This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is the ultimate indulgence for banana bread lovers. It’s incredibly moist, brimming with ripe bananas, and packed with mini chocolate chips for that sweet, melty contrast. With a combination of butter, yogurt, and plenty of mashed bananas, this bread is a perfect balance of soft, flavorful goodness. It’s the ideal treat for breakfast, snack time, or dessert.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• For the Banana Bread:

  • 1 ½ cups (380g) ripe and mashed bananas (about 3-4 medium bananas)

  • ½ cup (100g) packed light brown sugar

  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar

  • ½ cup (110g) unsalted butter, melted

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • ½ cup (130g) 2% Greek yogurt (or sour cream)

  • 1 ⅓ cups (180g) all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • ½ tsp salt

  • ¾ cup (140g) mini chocolate chips (plus extra for topping)

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and grease and line a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment paper.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the melted butter and both sugars until you achieve a paste-like consistency. Add the mashed bananas, eggs, yogurt, and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined.

4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold in the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Once combined, gently fold in the chocolate chips.

5. Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top.

6. Bake: Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

7. Cool: Let the bread cool completely before removing it from the pan. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.

Nutrients (per slice)

• Calories: 300 kcal

• Fat: 14g

  • Saturated Fat: 8g

• Carbohydrates: 41g

  • Fiber: 2g

  • Sugar: 28g

• Protein: 3g

• Sodium: 250mg

Why Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is So Special

Banana bread is beloved for its moist, tender crumb and sweet, comforting flavors, but the addition of mini chocolate chips takes it to the next level. The chocolate adds a melty, sweet contrast to the soft banana bread, creating the perfect balance between the rich, earthy flavors of banana and the indulgent sweetness of chocolate.

In this recipe, the yogurt (or sour cream) adds a slight tang and contributes to the overall moisture of the bread, making it even softer. The brown sugar enhances the banana flavor with its caramel-like undertones, while the granulated sugar adds sweetness to round out the loaf. The result is a rich, flavor-packed banana bread that’s perfect for any time of day.

Key Ingredients and Their Role in the Recipe

• Ripe Bananas: Bananas provide the natural sweetness and moisture in the bread. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your banana bread will be.

• Brown Sugar and Granulated Sugar: The combination of these sugars creates a perfectly balanced sweetness. The brown sugar adds a slight molasses flavor, while the granulated sugar adds straightforward sweetness.

• Unsalted Butter: Butter contributes to the richness and tenderness of the bread, while also helping to create a flavorful, soft crumb.

• Eggs: Eggs bind the ingredients together and help provide structure, ensuring the banana bread rises well while remaining moist.

• Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream: Both of these ingredients add moisture to the bread, contributing to its tender texture. Greek yogurt also provides a slight tang that enhances the flavor profile.

• All-Purpose Flour: Flour is the base ingredient that gives structure to the bread. You can substitute gluten-free flour if you prefer a gluten-free option.

• Baking Soda and Salt: Baking soda helps the bread rise and achieve a soft, fluffy texture. The salt balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors in the bread.

• Mini Chocolate Chips: Mini chocolate chips are perfect for banana bread because they melt into the batter, creating little pockets of chocolate in every bite. They provide that rich, melty contrast to the banana and the soft bread.

How to Make the Perfect Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Making Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is straightforward and quick, with just a few easy steps to follow. Here’s how you can make it:

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the bread after baking.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the melted butter and both sugars together until you achieve a paste-like consistency. Add the mashed bananas, eggs, yogurt (or sour cream), and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is well combined.

4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix until just combined—be careful not to overmix, as this can result in dense bread.

5. Fold in the Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the mini chocolate chips into the batter. Make sure they are evenly distributed, but don’t overwork the batter.

6. Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle extra mini chocolate chips over the top for an added touch. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

7. Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This cooling time allows the bread to set and makes it easier to slice.

8. Serve: Once completely cooled, slice and enjoy! This bread is delicious on its own, or you can top it with butter or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.

Pro Tips for Perfect Banana Bread

• Use Overripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the better! Overripe bananas have more sugar and a stronger flavor, which will make your banana bread sweeter and more flavorful.

• Don’t Overmix the Batter: When adding the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stir until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense, tough texture.

• Adjust the Chocolate Chips: Feel free to adjust the amount of chocolate chips based on how chocolatey you want the bread to be. You can also add other mix-ins, like nuts or dried fruit, if you like.

• Check for Doneness: Start checking the bread at the 1-hour mark. Ovens can vary, so it’s important to check with a toothpick to ensure it’s fully cooked. If the top is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil and continue baking until it’s done.

• Cool Before Slicing: Let the bread cool completely before slicing to prevent it from falling apart. This also gives the flavors time to set.

Serving Suggestions for Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

This banana bread is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in many different ways:

• For Breakfast: Serve a slice of Chocolate Chip Banana Bread with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a satisfying breakfast.

• As a Snack: Enjoy a slice in the afternoon with a glass of milk or iced coffee for a delicious snack.

• For Dessert: Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent dessert. You could even drizzle some caramel sauce or melted chocolate on top.

• For Brunch: This banana bread is a fantastic addition to any brunch spread. Its sweetness pairs well with savory dishes like eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit.

Nutritional Information for Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Each slice of Chocolate Chip Banana Bread contains approximately 300 calories, with 14 grams of fat, including 8 grams of saturated fat. The bread provides 41 grams of carbohydrates, including 2 grams of fiber, and 28 grams of sugar, mostly from the bananas and chocolate chips. It also contains 3 grams of protein per slice.

While this banana bread is on the indulgent side, it’s a satisfying treat. If you’re looking to reduce the sugar content, you can try using less sugar or substituting with a sugar alternative. You can also use a sugar-free or dark chocolate chip option for a lower-sugar version.

Conclusion

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is the ultimate indulgence for anyone who loves banana bread and chocolate. The moist, soft banana bread is elevated with the sweetness of chocolate chips and a subtle hint of cinnamon, making it the perfect treat for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. Whether enjoyed as-is or paired with your favorite toppings, this banana bread is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. With its simple ingredients, easy preparation, and rich, comforting flavor, this recipe is one you’ll want to bake again and again.