Deliciously Moist Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: Your Ultimate Homemade Recipe

There’s something incredibly comforting and nostalgic about a freshly baked loaf of banana bread. The sweet aroma filling your kitchen, the soft, tender crumb, and the delightful taste make it a timeless classic. But what if we told you it could get even better? Enter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread – a beloved twist on the traditional recipe that elevates it to a whole new level of deliciousness. This easy-to-make sweet treat is generously studded with gooey semi-sweet chocolate chips, transforming a simple bread into a dessert-like experience that disappears almost as quickly as it’s baked. Perfect for breakfast, a midday snack, or an after-dinner indulgence, this recipe is guaranteed to become a family favorite in your home. It’s a spin on the classic banana bread, loaded with rich semi-sweet chocolate chips and so simple to prepare.

Why This is the Best Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips

This chocolate chip banana bread recipe is not only quick to make and perfectly moist, but it’s also a guaranteed hit with everyone who tries it! It’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to keep in your regular rotation. Here’s why our family (and yours will too!) loves this delightful treat:

• Effortlessly Easy to Make: Forget complicated baking procedures! This chocolate chip banana bread recipe is designed for simplicity. With just about 10 minutes of active prep time, you can quickly combine your ingredients and have your loaf ready for the oven. It’s the perfect project for busy weekdays or a relaxing weekend morning, requiring minimal effort for maximum reward. Even beginner bakers will find this recipe foolproof and incredibly satisfying.
• Tastes Like Dessert: While traditional banana bread is wonderful, the generous addition of rich, melty semi-sweet chocolate chips transforms this humble loaf into an irresistible dessert. Each slice offers pockets of warm, sweet chocolate, perfectly complementing the natural sweetness of ripe bananas. It’s sweet enough to satisfy any craving, making it a fantastic alternative to cookies or cakes, but still wholesome enough to enjoy with your morning coffee.
• Made with Basic Pantry Ingredients: No need for a special trip to the grocery store! This easy recipe utilizes basic ingredients you likely already have on hand: flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and of course, those perfectly ripe bananas. It’s a fantastic way to use up bananas that have gone a little too brown for eating plain, preventing food waste and creating something truly delicious in return. The simplicity of the ingredients ensures a consistent, reliable, and utterly delicious outcome every time.

The Secret to Perfect Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: Ripe Bananas

The star ingredient in any great banana bread is, without a doubt, ripe bananas. But what exactly constitutes ‘ripe’ for baking, and why is it so important? For this chocolate chip banana bread, you’ll want bananas that are at least medium brown and heavily spotted. The browner they are, the sweeter and more fragrant they become, developing a deep, caramelized flavor that translates beautifully into the bread. These super-ripe bananas are also incredibly soft and easy to mash, contributing to the wonderfully moist texture of the final product. Green or yellow bananas simply won’t yield the same delicious results. If your bananas aren’t quite there yet, you can speed up the ripening process by placing them in a brown paper bag with an apple for a day or two, or even baking them on a baking sheet in a low oven (around 250°F or 120°C) for 15-30 minutes until their skins turn black.

Essential Ingredients for This Moist Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delightful loaf. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some helpful tips for each:

• Ripe Bananas: You’ll need about 1 cup of mashed banana, which is typically 3 medium-sized bananas. As emphasized, look for bananas that are at least medium brown and well-spotted. The riper the banana, the sweeter and more intense the flavor, and the moister your bread will be.
• Unsalted Butter: ⅓ cup, melted. Using melted butter helps create a tender crumb and is easier to incorporate into the batter. If you only have salted butter, reduce the added salt in the recipe by about ¼ teaspoon. For a dairy-free option, a good quality plant-based butter substitute or even olive oil can be used, though olive oil may subtly alter the flavor.
• Eggs: 2 large eggs. Eggs act as a binder, providing structure and richness to the bread, and helping it rise. For optimal results, ensure your eggs are at room temperature as they emulsify better with other ingredients.
• Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon. A touch of vanilla enhances all the other flavors, adding warmth and depth to the sweet banana and chocolate notes. Don’t skip it!
• Cinnamon: ½ teaspoon. Ground cinnamon pairs beautifully with banana, adding a subtle warmth and spice that elevates the overall flavor. You can increase this to ¾ or even 1 teaspoon if you love cinnamon.
• All-Purpose Flour: 1 ½ cups. Standard all-purpose flour provides the necessary structure. Make sure to measure it correctly by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off, rather than scooping directly from the bag, which can lead to a denser bread.
• Salt: ½ teaspoon. Salt is crucial for balancing the sweetness and enhancing the flavors in any baked good. It might seem like a small amount, but it makes a big difference.
• Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon. This leavening agent reacts with the acidic bananas and brown sugar to help the bread rise and achieve a light, airy texture.
• Brown Sugar: ½ cup. We love using brown sugar in chocolate chip banana bread for its deep, molasses-like sweetness and its ability to help keep the bread moist. Its slight acidity also works effectively with the baking soda. You can substitute half regular granulated sugar if you prefer a slightly less intense molasses flavor, or even use all granulated sugar for a different texture.
• Chocolate Chips: ⅔ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, plus a little extra for topping. Semi-sweet chocolate chips are a classic choice, offering a balanced sweetness that complements the banana without being overly rich. Dark chocolate chips (60-70% cacao) are also an excellent option if you prefer a bolder chocolate flavor, or even milk chocolate chips for a sweeter, creamier bite.

How to Make Delicious Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Making this incredible chocolate chip banana bread is surprisingly simple, even for novice bakers. Follow these easy steps for a perfectly baked, moist, and flavorful loaf every time:

1. Preheat the Oven & Prep Pan: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when the bread goes in, promoting even baking. Lightly grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray or butter. For extra easy removal, you can line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
2. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and mashed ripe bananas. Whisk these together until they are well combined and smooth. The melted butter and mashed bananas should create a liquid base that holds everything together beautifully.
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. Whisking ensures these dry ingredients are evenly distributed, preventing pockets of leavening agents or salt in your final bread.
4. Combine Wet & Dry Gently: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix gently using a spatula or spoon until *just* combined. It’s crucial not to overmix here! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough, dense banana bread instead of a tender, moist one. A few streaks of flour are perfectly fine.
5. Fold in the Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the ⅔ cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips. You want to distribute them evenly throughout the batter without crushing them or overworking the mixture.
6. Pour Batter & Bake: Pour the banana bread batter into your prepared 9×5 loaf pan. For an extra touch and beautiful presentation, sprinkle a few more chocolate chips on top of the batter before baking. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with only moist crumbs attached. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil.
7. Cool Before Slicing: Once baked, allow the banana bread to rest for 10 minutes in the pan. This crucial step allows the bread to set and prevents it from crumbling when you remove it. After 10 minutes, carefully transfer the loaf onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Cooling on a rack ensures air circulates around the entire loaf, preventing a soggy bottom.

Expert Tips for Making the Most Moist Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Achieving that perfect, tender, and incredibly moist banana bread is easier than you think with these key tips:

• Do Not Overmix the Batter: This is arguably the most important tip for a tender, moist banana bread. Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix only until no dry streaks of flour remain. Overmixing develops gluten in the flour, which leads to a tough, rubbery texture. A few small lumps in the batter are perfectly acceptable and won’t affect the final product. Embrace the “just combined” rule!
• Do Not Overbake: Just like overmixing, overbaking is the enemy of moist banana bread. Start checking for doneness around the 40-minute mark. Insert a wooden skewer or toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, your bread is ready. If it comes out wet, continue baking in 5-minute increments. Every oven is different, so keep a close eye on it, especially during the last few minutes.
• Use Truly Ripe Bananas: We can’t stress this enough! The natural sugars and abundant moisture in very ripe (brown and spotted, or even almost black) bananas are essential for both the deep flavor and the wonderfully moist texture of your bread. Green or yellow bananas simply won’t yield the same delicious results.
• Proper Pan Preparation: Ensure your loaf pan is adequately greased. For an extra layer of protection against sticking, especially if your pan has seen better days, line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the longer sides. This makes lifting the fully baked loaf out effortless and ensures no delicious crumb is left behind.
• Let it Cool Properly: Resist the urge to slice into your warm banana bread immediately. Allowing it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely, allows the bread to set its structure and continue to steam slightly, locking in moisture. Slicing too early can cause it to crumble.

Exciting Variations and Add-ins for Your Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

While this classic chocolate chip banana bread is perfect as is, it’s also incredibly adaptable! Feel free to customize it to your liking with these delicious additions:

• Nutty Crunch: Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or even almonds for extra crunch and a lovely nutty flavor. Fold them in along with the chocolate chips for even distribution.
• Different Chocolates: Experiment with various types of chocolate chips! White chocolate chips add a creamy sweetness, milk chocolate chips offer a milder flavor, or use dark chocolate chips (60-70% cacao) for a bolder chocolate presence. A mix of semi-sweet and dark chocolate is also fantastic.
• Warm Spices: Deepen the flavor profile with a pinch of nutmeg, a dash of allspice, or even a hint of cardamom. These warm spices complement the banana and cinnamon beautifully, especially if you enjoy autumnal flavors.
• Tropical Twist: For a hint of the tropics, fold in ½ cup of shredded coconut with the chocolate chips. It adds a lovely texture and exotic flavor.
• Heartier Loaf: For a slightly more wholesome and hearty bread, replace ¼ cup of the all-purpose flour with old-fashioned rolled oats.
• Swirls of Delight: For a marbled effect, before baking, spoon half the batter into the pan, drizzle with a tablespoon of melted Nutella or a swirl of peanut butter, then top with the remaining batter and gently swirl with a knife.

Serving Suggestions for Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Chocolate chip banana bread is delightful on its own, but here are some ways to enjoy it even more:

• Warm with Butter: A slice, gently warmed in the microwave or oven, spread with a dollop of soft butter, is pure heaven and melts in your mouth.
• With Coffee or Tea: It’s the perfect companion to your morning coffee, afternoon tea, or even a glass of cold milk.
• For Breakfast or Brunch: Serve it as part of a breakfast spread alongside fresh fruit, yogurt, or scrambled eggs for a balanced meal.
• As an Indulgent Dessert: For a truly decadent treat, warm a slice and top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of chocolate fudge sauce.
• Pack for On-the-Go: Individual slices make for a great portable snack for school, work, or picnics.

Storing Your Homemade Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Proper storage is key to keeping your delicious chocolate chip banana bread fresh and moist for as long as possible. Here are the best ways to store it:

• At Room Temperature: For best results and to maintain its delightful moisture, store cooled banana bread tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can also place it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh and delicious at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keep it away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
• In the Refrigerator: If you want to extend its freshness beyond a few days, wrap the cooled bread in plastic wrap, then place it in an airtight bag or container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for 4-5 days. Be aware that refrigeration can sometimes slightly alter the texture, making it a little firmer, but a quick warm-up in the microwave or toaster oven will bring back its tender qualities.
• In the Freezer: Banana bread freezes beautifully, making it perfect for meal prepping or having a quick treat on hand. Once the loaf has completely cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then an additional layer of aluminum foil, and place it in a freezer-safe bag. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. This method also works perfectly for freezing individual slices of bread; just wrap each slice separately before freezing for easy grab-and-go portions. To enjoy, thaw at room temperature for a few hours or gently warm individual slices in the microwave or oven.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread FAQs

More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoyed this chocolate chip banana bread, be sure to explore these other fantastic recipes:

• Chocolate Banana Bread Muffins
• Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar
• Double Chocolate Muffins
• Greek Yogurt Banana Bread
• Mini Banana Muffins
• Cake Mix Blueberry Muffins
• Monster Cookie Bars
• Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Muffins

You truly have to try this easy, family-favorite chocolate chip banana bread recipe. It’s a simple pleasure that brings big smiles!

5 from 2 votes

Homemade Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe

By:

Joy Shull

This quick and easy chocolate chip banana bread recipe creates a perfectly moist, sweet, and delicious loaf every time – truly a family favorite!

Prep:

10 minutes
mins

Cook:

45 minutes
mins

Additional Time (Cooling):

10 minutes
mins

Total:

65 minutes
mins

Servings:

8
slices

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Ingredients

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1
  cup
  ripe mashed banana,
  around 3 medium sized bananas

• 
  ▢
  
  
  ⅓
  cup
  unsalted butter,
  melted

• 
  ▢
  
  
  2
  eggs

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1
  teaspoon
  vanilla extract

• 
  ▢
  
  
  ½
  teaspoon
  cinnamon

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1 ½
  cups
  all-purpose flour

• 
  ▢
  
  
  ½
  teaspoon
  salt

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1
  teaspoon
  baking soda

• 
  ▢
  
  
  ½
  cup
  brown sugar

• 
  ▢
  
  
  2/3
  cup
  semi sweet chocolate chips,
  plus more for topping

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 C).
• Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray or butter, and if desired, line with parchment paper leaving an overhang.
• In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and mashed bananas. Whisk until well combined.
• In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon.
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few streaks of flour are okay.
• Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
• Pour the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle with additional chocolate chips if desired, and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Rest for 10 minutes in the pan, then carefully remove onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely before slicing.

Nutrition

Calories:
326
kcal

,

Carbohydrates:
44
g

,

Protein:
5
g

,

Fat:
15
g

,

Saturated Fat:
9
g

,

Polyunsaturated Fat:
1
g

,

Monounsaturated Fat:
4
g

,

Trans Fat:
0.3
g

,

Cholesterol:
62
mg

,

Sodium:
305
mg

,

Potassium:
214
mg

,

Fiber:
2
g

,

Sugar:
21
g

,

Vitamin A:
316
IU

,

Vitamin C:
2
mg

,

Calcium:
35
mg

,

Iron:
2
mg

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