Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe

Get ready to fall in love with Chocolate Banana Bread, a sweet, moist delight that’s positively packed with rich cocoa flavor and melty chocolate chips in every bite! Imagine taking the best parts of your favorite banana bread and giving them an irresistible chocolatey twist — this is the ultimate comfort bake for chocoholics and banana bread fans alike. Whether you’re looking to rescue those forgotten, overripe bananas on your counter or hoping to indulge in a luscious, crowd-pleasing treat, this loaf is sure to become a new go-to recipe in your kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient plays a starring role in bringing Chocolate Banana Bread to life. Nothing fancy or complicated here — just familiar pantry staples that work together to deliver deep flavor, a perfectly tender crumb, and a showstopping chocolatey finish. Here’s how each one helps make this bread extra special!

• All-purpose flour: Provides the sturdy, classic texture we love in quick breads, ensuring the loaf holds together beautifully.
• Dutch process cocoa: Delivers rich, deep chocolate notes and gives the bread its gorgeously dark color.
• Baking soda: Helps the bread rise, creating that lovely height and soft, airy crumb.
• Sea salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors and balances the richness of the cocoa and bananas.
• Overripe bananas: The riper, the better! They make the loaf ultra moist and bring natural sweetness to each slice.
• Unsalted butter: Adds richness and a lovely buttery flavor—make sure it’s melted and just a bit cooled before mixing in.
• Canola, vegetable, or coconut oil: Keeps the bread soft and tender for days; choose whichever oil you prefer or have on hand.
• Light brown sugar: Lends a gentle molasses sweetness and helps the bread stay extra moist.
• Large egg: Binds everything together and gives the loaf structure and a bit of lift.
• Pure vanilla extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth that mingles beautifully with chocolate and banana flavors.
• Semisweet chocolate chips (divided): Scattered through the batter and sprinkled on top for gooey, irresistible chocolate in every slice.

How to Make Chocolate Banana Bread

Step 1: Prep the Pan and Oven

Begin by heating your oven to 350°F to ensure a perfectly even bake. Grease a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan generously with nonstick spray or a swipe of butter. This simple first step means your Chocolate Banana Bread will slip out easily, keeping its beautiful loaf shape intact.

Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and combine the flour, Dutch process cocoa, baking soda, and sea salt. Whisking these together breaks up any lumps and ensures the cocoa and baking soda are evenly distributed, so you get a uniform dark chocolate color and a lovely light crumb in your final loaf.

Step 3: Mash Bananas and Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, mash up those gloriously brown bananas with a fork until smooth and nearly lump-free. Pour in the melted butter and your choice of oil, stirring until combined. Then add the brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk or stir until the mixture is glossy and smooth—this step builds the flavor foundation for your Chocolate Banana Bread.

Step 4: Combine and Add Chocolate Chips

It’s time for a little kitchen chemistry! Gently stir the dry ingredients into the banana mixture. Mix just until you no longer see pockets of flour; overmixing can make your bread tough (and nobody wants that). Fold in 3/4 cup of the semisweet chocolate chips, making sure there’ll be decadent chocolate in every bite.

Step 5: Fill the Pan and Bake

Scrape the batter into your prepared loaf pan, then sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips generously over the top. Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 50 to 65 minutes. Start checking at the 50-minute mark—every oven is unique! The bread is ready when a toothpick comes out mostly clean (a little melted chocolate is totally fine) but without gooey batter clinging to it.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Once baked, let your Chocolate Banana Bread cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 15 minutes. This rest helps the loaf set. Run a knife gently around the edge, lift it out of the pan, and let it finish cooling until just slightly warm. Now you’re ready to slice and devour — the hardest part is waiting!

How to Serve Chocolate Banana Bread

Garnishes

Elevate every slice with a handful of fresh banana coins, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, or a soft dusting of powdered sugar. For true decadence, drizzle with melted chocolate or add a dollop of whipped cream. These simple touches make your Chocolate Banana Bread extra inviting at brunch tables or dessert spreads.

Side Dishes

This bread is wonderful on its own, but pairs beautifully with tangy Greek yogurt and fresh berries for breakfast, or served alongside a mug of hot coffee or chai tea in the afternoon. A scoop of vanilla ice cream is a dreamy match for a warm slice after dinner!

Creative Ways to Present

Get playful! Slice your Chocolate Banana Bread into thick fingers for dipping in chocolate fondue, or cut into cubes for an indulgent French toast casserole. For lunchboxes and snacks, try baking the batter as mini loaves or muffins—always a hit with kids and adults.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap any leftover bread snugly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container on the counter. Your Chocolate Banana Bread will stay moist and tender for up to four days, making it ideal for weekday breakfast or afternoon snacks.

Freezing

Want to save some for a future craving? Let the bread cool completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then in a layer of aluminum foil. Pop it in the freezer for up to one month—just remember to defrost overnight at room temperature before slicing or serving.

Reheating

To enjoy that just-baked taste, rewarm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. For a crispy edge, toast lightly in a skillet or oven. Warm Chocolate Banana Bread is especially delicious when chocolate chips go all gooey again!

FAQs

Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of Dutch process?

Yes, you can swap in natural unsweetened cocoa powder if you don’t have Dutch process on hand. The color and flavor will be a bit different, but your Chocolate Banana Bread will still taste fabulous!

How ripe should my bananas be?

Overripe bananas with lots of brown spots are perfect—the riper, the better! They bring more sweetness, moisture, and pronounced banana flavor to the loaf.

Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?

Absolutely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or even a handful of dried cherries can add delicious texture and take your Chocolate Banana Bread to the next level.

How can I turn this into muffins?

Divide the batter among muffin cups (fill about 3/4 full) and bake at 350°F for 18-22 minutes. You’ll get rich, portable Chocolate Banana Bread muffins perfect for grab-and-go snacking!

Why did my bread turn out dry?

Usually, dryness happens from overbaking or using too much flour. Be sure to measure your flour by gently spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling off, and start checking for doneness at 50 minutes to avoid overbaking.

Final Thoughts

There’s something magical about pulling a beautiful loaf of Chocolate Banana Bread from your oven—the aroma alone is an instant mood-lifter! Whether you’re baking with loved ones or savoring a quiet treat all for yourself, I promise this recipe will win over everyone who tries it. So rescue those spotty bananas, grab your mixing bowls, and discover how deliciously easy Chocolate Banana Bread can be!

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