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This easy chocolate banana bread recipe is the perfect pairing of chocolate and bananas in a rich and delicious quick bread. It's the chocolate lover's version of moist banana bread.
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Why you'll love this chocolate banana bread
- Ideal for using overripe bananas, which reduces waste.
- You only need a handful of simple pantry ingredients.
- Chocolate is the ultimate flavor complement to banana bread.
- No electric tools are required for this recipe, other than your oven.
- Chocolatey banana bread is an irresistible comfort food.
- Even beginner bakers will crush this easy recipe!
Ingredient list
- Butter - I prefer unsalted butter for all baked goods. If using salted butter, reduce the salt amount by ¼ teaspoon.
- Brown Sugar - Adds depth of flavor and sweetness to quick bread.
- Overripe bananas - The spottier the bananas, the riper and sweeter they'll be for banana bread. Bright yellow bananas are a better fit for Bananas Foster.
- Eggs - Adds moisture, volume, and structure to the bread.
- Vanilla - This adds another depth of flavor to quick bread.
- All-purpose flour - I prefer unbleached flour for this recipe, but it's not a requirement.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder - This is what turns chocolate chip banana bread into a double chocolate delight!
- Baking soda - A leavening agent that helps quick bread rise.
- Chocolate chips - Use any variety of chocolate chips including dark, semisweet, or milk chocolate. You can even chop a chocolate bar into small chunks.
How to make chocolate banana bread
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cream together butter and sugar in a mixing bowl.
Next, add bananas and mash them to your liking – creamy or lumpy, either way will work. Add eggs and vanilla, and stir to combine.
Add flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and chocolate chips. Gently mix until combined and do not over-mix.
Transfer to a prepared loaf pan and bake for 60 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center to see if it comes out clean. Transfer the loaf pan to a cooling rack for 10 minutes.
Turn the bread out of the pan and rest on a cooling rack for another 10 minutes.
Slice this delicious chocolate banana bread to your liking. To store, cool the loaf completely and store in an airtight container up to 3 days at room temperature or 5 days in the refrigerator.
Recipe tips
- Overripe bananas are the best way to add natural sweetness to banana bread. The darker, the better!
- Sifting dry ingredients helps eliminate lumps from quick bread batter. So, don't skip that step.
- Don't overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are fully moistened.
- Feel free to sprinkle extra chocolate chips over the top of the batter before baking.
- When in doubt, check for doneness using a quick-read thermometer to confirm that your quick bread's center reaches 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cool down the bread completely before storing it to prevent mold growth.
Recipe variations
- Use your favorite variety of chocolate chips for this recipe, including milk chocolate or dark chocolate.
- Add ½ cup chopped walnuts to the batter for a nutty flavor and texture.
- Drizzle the top of your baked bread with chocolate ganache for extra chocolatey flavor.
Just look at how moist and chocolatey this is! If you can bend a slice of quick bread like this without breaking it, you know you've made the best chocolate banana bread!
More sweet bread recipes
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Chocolate Banana Bread
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Note about scaling
When scaling, the light gray ingredient notes after the comma don’t change. Adjust as needed.
Ingredients
- 1 stick Unsalted Butter, melted and cooled
- ½ cup Brown Sugar, packed
- 3 Very Ripe Bananas, about 1 cup mashed
- 2 Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup All Purpose Flour, spooned and leveled
- ¼ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, sifted
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda, sifted
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
- ½ cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, center the oven rack, and coat the loaf pan with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the BUTTER and BROWN SUGAR together.
- Add BANANAS and mash until the mixture is creamy.
- Add EGGS, and VANILLA. Stir until thoroughly combined.
- Add FLOUR, COCOA POWDER, BAKING SODA, SALT, and CHOCOLATE CHIPS to the mixture.
- Stir until the dry ingredients are moistened and don't over-mix. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 60 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center to see if it comes out clean. If needed, bake for an additional 5 minutes.
- Transfer the banana bread to a cooling rack for 10 minutes.
- Run a thin spatula along the edges of the banana bread to ensure it's not sticking to the pan. Turn the pan over to release the loaf and set it back on the cooling rack. Cool another 10 minutes before slicing.
- To store, cool banana bread down to room temperature and store in an airtight container for 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Recipe Notes
- Overripe bananas add moisture and sweetness to quick bread. The darker, the better!
- Sifting dry ingredients helps eliminate lumps from baked goods.
- Don't overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are fully moistened.
- Feel free to sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top of the batter before baking.
- When in doubt, check for doneness by using a quick-read thermometer to confirm that your quick bread's center reaches 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prevent mold growth by cooling quick bread completely before storing it.
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- silicone spatula or electric hand mixer
- vegetable masher or fork
- cooking spray
Nutrition
Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on brands, ingredients, and portions.
Cindy says
Can you make muffins with this recipe?
Traci says
You sure can! Actually, you can use my banana bread muffin recipe steps with this chocolate version. Thanks and enjoy!!
CindyR says
I have made this bread several times now, I have added 1/2 C walnuts and it’s a hit!
Bananas will never go in the trash in my house 🥰 I make ahead and freeze also
Traci says
Love hearing that! I'm all for saving those ripe bananas—especially when it means chocolate banana bread is waiting in the freezer. Walnuts sound like the perfect touch. Thank you for making my recipe and sharing your experience. xoxo
Laurel says
This is so yummy & delicious! I used flax eggs and added roasted walnuts to it. Other than that. I followed the recipe. It came out perfectly! I highly recommend this recipe! I will make it again. It made 3 mini loaves.
Traci says
That sounds amazing! Love the addition of roasted walnuts, and I’m so glad your substitute worked well. Thanks for sharing your tweaks and for the kind words!
Cindyr says
Delicious and moist, I did add 1 cup of walnuts
Traci says
Yay! It's super versatile like that. So glad you enjoyed and thanks for the feedback. xoxo
Shad says
I followed the instructions and baked it to perfection! I’m giving it four stars ⭐️ Because I haven’t tasted it yet. It smells like heaven and this review is just filling time while the bread cools. I can’t wait any longer…
Traci says
Awesome!! I'm so glad you went for it! Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated!!
JB says
Best chocolate banana bread ever!! Love how easy it is to make and the ingredients couldn’t be simpler. Thanks for the tips and tricks. Will be making this on repeat.
Traci says
Yayy! I'm so glad you're enjoying the recipe and what a compliment! Thanks for sharing your feedback. Enjoy!!
Shweta says
Wow the chocolate banana bread was decadent and it turned out delicious. Thanks for the recipe!
Traci says
You're so welcome! I'm glad you went for it. Thanks for sharing your experience. Enjoy!!
Sara Welch says
This was such a sweet and fluffy bread that does not disappoint! Nothing like the combination between bananas and chocolate; exactly what I needed to cure my sweet tooth, indeed!
Traci says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Dina and Bruce says
Just perfect! Love the flavor! So tasty! Made for my son!
Traci says
Awesome! Your son is lucky! Thanks for giving it a go!
Karlie says
My banana bread usually comes out burnt on the outside and gooey in the middle. I was glad to see this recipe baked super evenly!
Traci says
Oh yeah!! This chocolate banana bread has been through all of the testing, so we're good. Thanks for the feedback and glad you're enjoying it!
Kushigalu says
This chocolate banana bread looks so moist and delicious. Thanks for sharing
Traci says
You're so welcome. Enjoy!
Michelle says
This was such a delicious twist on banana bread with the addition of the chocolate chips! My kids loved it.
The Kitchen Girl says
So glad you loved it like we do 🙂 Thanks so much!
Pat says
Looks very good!!
Has anyone tried making this with gluten free flour?
Would love to try it, but cant eat the wheat flour products.
The Kitchen Girl says
Hi Pat, I have not, but perhaps someone else will weigh in with their experience. Thanks for asking and hope you find your answer.
Jeffrey says
Whoah KG! This chocolate banana bread really IS for chocolate lovers. I couldn't keep my hands off until there was none left. Insane how easy and delicious this is...especially toasted. Another winner!
The Kitchen Girl says
I couldn't agree more and I'm glad you love it as much as I do 🙂 Warmed is my favorite!
Biana says
Double chocolate banana bread looks amazing! I usually make it with just chocolate chips, but will be adding chocolate to the batter next time.
The Kitchen Girl says
Perfect! Enjoy! Thanks 🙂
Laura says
I definitely need to try this chocolate banana bread. Looks so easy to do and very chocolaty
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks! It's crazy chocolatey and so moist 🙂
Shanna says
This looks so amazing and I can not wait to try it. I have some bananas that are ready to be used.
The Kitchen Girl says
Wonderful! You'll love it 🙂
Beth says
Oh wow! Looks so yummy and scrumptious! My hubby and daughter are going to love this recipe! So excited!
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome! Glad you can enjoy this one 🙂