This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is the perfect balance of moist, flavorful banana bread with the added sweetness of melty chocolate chips. It’s easy to make, and the best part is that it requires just 15 minutes of prep time. Whether for breakfast or a sweet snack, this banana bread will surely be a hit!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 4 overripe bananas

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

• 1/4 cup brown sugar

• 2 large eggs, room temperature

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch metal loaf pan and set aside.

2. Mash the Bananas: In a small bowl, mash the bananas until smooth. Set them aside.

3. Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.

4. Add Eggs and Bananas: Add the eggs, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix well.

5. Make the Batter: Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the wet mixture. Stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

6. Add Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top.

7. Bake: Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool for at least 20 minutes before serving.

Nutrients

• Calories: 258 kcal per serving

• Carbohydrates: 29g

• Protein: 4g

• Fat: 14g

• Saturated Fat: 8g

• Cholesterol: 52mg

• Sodium: 204mg

• Potassium: 136mg

• Fiber: 2g

• Sugar: 14g

• Vitamin A: 289 IU

• Calcium: 30mg

• Iron: 2mg

Key Ingredients for a Perfect Banana Bread

• Overripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your banana bread will be. When bananas turn overripe, they become soft and mushy, which is ideal for this recipe as it makes for a moist and flavorful bread. The natural sugars in ripe bananas will also help sweeten the bread without needing excessive sugar.

• Butter and Sugar: The unsalted butter adds richness and moisture to the bread. The granulated sugar provides sweetness, while the brown sugar adds a slight caramel flavor that enhances the overall taste and contributes to the moisture of the bread.

• Eggs: Eggs help bind the ingredients together and add to the bread’s texture. They also provide moisture, making the bread tender.

• Vanilla Extract: The pure vanilla extract contributes depth to the flavor, giving the bread a sweet, aromatic richness.

• Flour, Baking Soda, and Baking Powder: These ingredients are the foundation of the bread. The baking soda provides lift, while the baking powder ensures that the bread rises evenly and stays light.

• Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips add indulgent bursts of chocolate throughout the bread, making it a perfect balance of sweet and savory.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray to ensure the banana bread doesn’t stick while baking. This is an important step, as it helps the bread rise evenly without clinging to the pan.

Step 2: Mash the Bananas

In a small bowl, take your overripe bananas and mash them with a fork or potato masher until smooth. Set the mashed bananas aside to allow them to integrate perfectly into the bread batter later.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This step is crucial for creating a soft, airy texture in the final bread.

Step 4: Add the Eggs, Bananas, and Vanilla

Once the butter and sugar are well combined, add in the eggs, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract. Mix them together until smooth and fully incorporated.

Step 5: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt. Adding dry ingredients gradually and sifting them helps prevent clumps in your batter. Slowly add this dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a denser texture in the bread.

Step 6: Fold in the Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in 3/4 cup of chocolate chips into the batter. You want to incorporate the chips evenly without overmixing, so they’re spread throughout the bread. This ensures that every bite is filled with delicious chocolate.

Step 7: Pour the Batter and Add Topping

Once the batter is ready, pour it into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of chocolate chips over the top of the batter. This gives the bread a delightful chocolatey topping that melts and bakes to perfection.

Step 8: Bake

Place the pan in the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so it’s always a good idea to start checking at the 50-minute mark. If the top is browning too quickly, you can cover the bread with aluminum foil and continue baking until it’s done.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Once the bread is fully baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Afterward, remove the banana bread from the pan and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack. This will help it set, making it easier to slice.

Serving Suggestions

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is best enjoyed when freshly baked, though it stays moist and flavorful for several days. Serve it as a comforting breakfast, afternoon snack, or dessert. You can also pair it with a cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of milk for an extra indulgent treat. For a special touch, try spreading a bit of peanut butter or cream cheese on top for added richness and flavor.

This banana bread is also great for gifting. Simply wrap it up in parchment paper or a gift box, and it’s ready to share with friends and family.

Nutritional Breakdown

Each serving of Chocolate Chip Banana Bread provides 258 calories, making it a moderate treat that’s rich in flavor without being overly indulgent. With 17g of carbohydrates and 2g of fiber, this bread provides just enough energy and satiety without being too heavy. The 17g of fat includes healthy fats from the butter and chocolate, with 8g of monounsaturated fat from olive oil and other fats. Each slice also provides 4g of protein, which comes from the eggs and flour.

While this banana bread contains 14g of sugar per serving, much of it comes naturally from the bananas, offering a sweeter taste without too much added sugar. With the addition of Vitamin A (517 IU) and iron (2mg), this bread offers small but valuable amounts of essential nutrients.

Conclusion: A Perfectly Sweet and Moist Banana Bread

This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is the ideal dessert or snack for anyone who loves the sweet combination of bananas and chocolate. Its moist texture, rich flavor, and gooey chocolate chips make it a comforting and indulgent treat that’s perfect for any occasion. With just a few simple ingredients and quick prep time, you can create a delicious loaf of banana bread that will impress your guests or satisfy your cravings. Whether you’re baking for yourself, a loved one, or a special event, this banana bread will surely be a hit!