Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread

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This chocolate banana bread is moist, delicious, and chocolatey, and still healthy enough for breakfast! Make a double or triple batch for the freezer to enjoy for breakfast and snacks all week long.

Healthy homemade chocolate banana bread in a parchment paper lined loaf pan. Text overlay reads, Chocolate Banana Bread".

I’m sure there are plenty of things you can make with brown bananas, but the first thing that comes to mind (aside from Healthy Banana Ice Cream) is banana bread.

This Caramelized Banana Bread is my favorite banana bread recipe because it’s whole grain, naturally sweetened, and REALLY yummy.

But when my daughter said she was getting tired of banana bread (after having it for breakfast for 3 weeks straight), I had to come up with an alternate plan that was still just as healthy and delicious, but different enough to appease her.

So, I did the most logical thing I could think of: I added chocolate.

If you like banana bread, this chocolate banana bread recipe is going to knock your socks off!

I know there are a lot of banana bread recipes on the internet, but here’s why I like this healthy chocolate banana bread the best:

One bowl + blender = minimal dishes
Batter comes together in less than 5 minutes
Freezer-friendly
Easy to double or triple
Converts to muffins easily
Made with whole grain flour and naturally sweetened
Guilt-free morning chocolate fix

Homemade chocolate banana bread on a cooling rack. Half of the loaf is in slices.

BANANA AND CHOCOLATE CHIP BREAD INGREDIENTS

Here’s what you need for banana and chocolate chip bread:

Bananas. Choose fully ripe or brown bananas. See my note below for picking the perfect bananas for your banana cocoa bread.
Coconut sugar. You can also use granulated sugar or light brown sugar instead if that’s what you have on hand.
Coconut oil. Melted butter works as well.
Flour. Choose all-purpose or whole wheat flour, or try a gluten-free all-purpose flour substitute for gluten-free banana chocolate bread.
Unsweetened cocoa powder. It wouldn’t be CHOCOLATE banana bread without the chocolate flavor! Dutch-process cocoa or natural cocoa powder work well here.
Baking soda. For lift, so your cocoa banana bread isn’t too heavy.
Salt. A bit of salt helps bring out the sweetness in the bread.
Large eggs. Help hold everything together and add to the light-and-fluffy factor.
Vanilla extract. Learn how to make your own here.
Dark chocolate chips (optional). Fold these into the batter before baking, or sprinkle mini chocolate chips onto the top of the batter for a pretty chocolate and banana loaf.

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BANANAS FOR CHOCOLATE AND BANANA LOAF

Most banana bread recipes call for “brown bananas,” which could range anywhere from small brown spots to big brown spots to nearly completely brown and soft.

The darker your banana, the sweeter the bread will be, but I’ve made this banana bread with ripe bananas (without any brown spots), and it was absolutely delicious.

Unless your bananas are still green, I say it doesn’t matter what your bananas look like – make this chocolate banana bread recipe anyway!

You can even use thawed frozen bananas if that’s what you have on hand. And you don’t even need to mash the bananas first since we’re putting everything in the blender!

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST CHOCOLATE AND BANANA BREAD

I’ve made this chocolate and banana bread recipe dozens of times, yet it always surprises me at how quick and easy this recipe is to make.

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350F.

Wet and dry ingredients and bananas in a blender.

Step 2: In a blender, combine the bananas, coconut oil, eggs, vanilla, and sugar. Process until everything is smooth.

Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining dry ingredients, except the chocolate chips.

Large bowl with wet ingredients and spoon for stirring. This will make chocolate banana bread.

Step 4: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir together until just combined. Pour into a prepared 9”x5” loaf pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips, pressing them slightly into the batter so they don’t detach as the chocolate banana bread bakes.

Step 5: Bake for 42-47 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 6: Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Healthy chocolate banana bread is fresh out of the oven!

To make chocolate banana bread muffins, scoop the batter into a prepared muffin pan and bake for 18-24 minutes.

Store leftover chocolate and banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or slice and freeze for up to 3 months.

HOW TO FREEZE DOUBLE CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD

Because this double chocolate banana bread recipe is so easy to make and comes together so quickly, I almost always make a double or triple batch.

To do this, I make one batch and pour it into the loaf pan. Then WITHOUT CLEANING OR RINSING, I re-use the blender and bowl to make a second batch. When that one is in the loaf pan, I re-use the blender and bowl AGAIN WITHOUT RINSING OR CLEANING and make a third batch.

Repeat this process until you’re out of bananas or loaf pans (or muffin pans!) and pop them all in the oven at the same time. THEN you can wash the two dishes.

To freeze chocolate chip banana bread, cool it completely and cut it into slices. Wrap the entire sliced loaf in plastic wrap and place in a resealable freezer bag. Then it’s easy to just thaw what you need. Read more about freezing bread and other baked goods here.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD

Whether you enjoy this chocolate banana bread as a snack or make it a full meal, it’s a delicious addition to your day!

Here are some toppings that I love:

Butter (salted is better than unsalted butter for toppings)
Melted peanut butter and/or jam with walnuts and pecans sprinkled on top
Chocolate hazelnut spread with chopped hazelnuts and fresh sliced strawberries

This homemade chocolate and banana bread pairs nicely with a hot beverage too:

Have a cup of Hot Chocolate.
Enjoy your morning coffee with Vanilla Creamer.
Go fancy with a Homemade Cinnamon Dolce Latte and you’ll feel like you’re in a fancy coffee shop for a fraction of the price.

Make it a meal:

Have a slice of chocolate and banana bread alongside The Best Scrambled Eggs
Add a bowl of Greek Yogurt and some fresh fruit for a no-cook meal.
Serve with Breakfast Sausage or Bacon for protein – prep them ahead of time for a grab-and-go breakfast!

Homemade chocolate banana bread on a cooling rack.

BANANA LOAF CHOCOLATE FAQS

Why did my banana loaf chocolate fall in the center?

This has happened to me too! I figured out that chocolate banana bread will sink in the center if the pan is too small or if it is overfilled. Over-mixing the batter can also cause problems, and you may want to double-check to make sure your oven temperature is accurate so you can enjoy soft and delicious chocolate banana bread!

Can I make chocolate banana bread eggless?

I haven’t tried that with this banana and chocolate chip bread, but it should work. Since the recipe calls for 3 eggs, I would try at least 2 different egg substitutes, one for binding and one for fluffiness. Flaxseed and aquafaba or yogurt would be my top choices to try.

I only have 2 bananas. Can I still make this chocolate and banana loaf?

You can try! My banana chocolate bread recipe calls for 4 bananas, but depending on the size of your bananas, it might still work. If the batter seems a bit on the dry side, add a bit more of a wet ingredient to the batter, like another egg or more coconut oil, or add a bit of milk or yogurt. Quick bread and muffins are a bit more forgiving in baking than some other baked goods, so you can experiment with substitutions.