Welcome to the ultimate chocolate chip banana bread recipe that promises a moist, flavor-packed loaf every single time. If you’ve been searching for that perfect balance of sweet banana, rich melted chocolate, and a tender crumb, your search is over. This recipe is straightforward, uses simple ingredients, and is perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Get ready to fill your home with the most incredible aroma.
We’re using extra-ripe bananas as the secret weapon for ultimate moisture and natural sweetness. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a guide to perfecting a classic comfort food. Whether you’re making it for a cozy breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a simple dessert, this chocolate chip banana bread is sure to become a family favorite.
Ready for breakfast, dessert, or a midnight snack!
Why This is the Best Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe
There are countless recipes out there, but this one truly stands out. It has been tested and perfected to ensure a consistently delicious result. We’re not just mixing ingredients; we’re creating a memorable culinary experience.
Unbelievably Moist: The key is using very ripe, almost black, bananas. This provides incredible moisture and a deep, sweet banana flavor that can’t be beaten.
Perfectly Chocolatey: We use a generous amount of chocolate chips that melt into gooey pockets of goodness throughout the loaf.
Simple & Straightforward: No complicated steps or fancy equipment needed. This is a classic, no-fuss recipe that delivers bakery-quality results.
Versatile & Customizable: This recipe is a fantastic base. Feel free to add nuts, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or even a different type of chocolate to make it your own.
Key Ingredients for Success
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Here’s what you’ll need to create the perfect loaf:
For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, please scroll down to the recipe card.
Ingredient Spotlight
Overripe Bananas: Don’t even think about using yellow or green bananas! The darker and spottier, the better. They are sweeter, softer, and provide the moisture that makes this bread legendary.
All-Purpose Flour: The structural backbone of our bread. Be sure to measure it correctly—spoon and level, don’t scoop—to avoid a dense loaf.
Unsalted Butter: Melted butter adds richness and flavor. Using unsalted allows you to control the total salt content perfectly.
Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips are the classic choice, offering a great balance to the sweet banana. You can also use milk chocolate or dark chocolate chunks.
Egg: One large egg is all you need to bind the ingredients and add richness.
Brown Sugar: Adds a wonderful depth of flavor and moisture that complements the bananas perfectly.
Look at that perfectly moist crumb and those melted chocolate chips!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Ready to bake? Let’s walk through the simple steps to create the most amazing chocolate chip banana bread. This process is designed to be easy to follow and guarantees a perfect result.
1. Preparation First
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan to prevent the bread from sticking. This is a crucial first step for an easy release later.
2. Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, mash your overripe bananas with a fork until they are mostly smooth, with a few small lumps remaining for texture. Whisk in the melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until everything is well combined.
3. Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures that the leavening agent is evenly distributed, which is key for a uniform rise.
4. Bring It All Together
Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! A few streaks of flour are perfectly fine. Overmixing can lead to a tough, dense bread. Now, gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, saving a handful to sprinkle on top.
5. Bake to Perfection
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips over the top. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs attached (but no wet batter). If you’re looking for other simple and delicious baked goods, check out these amazing cinnamon rolls or our popular copycat Crumbl cookies.
6. Cool and Enjoy
Let the banana bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before carefully transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. While waiting, why not explore another easy recipe like these no-bake Oreo truffles? Patience is key here—letting it cool ensures clean slices and allows the flavors to settle.
Pro Tips for the Best Banana Bread
Want to take your banana bread from great to absolutely unforgettable? Here are a few expert tips.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: This is the most important tip! Mix only until the flour is just incorporated. Overmixing develops gluten, which will result in a tough and chewy loaf instead of a tender one.
Room Temperature Ingredients: For a smoother, more uniform batter, use an egg that is at room temperature. This helps it emulsify better with the butter.
Tent with Foil: If you notice the top of your bread is browning too quickly before the inside is cooked, loosely tent it with aluminum foil for the remaining bake time.
Common Variations and Add-Ins
While this chocolate chip banana bread is perfect as is, it’s also a wonderful canvas for creativity. Here are a few ideas to customize your loaf:
Add Nuts: For a delightful crunch, fold in 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans along with the chocolate chips.
Spice It Up: Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg to the dry ingredients for a warm, spiced flavor.
Different Chips: Swap the semi-sweet chocolate chips for milk chocolate, dark chocolate, peanut butter chips, or even butterscotch chips.
Storage Instructions
How to Store Banana Bread
To keep your banana bread moist, store it at room temperature in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 4 days. Storing it in the refrigerator can actually dry it out, so the counter is your best bet.
Can I Freeze Banana Bread?
Absolutely! This bread freezes beautifully. Once it has cooled completely, wrap the entire loaf (or individual slices) in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or wrap it in aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To enjoy, simply thaw it at room temperature on the counter.
The secret to incredibly moist banana bread is using overripe bananas. The darker and spottier, the better! They contain more sugar and moisture, which results in a softer, more flavorful loaf. Also, be careful not to overmix the batter.
Yes, you can absolutely use frozen bananas. Just make sure to thaw them completely at room temperature before using. Don’t discard the liquid that comes out as they thaw—it’s full of flavor! Mash them, liquid and all, and add them to your batter.
Dense banana bread is usually caused by overmixing the batter. When you overmix, you develop too much gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough, dense texture. Mix the wet and dry ingredients only until they are just combined. A few streaks of flour are perfectly fine.
The best way to check for doneness is to insert a wooden skewer or toothpick into the center of the loaf. It should come out clean, or with a few moist crumbs attached. If it comes out with wet batter, it needs more time in the oven.
Yes, this recipe works great for muffins! Simply divide the batter evenly into a greased or lined muffin tin, filling each cup about two-thirds full. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
The Perfect Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
We hope you love this simple yet decadent chocolate chip banana bread. It’s the perfect way to use up those ripe bananas and create a treat that everyone will adore. Give this recipe a try and let us know what you think in the comments below. For more delicious inspiration, don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest!
The only chocolate chip banana bread recipe you'll ever need!
FL Recipes
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: The Only Recipe You'll Ever Need
The ultimate chocolate chip banana bread recipe! This guide delivers a perfectly moist, tender, and flavor-packed loaf every time. Made with simple ingredients, it's the only banana bread recipe you will ever need for a delicious breakfast or dessert.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas. Whisk in the melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix. Gently fold in most of the chocolate chips, reserving a handful for the top.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top.
Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, tent it with foil.
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 250kcalProtein: 3gFat: 12gFiber: 2g
Notes
For the best flavor and moisture, use bananas that are heavily speckled or almost black. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can lead to a dense, tough bread. Mix only until the flour is just incorporated. Store the banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
