This chocolate chip banana bread is a delightfully moist treat with rich banana flavor and melty chocolate pieces. Ripe bananas and vanilla enrich the buttery base while semisweet chocolate chips add a tantalizing burst. Optional walnuts lend a pleasant crunch, making this bread an irresistible indulgence for any time of day.
I love making this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread because its super moist and filled with melty chocolate even after it cools down to room temperature. I use 3 large overripe bananas mashed to create natural sweetness and a soft texture.
I add 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter and two large eggs to give the bread richness and protein. The mixture also has 3/4 cup granulated sugar, with a little 1/4 cup of brown sugar if I want extra moisture.
A teaspoon of baking soda and a pinch of salt help it rise beautifully while 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour gives it a stable structure. Finally, 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips are mixed in so every bite gives an awesome melty surprise.
Sometimes I even toss in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts for a bit of crunch. This recipe has a balanced energy mix and is a real treat plus a great way to get some nutritional benefits from fruit and nuts.
Why I Like this Recipe
1. I love how this recipe turns out super moist every time because the overripe bananas and melted butter mix in perfectly, making each bite feel really yummy and comforting.
2. I like that the chocolate chips stay melty even after the bread cools, giving it a cool texture that makes every slice a real treat.
3. I really appreciate how simple it is to make; even though I sometimes mix it a little too long, the recipe still comes out awesome and forgiving.
4. The combo of flavors, like the hint of vanilla and even a few walnuts if I choose to add them, makes it feel like I’m eating a little piece of homemade heaven every time.
Ingredients
- Bananas add natural sweet flavor, fiber and moisture making the bread moist and healthy.
- Unsalted butter provides richness and aids in binding, but use moderately due to high fat content.
- Sugar brings sweet flavor but can be decreased for a less sugary treat.
- Eggs add structure, protein and help bind ingredients, ensuring a tender crumb.
- Flour forms the base, offering carbohydrates and texture, making the bread hearty.
- Chocolate chips add melty sweetness in every bite, creating delightful pockets.
- Walnuts offer crunch, healthy fats and a nutty flavor for extra texture if used.
- Vanilla extract adds a warm, sweet flavor that ties all tastes together.
Ingredient Quantities
- 3 large overripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (optional for extra moisture)
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- A pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
How to Make this
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, mash the 3 overripe bananas really well.
3. Stir in the melted butter with the bananas until they mix together.
4. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, lightly beaten eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix it together until it’s mostly combined.
5. Sprinkle in the baking soda and a pinch of salt then stir again.
6. Gradually fold in the all-purpose flour until just combined. Do not overmix or it might get tough.
7. Gently fold in the chocolate chips and if you are using, chopped walnuts.
8. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan spreading it out evenly.
9. Bake for about 60-70 minutes. Check it by sticking a toothpick in the center it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
10. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy your chocolatey, moist banana bread!
Equipment Needed
1. Preheated oven set to 350°F
2. 9×5 inch loaf pan (greased)
3. A large bowl for mashing the bananas
4. A fork or potato masher for mashing
5. Measuring cups and spoons for all the ingredients
6. A whisk or spoon to mix everything together
7. A rubber spatula for scraping the bowl
8. A toothpick to test if its done baking
9. A wire cooling rack to let the bread cool completely
FAQ
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Instead of unsalted butter you can use melted coconut oil or even vegetable oil which gives a slightly different flavor but works fine
- If you dont have granulated sugar you can try using honey or maple syrup – remember to reduce the liquid slightly to keep the texture right
- If you’re out of vanilla extract you can use almond extract instead; just use a little less since its flavor is stronger
- You can swap all-purpose flour with half whole wheat flour or spelt flour for a heartier bread, but the texture might change a bit
- For semisweet chocolate chips you can use dark chocolate chips or even chopped milk chocolate for a sweeter bite
Pro Tips
1. Make sure you use really overripe bananas because they add a richer, sweeter flavor to your bread. Sometimes if your bananas arent mushy enough you might not get that moist texture you want.
2. Be careful when you mix in the flour. Overmixing can make your banana bread tough so stir just enough for the ingredients to combine even if it means there are a few lumps.
3. If you notice the top browning too fast in the oven, try covering the pan loosely with some foil. This little trick helps prevent burning and makes sure the inside bakes evenly.
4. Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before you move it to a cooling rack. This extra step helps it set properly and makes slicing easier without it crumbling all over the place.
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe
My favorite Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Preheated oven set to 350°F
2. 9×5 inch loaf pan (greased)
3. A large bowl for mashing the bananas
4. A fork or potato masher for mashing
5. Measuring cups and spoons for all the ingredients
6. A whisk or spoon to mix everything together
7. A rubber spatula for scraping the bowl
8. A toothpick to test if its done baking
9. A wire cooling rack to let the bread cool completely
Ingredients:
- 3 large overripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (optional for extra moisture)
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- A pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, mash the 3 overripe bananas really well.
3. Stir in the melted butter with the bananas until they mix together.
4. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, lightly beaten eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix it together until it’s mostly combined.
5. Sprinkle in the baking soda and a pinch of salt then stir again.
6. Gradually fold in the all-purpose flour until just combined. Do not overmix or it might get tough.
7. Gently fold in the chocolate chips and if you are using, chopped walnuts.
8. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan spreading it out evenly.
9. Bake for about 60-70 minutes. Check it by sticking a toothpick in the center it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
10. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy your chocolatey, moist banana bread!