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Have some overripe bananas that you are actually going to use this time? Let’s make banana bread with a twist. Why not add a little chocolatey delight to this classic favorite?! Here’s an easy and oh-so-delicious recipe for Chocolate Chip Banana Bread that is sure to make your taste buds dance with joy.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Banana and Chocolate: First off, we’re marrying two of the greatest flavors on Earth: ripe, sweet bananas and indulgent chocolate chips.
- Walnut Crunch: With every bite, you get the soft, moist texture of the bread, punctuated by the mild crunch of walnuts.
- Quick Prep Time: The actual hands-on time for this recipe is just about 10 minutes. So, you can whip this up even when unexpected guests pop by!
- Unbelievably Aromatic: The scent that will fill your home as this beauty bakes is just… heavenly.
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Ingredients
- Butter
- Brown Sugar
- Egg
- Ripe Bananas
- Vanilla Extract
- All-Purpose Flour
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- Walnuts
*Scroll to Printable Recipe Card below for detailed amounts!
How to Make Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Resting Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 6
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan and set aside.
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together ½ cup of unsalted butter and 1 cup of packed brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add 1 large egg to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well to incorporate. Mix in 3 mashed ripe bananas and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until well combined.
- Sift Together Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon of salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the banana mixture, stirring just until combined. Avoid overmixing as it can make the bread tough.
- Add Chocolate Chips and Walnuts: Fold in 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 cup of chopped walnuts until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Add a few chocolate chips and walnuts on top for presentation.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. If the top is browning too quickly, you can cover it with aluminum foil around the 40-minute mark.
- Cool: Once done, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. After 10-15 minutes, transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Slice and Serve: Once cooled, slice the chocolate chip banana bread into desired thickness and serve. It can be enjoyed on its own, or with a spread of butter or a drizzle of honey!
Storage and Reheating Instructions:
How to Store Chocolate Chip Banana Bread:
Reheating and Storage Information:
After you’ve made this amazing bread (and let’s be honest, had more than one slice), you might wonder how to store the leftovers. Store the banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
How to Reheat Chocolate Chip Banana Bread:
To reheat, just zap a slice in the microwave for about 20 seconds, and it feels like it’s fresh out of the oven.
Helpful Tips & Substitutions
Can This Be Frozen?
Absolutely! If you want to save some for a rainy day or you’ve made extra, simply wrap it in plastic wrap and freeze it. It’s like a delightful little present waiting for you up to 3 months later! When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw it at room temperature.
Can This Be Made Ahead of Time?
Definitely. In fact, making it a day ahead lets the flavors meld even more, enhancing the rich banana and chocolate notes. Perfect for events or just ensuring you have a sweet treat after work!
Substitutions & Variations
I get it, sometimes you want to jazz things up or perhaps you don’t have all the ingredients on hand. No worries!
- Chocolate: If you’re more of a dark chocolate fan, switch out the semi-sweet chocolate chips for dark ones.
- Nuts: Not nuts about walnuts? Swap them out for pecans or almonds! Or omit if you’re not a fan.
- Vegan: Use flax eggs instead of a regular egg and ensure your chocolate chips are vegan.
- Gluten-Free: Swap out the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free blend.
Helpful Cooking Notes
- Perfect Ripeness: The blacker and sadder the banana looks on the outside, the sweeter and better it is for this bread.
- Avoid Overmixing: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, be gentle. Overmixing can lead to a tougher bread.
- Customize Your Toppings: Before baking, sprinkle the top with your favorite seeds, some additional chocolate chips, or even coconut shreds for an aesthetic (and tasty) touch!
- Stay Patient: I know, I know. The aroma can be tantalizing, but let the bread cool down before slicing. It’ll be worth the wait, promise!
This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is an experience. Each bite is a perfect blend of sweetness, richness, and texture. Whether you’re enjoying a quiet moment with a book, sharing a slice with a friend, or indulging in a midnight snack, this banana bread will surely warm your heart and satisfy your sweet tooth.
Try Some of our Other Favorite Sweet Bread Recipes
INGREDIENTS
- ½ cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter, room temperature
- 1 cup Brown Sugar, packed
- 1 Large Egg
- 3 Medium Ripe Bananas, mashed
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1 cup Walnuts, chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan and set aside.
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together ½ cup of unsalted butter and 1 cup of packed brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add 1 large egg to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well to incorporate. Mix in 3 mashed ripe bananas and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until well combined.
- Sift Together Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon of salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the banana mixture, stirring just until combined. Avoid overmixing as it can make the bread tough.
- Add Chocolate Chips and Walnuts: Fold in 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 cup of chopped walnuts until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Add a few chocolate chips and walnuts on top for presentation.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. If the top is browning too quickly, you can cover it with aluminum foil around the 40-minute mark.
- Cool: Once done, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. After 10-15 minutes, transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Slice and Serve: Once cooled, slice the chocolate chip banana bread into desired thickness and serve. It can be enjoyed on its own, or with a spread of butter or a drizzle of honey!
- Notes:
- Store the banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate it to extend its shelf life.
- You can also wrap it in plastic wrap and freeze it for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw it at room temperature.
NOTES
Reheating and Storage Information
After you’ve made this amazing bread (and let’s be honest, had more than one slice), you might wonder how to store the leftovers. Store the banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For a little longer, consider popping it into the refrigerator. It’s like the bread’s little beauty sleep, keeping it fresh for every sneaky slice you want later! To reheat, just zap a slice in the microwave for about 20 seconds, and it feels like it’s fresh out of the oven.Can This Be Frozen?
Absolutely! If you want to save some for a rainy day or you’ve made extra, simply wrap it in plastic wrap and freeze it. It’s like a delightful little present waiting for you up to 3 months later! When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw it at room temperature.Can This Be Made Ahead of Time?
Definitely. In fact, making it a day ahead lets the flavors meld even more, enhancing the rich banana and chocolate notes. Perfect for events or just ensuring you have a sweet treat after work!Substitutions & Variations
I get it, sometimes you want to jazz things up or perhaps you don’t have all the ingredients on hand. No worries!- Chocolate: If you’re more of a dark chocolate fan, switch out the semi-sweet chocolate chips for dark ones.
- Nuts: Not nuts about walnuts? (See what I did there?) Swap them out for pecans or almonds!
- Vegan: Use flax eggs instead of a regular egg and ensure your chocolate chips are vegan.
- Gluten-Free: Swap out the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free blend.
Helpful Cooking Notes
- Perfect Ripeness: The blacker and sadder the banana looks on the outside, the sweeter and better it is for this bread.
- Avoid Overmixing: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, be gentle. Overmixing can lead to a tougher bread.
- Customize Your Toppings: Before baking, sprinkle the top with your favorite seeds, some additional chocolate chips, or even coconut shreds for an aesthetic (and tasty) touch!
- Stay Patient: I know, I know. The aroma can be tantalizing, but let the bread cool down before slicing. It’ll be worth the wait, promise!