If you’re searching for a bread that manages to be outrageously chocolatey, irresistibly moist, and deeply comforting, this Chocolate Banana Bread absolutely fits the bill. Each bite brings the best of both dessert and breakfast worlds, merging sweet ripe bananas with velvety cocoa and gooey chocolate chips. Perfect for slow mornings, sweet snacks, or as an after-dinner treat, this loaf always disappears faster than anticipated. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or it’s your first time, preparing this loaf promises a swoon-worthy aroma in your kitchen and a slice of pure happiness at your table. Trust me, you won’t want to miss out on this Chocolate Banana Bread experience!

Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Chocolate Banana Bread begins with everyday ingredients, elevated by their pairing together. Each component plays a crucial role in flavor, texture, or deep color, ensuring this loaf turns out perfectly rich and moist every single time.

All-purpose flour: The foundation that gives your loaf its structure while keeping every bite tender rather than dense.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Don’t skimp here! This is what makes the bread so richly chocolatey and gives it its gorgeous deep-brown color.
Baking soda: Helps your Chocolate Banana Bread rise into a tall, beautiful loaf with a soft crumb.
Salt: Just enough to heighten the sweetness and bring all the rich flavors into focus.
Unsalted butter (softened): Adds moisture and richness, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and balances the cocoa’s boldness.
Light brown sugar: Boosts depth with a hint of caramel undertone, keeping the loaf extra moist.
Large eggs: Bind everything together and help the loaf rise.
Pure vanilla extract: Infuses warmth and rounds out the chocolate and banana notes.
Ripe bananas (mashed): Not only sweeten the bread naturally but also lock in irresistibly soft crumb.
Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt: Adds creamy moisture and a touch of tang; either option works beautifully.
Semisweet chocolate chips: The crowning glory! They create luscious pockets of gooey, melty chocolate throughout each slice.

How to Make Chocolate Banana Bread

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Before you do anything else, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s nice and hot when your batter is ready. Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan to make sure your Chocolate Banana Bread releases effortlessly after baking. This is a tiny step that makes a world of difference – no sticking, just perfectly-shaped slices.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the leavening agent gets evenly distributed and saves you from those unfortunate lumps of baking soda in the final loaf. It also helps lighten the flour, which gives your bread a softer crumb.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a larger bowl, cream the softened butter with the granulated sugar and light brown sugar until it’s pale, fluffy, and looks a bit like frosting. This fully incorporates air, setting the stage for a lofty texture in your finished Chocolate Banana Bread. An electric mixer works wonders, but a little elbow grease and a sturdy wooden spoon do the job too.

Step 4: Add the Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is fully mixed before you add the next. Then stir in that glorious vanilla extract; it rounds out the flavors and is absolutely essential for depth.

Step 5: Fold in Bananas and Sour Cream

Mash up those sweet, overripe bananas until mostly smooth (a few chunks are fine for pockets of extra banana flavor). Mix them into the wet ingredients with the sour cream (or Greek yogurt!). This duo is your key to a moist, tender crumb that’s never dry or crumbly.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Add your dry mixture to the wet bowl in stages, gently mixing just until combined. Don’t overwork the batter – a few streaks of flour are okay. Overmixing at this stage can make your loaf tough instead of pillowy.

Step 7: Fold in the Chocolate Chips

Now for the best part! Gently fold in your chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the batter. If you want extra ooey-gooey bites, sprinkle a handful of chocolate chips on top right before baking.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Pour your batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top so it bakes evenly. Pop it into the oven and bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are a good sign). If you see melty chocolate on the toothpick, that’s perfectly normal!

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let your Chocolate Banana Bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. This patience pays off—the loaf slices more cleanly and flavors set beautifully as it cools. Once it’s cool enough, cut a thick slice and savor your masterpiece!

How to Serve Chocolate Banana Bread

Garnishes

Dress up every slice of Chocolate Banana Bread with a flourish of powdered sugar, extra chocolate chips, or even a handful of chopped toasted nuts on top for a lovely, eye-catching finish. A little dollop of whipped cream never goes amiss if you’re in the mood for a dessert-worthy touch.

Side Dishes

Pair your slice with a steaming mug of coffee or a cold glass of milk for a classic snack or breakfast. A fruit salad or a scoop of vanilla yogurt on the side makes this already-indulgent treat feel all the more wholesome and balanced.

Creative Ways to Present

Try slicing your Chocolate Banana Bread thickly and toasting it lightly; the edges get crisp and the chocolate chips turn gooey again. Turn leftovers into an indulgent bread pudding or layer cubes with whipped cream and berries for a showstopping trifle. For breakfast on the run, wrap slices and tuck one into a lunch bag or picnic basket!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your Chocolate Banana Bread extra fresh by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or storing it in an airtight container at room temperature. It’ll stay moist and flavorful for around three days—if it lasts that long!

Freezing

This bread is a freezer superstar! Slice the cooled loaf, then wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap and pop them in a zip-top bag. Freeze for up to three months, then pull out a slice whenever a chocolate craving strikes.

Reheating

To reheat, simply microwave a slice for about 15–20 seconds or warm gently in the oven. The chocolate chips become melty again, filling your kitchen (and your senses) with that freshly-baked aroma, even days later.

FAQs

Can I use frozen bananas for Chocolate Banana Bread?

Absolutely! Just thaw them completely and drain off any excess liquid before mashing and adding to the batter. Frozen bananas often have an even sweeter, more intense flavor, giving your Chocolate Banana Bread a lovely boost.

What can I substitute for sour cream?

Plain Greek yogurt is a perfect swap for sour cream in this recipe. It delivers the same moisture and slight tang, keeping your Chocolate Banana Bread incredibly tender.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Use your favorite 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour. Just be sure the blend includes xanthan gum to mimic the structure that gluten provides.

How do I know when my loaf is done baking?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the bread. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter, your Chocolate Banana Bread is ready to come out of the oven. If needed, bake a few more minutes, checking regularly.

Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?

Definitely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or even dried cherries make excellent additions. Fold about half a cup into the batter just before baking for extra crunch or flavor.

Final Thoughts

Ready to fill your kitchen with the irresistible scent of chocolate and banana? Give this Chocolate Banana Bread recipe a try—you’ll be amazed at how easy and satisfying it is to bake (and eat). Life’s just a little sweeter when there’s a fresh, chocolatey loaf waiting on your counter!

Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 10 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the rich and decadent flavors of this Chocolate Banana Bread. Moist and chocolatey, this easy-to-make bread is perfect for breakfast or as a sweet treat any time of day.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 medium ripe bananas (mashed, about 1 1/4 cups)
1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease/flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Prepare dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars, add eggs and vanilla. Mix in bananas and sour cream.
Mix batter: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, fold in chocolate chips.
Bake: Pour batter into loaf pan, bake for 55–65 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool and serve: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For extra chocolate flavor, sprinkle additional chocolate chips on top before baking.
This bread stays moist for several days and tastes even better the next day.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American