Best Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe
This Best Chocolate Banana Bread recipe combines the rich flavor of cocoa and semisweet chocolate chips with the natural sweetness of ripe bananas. Moist and fudgy with a slight crunch from optional walnuts, it’s a perfect treat for breakfast or dessert. Easy to prepare and baked to perfection in a loaf pan, this banana bread is sure to become a favorite in your household.
- Author: reem
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 3 medium bananas)
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled)
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sweeteners
- 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
Add-ins
- 1 cup large semisweet chocolate chips (divided: 3/4 cup for batter, 1/4 cup for topping)
- 1/2 cup walnuts (chopped – optional)
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the banana bread.
- Prepare the pan: Grease a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan thoroughly with nonstick baking spray, then set it aside for later use.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and sea salt. For best results, sift the dry ingredients to avoid lumps and ensure even distribution. Set aside.
- Mash the bananas and combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth with no large chunks remaining. Add the slightly cooled melted butter, canola oil, vanilla extract, and egg. Stir the mixture until fully combined to create the wet base for your batter.
- Add sugar: Whisk in the light brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and the sugar is fully incorporated.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Gently fold everything together using a spatula, taking care not to overmix to keep the bread tender.
- Add chocolate chips and walnuts: Stir in 3/4 cup of the semisweet chocolate chips and the chopped walnuts if using, evenly distributing them throughout the batter.
- Transfer batter to the pan: Pour and spread the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of chocolate chips evenly on top for a decorative and melty finish.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. Start checking at the 50-minute mark by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out mostly clean with no raw batter attached. If needed, continue baking and check every 5 minutes.
- Cool: Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and place the pan on a wire rack. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 15 minutes to set before slicing.
- Slice and serve: Carefully remove the banana bread from the pan, slice it into portions, and serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy your delicious chocolate banana bread!
Notes
- If you prefer a nut-free version, simply omit the walnuts.
- Using overripe bananas will enhance the natural sweetness and moisture.
- You can substitute canola oil with melted coconut oil or vegetable oil if desired.
- For extra gooey chocolate, increase the chocolate chips by 1/4 cup.
- Store leftovers tightly wrapped at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- To freeze, wrap the banana bread in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Keywords: chocolate banana bread, banana bread recipe, chocolate chip banana bread, easy banana bread, moist banana bread, baked banana bread