Best Chocolate Banana Bread [VIDEO]

Chocolate Banana Bread is the best banana bread you will ever have! Incredibly tender, moist, and loaded with chocolate chips! If you have brown bananas on hand, this is a great way to use them.

Best Homemade Chocolate Banana Bread

Chocolate banana bread is the best banana bread you will ever have, that is my promise to you! This recipe has been made by thousands of people, and everyone who tried it loved it. So many people emailed me telling me that this is the type of recipe that will stay in their family for generations!

If you love chocolate this bread is a chocolate lover’s dream. With the added cocoa powder as well as huge chocolate chips, you get the chocolaty flavor bursts in every bite. Also, this is the best way to use up those overripe bananas you have on your counter.

I like making quick breads as they are a great snack or breakfast on the go, and also, they can be a delicious dessert. They make a great hostess gift, and the best after school snack. Try my other breads like this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread or this Gluten-Free Banana Bread recipe flavored with espresso powder, ginger, and cocoa powder.

This recipe is quick and easy, all you need are some mashed bananas, cocoa powder, semisweet chocolate chips, and a few other basic ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. If you would rather have individual servings, try my Chocolate Banana Muffins recipe that makes 12 deliciously moist muffins.

Five stars reader’s feedback

“This recipe is delicious! I made it as written and it was perfect. I also added a pinch of salt and a few drops of vanilla extract. Thanks for the recipe!”

“I’ve never left a comment on a recipe before… but this was way too good not to!! I’m always a little hesitant with breads because, no matter what I do, the middle ends up under cooked. I put this recipe into a mini loaf pan with 4 smaller breads, and it turned out absolutely perfect! Next time, I’ll be adding peanut butter!”

What you’ll need to make chocolate banana bread:

Dry ingredients:

• Flour: I used all-purpose flour, but you can use whole wheat, or 1:1 gluten-free flour. 
• Cocoa powder: The chocolate flavor is front and center here, so make sure you use high-quality cocoa powder, as this is basically how the end result will taste. Dutch-processed cocoa is a great choice.
• Baking powder: Not baking soda.
• Sea salt

Wet ingredients:

• Over ripe bananas: For the most flavorful bread, I highly recommend using overripe bananas, but not mushy and way too brown. 
• Large egg: At room temperature.
• Unsalted butter: Melted and cooled to room temperature. 
• Canola oil: You can also use vegetable oil or whichever you prefer.
• Light brown sugar: Dark brown sugar will work too. In this recipe, it combines well with the flavors from the bananas, and also it locks in moisture, which gives the dessert irresistible moist crumbs.
• Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract.

Add-ins:

• Large semisweet chocolate chips: I like to use larger chocolate chips, as they don’t fully melt when baked and are amazing when you bite into them! Don’t be afraid to use extra chocolate chips in this recipe.
• Chopped walnuts: Actually, the chopped walnuts are optional, you can skip them if you don’t like walnuts or just prefer not to use them.

How to make chocolate banana bread from scratch?

1. Preheat: To start, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. 
2. Whisk the dry ingredients: In the meantime, whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. If you have the time and the sifter, it is even better to sift all of these ingredients together. 
3. Mix the wet ingredients: Then, mash the ripe bananas in a large bowl with a fork until the large chunks are gone. Pour in the eggs, vanilla, oil, and butter. Stir until combined before whisking the brown sugar into the banana mixture. 
4. Combine the dry and wet ingredients: After, fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients gently with a spatula. Do not overmix. Gently stir in the chopped walnuts and 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips. 
5. Finish the chocolate banana bread: Lastly, spoon the batter into the prepared pan and add the remaining chocolate chips to the top of the bread. 
6. Bake the banana bread: Finally, bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test. A toothpick inserted into the middle of the bread should come out mostly clean with no raw batter. Begin checking it after 50 minutes and then every five minutes after. 
7. Remove and cool: When it is done, remove the banana loaf pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes. 
8. Loosen and sit: After, run a knife around the edges of the bread and gently remove the loaf. Let it sit on the wire rack for at least 30 minutes or until it is just slightly warm. 
9. Cut and serve: Once it is cool completely, you can cut it and serve. 

Expert tip

How do you know if bananas are good for banana bread

When it comes to baking, you should avoid green or completely yellow bananas. Choose bananas that have a very deep yellow color and are covered all over the surface in brown spots. The smell is also important, they should be very fragrant, with a prominent sweet banana flavor. This means that the banana is fully ripe.

Avoid bananas that are totally black black, with no yellow showing at all. Yes, bananas can be too-ripe and if they are too soft or squishy, and showing signs of mold, leaking fluid, and have funky smell. That banana is rotten and should not be consumed or used in baking. A banana that is ripe will have a deep yellow skin covered in lots of brown spots, and will have the texture of a ripe avocado.

How to serve:

No matter how you serve this delicious chocolate banana bread recipe, it will be a hit. Whether you have it for breakfast, a snack, or a simple dessert, this is one of the best recipes you will ever make. Here are some great ideas to try:

• Top a slice with a scoop of strawberry or vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert. 
• Use it to make the best chocolate french toast you have ever tasted. 
• Pair it with a warm London Fog Latte or this refreshing tropical smoothie.
• You could also smother your slice of bread with our homemade whipped cream or simply serve it toasted with some butter.
• For even more chocolate flavor, drizzle chocolate syrup or melted chocolate chips over the top before slicing and serving.
• In fact, you could turn it into a festive banana chocolate cake by covering it with homemade cream cheese frosting and sprinkles. 
• Slice bananas into coins and place them on top of the bread for even more banana flavor. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn’t my banana bread moist?

It is the moisture that is most important in a delicious banana bread, and the ratio of banana to flour is key. If you use too much flour, it will be dry and dense, and if you use too much banana, it will be gooey in the middle. By following the recipe exactly, your bread should be moist like a cake. 

If you followed the recipe and your bread is still too dry, it may be the way you measure your flour. Never use the measuring cup to scoop the flour out. Rather, use a spoon to fill the cup and then level it with the back of a knife for best results. 

Also, using butter and oil is key for the best texture. While the butter adds a nice flavor, the oil is what makes the banana bread moist and you get that tender crumb that we all love.

How can I make my bananas ripen faster?

Sometimes it seems like your bananas turn black within hours of bringing them home. Other times, you buy your bananas and several days later, they are still light yellow. If you are ready to make bread but your bananas are still yellow, just bake them. 

First, preheat the oven to 300 degrees F and place parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Then, place unpeeled whole bananas on the sheet about two inches apart. Bake them for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how ripe they are. 

Can I freeze bananas?

Yes, you can freeze your bananas but not how you think. First, peel the bananas and get rid of the peels. Then put the bananas in a freezer bag whole or you can mash them first. Either way, they will be good in the freezer for up to three months. 

How do you use the toothpick test?

If a wooden toothpick inserted into the middle of your bread comes out clean, it is done. If it has a few crumbs, that is fine. But if it has wet batter on it, you need to put your chocolate banana bread loaf back into the oven for a few more minutes. Also, you may hit a chocolate chip when inserting the toothpick, don’t be fooled by the melted chocolate, and don’t confuse it with melted batter. Be careful to not over bake the bread, as it will make it dry.

How to store leftovers:

• Room temperature: Store it at room temperature uncovered or covered for 2-3 days.
• Refrigerate: First, let the dessert fully cool on a wire rack. After that, either refrigerate it whole in an airtight container or slice it into individual pieces. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Start by making sure that it has been fully cooled. After that, wrap the bread or individual slices in plastic wrap and after that in foil. Next, place them in freezer-safe bags. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Thaw: To thaw transfer the bread from the freezer to the fridge to thaw overnight.
• Serve: Serve it warm or at room temperature, you can also warm up slices in the microwave, and it tastes delicious with some butter.

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