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  3. Chocolate Banana Bread
Banana bread loaf with slices on a slate board

Rich chocolate banana bread with melty chocolate chips

Chocolate Banana Bread

Chocolate Banana Bread

1h 5mEasy

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

55 min

Total Time

1 hr 5 min

Servings

10

1 loaf

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Budget

$

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Chocolate Banana Bread

Rich chocolate banana bread with melty chocolate chips

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

Main CourseDessertSnackVegetarian
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

March 12, 2025(Updated April 13, 2026)

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.

Why This Recipe Works

Cocoa powder and chocolate chips transform banana bread into something kids who usually pass on traditional banana bread get excited about. The banana still provides moisture and sweetness while taking a supporting role.

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. 1

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper.

  2. 2

    Mash bananas in a large bowl. Stir in melted butter, sugar, 1 egg, and 1 tsp vanilla.

  3. 3

    Sift flour, cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking soda, and a pinch of salt over the wet ingredients. Fold until just combined.

  4. 4

    Fold in 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Pour batter into the prepared pan and scatter remaining chips on top.

  5. 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 a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream

  • Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate sauce before serving

  • Arrange on a platter for easy sharing at your next gathering

  • Pair with your favorite dipping sauce for extra flavor

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

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Vanilla Extract

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the vanilla matters

For baking and desserts, vanilla is often carrying more aroma than people expect. A better bottle gives the whole recipe a cleaner finish.

This is a small pantry move that usually makes baked goods taste more complete.

  • Improves aroma in desserts and bakes
  • Useful across cakes, cookies, and breakfast bakes

Vanilla extract is one of the easiest pantry upgrades to keep using.

Shop vanilla extract for this recipe

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.

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.

Explore More

More Main CourseMore DessertMore SnackVegetarian RecipesOven Recipes
Sarah Chen

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.

View all recipes →

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