Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread recipe is loaded with ripe bananas and melty chocolate with a moist tender crumb! Perfect for a snack or breakfast.
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This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is the kind of treat that’ll make you go bananas, pun absolutely intended! I know we all cringe at the word “moist” (seriously y’all, why does it sound so weird?), but trust me, if there’s one word that can describe this chocolate chip banana bread, it’s moist with a capital M.

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Two slices of chocolate chip banana bread cut from a large loaf on a wire rack

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Remember when we all turned into banana bread experts during lockdown? I swear, there wasnโ€™t a single day without a loaf sittin’ pretty on my counter. I ate so much of it that it started to get, well, kinda boring. But one day, I thought, โ€œhuhโ€ฆ How can I switch things up?โ€ and then I was like, duh, chocolate chips! They reignited my love for banana bread, and now I can’t bake a loaf without ’em. Some might say I go a bit overboard with the chocolate chips, but my daughter, my husband, and I think it’s just the right amount. Don’t just take my word for it honey, grab a bowl, a loaf pan, and give this chocolate chip banana bread recipe a try!

The Lowdown on Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Closeup of Jocelyn in pink dress smiling

Cuisine Inspiration: American

Primary Cooking Method: Baking

Dietary Info: Vegetarian, everybody can enjoy the banana goodness!

Key Flavor: Sweet mix of ripe bananas and melty chocolate chips

Skill Level: As easy as pie! If you can mash a banana, you’ve got this

This recipe keeps it simple yโ€™all. Everything comes together in just one bowl, so you ainโ€™t gotta worry about a mountain of dishes. Less cleanup means more time to enjoy that sweet, sweet bread!

Got those bananas turning brown on your counter? Donโ€™t toss ’em! This recipe is perfect for using up overripe bananas that might otherwise go to waste. Every banana gets a second chance at glory.

This easy chocolate chip banana bread is an absolute HIT with the little ones. My daughter canโ€™t get enough of it, and itโ€™s a sneaky way to get some fruit into her diet without her even noticing.

Ingredients you’ll need to make Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Chocolate chip banana bread ingredients in separate bowls
  • Flour: The backbone of any good banana bread.
  • Baking Soda & Salt: Baking soda gives your bread that perfect lift, and salt balances out all the sweetness.
  • Butter: You could use a good quality margarine but let’s be real y’all, butter makes it better.
  • Brown Sugar: Gives a deep, warm sweetness.
  • Eggs: Eggs add moisture and structure. They’re a must!
  • Sour Cream: This is what takes your chocolate chip banana bread from good to unforgettable. It adds a tangy richness that you can’t fake.
  • Vanilla Extract: Just a splash to bring out all the flavors.
  • Bananas: I’m talkin’ super ripe, almost-black bananas, the kind that make you wonder if they’re still good (they are!). If you only have golden yellow ones, speed up the process by popping them in a paper bag or an airtight container with an avocado, orange, or apple for a day or so. The ethylene gas will do its magic, or you can microwave fork-pierced bananas in 30-second bursts until softened.
  • Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips: How many? That’s up to you boo! I say the more, the better, but you can go light if you want. There’s no wrong amount of chocolate here.

How to make Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Sour cream and creamed butter and sugar in a mixing bowl after mixing together
1
Cream the butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the sour cream and vanilla extract until combined, then slowly add in the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, and salt).
Ripe banana pieces in a bread batter in a mixing bowl
2
Mix until just combined. Then, add the bananas.
A chocolate banana bread batter with chocolate chips on top before mixing together
3
Add in the chocolate chips. Scrape down the sides and beat on low speed for another 30 seconds to a minute.
Banana bread batter in a loaf pan with chocolate chips on top
4
Pour the batter into a loaf pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula.
A delicious chocolate banana bread loaf baked inside a loaf pan cooling
5
Bake for about 1 hour and check with a toothpick or skewer in the center for doneness. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

What to serve with this easy chocolate chip banana bread

Recipe Substitutions

  • Chocolate Chips: I use semi-sweet, but you can swap in milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips.
  • Butter: This is for all my peanut lover boos! Try replacing half the butter with creamy peanut butter. You’ll thank me later.
  • Sour Cream: Greek yogurt makes a great substitute for sour cream. You’ll still get a super moist chocolate chip banana bread.
  • Brown Sugar: If you’re out of dark brown sugar, light brown sugar works just fine. You can also mix in a bit of molasses with regular sugar to get that deep, rich flavor.

Recipe Variations and Additions

  • Fruit Toppings: Slice a banana lengthwise and lay it on top of the batter before baking. It’ll caramelize and make your loaf look straight-up bakery worthy!
  • Cinnamon Spice: If you thought this chocolate chip banana bread recipe couldn’t get any better, wait till you add a teaspoon (or two) of cinnamon to the batter. You’ll love the warm, cozy vibes!
  • Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle some chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds on top before baking to add some crunch and extra flavor.
  • Honey Drizzle: Once your banana bread is out of the oven and slightly cooled, drizzle a bit of honey over the top. This is my go-to for breakfast, boos.
A slice of chocolate chip banana bread being eaten with a fork on a white plate

Expert Tips and Tricks for making the best chocolate chip banana bread recipe

  1. Scoop and Level Your Flour: When measuring your flour, scoop it into a measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Don’t pack it down! Too much flour will make your bread dense and dry.
  2. Donโ€™t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing can make your banana bread dense and chewy. You want it soft and tender, so keep it gentle boo!
  3. Mash Those Bananas How You Like: I usually mash my bananas until they’re nice and smooth, but if you want a lil’ more texture, leave some chunks in there.
  4. Room Temperature Ingredients: Let your butter, eggs, and sour cream come to room temp before you start mixing. It makes everything blend together better.

How to store Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Once your banana bread has cooled completely, wrap it up tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can also keep it in an airtight container or inside a ziploc bag, with a damp paper towel laid over the top of the loaf so it stays moist.

How long will Chocolate Chip Banana Bread last?

Your banana bread will stay fresh at room temperature for about 2-3 days. If you keep it in the fridge it’ll last a bit longer, up to a week.

Can I freeze banana bread with chocolate chips?

Absolutely! Wrap your banana bread tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe bag. It’ll stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Frequently asked questions

Can bananas be too ripe for banana bread?

Nope, the riper, the better! Even those bananas that are almost black are perfect for banana bread. The super-ripe ones have more sugar, which means more sweetness and moisture in your loaf.

How can I turn this recipe into muffins?

Use the same batter and portion out evenly between 12 standard muffin tins. Bake at the same temperature but check after 20 minutes with a toothpick. If clean, pull them out and allow them to cool fully before packing for lunch!

Why is my banana bread dry?

Dry banana bread could be from overbaking or using too much flour. Make sure you’re scooping and leveling your flour properly, and check your bread for doneness a few minutes before the timer goes off to avoid overbaking

A delicious chocolate banana bread loaf baked inside a loaf pan cooling

Besides being sweet, chocolatey, and ridiculously easy to make, this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is just plain delicious. Once you finally get that warm, golden loaf out of the oven, you’ll be fighting the urge to devour it all in one sitting. Been there boos!

More Bread Recipes

Two slices of chocolate chip banana bread cut from a large loaf on a wire rack

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread recipe is loaded with ripe bananas and melty chocolate with a moist tender crumb! Perfect for a snack or breakfast.
5 from 7 votes
Prep Time 23 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 23 minutes
Course: Bread, Breakfast
Servings: 1 loaf bread

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar tightly packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • 12 oz very ripe peeled bananas This is about 1 1/2 cups or around 3 large bananas
  • 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips plus more for the top

Instructions

  • Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 F. Spray a 9×5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray and line in a parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the long sides. Spray with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside these dry ingredients.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the butter and sugar. Beat on medium-high until light, fluffy, and doubled in volume, 3 to 5 minutes, using a rubber spatula to scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl as necessary.
  • Reduce the mixer to low and add the eggs, one at a time, adding the next egg only after the previous one has been fully incorporated, scraping down the bottom and sides of the bowl after each addition.
  • Add the sour cream and vanilla all at once and beat on low until combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients and beat until just combined. Add the bananas a handful at a time and beat until broken into pieces and distributed evenly throughout the batter, about 1 minute. Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl once more, and beat on low for an additional 30 seconds. Then add in the chocolate chips on low.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan and use an offset spatula to smooth the top. Add additional chocolate chips to the top. Set the loaf pan on a sheet pan and bake for 60 to 65 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center of the banana bread comes out with a few crumbs attached. Cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature. The banana bread can be stored at room temperature, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, for up to 3 days.

Notes

How to store Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Once your banana bread has cooled completely, wrap it up tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can also keep it in an airtight container or inside a ziploc bag, with a damp paper towel laid over the top of the loaf so it stays moist.

How long will Chocolate Chip Banana Bread last?

Your banana bread will stay fresh at room temperature for about 2-3 days. If you keep it in the fridge it’ll last a bit longer, up to a week.

Can I freeze banana bread with chocolate chips?

Absolutely! Wrap your banana bread tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe bag. It’ll stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 3248kcal | Carbohydrates: 490g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 127g | Saturated Fat: 75g | Cholesterol: 631mg | Sodium: 3721mg | Potassium: 2062mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 261g | Vitamin A: 4246IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 440mg | Iron: 16mg
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Filed Under:  Dessert and Baking, Oven, Sweet Breads & Muffins

Comments

  1. I brought this bread to work today and my coworkers could not stop talking about how good it was. And it was so easy to make! I will definitely be making it again.

  2. I can seriously never get tired of banana bread. And this was so delicious. The sour cream made it so moist.

  3. I’m getting so hungry just looking at this! Banana bread is great, but when you stuff it full of chocolate chips? Genius!

5 from 7 votes (1 rating without comment)

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