If you’ve never tried Chocolate Banana Bread, you’re in for a treat that perfectly blends deep chocolate flavor with the sweet, comforting notes of ripe bananas. This loaf rises to perfection, with a tender crumb studded with chocolate chips, making it feel both nostalgic and irresistible. Whether you’re looking for a decadent breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a crowd-pleasing dessert, this Chocolate Banana Bread is sure to become your go-to favorite—just wait until you smell it baking!

Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The best part about Chocolate Banana Bread is how it transforms basic pantry staples into a show-stopping loaf. Each ingredient has its own magic, contributing to the rich taste, moist crumb, and lovely visual appeal of every slice. Let’s see what you’ll need and why each one matters:

All-purpose flour: Provides the structure your bread needs to rise and hold together while staying soft.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Delivers that deep, fudgy chocolate flavor without making the bread overly sweet.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and balances both the chocolate and banana flavors so every bite is just right.
Baking soda: Helps the bread rise nice and tall, ensuring a light, fluffy texture.
Baking powder: Gives an extra lift and tenderness to the crumb.
Salt: Enhances and intensifies both the chocolate and banana flavors.
Ripe bananas: These add natural sweetness, intense banana aroma, and moistness—go for extra brown, spotty bananas!
Large eggs: Bind the mixture and add richness for a velvety batter.
Unsalted butter (melted and cooled): Adds that classic richness and keeps the bread extra tender.
Whole milk: Contributes to a super-moist crumb and helps meld all the flavors together.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with a touch of warmth and sweetness.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Bring melty pockets of chocolate throughout the loaf for extra indulgence in every slice.

How to Make Chocolate Banana Bread

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper—trust me, this helps your Chocolate Banana Bread pop right out of the pan without sticking and keeps cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients thoroughly ensures all the leavening and chocolatey goodness spreads evenly throughout the final loaf.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, mash your super-ripe bananas until mostly smooth, then add the eggs, cooled melted butter, whole milk, and vanilla extract. Give the mixture a good whisk until it’s creamy and well-combined—this is where the banana really shines in your Chocolate Banana Bread.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir everything gently together until just combined—a few streaks of flour are fine! Overmixing can make the loaf less tender, so keep it light and quick. Then, fold in the chocolate chips for pockets of melty chocolate in every bite.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing out the top. If you want a beautiful finish, sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top. Bake for 55–65 minutes, until a toothpick poked into the center comes out mostly clean with only a few moist crumbs. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it onto a wire rack to cool completely—slice only when it’s fully cooled for perfect cuts!

How to Serve Chocolate Banana Bread

Garnishes

Once cooled, take your Chocolate Banana Bread up a notch with a dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a drizzle of warm chocolate sauce. For an extra-special look, a few chocolate chips or chopped walnuts scattered on top before baking make it look bakery-worthy!

Side Dishes

This delicious bread is perfect paired with creamy Greek yogurt, a fresh fruit salad, or a steaming cup of coffee. The sweetness pairs beautifully with tangy or lightly salty sides like cottage cheese or even a snappy espresso for a breakfast or brunch treat.

Creative Ways to Present

Try toasting leftover slices and spreading with nut butter for a wholesome snack, or layering slices with vanilla ice cream for an impressive dessert parfait. You can also cut the loaf into cubes and use them as the base for a decadent chocolate banana bread trifle!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover Chocolate Banana Bread moist and flavorful by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or placing it in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to three days, or refrigerate for a week—just let it come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Freezing

For longer storage, Chocolate Banana Bread freezes beautifully. Wrap individual slices or the whole loaf in plastic wrap and foil, then tuck into a freezer bag. It’ll keep for up to three months, making it a fabulous make-ahead option for last-minute guests or weekday treats.

Reheating

To reheat, pop a slice in the microwave for 15–20 seconds for that just-baked warmth, or toast gently in a toaster oven. If reheating from frozen, let the bread thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature, then warm as desired.

FAQs

How do I know when the Chocolate Banana Bread is done baking?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf—if it comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs (but no wet batter), your bread is ready. If using chocolate chips on top, melted chocolate may show up on the tester, so double-check for raw batter.

Can I use frozen bananas?

Absolutely! Thaw and drain any excess liquid before mashing so your Chocolate Banana Bread doesn’t become too wet. Using frozen bananas actually intensifies the banana flavor.

What can I use instead of chocolate chips?

You can swap in chopped chocolate chunks, white chocolate chips, or even nuts like walnuts or pecans for a delightful crunch. Mix-ins are easily customizable—just keep the total to about 1 cup.

Can I make this Chocolate Banana Bread dairy-free?

Yes, substitute the butter with your favorite plant-based spread or melted coconut oil, and use non-dairy milk like almond or oat. The loaf stays moist and flavorful with these swaps!

Why did my banana bread sink in the middle?

If your loaf sinks, it could be due to under-baking, overmixing, or too much leavening. Always check for doneness, mix gently, and measure each ingredient accurately for perfect results every time.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Banana Bread is more than just a recipe—it’s pure comfort, easy enough to whip up any day. The chocolate and banana combo is always a hit, so don’t be surprised if your loaf disappears fast. Go ahead, give it a try, and experience how a simple homemade treat can bring so much joy to your table!

Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 22 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (about 10 slices) 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the rich and decadent flavors of this Chocolate Banana Bread. This moist and flavorful bread is a delightful treat for breakfast or as a snack. The combination of ripe bananas and chocolate chips makes every bite a heavenly experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

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

Wet Ingredients:

3 ripe bananas, mashed
2 large eggs
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/4 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a loaf pan.
Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, combine mashed bananas, eggs, melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Combine and Bake: Gently mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients, fold in chocolate chips, pour batter into the pan, and bake for 55-65 minutes.
Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool before slicing and serving.