Name: Banana Chocolate Chip Bread Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-488623H59M33S
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups (180g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ cup (1 stick / 115g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly; ¼ cup (60mL) vegetable oil; ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar; 2 large eggs, at room temperature; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1 ½ cups (360g) mashed ripe bananas (about 3–4 medium-sized bananas); 1 cup (170g) semi-sweet chocolate chips

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Banana Chocolate Chip Bread is the kind of treat that instantly brightens any kitchen. Imagine the irresistible aroma of ripe bananas and melting chocolate filling your home as this golden loaf bakes. Whether you’re whipping it up for a celebratory brunch, sneaking a slice for an afternoon snack, or sharing it with friends over coffee, this bread offers a perfect balance of moist, banana-rich crumb and pockets of gooey chocolate chips. There’s truly nothing more comforting than a homemade slice of Banana Chocolate Chip Bread.

Banana Chocolate Chip Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You might be pleasantly surprised by how simple the ingredient list is for Banana Chocolate Chip Bread, but don’t let the simplicity fool you—each element has a crucial part in building its iconic flavor and texture. Here’s what you’ll need and why you can’t skip any component.

All-purpose flour: Gives the bread its sturdy-yet-tender structure, ensuring the loaf holds together while staying soft.
Baking soda: Helps the bread rise beautifully, keeping it fluffy and light rather than dense.
Salt: Just a pinch wakes up all the other flavors and prevents the bread from being overly sweet.
Unsalted butter, melted: Adds rich, buttery flavor and moisture for that melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the loaf extra tender and moist even days after baking.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the bread while letting banana and chocolate shine through.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and give the bread loft and richness.
Pure vanilla extract: Deepens the flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
Mashed ripe bananas: The heart of any Banana Chocolate Chip Bread, delivering sweetness and lasting moisture.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Provide little bursts of chocolate in every bite—feel free to use your favorite chocolate variety.

How to Make

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper—lining is especially handy if you want to lift the bread out smoothly. This first step guarantees that your Banana Chocolate Chip Bread will release effortlessly from the pan and bake evenly.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Giving these ingredients a good blend now distributes the leavening, so your bread rises perfectly. Plus, it helps avoid any pockets of salt—nobody wants that surprise!

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter, vegetable oil, and granulated sugar until the mixture looks smooth and slightly creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition, followed by the vanilla extract. This step ensures your Banana Chocolate Chip Bread will be rich and moist from the very first bite.

Step 4: Add the Bananas

Fold in your mashed ripe bananas and stir until fully incorporated. The bananas not only provide classic flavor, but their moisture gives the bread its signature tender crumb.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Now, gradually add your dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix only until just combined—the batter might look a bit lumpy, and that’s perfect. Overmixing can make your bread tough, so a gentle hand is key.

Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips

Next, gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Every swirl of your spatula ensures gooey surprises tucked throughout your Banana Chocolate Chip Bread. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could also toss in a handful of nuts or a pinch of warm spices here.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and use a spatula to smooth the top. Pop it into the oven and bake for 60-70 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with only a few crumbs attached. Let your loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing—if you can wait that long!

How to Serve

Garnishes

Dress each slice up with a gentle dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of extra chocolate chips for that bakery-fancy touch. If you’re serving for brunch, a dollop of whipped cream or a sheen of melted peanut butter makes the Banana Chocolate Chip Bread absolutely irresistible.

Side Dishes

Pair your loaf with a steaming mug of coffee, spiced chai, or a smoothie for breakfast bliss. For something richer, offer it alongside fresh fruit, vanilla yogurt, or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a dreamy dessert plate.

Creative Ways to Present

Don’t just slice and serve! Try cutting Banana Chocolate Chip Bread into cubes for a fun dessert fondue, toast slices and spread with almond butter, or even layer squares into a decadent bread pudding. The possibilities are as endless as your culinary imagination.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover Banana Chocolate Chip Bread at room temperature for up to three days, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or sealed in an airtight container. This keeps the loaf moist while preventing it from drying out or absorbing any kitchen odors.

Freezing

Banana Chocolate Chip Bread freezes beautifully! After cooling completely, wrap the loaf or individual slices in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and store in a freezer-safe bag. It will stay fresh for up to three months, perfect for satisfying those spontaneous cravings.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-baked comfort, simply reheat individual slices in a toaster or microwave for 15-20 seconds. If you’re thawing an entire loaf, let it come to room temperature in its wrapping first to preserve its moistness before gently warming in the oven.

FAQs

Can I use frozen bananas for Banana Chocolate Chip Bread?

Absolutely! Thawed frozen bananas are just as flavorful, often even more so. Just drain off any extra liquid and mash well before mixing in.

What’s the best way to ripen bananas quickly?

If you’re eager for Banana Chocolate Chip Bread but your bananas are stubbornly yellow, pop them (peel-on) in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes. They’ll turn dark and soften, perfect for mashing.

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose?

You can substitute half the flour for whole wheat for a heartier loaf, but using only whole wheat may make the bread denser. Play around to discover your perfect ratio!

How do I keep the chocolate chips from sinking?

Gently toss the chocolate chips in a tablespoon of flour before folding them into the batter. This helps suspend them more evenly throughout the loaf.

Is it possible to make Banana Chocolate Chip Bread vegan?

Definitely! Swap the butter for plant-based butter or coconut oil, use non-dairy chocolate chips, and replace each egg with a flaxseed or chia seed “egg.” The results are still deliciously moist and chocolatey.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never tried homemade Banana Chocolate Chip Bread before, make this the day you bake up something truly special. Each slice is a little hug in bread form—soft, sweet, and packed with chocolatey joy. I can’t wait for you to create kitchen memories with this classic recipe!