Rich chocolate banana bread with melty chocolate chips
Chocolate Banana Bread
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
55 min
Total Time
1 hr 5 min
Servings
10
1 loaf
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Chocolate Banana Bread
Rich chocolate banana bread with melty chocolate chips
★4.8(24)
Moist banana bread swirled with cocoa powder and studded with chocolate chips for a double-chocolate indulgence. A chocolate lover's upgrade to the classic banana bread.
10m
Prep Time
55m
Cook Time
65m
Total Time
10
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
This chocolate banana bread is the love child of banana bread and brownies—deeply chocolaty, incredibly moist, and loaded with melty chocolate chips. It is banana bread for the kid who says they don't like banana bread.
This is the kind of recipe that defines American home cooking at its best — straightforward, satisfying, and built on flavors that everyone loves.
Ingredients
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper.
- 2
Mash bananas in a large bowl. Stir in melted butter, sugar, 1 egg, and 1 tsp vanilla.
- 3
Sift flour, cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking soda, and a pinch of salt over the wet ingredients. Fold until just combined.
- 4
Fold in 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Pour batter into the prepared pan and scatter remaining chips on top.
- 5
Bake 50-55 minutes until a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with classic coleslaw and cornbread on the side
Pair with fresh-cut fries or roasted potato wedges
Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream
Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate sauce before serving
Substitutions
Cocoa powderCarob powder for a caffeine-free option
Similar color and mild chocolate-like flavor
ButterCoconut oil for dairy-free
Adds a subtle tropical note that pairs well with chocolate and banana
Tips & Storage
Pro Tips
Sift the cocoa powder to prevent lumps that create dry pockets in the bread.
Use the darkest, most overripe bananas you can find—they add the most moisture and sweetness.
Measure baking ingredients by weight when possible. Baking is chemistry, and precision matters more than in any other type of cooking.
Bring butter, eggs, and dairy to room temperature before mixing. Cold ingredients do not emulsify properly and can produce tough, uneven results.
Storage
Wrap tightly and store at room temperature up to 4 days. Freeze up to 3 months.
Reheating
Warm slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. Toast slices for a crispy surface.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (30mg) · 10 servings
Calories230
LowModerateHigh
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein4g
Carbohydrates8g
Fat38g
Fiber180mg
Sugar2g
Sodium20g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this more like bread or cake?
- It falls between the two—denser than cake but moister and richer than typical banana bread.
- Can I add nuts?
- Chopped walnuts add great crunch—fold in 1/2 cup with the chocolate chips.
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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