside fresh berries or a dollop of vanilla yogurt for weekend brunch. It’s also delicious with a scoop of ice cream for an impromptu treat after dinner!
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re entertaining, try slicing the loaf into cubes and threading them onto skewers with strawberries and marshmallows, or serve the slices toasted with a bit of salted butter for an irresistible snack. Chocolate Chip Banana Bread muffins and mini loaves also make charming edible gifts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your loaf at peak freshness, cover it tightly and store it at room temperature for up to two days. This also allows the flavors to deepen, making the second-day slices arguably even better than the first!
Freezing
For longer storage, wrap the entire loaf or individual slices in foil, then place in a zip-top bag. Pop it in the freezer for up to three months, so you always have Chocolate Chip Banana Bread on hand for a quick breakfast or snack.
Reheating
To bring frozen bread back to life, thaw at room temperature for a few hours, or gently reheat slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. Warmed up, the chocolate becomes perfectly melty again, just like a freshly baked loaf.
FAQs
How do I know when my Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is fully baked?
Insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf—if it comes out mostly clean with maybe a streak of melted chocolate, you’re good to go. If you see sticky batter, it needs more time in the oven.
Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just defrost the bananas and drain any excess liquid before mashing. Frozen bananas actually become even sweeter, making your loaf extra flavorful.
What’s the best way to mash bananas?
A fork works best for a chunky texture, but you can also use a potato masher or even beat them lightly with a mixer for a smoother result. Either approach will make your Chocolate Chip Banana Bread beautifully moist.
How can I make this bread gluten-free?
Swap the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend (just make sure it contains xanthan gum or something similar for structure). Your Chocolate Chip Banana Bread will still turn out moist and full of flavor!
Is this recipe suitable for muffins?
Yes, simply divide the batter between muffin cups and bake at the same temperature for 18–22 minutes, or until tops are golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
Final Thoughts
I hope you give this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread a whirl in your own kitchen—it’s that perfect balance of nostalgia and pure deliciousness. From lazy weekend mornings to cozy late-night snacks, it’s truly a treat you’ll want to bake again and again. Happy baking, and enjoy every warm, chocolate-studded bite!
PrintChocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is a delightful twist on traditional banana bread, combining the sweetness of ripe bananas with the richness of chocolate chips. This moist and flavorful bread is perfect for breakfast, snacking, or dessert.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 slices
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Chip Banana Bread:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, (8 Tbsp), softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 3 medium/large bananas, (very ripe), about 1 3/4 cups mashed
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, divided, or mini chocolate chips or chunks
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350˚F. Butter and flour a bread loaf pan (9.25″L x 5.25″W x 2.75″D).
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar. Add eggs.
- Prepare Banana Mixture: Mash bananas and add to the mixing bowl along with vanilla extract. Mix well.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the mixing bowl and blend.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in 3/4 cup chocolate chips. Transfer batter to prepared pan.
- Bake: Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips over the top. Bake at 350˚F for 55-65 minutes. Cool before slicing.
Notes
- To Store Chocolate Chip Banana Bread:
- Room Temperature – cover and store for up to 2 days
- Refrigeration – I don’t advise refrigerating since it can dry out the bread but you can refrigerate 3-5 days
- Freeze – wrap in foil and freeze up to 3 months, then thaw at room temperature for 3 hours
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
